Plain Speech Podcast

King’s Domain
  • 4.2 (15)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Plain Speech Podcast

Plain talk about theology and culture with pastor Michael Clary

  1. 12/19/2024

    How Christian Persecution is on the Rise

    In this episode of the Plain Speech podcast, Alex Kocman discusses the broad definition of persecution in a Christian context. Alex, who serves as the Director of Communications and Engagement at ABWE and an Elder at Faith Bible Fellowship Church, explores how persecution can come in varying degrees and forms, not just overt physical violence but also subtle societal pressures. He shares insights on how Christians are facing severe persecution worldwide, particularly in countries like Nigeria, Armenia, and regions of India. The conversation delves into the theological and practical implications of persecution, addressing the balance between suffering for Christ and not unnecessarily seeking martyrdom. Alex emphasizes the importance of maintaining a witness for Christ amidst cultural pressures and the role that different forms of opposition play in the sanctification of believers. The episode concludes with a reflection on how Christians should utilize their freedoms and resources to further the mission of the church globally. 00:00 Introduction to Alex Kocman 01:24 Defining Persecution 06:09 Global Hotspots of Persecution 14:37 Persecution in America 19:51 The Nature of Persecution and Christian Witness 33:05 The Pedestal of Persecution 34:20 Winsomeness Controversy and Cultural Shifts 36:15 Internal Conflicts Among Christians 37:15 Paul's Response to Opposition 38:41 The Role of Suffering in Christian Life 43:50 Balancing Truth and Compassion 51:59 Martyr Complex and Misguided Zeal 01:01:47 Holistic Christian Mission 01:03:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    1h 4m

  2. 12/04/2024

    Eric Tuffendsam - Unveiling the Christian Music Industry

    In this episode of the Plain Speech podcast, Eric Tuffendsam, an experienced musician and producer, discusses the complexities and issues within the Christian music industry. They delve into how market-driven motives compromise the spiritual aspect of worship music and how major secular record labels control a significant portion of the Christian music market. Eric raises concerns about the emotional manipulation in modern worship songs and emphasizes the importance of producing music that genuinely glorifies God. He introduces his own project, the Sower Project, aimed at creating biblically sound music and shares his vision for a resurgence of quality Christian music coming from the Reformed tradition. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:49 The Christian Music Industry's Hidden Truths 02:34 Ownership and Market Influence in Christian Music 05:31 Impact of Market Pressures on Music Content 09:12 Emotional Manipulation in Worship Music 11:31 Musical Formulas and Their Effects 17:17 Challenges in Creating Authentic Worship Music 29:12 Comparing Modern Worship Songs to Psalms 31:25 Exploring Worship Song Lyrics 34:22 The Business of Christian Music 40:21 Challenges for Aspiring Christian Musicians 47:43 Introducing the Sower Project 50:31 The Seed EP: A Gospel Journey 57:39 Encouraging Christian Artistry 59:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    1 hr

  3. 11/20/2024

    Davis Younts - The Fight for Religious Freedom

    Recorded the day after Donald Trump's reelection, Davis shares his insights as a Pennsylvania voter on the election results and evangelical voter turnout. As a former military JAG officer, Davis recounts his transition from cynicism to actively defending religious rights during COVID-19. He shares personal anecdotes, including his legal defense of Navy SEALs against the COVID vaccine mandates and his experience representing Michael Cassidy. We also delve into the legal challenges Christians face concerning compelled speech, participation in pride events, and the importance of building supportive communities to uphold religious freedom. 00:00 Introduction and Election Aftermath 00:35 Evangelical Voter Turnout 01:27 Churches and Pastors' Role in Politics 02:07 Personal Reflections on COVID and Politics 03:03 Military Background and Legal Career 05:13 Defending Religious Freedom During COVID 10:20 Tucker Carlson Interview Experience 13:57 State of Religious Freedom in the Military 21:37 Legal Trends and Challenges for Christians 28:37 State Regulations on Marriage Licenses 29:00 Churches and Legal Vulnerabilities 30:10 Building Community and Support 30:21 Personal Experience During COVID 31:48 Challenges Faced by Churches 34:54 Legal Protections for Religious Beliefs 36:10 Case Studies of Religious Accommodations 44:47 Navigating Legal Challenges 46:17 Support Systems for Legal Battles 50:09 High-Profile Legal Cases 56:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    57 min
  4. Michael Cassidy - Smashing Satan

    11/12/2024

    Michael Cassidy - Smashing Satan

    In this episode of the Plain Speech Podcast, Michael Clary interviews Michael Cassidy, a Navy reserve pilot, who shares the story of taking down a Satanic statue at the Iowa State Capitol. Cassidy discusses his Christian upbringing, military career, and the viral incident that led to his labeling as a 'domestic extremist.' He reflects on the personal and professional repercussions, the ideological battles within the military, and the broader societal implications. Cassidy emphasizes the importance of standing firm in Christian beliefs despite societal pressures, and the need for Christians to engage actively in public life. 00:00 Introduction and Opening Thoughts 00:33 Meet Michael Cassidy: The Real-Life Smash Bail Guy 01:06 Michael's Background and Military Career 02:09 The Iowa Incident: Taking Down the Demon Statue 07:10 Legal Consequences and Media Attention 16:01 Impact on Michael's Career and Navy Investigations 20:30 Political and Cultural Reflections 28:52 Church Members as Domestic Extremists 29:55 Potential for Misuse of Extremist Labels 32:24 Historical Parallels and Christian Responsibility 34:06 The Satanic Temple and Its Agenda 39:36 Christian Response and Civil Disobedience 44:36 Rediscovering Christian Political Theory 51:43 Personal Growth and Faith 55:19 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

    56 min
  5. Pastoral Counsel for the 2024 Election

    10/14/2024

    Pastoral Counsel for the 2024 Election

    Navigating the Political Landscape: A Christian Perspective on the 2024 Election [AI GENERATED] In this episode of the Plain Speech Podcast, Pastor Michael Clary from Cincinnati offers his pastoral guidance on the 2024 election. Emphasizing the importance of hopeful Christianity, Clary shares his reasons for supporting Donald Trump over Kamala Harris. Arguing from a Christian worldview, he addresses the moral and political stakes involved, highlighting Trump's potential for disruption and critiquing the current political establishment. The episode concludes with a call for Christians to use their voice wisely in elections while maintaining hope anchored in the eternal promises of Jesus Christ. 00:00 Introduction: The Hope of Christianity 00:51 Pastoral Counsel for Voting 01:19 The Stakes of the Election 02:38 The Role of Government 04:25 Evaluating Donald Trump 10:53 Critique of Kamala Harris 16:08 The Democrat Party's Agenda 19:27 Exposing Democratic Hypocrisy 22:17 The Political Establishment's Corruption 24:55 A Spiritual Perspective on Politics 27:12 Christian Voting Options 30:37 Why Vote for Donald Trump? 34:47 A Call to Prayer and Action

    37 min
  6. Practical Lessons for Pastors Who are Beginning to Discern the Times

    09/09/2024

    Practical Lessons for Pastors Who are Beginning to Discern the Times

    This is a video essay from this article originally published at Sola Ecclesia In this episode of the Plain Speech Podcast, Michael Clary discusses cultural engagement in modern times from a pastoral perspective. Over the past decade, pastors have faced unprecedented moral and emotional challenges in their ministry environments. This episode discusses the 'three worlds of evangelicalism' as proposed by Aaron Renn, detailing how American society's perception of Christianity has shifted from positive, to neutral, to negative. The script provides a detailed analysis of the challenges pastors face today and suggests two approaches: appeasement or engagement, emphasizing the importance of courage and biblical fidelity in a hostile cultural climate. It also offers practical advice for pastors on how to effectively lead their congregations in these turbulent times. 00:00 Introduction: Navigating Modern Ministry Challenges 00:24 The Three Worlds of Evangelicalism 01:02 The Shift to a Negative World 01:45 Pastoral Realities in the Negative World 02:55 The Influence of Social Media on Christian Thought 03:51 Recognizing Cultural Shifts in Congregations 05:20 The Dilemma of Addressing Controversial Issues 09:01 Strategies for Faithful Pastoral Leadership 15:36 Counting the Cost of Engagement 20:10 Conclusion: Encouragement for Faithful Shepherds

    22 min

  7. 08/28/2024

    Thoughts on the Credobaptist to Paedobaptist Pipeline

    Understanding the Shift from Baptist to Presbyterian Traditions In this episode of the Plain Speech Podcast, Michael Clary explores the factors behind Baptists transitioning to Presbyterian churches. Drawing from a piece he wrote on his Substack, Clary discusses the theological and cultural influences that guide these shifts, emphasizing the role of family discipleship in this movement.  He theorizes that embattled Baptist families are seeking environments more focused on catechizing children and preserving Christian values amidst growing societal hostility. Clary also critiques the potential pitfalls for Baptist churches that may neglect child-focused discipleship in favor of broader evangelism efforts. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:33 Reading and Discussing the Substack Piece 01:10 Theological Sophistication and Personal Experience 02:24 Cultural and Theological Observations 04:25 Pipeline from Credo Baptist to Peadobaptist churches 07:15 Family Discipleship vs. Evangelism 13:53 Potential Shifts Towards Catholicism 15:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts https://dmichaelclary.substack.com/p/thoughts-on-the-baptist-to-presbyterian

    17 min
  8. Jason Storms - How the Prolife Movement Lost its Way

    08/22/2024

    Jason Storms - How the Prolife Movement Lost its Way

    In this episode of Plain Speech Podcast, host Michael Clary and Jason Storms of Operation Save America delve into the current state of anti-abortion activism in America. Jason shares his personal story of coming to faith in Christ and how his rise to lead Operation Save America. Michael and Jason also discuss the impact of the Dobbs decision, the usage of different terms such as “pro life,” “abolitionist,” “immediatist,” and “incrementalist”, and the challenges of passing legislation like the Equal Protection Bill. They also explore the balance between ideological purity and practical action within the broader anti-abortion movement. 00:00 Introduction to the Plain Speech Podcast 00:29 Jason Storms' Journey to Faith and Anti-Abortion Ministry 01:01 The Impact of Abortion on Personal Life 01:29 Operation Save America and Pro-Life Movement 03:00 Cultural and Personal Reflections on Masculinity 07:43 The Role of Men in the Abortion Debate 09:17 Reflections on the Dobbs Decision 15:44 Political Dynamics and the Pro-Life Movement 34:47 The Abolitionist Movement and Pro-Life Strategies 38:16 Unrest in the Abolitionist Movement 39:14 Pro-Life vs. Abolitionist: Defining the Terms 40:02 Social Media Conflicts and Misunderstandings 42:10 The Split Within the Abolitionist Movement 42:25 The Rise of AHA and Its Impact 43:27 Pro-Life and Abolitionist: Can They Coexist? 45:22 The Problem with Incremental Legislation 50:01 Chemical Abortions and Legal Loopholes 52:10 Balancing Ideology and Practicality 55:00 The Trump Debate: Pragmatism vs. Principle 01:01:33 Righteous Increments vs. Compromise 01:07:54 Unity in the Fight Against Abortion 01:12:06 Conclusion and Call to Action https://www.operationsaveamerica.org/

    1h 13m
See All (28)

Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Plain talk about theology and culture with pastor Michael Clary

Information

More From King’s Domain

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada