The Commonwealth Matters

Is there a moral foundation to free market capitalism? Does virtue play a critical role in its success? And how has the Christian worldview influenced wealth creation in the United States? In this week's episode, we explore these important questions with Dave Brat, former congressman from Virginia and current Vice Provost for Engagement & Public Relations at Liberty University. Join us as we e...

Is school choice a good thing for families and children? Will it improve education outcomes? Amendment 2 is on the Kentucky ballot on November 5th and it would open up the opportunity of choice to parents across the Commonwealth, but there’s strong opposition and misinformation. Joining us to talk about this important amendment is Dr. Gary Houchens, professor of Education Administration and Direct...

Most crime, including murder and sexual assault, is done by men. Are men toxic? Are they inherently violent and inferior to women? These are some of the questions we’ll try to answer in this week’s edition of the Commonwealth Matters. We are joined by Professor Nancy Pearcey, author of The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes . She is professor and scholar-in-residence a...

How is Kentucky doing economically compared to other states? Do we find meaning and purpose in our work?  And what does it look like to have a healthy economy and flourishing people? On this week's episode of the Commonwealth Matters, CPC Exec. Director Richard Nelson discusses how Kentucky can have a growing economy based on biblical principles. He also discusses CPC's upcoming conference...

Are you a pastor wondering how to address sensitive political issues with your church? Have you felt uncertain in the voting booth and wondered how to fulfill your civic duties without violating your conscience? Do you want to know how to speak to—and be heard by—your local city council or school board? The Scriptures help us answer all of these questions   so that we may submit to the Lordship of...

A recent MSNBC article claimed that Donald Trump uses Christianity as a political prop to advance a theocracy and Kamala Harris practices the Christian faith she was raised in and embraces pluralism. Many on the Left call the Right Christian nationalists, and paint Christian nationalism as an existential threat to America, democracy, and the Church. Is this correct? To talk with us about this impo...

As power outages become increasingly common across the nation, particularly in states phasing out coal-fired power plants, many are left questioning the reliability of our electrical grid. In Kentucky, a winter storm a few years ago led to rolling blackouts, highlighting the vulnerabilities in our power supply. Are we taking our electricity reliability for granted? What will the future hold for en...

The church should be a place of hope and healing for broken sinners. But what happens when the church fails at its mission, is no longer safe, and there's a sexual predator who is a leader in the local church? These questions aren't theoretical, but was a reality in LexCity Church in Lexington, KY. To help us think through these difficult issues is Robert Cunningham, former pastor at Tates...

Too many Americans have a low view of work today. Work has become devalued, and it is seen as something we unfortunately have to do to live. But is this how God and the Bible views work? Are we meant to work and is work the meaning of life? David Bahnsen, founder of the Bahnsen Group, joins us this week to discuss his new book  Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life . If you would like to intervi...

What is leadership? How do you become a leader? What biblical principles can leaders integrate into their lives and work? To talk further about biblical leadership is Todd Gray, the Executive Director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention and host of the podcast "Leadership Lessons." If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please...

School choice (or educational freedom) is on the ballot this November in Kentucky. Kentuckians will vote for a constitutional amendment to allow more educational opportunities for parents, students, and teachers. Proponents of school choice say that this will empower parents with better opportunities that fit the needs of their children. To talk further about this important topic is Martin Cothran...

According to a recent report, the Social Security Fund Reserve will run out by 2035. This means that something needs to be done within 9 years for retirees to receive their full benefits. To talk further about the need for fiscal responsibility in our federal government is Dr. Mark Warshawsky, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). He focuses on Social Security and retirement...

Is marriage an out-of-date institution? Does it get in the way of happiness and fulfillment? To talk further about the importance of marriage to individuals, families, and society, Dr. Brad Wilcox of the University of Virginia joins us to discuss his latest book  Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization . If you would like to interview Richard N...

How should Christians engage the culture? And should Christians engage politically? To help us think through these important questions with help from the wisdom of the early Church, we are joined by Dr. Stephen Presley to discuss his latest book  Cultural Sanctification: Engaging the World like the Early Church . Dr. Presley is a professor of Church History at The Southern Baptist Theological Semi...

Americans pushed back against big businesses like Target and Bud Light when they entered the culture war. But what do we do when businesses target conservative organizations and individuals? To discuss these issues, we are joined this week by Daniel Cameron, former Attorney General of Kentucky and CEO of the 1792 Exchange, an organization dedicated to protecting free speech, religious liberty, and...

The Biden Administration is implementing a rule to require would require children who identify as LGBTQ+ be placed in foster homes that accept the child's "gender identity," which would include "gender affirming" medical procedures. This threatens the existence of faith-based ministries like Kentucky's Sunrise Children's Services. In this week's edition of The C...

Kentucky's primary election season is over, and we can now reflect on the impact of the political action committees (PACs). Churchill Downs, Jefferson Co. Teacher's Association, and others poured in money to defeat conservative candidates. But a little PAC known as Conservatives for the Commonwealth had an outsized influence. In this week's edition of The Commonwealth Matters we are jo...

Should existing health care providers have veto power over new providers moving into the community? How does this affect your health care in your community? In this week's edition of The Commonwealth Matters we are joined by Robert Moffit of the Heritage Foundation to discuss and clarify the complex topic of certificate of need reform in Kentucky.  If you would like to interview Richard Nelson...

In this week's edition of The Commonwealth Matters we are joined by Prof. Robert P. George of Princeton University to discuss celebrating Fidelity Month in June, a month dedicated to the importance of fidelity to God, spouses and families, and our country and communities. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Our universities seem to be collapsing, as colleges have implemented safe spaces and trigger warnings and suppress dissenting voices, mostly those of conservatives. Joining us this week to talk about his new book  Conformity Colleges: The Destruction of Intellectual Creativity and Dissent in America's Universities  is David Barnhizer, professor of Law emeritus at the Cleveland State University...

Politicians are now talking about taxes since it's an election year. Those on the right generally want to lower taxes, and those on the left want to raise them. And we as citizens usually think we pay too much. Joining us this week to talk about taxes is Dr. Brian Domitrovic, a scholar at the Laffer Center for Supply-Side Economics and a co-author of the recent book  Taxes Have Consequences: A...

Early voting for the primary election begins tomorrow (May 16th) and primary election day is May 21st. How should Christians think through the important issues this election season, and how can Christians vote in a way that honors God? Joining us this week to talk about these questions is Brent Leatherwood, President of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Conventi...

Early voting for the primary election begins next week. How should Christians engage the public arena, and how should they form views on public policy and candidates? Joining us to talk about this important topic is Dr. Andrew T. Walker, Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and Public Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. We also discuss his latest publication, "The Nation...

Is America a Christian nation? If so, how should Christianity influence public policy? In this week's edition of the Commonwealth Matters, we are joined by Dr. Mark David Hall, professor at the Robertson School of Government at Regent University. We discuss his latest books  Proclaim Liberty Through All the Land: How Christianity Has Advanced Freedom and Equality for All Americans  and  Did Am...

Is the best way to find yourself to look within? In this week's edition of the Commonwealth Matters, we are joined by Thaddeus Williams, assistant professor of Systematic Theology for Talbot School of Theology, to discuss his book  Don't Follow Your Heart: Boldly Breaking the Ten Commandments of Self-Worship . Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy Follow us on...