2024 is a big year for politics. If you ask any person you pass on the street why this is the case, their answer would likely be because of the presidential election; one that, sadly, looks like it will be a contentious repeat of 2020. And they wouldn’t be wrong. Federal politics are important. But, most Americans don’t give much thought to political issues beyond the national level. This causes us to miss out on the good we can effect at the state and local levels through political engagement. While it might not be as glamorous, popular, or as exciting as a national election, getting involved in the states, cities, and communities in which we live is more important than we might think. On today’s episode you’ll hear from Tony Beam, who is the senior director of Church & Community Engagement for North Greenville University in South Carolina. He represents South Carolina Baptists at the Statehouse in Columbia as director of the Office of Public Policy. Dr. Beam is also the host of the podcast, "Truth in Politics and Culture with Dr. Tony Beam." You will also hear from Lane Wakefield who is a clinical assistant professor of Marketing at the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University. He’s also a candidate for the school board in his community.

<description>&lt;p&gt;2024 is a big year for politics. If you ask any person you pass on the street why this is the case, their answer would likely be because of the presidential election; one that, sadly, looks like it will be a contentious repeat of 2020. And they wouldn’t be wrong. Federal politics are important. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But, most Americans don’t give much thought to political issues beyond the national level. This causes us to miss out on the good we can effect at the state and local levels through political engagement. While it might not be as glamorous, popular, or as exciting as a national election, getting involved in the states, cities, and communities in which we live is more important than we might think. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;On today’s episode you’ll hear from Tony Beam, who is the senior director of Church &amp; Community Engagement for North Greenville University in South Carolina. He represents South Carolina Baptists at the Statehouse in Columbia as director of the Office of Public Policy. Dr. Beam is also the host of the podcast, "Truth in Politics and Culture with Dr. Tony Beam." &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You will also hear from Lane Wakefield who is a clinical assistant professor of Marketing at the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University. He’s also a candidate for the school board in his community. &lt;/p&gt;
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Welcome to the ERLC Podcast where our goal is to help you think biblically about today’s cultural issues. Today, we’re talking about the importance of your involvement in local and state politics.

Why do local and state politics matter? (Part 1)

Do you sense that American politics is in trouble? Are you frustrated by our inability, even as Christians, to dialogue and disagree across party lines and other differences? In 2019, the ERLC, the Fetzer Institute, and LifeWay Research conducted a study on civility in the public square. The study <a href="https://erlc.com/resource-library/white-papers/faith-and-healthy-democracy/">found</a> that “the single most common adjective” evangelical leaders used to describe the current political discourse was “toxic.” Sadly, not much has changed over the last several years. At the ERLC, we feel the same tensions you feel. On the one hand, it’d be easy to throw up our hands and be done with politics altogether. On the other, we can be tempted to conform to the patterns of the world and adopt the same defensive posture in politics we see on social media and in the news. But, we, as Christians, believe there’s a better way and that Scripture guides us in our political engagement—maybe not in the specifics of voting on a certain policy, but certainly, in our speech, how we treat others, and the things we care about. Together, we want to be Southern Baptists who engage in politics and bring hope to the public square. On today’s episode, you’ll learn what this means from Brent Leatherwood. Brent is the president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. He has extensive experience working in our nation’s capital and in Tennessee politics. He and his wife are committed members of their local church and have three children.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Do you sense that American politics is in trouble? Are you frustrated by our inability, even as Christians, to dialogue and disagree across party lines and other differences? In 2019, the ERLC, the Fetzer Institute, and LifeWay Research conducted a study on civility in the public square. The study &lt;a href="https://erlc.com/resource-library/white-papers/faith-and-healthy-democracy/"&gt;found&lt;/a&gt; that “the single most common adjective” evangelical leaders used to describe the current political discourse was “toxic.” Sadly, not much has changed over the last several years. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;At the ERLC, we feel the same tensions you feel. On the one hand, it’d be easy to throw up our hands and be done with politics altogether. On the other, we can be tempted to conform to the patterns of the world and adopt the same defensive posture in politics we see on social media and in the news. But, we, as Christians, believe there’s a better way and that Scripture guides us in our political engagement—maybe not in the specifics of voting on a certain policy, but certainly, in our speech, how we treat others, and the things we care about. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Together, we want to be Southern Baptists who engage in politics and bring hope to the public square. On today’s episode, you’ll learn what this means from Brent Leatherwood. Brent is the president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. He has extensive experience working in our nation’s capital and in Tennessee politics. He and his wife are committed members of their local church and have three children. &lt;/p&gt;
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Welcome to the ERLC Podcast where our goal is to help you think biblically about today’s cultural issues. Today, we’re starting a new series on Christian political engagement.

What is the public square?

The reproductive medical technology known as in vitro fertilization, or IVF, has been in the news lately because of a crucial decision by the Alabama Supreme Court that clearly affirmed the personhood of human embryos. IVF is the procedure through which a woman’s egg and a man’s sperm are harvested and then fertilized outside of the womb. An embryo is created and implanted into the woman’s womb in hopes of leading to a pregnancy. IVF has enabled many couples wrestling with infertility to realize their dream of bearing children. Many of us know people who have used this technology. Yet, because it can lead to the good gift of children, most of us have not given the procedure a second thought. On today’s episode, Herbie Newell, president and executive director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms, is going to discuss a vital aspect of thinking carefully about IVF. Lifeline is located in Alabama and is intimately acquainted with helping couples grow their families through adoption and orphan care.

<description>&lt;p&gt;The reproductive medical technology known as in vitro fertilization, or IVF, has been in the news lately because of a crucial decision by the Alabama Supreme Court that clearly affirmed the personhood of human embryos. IVF is the procedure through which a woman’s egg and a man’s sperm are harvested and then fertilized outside of the womb. An embryo is created and implanted into the woman’s womb in hopes of leading to a pregnancy. IVF has enabled many couples wrestling with infertility to realize their dream of bearing children. Many of us know people who have used this technology. Yet, because it can lead to the good gift of children, most of us have not given the procedure a second thought. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;On today’s episode, Herbie Newell, president and executive director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms, is going to discuss a vital aspect of thinking carefully about IVF. Lifeline is located in Alabama and is intimately acquainted with helping couples grow their families through adoption and orphan care.&lt;/p&gt;
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Welcome to the ERLC Podcast where our goal is to help you think biblically about today’s cultural issues. Today, we’re talking about how Christians can wisely and compassionately think about in vitro fertilization. 

Christians, IVF, and when life begins

Psalm 139:14 says that each life is “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God. Out of all of his creation, Genesis tells us that human life alone is made in His image. Because of this truth, we bear a responsibility to help preserve and protect all lives. This is why the work of pregnancy resource centers across the country and abroad is vital. The individuals in these centers commit themselves to the work of proclaiming the dignity of preborn lives, doing all they can to give them a chance at life while serving the vulnerable women and families who walk through their doors. And it’s also why partnership among Southern Baptists is essential. We can do more to protect life, together. On today’s episode, you’ll hear from a special guest, Karen Roseberry. She spent much of her life dedicated to serving both women and preborn children as the executive director of Care Net Women’s Resource Center in Lancaster, California. Tragically, Karen lost her life in a car accident shortly after we conducted this interview, but the staff of Care Net encouraged us to share her words with you since this work was a great passion of her life.  Karen left a lasting impression everywhere she served and led many women to know Jesus as their Savior and choose life for their babies. She will be greatly missed, but the important work of the center continues onward as they work to provide free support and resources for women and families in their community. You’ll also hear from Todd Unzicker who serves as executive director-treasurer for North Carolina Baptists. Todd is passionate about the local church and the Great Commission, and his vision for North Carolina Baptists is focused on rallying them to be a movement of churches on mission together.The ERLC podcast is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.It is produced by Lindsay Nicolet and Elizabeth Bristow.Technical production is provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Psalm 139:14 says that each life is “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God. Out of all of his creation, Genesis tells us that human life alone is made in His image. Because of this truth, we bear a responsibility to help preserve and protect all lives. This is why the work of pregnancy resource centers across the country and abroad is vital. The individuals in these centers commit themselves to the work of proclaiming the dignity of preborn lives, doing all they can to give them a chance at life while serving the vulnerable women and families who walk through their doors. And it’s also why partnership among Southern Baptists is essential. We can do more to protect life, together. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;On today’s episode, you’ll hear from a special guest, Karen Roseberry. She spent much of her life dedicated to serving both women and preborn children as the executive director of Care Net Women’s Resource Center in Lancaster, California. Tragically, Karen lost her life in a car accident shortly after we conducted this interview, but the staff of Care Net encouraged us to share her words with you since this work was a great passion of her life.  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Karen left a lasting impression everywhere she served and led many women to know Jesus as their Savior and choose life for their babies. She will be greatly missed, but the important work of the center continues onward as they work to provide free support and resources for women and families in their community. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You’ll also hear from Todd Unzicker who serves as executive director-treasurer for North Carolina Baptists. Todd is passionate about the local church and the Great Commission, and his vision for North Carolina Baptists is focused on rallying them to be a movement of churches on mission together.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The ERLC podcast is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is produced by Lindsay Nicolet and Elizabeth Bristow.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Technical production is provided by Owens Productions. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.&lt;/p&gt;
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Welcome to the ERLC Podcast where our goal is to help you think biblically about today’s cultural issues. Today we’re talking about the important work of pregnancy resource centers and Baptist state conventions across the country.

How you can join the life-saving work of pregnancy resource centers

As part of the ERLC Podcast, we will feature special episodes from the Research team from time to time to help equip you to think deeply about the most pressing questions we face in the public square.  As we continue our series on life, the Research team is bringing you a special interview today with Scott Klusendorf, the author of The Case for Life. Scott is a respected pro-life speaker and advocate, best known for his work with the Life Training Institute which prepares Christians to be able to articulate and defend the pro-life movement with rational and theological arguments. He has participated in debates against abortion advocates such as the Planned Parenthood directors and attorneys who have argued for abortion access before the Supreme Court. Each year, he trains thousands of pro-life students how to share their beliefs with their classmates and helps them understand the common objections to ending abortion. We hope that this long-form interview will help you begin to understand that Christian pro-life advocacy must be rooted in the image of God and is an intellectually defensible and coherent worldview. Thanks for listening to this production of the ERLC Podcast. Join us next time as we focus on the ERLC’s policy work, especially as it relates to life.

<description>&lt;p&gt;As part of the ERLC Podcast, we will feature special episodes from the Research team from time to time to help equip you to think deeply about the most pressing questions we face in the public square.  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As we continue our series on life, the Research team is bringing you a special interview today with Scott Klusendorf, the author of &lt;i&gt;The Case for Life&lt;/i&gt;. Scott is a respected pro-life speaker and advocate, best known for his work with the Life Training Institute which prepares Christians to be able to articulate and defend the pro-life movement with rational and theological arguments. He has participated in debates against abortion advocates such as the Planned Parenthood directors and attorneys who have argued for abortion access before the Supreme Court. Each year, he trains thousands of pro-life students how to share their beliefs with their classmates and helps them understand the common objections to ending abortion. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We hope that this long-form interview will help you begin to understand that Christian pro-life advocacy must be rooted in the image of God and is an intellectually defensible and coherent worldview. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thanks for listening to this production of the ERLC Podcast. Join us next time as we focus on the ERLC’s policy work, especially as it relates to life. &lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Welcome to the ERLC Podcast where our goal is to help you think biblically about today’s cultural issues. Today on the podcast, we’re talking about pro-life advocacy with author and speaker, Scott Klusendorf.

Why the pro-life case is compelling

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