The Ezra Institute Podcast for Cultural Reformation

Ezra Institute Fellow Andrew Sandlin discusses his book,  A Postmillennial Primer . In this episode, Andrew and Joe Boot outline the biblical case for an optimistic eschatology and the historical and ideological events that led to this doctrine’s present position as a minority perspective in evangelicalism. In dependence on the Holy Spirit and through an attentive reading of Scripture,...

Joe Boot and Nate Wright are back again to answer a few lingering questions resulting from the Ten Commandments podcast series. In this episode we consider how the earliest humans married and reproduced, compared with later Mosaic incest laws. We also tackle questions on how the church and the individual ought to think and act with regard to charitable status, tax exemption, and the administration...

We answer some more questions that emerged out of the Ten Commandments series, dealing with issues of what happens to believers after they die, and responding to the claim that the state only stepped in to provide welfare benefits because the church failed in this job. Plus, scholarships are available for the Worldview Leadership Academy , and a staffing announcement that we're pumped for.

Thanks to our listeners, we have some terrific questions emerging out of the Ten Commandments series. In this episode Joe Boot answers questions about Paul and Christ and their relationship to the law, what it means to ‘fulfill’ the law, and how believers kept the law before Christ and the giving of the Holy Spirit. More space is now available for the Worldview Leadership Academy. Regi...

Joe Boot is joined this week by Ezra Institute Fellows Aaron Rock and Michael Thiessen to discuss the recent CBC investigation which identifies our churches and ministries, as well as those of several others, as leading efforts at godly cultural reformation in Canada. Come and study with Joe, Michael, and other Fellows at the Worldview Leadership Academy. Get the June book of the month deal, Whose...

Joe Boot closes our series on the Ten Commandments with some observations on the tenth commandment against covetousness, including how it works with the first commandment to encapsulate and summarize the whole Decalogue, how a covetous heart influences every other action, and how covetousness is manifest in the world not just at the individual, but also the systemic level. Apply now for the Canadi...

In this episode Joe Boot discusses the Ninth Commandment about bearing false witness, times where it is godly to withold the truth, and draws out the implications for law and society, as well as the ever-present question of who is my neighbour. We also look at the move by the Trudeau government to replace the crown on Canada’s coat of arms with a new version bereft of Christian symbols. Get...

In this episode Joe Boot reflects on the recent coronation of King Charles III, focusing on the nature of national oaths and covenants, and the proper place of the monarch in a role of delegated authority, living under God’s law. It’s a heavy responsibility and Scripture enjoins us to pray for our civil rulers. Get your tickets to the Mission of God conference in Bonaire, Georgia, May...

The connection between all these themes becomes clear in this special guest episode with Dr. Vishal Mangalwadi. He explains the Third Education Revolution movement, the role of technology, and the historic impact that the gospel has had, through education, on the family, church, and all other spheres. Vishal is currently on a lecture tour of southern Ontario. Find a session in your area. Get Joe B...

The connection between all these themes becomes clear in this special guest episode with Dr. Vishal Mangalwadi. He explains the Third Education Revolution movement, the role of technology, and the historic impact that the gospel has had, through education, on the family, church, and all other spheres. Vishal is currently on a lecture tour of southern Ontario. Find a session in your area. Get Joe B...

Joe Boot explains the biblical understanding of penology – the study and practice of punishing crime. Despite modern objections about the harshness of biblical justice, the penology outlined in God’s law is in fact true justice, and its practice leads to a more just and free society. Apply for the Worldview Leadership Academy USA Get Joe’s newest book, For Reformational Thinking...

This week we pause our Ten Commandments series to reflect on the shooting at Covenant School in Nashville. In a de-christening culture, those who worship the true and living God should expect to suffer hatred and violence from those who worship the false god of self, even unto death. But the Christian's hope is the promise of light and life dispelling darkness and death.

In this episode Joe Boot discusses the narrow and broad definitions of adultery in light of both Moses and Christ, explaining how sexuality is much more than the modern notion of consent. Contrary to contemporary thinking, sexual activity outside of the blessed structure of covenant marriage has drastic personal and social consequences. This is the last week to get The Mission of God at a discount...

Kyle Thompson of the Undaunted Life podcast joins us for a discussion of the commandment "You shall not murder." We talk about war, self-defense, and the failure of the state to properly prosecute justice on murderers, as well as the responsibility of the individual to defend his family and neighbor. Kyle speaks at length on related issues here and here . Get The Mission of God on sale as the Marc...

We begin this episode by examining the biblical definition of murder, and looking at cases where the taking of life is prohibited, where it is permitted, and the single situation where it is required by God. We also consider how our society’s rejection of God is evident in legalized murder in the form of abortion and euthanasia, as well as Jesus’ teaching about murderous talk and attit...

We take a short recess from the Ten Commandments series to talk about drag queen story hour protests, global Anglicanism, and other important news from around the world. And is the Ezra Institute going to be on the CBC? Register for 2023 training programs: Runner Academy; Worldview Leadership Academy; and the Christianity and Culture Colloquium. Get The Mission of God as the March Book of the Mont...

In this episode Joe Boot and special guest, pastor Joel Webbon, discuss the fifth commandment, how it applies not only to young children, but to everyone, and how a worldly mindset has led us to neglect this commandment when it becomes uncomfortable or burdensome. This March, the book of the month is The Mission of God. Get it on sale now at Ezra Press. Hear more from Joel at Right Response Minist...

Sabbath rest is a biblical principle that seems to invite a level of controversy: how often, when, who, and in what ways are is the Sabbath to be observed. Joe Boot discusses the connection between work, rest, and worship, why Sabbath-breaking was a capital offense in ancient Israel, and the difference that Christ makes to the form of our observance. Application for the Runner Academy are now avai...

n this episode Ezra Institute Fellow Michael Thiessen discusses what it means to take the name of the Lord, both rightly and wrongly, in the church, in politics, and in any other sphere. We also talk about the nature of oaths and authority, the Sermon on the Mount, what it means for something to be damned by God, and door-to-door sales. NOTE: we do not use language flippantly, but this episode con...

Idolatry takes any number of forms at the individual, church, and national levels, but its temptation is always the same: you shall be as God. And the results always lead to death. As churches capitulate to antichristian cultural pressures, they often keep their outward form, but lose the power and vitality that ought to sustain and animate them. The Lord reserved some of His hardest words for tho...

We continue our series in the Ten Commandments with the command against idolatry. In this episode, Joe Boot discusses the root of idolatry in the heart, and deals with some listener questions about the possibility of making work or family into an object of worship. We conclude by examining idolatry within the church itself. Register today for our spring training programs in the USA. Get the Februa...

We’re officially underway with our series on the Ten Commandments. In this first episode, Joe Boot explains why this section of Scripture begins with the Lord declaring who He is, and why the commandments are ordered in the way that they are. If you’ve never thought about what our worship has to do with law, don’t miss this one. Applications for the Runner Academy are now open. R...

In this episode, Joe Boot explains how the opposite of law is not grace, nor love, but lawlessness, which often masquerades as love. Joe pulls illustrations from throughout Scripture to demonstrate the enduring validity of God’s law in the era of Christ’s resurrection. If Christ took the law seriously, and if we are to be imitators of Him, then it behooves us to take the law seriously...

We’re kicking off the new year with a new series, dealing with ethics and law generally, and the Ten Commandments specifically. In this episode, Joe Boot talks about the distinction between laws and norms, the fact that we live in a universe designed by God that is made to work according to His instruction, and what love has to do with fulfilling the law. Get our BOOK OF THE MONTH, The Heide...