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The Bad Roman

The Bad Roman

Written by: Craig Harguess
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 Are you a Christian who feels disillusioned by politics? Do you see political systems—whether democratic, authoritarian, or otherwise—promising change but often leaving you unfulfilled? As followers of Christ, our calling isn’t tied to any earthly power; it’s to live like Jesus, no matter the political landscape. On this podcast, we explore what it means to set aside man-made allegiances—be they national, partisan, or ideological—and instead take up the Cross. Host Craig Harguess, a former neoconservative Southern Baptist Republican turned pacifist and Christian Voluntaryist, delves into the complex relationship between faith and political power. Through conversations with everyday Christians, church leaders, and even non-Christians, we challenge the ways politics can distract us from God’s work. True change starts where we are—because when we live like Christ, the world around us shifts, regardless of who holds power. New episodes release bi-weekly. Learn more at www.thebadroman.com.Copyright 2023 The Bad Roman Project All rights reserved. Christianity Ministry & Evangelism Political Science Politics & Government Spirituality World
Episodes
  • Renee Nicole Good: Should Christians Defend the Government? with Larken Rose

    Renee Nicole Good: Should Christians Defend the Government? with Larken Rose
    Jan 15 2026
    Was the shooting of Renee Nicole Good murder or self-defense? We use this case as a clear, real-world test of state power. Craig and Larken Rose ask how far a badge can go before our Christianity must say “stop.” The point is not to chase outrage, but to measure authority by the words of Jesus. God first, always. You’ll hear a step-by-step look at the key moments on video, why the second and third shots matter most, what “watch his feet” reveals, why a doctor was turned away, and how “Have you not learned?” exposes a culture of fear. We connect those details to why people defend obvious wrongs, how training can overpower conscience, and a simple, repeatable test for Christians: one moral standard for everyone, no special pass for uniforms, God over government. Listen to get a clean framework you can use the next time the state uses force. You will leave with plain language, Scripture touchpoints, and the courage to put God first when the badge and the Bible collide. 🤝Connect with Larken ROSE: The Jones Plantation Film Platforms: Available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Tubi, Xmou Play, The Roku Channel, PLEX The Rose Channel Book: The Most Dangerous Superstition YouTube Candles in the Dark Facebook Try this week: serve one neighbor; tell the truth with kindness; pray for an enemy by name; refuse to excuse violence because “it’s my side”; choose presence over outrage. Their conversation digs into: Self-defense vs. murder in real time “Badges don’t make new morals” ethics for Christians Milgram’s obedience study and authority conditioning Romans 12 before Romans 13; one standard for all “Have you not learned?”—coercion and fear tactics Video cues: position, feet, proportionality, imminence Why many Christians defend state violence (and how to stop) 📖 For Full Show Notes:www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-152 Key Moments: (0:00) Framing the question: murder or self-defense? Larkin returns for “Swearing Sunday.” Christian allegiance vs. state power. (0:41) Banter and burden: the week’s exhaustion and why it still matters to speak. (1:26) Why people cheer evil: authority myths and plantation logic. (3:40) When evil shows itself, some finally wake up. (7:01) COVID parallels: neighbors revealed their true loyalties. (10:00) Badges and gangs: why morality cannot change with uniforms. (13:00) Craig’s Memphis test: you won’t stop to check a badge when guns are in your face. First agent opens the door; second moves in front of the car. (14:17) “That was murder.” Why shots two and three indict the shooter. (16:20) The physician they turned away; the shooter who fled. (17:40) “Few bad apples?” Where are the good apples denouncing murder. (20:00) “Have you not learned?” Obedience by threat is not freedom. (21:15) Milgram: training vs. conscience and why people excuse murder. (24:13) No other gods: when Christians side with Caesar over Christ. (33:34) “Was it murder?” clarified. (34:29) Watch his feet. (41:17) Tactics vs. morals: unwise choices don’t justify cages or bullets. (47:17) Bootlicking theology called out. (55:55) Constitutional limits & ICE. (1:06:56) Prosecution theater. (1:10:04) Signs of moral progress. (1:12:37) Keep saying stuff + outro. 💕 Want more episodes that keep loyalty with Jesus, not politics? Donate at thebadroman.com/donate. Anything helps, and everything past production costs goes to local charities in Memphis, TN. 🌶️ SALSA THE LOVE Prefer tasty support? Grab Bad Roman Salsa at badromansalsa.com. Every jar fuels more mercy-forward conversations. FREE: Share & Start a Conversation Send this episode to a friend and ask: Does my public faith look like help or hype? Where can I trade outrage for presence this week? Who could I serve quietly—by name—today? Listen first. Love well. No King but Christ. 🔗 Stay Plugged into the Project 🔗 Blog submissions: thebadroman.com/contribute-to-the-blogConnect with us on social: thebadroman.com/social-linksWant to get more involved? Request to join the private discussion group on Facebook (Bad Romans Only!!)No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • How Do Christians Behave: “I Follow Jesus...” with Deacon Gerri Endicott

    How Do Christians Behave: “I Follow Jesus...” with Deacon Gerri Endicott
    Jan 1 2026

    Judge faith by the neighbor who gets help, not the hype of our politics. Episcopal deacon Gerri Endicott shows how preaching turns into rides, meals, and quiet care. She explains why she leads with “I follow Jesus,” a simple line that lowers walls and points to a Person, not a brand. Judge faith by the neighbor who gets help, not the volume of our politics.

    Craig and Gerri test faith by its fruit. They sort out what happens when Christianity gets pulled into national politics. Gratitude for a country is good; loyalty belongs to Jesus. Gerri also names a pre-Advent practice from her church’s calendar that helps her community rehearse that loyalty (Christ the King). Not every church observes it, but the posture fits anywhere.

    Try this week: serve one neighbor, tell the truth with kindness, pray for an enemy by name, choose presence over outrage. If you want a public faith that looks like Jesus, start here.

    Their conversation digs into:

    • What a deacon does: service over stage, church facing outward.
    • “I follow Jesus” language that lowers walls.
    • Christian nationalism vs. the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5–7).
    • Christ the King (her practice): a simple loyalty reset.
    • Nations (peoples) vs. modern countries—why words matter.
    • Presence over outrage: small acts, kept promises, steady love.

    📖 For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-151

    Key Moments with Gerri:

    (00:00) Farmers market hello: How they met

    (02:00) Memphis roots & call to serve: Gerri’s context

    (05:49) Scripture & strong women: Big story, not proof texts

    (06:50) A changed mind: Book + sermon

    (08:10) Easter’s first witnesses: Why this matters

    (12:30) “Follower of Jesus:” Language that lowers walls

    (13:59) Loyalty & the Sermon on the Mount: Allegiance check

    (14:29) Taking Scripture seriously: How to read

    (18:45) Christ the King (her church calendar): A yearly reset

    (22:11) The big story: Creation to new creation

    (24:31) Nations vs. countries: Words matter

    (38:47) No new kings: Craig’s practice

    (39:56) Sermon preview: How Gerri will name it

    (46:56) Borders, ICE, neighbor love: Dignity in action

    (48:00) Stay in touch: What’s next

    💕 Want more episodes that keep loyalty with Jesus, not politics?💕Donate to the project at thebadroman.com/donate. Anything helps, and everything past production costs goes to local charities in Memphis, TN.

    🌶️ SALSA THE LOVE 🌶️ Prefer tasty support? Grab Bad Roman Salsa at badromansalsa.com. Every jar fuels more mercy-forward conversations.

    FREE: Share & Start a Conversation Send this episode to a friend and ask:

    • Does my public faith look like help or hype?
    • Where can I trade outrage for presence this week?
    • Who could I serve quietly—by name—today?

    Listen first. Love well. No King but Christ.

    🔗 Stay Plugged into the Project 🔗

    • Blog submissions: thebadroman.com/contribute-to-the-blog
    • Connect with us on social: thebadroman.com/social-links
    • Want to get more involved? Request to join the private discussion group on Facebook (Bad Romans Only!!)
    • No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com
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    49 mins
  • Make Church Like Jesus Again with Tasha Heath

    Make Church Like Jesus Again with Tasha Heath
    Dec 18 2025

    Do non-Christians see Jesus, or politics, when they look at us? Tasha Heath doesn’t identify as a Christian but has been around the church her whole life. She also worked inside party politics and saw enough behind-the-scenes behavior to step back. From the outside, her read is simple: basic kindness and steady presence change more than ballots and online fights ever will.

    Craig and Tasha ask the hard question: how do non-Christians perceive Christians, and is our politics-first posture helping or hurting the gospel? They dig into hypocrisy, homelessness, prisons, and why the church must find a way to look like Jesus, not the state.

    They dig into:

    • Optics of church vs. state and public witness.
    • From activism to opting out & local care.
    • Teens, algorithms, and outrage-discipleship.
    • Prisons, plant “crimes,” and decriminalization.
    • Early church imagination vs. modern nationalism.

    📖For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-150

    💕 Support the Project 💕 If this convo with Tasha Heath showed how church can mirror the political system—and why kindness matters. Help us make more episodes like this at thebadroman.com/donate. 100% above production goes to Memphis charities.

    🌶️ SALSA THE LOVE 🌶️ Prefer tasty support? Grab Bad Roman Salsa at badromansalsa.com. Every jar fuels Jesus-first, neighbor-first stories—Vegas homelessness, mercy over cages, and everyday kindness.

    FREE: Share & Start a Conversation Send this episode to a friend and ask:

    • Do folks see Jesus or a political brand when they meet us?
    • Do my posts sound like Christ or a pundit?
    • Where could I trade pressure for presence (names, meals, socks, water)?

    Listen first. Love well. No King but Christ.

    🔗 Stay Plugged into the Project 🔗

    • Blog submissions: thebadroman.com/contribute-to-the-blog
    • Connect with us on social: thebadroman.com/social-links
    • Want to get more involved? Request to join the private discussion group on Facebook (Bad Romans Only!!)
    • No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
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