For centuries, the Church has enshrined its so-called “Titans of the Faith” — Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, Robert Dabney, John MacArthur, James Dobson, and others — writing their obituaries in glowing terms, thereby preserving their legacies and protecting their reputations. But beneath their pedestals lies a more complicated truth: wounds still carried by those harmed through their teachings, their silence, and their theology.

In this bonus episode, we share the essay Broken Pedestals: The Church, Its Titans, and the Cost of Silence. It traces how the Church has chosen silence over truth, praise over repentance, and reputation over faithfulness. From Edwards’s purchase of enslaved children, to Whitefield’s lobbying for slavery, to Dobson’s authoritarian vision of family life that helped disciple a generation into authoritarian politics — the story is not one of faithfulness, but of complicity.

And yet, there have always been prophets who refused to be silent. Frederick Douglass, Charles Spurgeon, and the Black Church stood as witnesses against the tide, reminding us that truth has always been possible, even when it comes at a significant cost.

This is not a comfortable story. But it is a necessary one. Because faithfulness is not silence. Faithfulness is telling the truth, even when it topples our idols.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

How the Church enshrined “heroes” of the faith while ignoring their sins

The lasting harm of silence and selective memory

James Dobson’s role in shaping evangelical authoritarianism and politics

Prophetic voices who spoke truth when others refused

What it will take for the Church to break the cycle and bear faithful witness today

Why It Matters

If the Church cannot tell the truth about its heroes, it cannot be a faithful witness to the truth. Silence is not neutrality. Silence is complicity. The time has come to topple our pedestals, confront our idols, and proclaim Christ above every name.

When the symbols of faith are woven too closely with those of the nation, something sacred is lost. In this episode, The Faithful Citizen confronts the rise of Christian nationalism and its dangerous fusion of discipleship with patriotism.

We begin with the early church, where declaring “Jesus is Lord” was not only a theological confession but also a subversive challenge to the Roman Empire. We then trace how this bold allegiance to Christ has, in modern times, too often been replaced by a comfortable blend of faith and flag. From flags in sanctuaries to political ideologies masquerading as Gospel truth, we ask: what happens when our national identity eclipses our witness to Christ?

Together we’ll explore:

How the early church modelled costly allegiance to Jesus above that of the empire.

The roots of “civil religion” in North America and its distortion of the Gospel.

The real dangers of Christian nationalism—loss of credibility, fractured witness, and idolatry.

Modern examples of faithful resistance, from Bonhoeffer to Romero to the Black church.

How to reclaim our faithful citizenship in a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

This episode is not a call to abandon love for our country—it is a call to purify it. Only when our allegiance is ordered rightly to Christ above all else can we live as faithful citizens who love both God and neighbour.

Scripture referenced: Exodus 20:3Philippians 3:20 John 18:36 Acts 5:29 Matthew 6:24 Galatians 3:28 Hebrews 12:28

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They tell us empathy is sinful. They twist doctrine into a weapon. They turn the Church into a fortress against the very people Jesus came to save. In this episode, The Faithful Citizen delves into the rise of online “shepherds” such as Dale Partridge, Doug Wilson, The Transformed Wife, Joel Webbon, and others who utilize WiFi pulpits to erode compassion and rebrand cruelty as conviction.

We trace the roots of this trend—from Joe Rigney’s infamous “empathy is sin” teaching to the orchestrated campaigns against justice, mercy, and truth—and reveal how their digital reach is shaping the faith of millions. This isn’t just about bad theology; it’s about wolves in WiFi clothing devouring the heart of the gospel.

With insights from our earlier episodes What Have We Become and The Myth of Neutrality, and building on the urgent call of Disarming the Saints, we unpack the theology, tactics, and consequences of this movement—and why the Church must respond with both clarity and courage.

Listen to this episode if you want to:

Understand the origins of the “empathy is sin” argument

Recognize the patterns of manipulation in online Christian influencers

See how these teachings intersect with Christian nationalism and authoritarianism

Learn how to respond without losing your Christlike posture

Join the conversation: Your voice matters in calling the Church back to the gospel of love, truth, and justice.