The Stephen Mansfield Podcast

The Equality Act has recently passed in the House. Though it is unlikely to pass in the Senate, Stephen expects some version of it to pass in the future. What is the Equality Act, and how could a bill that sounds fair and reasonable in name actually be incredibly damaging to religious institutions like Christian universities? Stephen unpacks the bill, which classifies LGBTQ+ as a protected class,...

Myth blinds us from the truth and keeps us from effective action. It prevents wise thinking and meaningful advancement. We see throughout society the detrimental effects of belief in myth: from large-scale stolen election conspiracy to belief in a trafficking ring in the basement of a pizza shop. Election fraud happens. Human trafficking is certainly real. Yet a wholehearted belief in false myth c...

It’s time we reclaim civic grace: the ability to work together with people we don’t fully agree with. Be clear on who you are, what you know, and why you know it. Then, lock arms with those who share with you in your cause. Be on guard against messaging that declares you can’t be friends with anyone outside of your identity politics. Rather, observe what the Scriptures say, and practice xenophilia...

Presidents, Senators, Representatives, and new citizens all take an oath to support and defend the Constitution against enemies foreign and domestic. We don’t ask them to commit to individuals or political parties. We ask them to commit to a document. Sadly, we are living at a time when the centrality of the Constitution is beginning to recede. With former President Trump, and now President Biden,...

As you know, former President Trump is currently facing his second impeachment trial. In this episode, Stephen shares why he believes Democrats are making a mistake in their approach. Stephen also discusses the president’s behavior during the final months of his term, as well as what we might anticipate if the second impeachment is unsuccessful. Referenced in this episode: “Democrats Need a Do-Ove...

The 1970s, under the leadership of Graham, Falwell, Colson, and many others, ushered in the era of the Religious Right, a movement that culminated with the Reagan administration in the 1980s. Now, the trends are shifting again. We’re witnessing the rise of a new Secular Right, borne by individuals and groups lacking in the former guard’s moral values and personal constraints. January 6, 2021 tells...

For many Americans, there’s a sense that Mr. Biden’s administration brings a level of competence to the political stage. International partnerships are coming back, scientists no longer feel gagged, and we’re seeing an aggressive pandemic response. Stephen appreciates some of this, but also grapples with various aspects of the new President’s ideology. While Biden is a Roman Catholic, many of his...

Stephen has often advocated for taking Washington, D.C. for a righteous, noble cause. On January 6, many salt-of-the-earth, heartland Christians who genuinely believe the election was stolen gathered to do just that. They convened to pray and cry out to God from the nation’s capital. Unfortunately, this gathering was tainted by the presence of anti-Semites, Proud Boys, white supremacists, and many...

January 6, 2021 is a day that will go down in the history books. What happened at the U.S. Capitol? Is President Trump responsible? What should we make of the position he put Mike Pence in? Where is the evidence of election fraud? Stephen reflects on these questions and what their answers may hold for the soul of the nation. Certainly there were good Christians present who stood on the lawn to pra...

The COVID-19 bill (“Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021”) that was recently signed into law touted the goal of putting funds into the hands of hurting Americans. Superglued onto this legislation was $15M for Pakistan, $36M for Cambodia, $130M for Nepal, $135M for Burma, $453M for Ukraine, $700M for Sudan, and more than $1B for new Smithsonian museums in D.C. Furthermore, Congress was given about...

Without question, it has been a challenging year. Yet we are grateful for the battles that make us better. In this episode, Stephen reflects on COVID-19, the 2020 election, and the phenomenon of creative destruction. Good days are ahead. At this very moment, we stand on the precipice of a year that has the potential to be one of our finest hours. Let’s rise.

Consider the possibility that we may have a new political party in the near future. In this episode, Stephen shares what he imagines could be the core values of a moderate party rooted in the “radical middle.” Let’s call it The Commonsense Party! Tune in for a discussion of the Trump-Tilting-GOP, Finger-In-the-Air-Biden, and why Stephen admires one of the most vilified members of the Republican Pa...

Is Trump Conservatism the only form of conservatism we’re going to hear about in the coming years? The word "conservative" cannot be a codeword for “Donald Trump.” Otherwise the ideology is going to die in the next five to ten years. In this episode, Stephen discusses what may be next for the Republican party and what changes are necessary to keep the party alive. "Republican Elephant - Icon" by D...

The New York Times recently published “The Children of Pornhub” by journalist Nick Kristof.  “Pornhub became my trafficker,” said one young woman interviewed by Kristof, whose article reveals how content on Pornhub encourages the abuse and trafficking of many women, including young, underage girls. In this episode, Stephen shares what he learned in this important piece of journalism, and also enco...

Election fraud? Lawsuits? New appointees? In this episode, Stephen discusses the most important issues surrounding the transition of power from President Trump to President-elect Biden. Stephen shares what he’s learning about alleged fraud from friends in D.C. He also comments on how appointees like Antony Blinken indicate a powerful shift away from the current administration’s stance on foreign p...

Watch this episode on YouTube. Last week, Stephen told a brief version of the Thanksgiving story. Today, he asks, what’s with the modern controversies surrounding Thanksgiving? Why is the simple, sweet, faith-filled story of Thanksgiving so attacked? Tune in as Stephen debunks the would-be debunkers! Above all, may you remember the good, noble, and true parts of our heritage during this holiday. L...

Watch this episode on YouTube. The first Thanksgiving story begins in the North of England with a congregation. In it, we see people who desire to be a stepping stone to the light of Christ. They’re also credited with writing one of the first civil compacts in history. “We sailed for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith,” wrote the Pilgrims in the Mayflower Compact during th...

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have been declared the winners of the presidential election. Donald Trump claims the election has been stolen. In this episode, Stephen shares what he’s learned from friends in D.C. How true are the allegations of fraud? How valid are the recounts and lawsuits? If there is corruption, let it be exposed. And if there is none, may our...

I’m proud of my country this morning. During a pandemic, and with 400 million opinions to consider, most election results are in, there is no major violence, and by nearly all accounts there is no corruption and no system breakdown. Our politics are divided, but our system works. In this morning’s episode, we’ll cover the “Blue Wave,” President Trump’s late night announcement, polling, and more. A...

This past week, eminent pastor and Christian writer John Piper wrote an article titled: “Policies, Persons, and Paths to Ruin: Pondering the Implications of the 2020 Election.” Piper explains how he could never vote for Biden or the Democrats because of a number of moral issues. And though Trump may align more closely with the moral views of many Christians, his character is undeniably destructive...

After a couple weeks off celebrating his son’s wedding, Stephen is back, answering your questions about the election and Amy Coney Barrett hearings. Earlier this year, Stephen had predicted that Donald Trump might win this election. In this episode, Stephen updates his analysis of the Biden/Trump race, analyzes the strategies behind each man’s campaign, and shares insights about the role of a Supr...

During the race riots in Charlottesville and Boston, white supremacists repeatedly described themselves as “Christian” and “Conservative.” As Stephen contends in this podcast, nothing could be further from white supremacist philosophy than true Christianity and true Conservatism. Since Stephen considers himself both a Christian and a Conservative, he pushes back against racists kidnapping these tw...

Though this episode originally aired in July 2018, our age of crass, malicious, and vile politics has only intensified. It’s not one-sided. Both Trump and the left have contributed to this. In this episode, Stephen urges listeners to be on guard. Don’t allow the coarseness in public debate to make you coarse, too. Think rationally. Find common ground. Support good, judicious leaders.

Stephen has recorded this podcast on the eve of the first Presidential debate. We’ve had fresh revelations via the New York Times regarding Donald Trump’s taxes. And soon Judge Amy Coney Barrett will undergo hearings. We stand at an unbelievably dramatic moment in American history. Stephen predicts that the Democrats are likely to use her faith as a weapon against her. For listeners unfamiliar wit...

The recent passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has led to a major collision in American politics between Democrats and Republicans. In this episode, Stephen untangles the various precedents involved, going back to the 1992 “Biden Rule.” Tune in to find out what Stephen thinks President Trump should do in the days and weeks ahead.