In this episode of Kingdom Polemics, Aldo Leon sits down with Pastor James Baird (PCA) for a wide-ranging and candid discussion on Reformed political theology, the American founding, the spirituality of the church, and the ongoing debate surrounding Christian nationalism. Drawing deeply from the Westminster Standards, American Presbyterian history, and classic Protestant political thought, they explore what it actually means to say that "government must promote true religion"—and whether that claim is truly un-American.

This conversation engages contemporary critiques (including Kevin DeYoung's five questions), the PCA study committee on Christian Nationalism, and the historical record of early America. Throughout, Aldo and James challenge the assumption of neutrality in civil government and argue that classic Protestant political theology is far more robust—and far more American—than many assume.

Highlights & Key Discussion Points:

• Why James Baird wrote his book to "his former self" and how wrestling through objections shaped his convictions about civil government and true religion.

• The core thesis: government must promote true religion—and why this is not a departure from confessional Presbyterianism but a recovery of it.

• The myth of neutrality: Van Til, covenant theology, and the rejection of R2K frameworks that divide life into "neutral" and "religious" spheres.

• Was the American founding anti-Christian? A historical look at state establishments, blasphemy laws, Sabbath laws, and the role of the First Amendment.

• The distinction between the First Amendment (1791) and its 20th-century "incorporation" through Supreme Court decisions like Everson v. Board of Education.

• Can a nation act as a corporate moral person? Biblical, covenantal, and political arguments for national moral agency.

• The purpose of civil government according to the Westminster Confession of Faith and Reformed tradition: promoting piety, justice, and peace.

• What it actually means to "promote true religion"—and why affirming the principle does not require endorsing every imprudent policy proposal.

• The spirituality of the church: what it does and does not mean. Distinguishing between pastoral overreach and faithfully applying the moral law of God to all of life.

• American revisions of the Standards (1788) and whether they prohibit a tolerant Christian establishment (they do not).

• The PCA study committee on Christian Nationalism—mixed motivations, broad scope, and questions about focus and clarity.

• Pastoral reflections on young men drawn to ethnocentric ideologies, and why shepherding requires both clarity and care—not merely condemnation.

You can also support Kingdom Polemics directly through Buy Me A Coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kingdompolemics. Your support helps us continue producing substantive, confessional conversations that engage the pressing issues of our day

And don't forget to check out Aldo Leon's book, Christ's Crown, Christianity, & The Civil Realm, which makes a compelling biblical case for the Reformed doctrine of the civil magistrate under Christ's mediatorial rule. Available now at Berith Press: https://www.berithpress.com/bookstore/p/christs-crown-christianity-the-civil-realm.

In this episode, Aldo Leon offers an extended theological and biblical analysis of the recent debate involving Joel Webbon, Ruslan, and others on interracial marriage, race realism, and Christian nationalism. Aldo critiques the underlying assumptions driving the conversation, arguing that appeals to "nature," Babel, and ethnicity fundamentally misunderstand Scripture, redemptive history, and the gospel's power to create one new humanity in Christ.

Reference Video

Is Interracial Marriage Against God's Normative Design? (https://www.youtube.com/live/qKfAN-wje_4?si=YXAJJnP4KD31qQSq)

Discussion Highlights

• Aldo distinguishes between legitimate biblical categories (creation, fall, redemption) and what he argues are speculative, reactionary readings of Scripture—especially the use of Babel to justify permanent ethnic separation
• A sustained critique of the claim that interracial marriage is "permissible but not normative," showing how this framework collapses under biblical ethics and effectively treats marriage as morally neutral at the macro level while labeling it socially destructive
• An in-depth examination of Babel (Genesis 11) and its interpretation across Scripture (Isaiah, Zephaniah, Acts 2, Revelation), arguing that Babel represents divine judgment against idolatrous unity—not a creational mandate for ethnic segregation
• Aldo argues that Pentecost is the redemptive reversal of Babel: divided languages are overcome by the gospel, uniting the nations in shared confession rather than shared ethnicity
• A critique of "natural law" and animal-based arguments (ox and donkey, ecosystems, biology) being imported into marriage ethics, bypassing the New Testament's clear emphasis on faith in Christ as the defining marital boundary
• A discussion with George Sayour on how these views mirror progressive errors: importing external ideologies into Scripture, creating man-made standards, and undermining the gospel's social implications
• Aldo challenges the obsession with preserving ethnic lineage and physical likeness, contrasting it with Scripture's emphasis on covenant, inheritance in Christ, and the creation of a people defined by faith rather than bloodlines

If you value careful, Scripture-driven engagement with difficult and controversial topics, consider supporting Kingdom Polemics. Your support helps sustain long-form theological analysis, podcast production, and continued engagement with pressing issues in the church today. You can support the show at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kingdompolemics.

We also encourage you to engage with the discussion by leaving thoughtful comments on the Kingdom Polemics YouTube channel at: https://youtube.com/@kingdompolemics. Dialogue matters, and your interaction helps sharpen and refine these conversations.

Finally, be sure to check out Aldo Leon's book, In Christ's Crown: Christianity & the Civil Realm, which makes a robust biblical case for Christ's mediatorial kingship over every sphere of life, including the civil realm. Available now from Berith Press: https://www.berithpress.com/bookstore/p/christs-crown-christianity-the-civil-realm.

In this episode, Aldo Leon examines how the modern church frequently labels biblically lawful—and even biblically commanded—actions as sinful. He argues that when sin is misidentified, righteousness is distorted, the gospel is diminished, and the character of God is misunderstood. Drawing on Scripture and pastoral experience, Aldo calls listeners to recover biblical categories of piety, authority, and faithfulness.

Key Discussion Points

• Misidentifying sin by demanding that every truth be stated at once, rather than recognizing biblical timing, emphasis, and specificity
• Condemning ministers or believers for not matching a preferred personality, tone, or ministry style, rather than honoring God's providential diversity
• Treating satire, mockery, sharp language, and hard sayings as sinful, despite their clear biblical use against wickedness and error
• Requiring truth to be delivered apologetically or emotionally padded, rather than speaking plainly and confidently as Scripture often does
• Allowing feelings to rule unchecked, and condemning the use of Scripture to correct or govern emotions
• Labeling correction, specificity, and critique within the church as unloving, despite Scripture commanding admonition and rebuke
• Accusing believers of sin for speaking boldly, urgently, or controversially on biblical matters, rather than recognizing faithful courage

If you are helped by the work of Kingdom Polemics and want to support continued biblical teaching and cultural engagement, consider contributing at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kingdompolemics. Your support helps sustain the podcast and its outreach.

Be sure to engage with this episode by leaving your thoughts and feedback in the comments on the Kingdom Polemics YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/@kingdompolemics. Thoughtful interaction helps sharpen the conversation and extend its reach.

Also, check out Aldo Leon's book In Christ's Crown, Christianity, & The Civil Realm, which presents a Reformed biblical case for Christ's mediatorial kingship and the proper role of the civil magistrate under His authority. Available now from Berith Press: https://www.berithpress.com/bookstore/p/christs-crown-christianity-the-civil-realm.