Conversations That Matter

What is happening in the Christian world right now?

In this news roundup, Jon Harris covers a wide range of stories affecting Christians, including the collapse of the G3 Church Network, Phil Johnson's recent comments on Christian nationalism, a controversial surrogacy battle, Skillet's decision to drop its opening act, the Protestant Accountability website, and the death of Dolly Parton.

We also discuss whether Christians should be more politically involved, the relationship between political action and evangelism, the problem of evil and natural disasters, terrorism in New York, declining marriage and dating among young people, the George Floyd case, and recent developments involving Israel.

Throughout the episode, the goal is not simply to react to the news, but to think through these issues from a Christian worldview.

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Plus, Jon discusses the upcoming Restoring Virtue Conference and the new Truthscript review of Mr. Burton.

Subscribe to Conversations That Matter for more Christian commentary, cultural analysis, and news from a biblical perspective.
00:00 — Christian Nationalism and the Christian’s Political Duty
03:15 — Why Virtue Is Necessary for Liberty
06:45 — The Surrogacy Battle: Who Should Get the Baby?
18:55 — Skillet Drops Its Opening Act
21:30 — The Protestant Accountability Website Controversy
25:20 — Dolly Parton, Death, and Can We Know Someone Is in Heaven?
37:20 — G3 Church Network Shuts Down
40:05 — Phil Johnson, Grace Community Church, and Christian Nationalism
53:20 — Terrorism, New York Politics, Dating, and George Floyd
59:30 — Natural Disasters, Israel, and the Problem of Evil

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A controversial family photo went viral on X, and the reaction exposed something deeper than an argument over adoption.

Why were some people who consider themselves conservative accusing a Christian family of betraying their own race because they adopted two children? Why did people read sinister motives into an ordinary family photograph? And what does this reveal about the direction of the online Right?

In this episode of Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris examines the controversy surrounding a family with one biological daughter and two adopted sons, and argues that some online conservatives are losing the very principles they claim to defend.

Adoption is not about abandoning your family or your society. It can be an expression of responsibility, paternalism, Christian charity, and a willingness to shoulder burdens for the sake of children and the community. The adopted children in this case were American children who came through the Nevada foster care system, not foreign children imported into the country.

Jon also discusses:

• Why adopted children should be treated as genuine members of the family
• The Christian significance of adoption
• How social media encourages paranoia and impulsive reactions
• Why conservatism requires realism rather than utopian thinking
• The relationship between adoption, family, and social stability
• Why paternalism is not the same thing as cruelty
• The Christian understanding of masculine strength and responsibility
• The Western tradition of paternal responsibility
• Why Christians should think about preserving society while also caring for vulnerable children

The larger question is simple: **What exactly are we trying to conserve?**

Jon also shares an encouraging story from a recent visit to Word of Life in the Adirondacks and reflects on why Christians should not assume that Christianity is disappearing simply because the internet makes everything look like a crisis.

This is a discussion about adoption, conservatism, Christianity, masculinity, paternalism, social media, and the responsibility we have toward the people and communities we will leave to the next generation.

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This episode examines the controversy surrounding G3 Ministries, the allegations involving Pastor Tom Buck, the resignation of Ethan Jago, and the broader decline of a once influential institution within Reformed evangelicalism.

The episode begins with audio from Pastor Matt Sykes of Praise Mill Baptist Church, the flagship church associated with G3 Ministries, discussing an impending article from Protestia. From there, we examine the controversy surrounding Tom Buck, including questions about sermon preparation, attribution, anonymous allegations, and the role of G3 leadership.

We also examine Phil Johnson's discussion of the controversy, Protestia's reporting, and Ethan Jago's resignation from G3. The larger question is not simply what happened in this particular dispute, but what the controversy says about Christian leadership, institutional authority, virtue, and the future of parachurch ministries.

G3 once occupied an important place in the Reformed evangelical world, attracting prominent speakers and thousands of people to its conferences. But the transcript argues that a series of controversies, fractures, deaths, and disqualifications have brought that era to an end.

The question, then, is: What comes next?

If Christians want to see a bold Christian vision for America, they need Christian leaders who possess biblical qualifications, virtue, and integrity. The future may not look like the large parachurch institutions of the past. It may instead require new models of Christian fellowship, discipleship, church networking, and theological education.

00:00 — The G3 Ministries Controversy
04:19 — Why G3 Matters for Christian America
09:07 — The Rise and Fall of G3 Ministries
15:20 — Tom Buck, Phil Johnson, and the Plagiarism Controversy
21:49 — Ethan Jago Resigns From G3
30:17 — What Comes Next for Christian Ministry?

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In this News Roundup, Jon Harris examines the Florida gubernatorial Republican primary and what the results reveal about the growing disconnect between online political influence and actual voters.

The conversation then moves beyond Florida to the condition of the Bible Belt, the decline of Southern culture, the rise of socialism within the Democratic Party, and the question of whether the Christian influence of the South is really disappearing.

Jon also discusses evangelical news, AI and Christian publishing, the dangers of lowering standards for political and religious leaders, and the growing problem of ecumenism on the Christian Right.

Finally, Jon takes a close look at the “Christ Is King” conference and the decision to feature Alex Jones, examining Jones's statements about God, salvation, spirituality, and the nature of Christ. The question is not simply whether someone uses Christian language, but whether what they actually believe is consistent with Christianity.

This episode is about politics, Christianity, institutional leadership, the Bible Belt, and the importance of looking beyond rhetoric to character, competence, theology, and reality.

Jon's Music: jonharristunes.com

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00:00 — Florida’s Republican Primary
08:45 — The Numbers Do Not Match the Internet
14:00 — When Spoilers Become a Political Strategy
20:50 — Democrats, Socialism, and the New Coalition
37:27 — Is the Bible Belt Gone?
50:00 — Christianity, Politics, and AI
1:04:56 — Is It Ever Too Late for Revival?
1:05:04 — When “Christ Is King” Becomes a Problem
1:17:00 — What Alex Jones Actually Believes

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This week on Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris sits down with Troy Miller, president and CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters, for a wide-ranging conversation about the upcoming midterms and the role of Christian voters.

Miller discusses the dynamics shaping the 2026 elections, the growing divisions on both the right and left, the changing priorities of Christian conservatives, and why moral issues such as abortion, family, and sexual ethics should not disappear from the political conversation. They also discuss Christian voter turnout, the future of the American coalition, Miller's understanding of a Judeo-Christian foundation, and the changing influence of Christian media.

The conversation ultimately asks a larger question: What kind of country are Christians going to pass on to the next generation? Miller's answer is direct: Christians need to be courageous, engaged, and willing to act rather than merely comment from the sidelines.

00:00 — The Christian Vote and the 2026 Midterms
01:38 — What Is Really at Stake?
03:19 — Why These Midterms Could Be Different
07:42 — Are Christians Forgetting the Moral Issues?
12:17 — What Does the Next Generation Want From Christian Media?
18:25 — Could Christians Decide Every Election?
26:19 — The Changing Influence of Christian Media
41:49 — Christians Have a Responsibility to Vote

Jon's Music: jonharristunes.com

To Support the Podcast:
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