Mere Fidelity Mere Fidelity

Can we understand criminal justice Biblically? Criminal justice in America is in need of reform, and attorney Matthew Martens has put his theological mind into a Christian proposal for good reform. In this conversation with Matt, Derek, and Alastair, Martens covers mere sample of issues covered in his book, including coercion, social justice, presumption of innocence, and (this one really gets him going) absolute prosecutorial immunity.
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.

Timestamps:
Derek Missed Out [0:00]
Matt Gets Excited [1:24]
Rooted in Love [5:50]
Target Audience [9:58]
Just War Theory [12:45]
Violence [15:29]
Social Justice [19:51]
Comparing to Scripture [24:19]
Presumption of Innocence [28:16]
Accountability and Immunity [37:45]
Reciprocal Punishment [47:42]

Occasionally on Mere Fidelity we have taken up difficult passages of Scripture. On this episode we take up an entire book that feels quite difficult: the book of the prophet Zechariah. What do all those oddly specific visions mean? Is Alexander the Great an actual Christ figure? How can you tell the difference between prophetic horizons? With Matt acting as everyman, Andrew asks the sharp questions, and Alastair sorts out the answers.
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.

Timestamps:
Anno Biden [0:00]
Free Sermon Prep? [1:38]
Weird Form… or Weird Content [4:07]
Night Vision Context [6:22]
Problem Solved? [14:35]
More Complicated: Hooray! [18:08]
Wait, Which Horizon? 27:48]
The Meaning of Prophecy [37:03]
Of Normative Accounts of Providence in History [43:02]

With war in Israel functioning as a totemic marker in our polarized political climate, Derek, Matt, and Alastair talk frankly and vulnerably about how all of us can do justice, love mercy, and not lose our souls.
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.

Timestamps:
Matt on Trial [0:00]
A Hard Season [2:13]
An Urgent Question [3:54]
Biblical Resources [13:37]
Weighing the Victims [22:10]
Loving Enemies [31:20]
Unequal Deaths [37:10]
Mercy [40:53]

Is questioning your faith a good thing? We need not fear questions. By the grace of God, we have the safety and security to rush headlong into them and find ourselves better for it on the other side. Matt has literally written the book on questions. Derek, Alastair, and special guest Brad East join
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.
Timestamps:
Mixed Reviewers [0:00]
Ten Years Makes a Difference [3:19]
Faith, Doubt, and Wonder [7:48]
Church Application [12:25]
Good Leading Questions [17:14]
Questioning in the Spirit [23:55]
Virtue [30:05]
Answering with a Question [37:15]
Be the Question Man [47:19]

Integralism is a philosophy of church and state that seemed to have been definitively rejected. And yet, it has received new life from prominent proponents in recent days. Dr. Kevin Vallier has written a new book that looks at the good and the bad of integralism. Matt, Alastair, and Derek discuss it with him.
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.
Timestamps:
Go and Listen [0:00]
The Story So Far [1:29]
The Revival [8:48]
The Opposition [13:39]
Liberalism [21:13]
Favorite Arguments [28:56]
Why Bother [37:00]
Establishmentarianism [45:00]

The classic intro to Christianity, Knowing God by J.I. Packer, was published 50 years ago. To celebrate this anniversary, Derek, Alastair, and Matt welcome Fred Sanders back to the show to discuss the distinctives of evangelical spirituality and practice which shine forth in Packer’s book. They also discuss the doctrine of God, classic hymns, the Keswick movement, and the contemporary literary context of which Knowing God may be the apex.
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.

Timestamps:
Half a Century [0:00]
Evangelical Spirituality [5:31]
What’s Missing [11:42]
Old Books [13:04]
Keswick [17:55]
Experience and Assurance [27:52]
Thin and Thick Piety [34:09]
Active/Contemplative [40:09]
Remediation [42:11]