Ideas Have Consequences

Episode Summary:
What happens when most Christians have a definition of discipleship that's too small?
For many believers, discipleship means Bible studies, church programs, quiet times, or spiritual disciplines. While all of these are important, what if they're only part of the picture?
In this episode, Scott, Nelson, and Luke explore the most common definitions of discipleship, affirm what's right about each one, and explain what's missing. They argue that many Christians have unintentionally reduced discipleship to a handful of spiritual activities, leaving the Church with a fragmented vision of following Jesus and the Great Commission.
More importantly, they present a fuller vision of discipleship, one that extends into every area of life. They explain why Jesus' command to "make disciples of all nations" only makes sense when we recover a robust understanding of what discipleship really is. Fragmented ideas about discipleship produce fragmented consequences for the Kingdom.
In this episode:
The difference between a disciple and discipleship
Why discipleship is about every area of life, not just "spiritual" life
How the sacred-secular divide has shaped modern Christianity
Why information alone doesn't produce transformation
How a biblical understanding of discipleship can transform individuals, churches, communities, and even nations
If Jesus has authority over all things, then discipleship must include all things. This conversation will challenge you to rethink one of Christianity's most familiar words and recover a vision of discipleship that extends far beyond Sunday morning.

Who is the Disciple Nations Alliance (DNA)? Since 1997, DNA’s mission has been to equip followers of Jesus around the globe with a biblical worldview, empowering them to build flourishing families, communities, and nations. 👉 https://disciplenations.org/

📌 Recommended Resources:  
     👉 Core Video: From Changed Hearts to Changed Nations | A Christian’s Purpose 
     👉 Our Short Core Training Videos: Core Message Videos – Disciple Nations Alliance   
     👉 Our Strategy - Disciple Nations Alliance 
     👉 Book: Discipling Nations - Darrow Miller 

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Episode Summary:
"Why do so many push for open borders?"
Our guest's answer: "Power. Not love. Not justice. Power. Not compassion. Not empathy. Power."
Immigration is one of the most controversial issues of our time. In this episode, Kelly Monroe Kullberg, author, speaker, and co-founder of the American Association of Evangelicals, joins Scott and Luke Allen to move beyond political talking points and ask a more important question: What does the Bible actually teach about immigration?
In this episode:
The biblical purpose of nations and borders
The dignity of every human being and caring for the foreigner
Common misconceptions about immigration and border security
Why open borders could lead to the next Tower of Babel
How Christians can pursue both truth and compassion
Practical ways Christians can engage one of today's most important issues
If you've ever wondered how to think biblically about immigration, this conversation will challenge assumptions on every side of the debate.

Who is the Disciple Nations Alliance (DNA)? Since 1997, DNA’s mission has been to equip followers of Jesus around the globe with a biblical worldview, empowering them to build flourishing families, communities, and nations. 👉 https://disciplenations.org/

🎙️Featured Guest: 
Kelly Monroe Kullberg is the founder of the Veritas Forum and editor of the Boston Globe bestseller Finding God at Harvard: Spiritual Journeys of Thinking Christians. Since founding the first Veritas Forum at Harvard in 1992, she has traveled across the country helping start Veritas Forums in dozens of universities. For many years she also served as chaplain to the Harvard Graduate School Christian Fellowship.
She is now director of project development for the Veritas Forum and spokesperson for the new American Association of Evangelicals. She served as a missionary in seven countries and is a passionate advocate for advancing the Christian Gospel to go forward in every nation.

📌 Recommended Resources:  
     👉 Wise Welcome Book: Immigration | American Association of Evangelicals - Wise Welcome  
     👉 Book: The Immigration Crisis: Immigrants, Aliens, and the Bible
     👉 American Association of Evangelicals 
     👉 Recommended Episode: Open Borders, Criminal Justice, & Seeking Shalom | Mark Moland
     👉 Recommended Book: Shepherds for Sale
     👉 Recommended Book: Leadership and The Sin of Empathy
     👉 Kelly’s Most Popular Book: Finding God at Harvard

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Episode Summary:
Are Christians reading current events concerning Israel into the Bible? What if the biggest mistake in the Israel debate is failing to define what "Israel" even means?
Everyone has an opinion about Israel. Few begin with Scripture.
This week we're joined by Pastor Blaine Braden to cut through the noise surrounding Israel, Christian Zionism, replacement theology, Bible prophecy, and Israel's current conflicts. Instead of repeating internet talking points, we rebuild the conversation from the ground up with careful biblical interpretation from Genesis through Revelation with and a particular emphasis on Romans chapters 9-11.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why the Israel debate exploded after October 7 and how online tribalism fuels confusion
Christian Zionism, replacement theology, and the importance of sound hermeneutics
The different biblical meanings of "Israel" and why categorizing definitions matters
Why "chosen" does not mean "saved" and why salvation comes through Christ alone
Romans 9-11, the unfulfilled promises for Israel
How to think biblically about the modern nation-state of Israel
Why Christians should pursue justice without favoritism or conspiracy thinking
What it really means to bless Israel according to Scripture
If this episode helps you think more biblically, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others discover the show.
To support the Disciple Nations Alliance through our Matching Challenge, tap here.

Who is the Disciple Nations Alliance (DNA)? Since 1997, DNA’s mission has been to equip followers of Jesus around the globe with a biblical worldview, empowering them to build flourishing families, communities, and nations. 👉 https://disciplenations.org/
🎙️Featured Guest: 
Pastor Blaine Braden serves as the Lead Pastor of Eastmont Church in Bend, Oregon. A graduate of The Master's University with a degree in Biblical Exposition, Blaine has spent more than sixteen years in pastoral ministry, leading with a passion for expository preaching, discipleship, and equipping the local church in an increasingly post-Christian culture. Under his leadership, Eastmont Church has experienced significant growth and continues to emphasize authentic community, gospel-centered ministry, and the faithful teaching of Scripture.
Blaine and his wife, Justine, have three children and enjoy taking advantage of all that Central Oregon has to offer, especially mountain biking, dirt biking, and great coffee.
📌 Recommended Resources:  
     👉 Matching Challenge: Donate - Disciple Nations Alliance 
     👉 Recommended Episode: Is God Finished with Israel? The Modern State Explained | Redeeming Truth
     👉 Blaine's Recent Sermon on Israel: Church & Israel | Part 1
     👉 Darrow Miller’s New Book: Occupytillicomebook.com

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Episode Summary:
The culture may feel like it's unraveling, but what if God's call isn't to panic, retreat, or attack, but to cultivate? In this thought-provoking conversation, theologian Owen Strachan joins us to discuss his new book, Call to Cultivate, and why Jeremiah 29 provides a compelling biblical blueprint for faithful Christian cultural engagement.
Together, we explore how followers of Christ can engage today's culture without giving in to fear, political idolatry, or end-times obsession. Owen challenges believers to plant gardens, build strong families, disciple their communities, and pursue the long-term work of cultivating culture rather than simply reacting to it. Along the way, we also have several honest, iron-sharpening-iron moments of disagreement that push the conversation deeper and challenge us all to think more carefully.
If you've felt anxious about the direction of our culture or wondered how Christians should respond to today's challenges, this conversation offers a biblical vision rooted in hope, faithfulness, and the lordship of Christ.
If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs hope and a biblical vision for engaging today's world.

Who is Disciple Nations Alliance (DNA)? Since 1997, DNA’s mission has been to equip followers of Jesus around the globe with a biblical worldview, empowering them to build flourishing families, communities, and nations. 👉 https://disciplenations.org/

🎙️Featured Guest: 
Owen Strachan is the provost and research professor of theology at Grace Bible Theological Seminary and a senior fellow for the Family Research Council’s Center for Biblical Worldview. Strachan holds a doctorate in theological studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, a master’s degree from Southern Seminary, and a bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College. The author of numerous books, including Christianity and Wokeness, Reenchanting Humanity, and Always in God’s Hands, he is married and the father of three children. 

📌 Recommended Resources: 
     👉 Matching Challenge: Donate - Disciple Nations Alliance 
     👉 The Book: Call to Cultivate: Overcome Anxiety by Thriving Where God Plants You: Strachan, Owen 
     👉 Owen’s most popular book: Christianity and Wokeness: How the Social Justice Movement Is Hijacking the Gospel - and the Way to Stop It: Strachan, Owen, MacArthur, John
     👉 Our Book: Discipling Nations - Disciple Nations Alliance | Darrow Miller
     👉 One Gospel website: One Gospel 
     👉 The DNA's Theory of Change: From Changed Hearts to Changed Nations | A Christian’s Purpose

💻 Follow Us:
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    📽️YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/DiscipleNationsAlliance/
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📩 Ask us anything: info@disciplenations.org 
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Episode Summary:
Is faith just wishful thinking? How should Christians think about conspiracy theories?
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Juan Valdes to recover a biblical, evidence-based understanding of faith. We explore why faith is not a blind leap but trust in a trustworthy God, why the object of faith matters more than the amount of faith, and how damaging teachings like “you weren’t healed because you lacked faith” distort the gospel.
We also tackle the faith vs. science narrative, exposing the assumptions behind scientism and showing why the deeper conflict is often naturalism vs. theism, not Christianity vs. research. Along the way, we discuss faith and works, skepticism, conspiracy thinking, and how churches can disciple young people being shaped more by school, media, and social platforms than by biblical teaching. 

Who is Disciple Nations Alliance (DNA)? Since 1997, DNA’s mission has been to equip followers of Jesus around the globe with a biblical worldview, empowering them to build flourishing families, communities, and nations. 👉 https://disciplenations.org/

🎙️Featured Speaker: 
Dr. Juan Valdes has always had a curious mind and asked lots of questions growing up. Searching for answers has been his passion and a lifelong journey. He had his first debate in 10th-grade biology class. Juan believes people have good questions and we as Christians need to have good answers. He desires to live out the command in the Bible where we’re told to always be ready to give an answer and to do so with the right attitude (1 Peter 3:15).
Further, Juan feels called to equip young people for the battles they face every day in an increasingly hostile culture. He also desires to equip parents and pastors so that they’re able to engage the youth. Juan loves to see people emboldened when they realize that there are excellent arguments in support of the Truth. Most importantly, he enjoys removing the obstacles that keep people from surrendering to Christ.
When Juan’s not traveling, he is engaged in the pastorate of his bilingual congregation in Miami, FL. When he has down time (which isn’t often) you might find him in a quiet place reading a book or fishing. Juan’s educational background includes graduate work at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and master’s degrees from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Logos Graduate School. He also has a Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary.

📌 Recommended Resources: 
     👉 Matching Challenge: Donate - Disciple Nations Alliance 
     👉 Book: 10 Words to Heal Our Broken World by Scott Allen 
     👉 Last Episode with Juan: When Feelings Become Truth
     👉 Book: How to Think–A Crash Course In Critical Thinking (Revised Edition) - T | rforh store
     👉 Recommended Videos: Debunked Videos — DeBunked
     👉 Website: Reasons for Hope - Home

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    📽️YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/DiscipleNationsAlliance/
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📩 Ask us anything: info@disciplenations.org 
Episode Webpage