Conversations That Matter

What did the NatCon conference in Jerusalem reveal about the future of nationalism, liberalism, and the relationship between Israel and the West?
In this episode of *Conversations That Matter*, Jon Harris speaks with Dr. Avital Levi, director of educational programs at the Herzl Institute in Jerusalem, about her presentation at the National Conservatism Conference and the controversies surrounding the event.
Dr. Levi explains why liberal individualism struggles to sustain social cohesion, why nations need shared histories and traditions, and how the biblical account of nationhood offers an alternative to both radical individualism and political universalism. The conversation explores the relationship between family, nation, religion, and political order, as well as the influence of liberal ideas on Israeli society.
Jon and Dr. Levi also discuss the debate surrounding Israel's relationship with the United States, the controversy over public figures such as Tucker Carlson, accusations of antisemitism, and the importance of evaluating international alliances in light of both moral principles and national interests.
Finally, they consider the future of Christian influence in the West and why the recovery of a shared Christian inheritance matters for the political and cultural health of Western nations.
**Topics include:**
- The NatCon conference in Jerusalem
- Liberalism and the social contract
- National identity, family, and shared traditions
- Biblical nationhood and the Tower of Babel
- Israel, nationalism, and immigration
- Tucker Carlson and the debate over antisemitism
- The U.S.-Israel relationship and national interests
- Christianity and the future of Western civilization
Subscribe to *Conversations That Matter* for thoughtful discussions about Christianity, politics, theology, and Western civilization.
00:00 Introduction: Avital Levi and the NatCon Conference
04:30 Liberalism and the Problem of Individualism
09:00 Loyalty, Tragedy, and National Solidarity
14:00 Family, Marriage, and the Foundations of Society
19:00 Abraham, Babel, and Biblical Nationhood
28:00 Nationalism, Religion, and Self-Governing Nations
37:00 Christianity's Influence on Western Culture
44:00 Political Involvement and the NatCon Movement
49:00 Tucker Carlson, Antisemitism, and the NatCon Controversy
54:00 The U.S.-Israel Relationship: Interests and Alliances
64:00 Christian Ethics and Difficult Foreign Policy Questions
78:00 Restoring Christianity and Supporting Israel

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What happens when Christians bring their understanding of human nature, theology, and the good life into the worlds of business, technology, and politics?
In this episode of *Conversations That Matter*, I sit down with Nate Fischer, co-founder of New Founding and a founding backer of American Reformer, to discuss how Christians can move beyond building niche alternatives and start shaping the future of America.
Nate explains how independent thinking helped shape his career as an investor, why Christian theology has practical implications for business decisions, and how New Founding identifies opportunities at the intersection of cultural change, politics, and entrepreneurship.
We also discuss the limits of conventional Christian approaches to business, the future of artificial intelligence, the decline of social trust, building communities rooted in the American way of life, and why people increasingly need to evaluate public figures by whether they have genuine skin in the game.
Finally, we consider how Christians should approach controversial ideas, institutional stewardship, and the responsibility to build rather than simply criticize.
Topics include:
- Why independent thinking matters in business and politics
- New Founding and its vision for America
- Christian anthropology and artificial intelligence
- Why Christian businesses need more than a Christian label
- The decline of social trust and the search for community
- Skin in the game, credibility, and the future of public discourse
- How Christians can build institutions that shape the future
Learn more:
New Founding: https://newfounding.com  
American Reformer: https://americanreformer.org
Follow Nate Fischer on X: @NateAFisher
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00:00 Introduction to Nate Fischer
01:20 Independent Thinking and the Path to Investing
05:00 From Business to Politics
08:00 Why Christian Theology Matters for Business
16:00 New Founding and American Reformer
23:06 Venture Capital, Startups, and Building Communities
42:10 Skin in the Game in the Age of AI and Social Media
44:00 Performative Outrage and Genuine Risk
1:03:09 Israel, Political Labels, and Productive Debate
1:15:08 Stewarding Imperfect Institutions and the Christian View of AI

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Democratic candidates with pastoral backgrounds are running competitive campaigns in traditionally Republican states, using Christian language to promote progressive political positions. What does this development mean for American Christians, and how should we understand the rise of the religious left?
In this episode of Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris examines four candidates running for federal office in Texas, Kansas, and Iowa: James Talarico, Adam Hamilton, Sarah Trone Garriott, and Lindsay James.
Although these candidates often present themselves as moderate, bipartisan, and guided by Christian values, their positions on abortion, transgender issues, climate change, and social justice raise important questions about the relationship between progressive politics and historic Christian teaching.
Jon explores their public statements, theological backgrounds, and political strategies, including their criticism of Christian nationalism and their appeals to the gospel, compassion, and the common good.
The broader concern is not simply electoral politics. It is the way political movements can use familiar Christian language to persuade believers that particular policies follow from the gospel. Christians need biblical discernment to distinguish genuine Christian teaching from political programs presented in religious terms.
The episode concludes by considering what Republicans can learn from these candidates' communication strategies and why character, moral credibility, and a clear defense of Christian principles matter in public life.

In this episode:
- The rise of Democratic candidates with pastoral backgrounds
- James Talarico's campaign and his criticism of Christian nationalism
- Adam Hamilton's progressive theology and political positions
- Sarah Trone Garriott and Lindsay James in Iowa
- The relationship between social justice, the social gospel, and Christian teaching
- Why a moderate tone can make progressive policies more appealing
- How Christians can develop discernment and evaluate political claims
- What conservative candidates can learn from the religious left

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#Christianity #Politics #ReligiousLeft

00:00 The New Face of the Religious Left
05:06 Why Christians Should Pay Attention
12:18 The Rise of Democratic Pastors
17:03 James Talarico and Christian Nationalism
32:00 Adam Hamilton and Progressive Christianity
40:46 Sarah Trone Garriott and the Religious Left
46:40 Lindsay James and the Social Gospel
52:57 How Progressive Pastors Appeal to Voters
54:46 What Republicans Should Learn from the Religious Left

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In this News Roundup, Jon Harris covers the latest developments in American politics, the Christian church, and the broader cultural landscape. From the controversy surrounding YouTube’s copyright complaint against *All Are Not Welcome* to the biblical case for capital punishment, this episode examines the ideas and institutions shaping America’s future.
Jon discusses the United Nations’ pandemic preparedness resolution and the U.S. decision to oppose it, a recent school shooting and the role of armed citizens in stopping violence, and a new report examining suicide rates following restrictions on transgender medical procedures for minors.
In evangelical news, Southern Baptist Convention President Willie Rice calls on pastors to engage in the political process ahead of the midterm elections. Jon also examines the latest legal developments involving McLean Bible Church and considers whether growing public expressions of Christian faith in the music industry point to a broader cultural shift.

Topics covered:
- YouTube’s copyright complaint against All Are Not Welcome
- The biblical case for capital punishment and public accountability
- The Pope’s opposition to the death penalty and American sovereignty
- The United Nations’ pandemic preparedness resolution
- A school shooting and the role of armed citizens
- New findings on restrictions on transgender medical interventions for minors
- Willie Rice, the SBC, and Christian political engagement
- The latest McLean Bible Church legal developments
- Billy Corgan, Kid Rock, and the growing visibility of Christian faith in music

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00:00 Introduction and News Roundup (Low Bandwidth)
04:57 YouTube Targets All Are Not Welcome
09:01 The Death Penalty, the Bible, and Public Justice
17:42 The Pope, Capital Punishment, and American Sovereignty
20:05 The UN Pandemic Resolution and Medical Freedom
22:43 School Shooting: The Good Guy with a Gun
24:20 Report on Transgender Treatment Bans and Suicide Rates
25:36 Willie Rice Calls Southern Baptists to Political Engagement
27:49 McLean Bible Church: Latest Legal Developments
30:21 Billy Corgan, Kid Rock, and Christianity in Music
36:12 Midterm Elections and Audience Questions

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Why is Northern Ireland still comparatively Christian while the Republic of Ireland has seen such a dramatic collapse in Christian practice and cultural influence?

I talk with Pastor @j_bambrick about conversion, discipleship, Christian institutions, free speech, Enoch Burke, and what Christians in America can learn from Ireland.

00:00 — Why Talk About Christianity Outside America?
01:28 — Meet Pastor Jamie Bambrick
03:04 — Why Northern Ireland Remains More Christian
06:30 — How Ireland Lost Its Christian Culture
09:02 — Institutions Are Not Enough Without Conversion
11:17 — The Troubles and Northern Ireland’s Christian Identity
14:00 — Christian Nationalism and the Need for Discipleship
17:34 — Enoch Burke and the Fight Over Free Speech
24:01 — Northern Ireland Faces the Same Cultural Pressures
52:56 — Are Young Men Returning to Church?

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