Leadership Now with Dr. Aaron Rock

10: Understanding Persecution and the Relationship of Church and State

In this episode Dr. Aaron Rock explains:

• The current situation churches in Canada are facing.
• What persecution is and why the current restrictions are, in fact, persecution of the church.
• How we should understand the relationship of church and state.

Supplemental Resources

1. https://pursuitofglory.org/churches-are-not-subjects-of-the-state/
2. https://pursuitofglory.org/a-call-to-divine-obedience-over-civil-obedience/

 

9: How Should Christians Respond to a 3rd Lockdown?

Ontario pulls the "Emergency Brake" and locks down for a 3rd time. How do we respond? In this episode we discuss:

• The reality that we are in a spiritual war.
• A tragic side-effect of senseless lockdowns.
• How to overcome fear and re-integrate in church life.
• Advice for churches that are not yet open.
• How we minster to fearful people and share the Gospel during this time.

Supplemental Resources and News Articles

1. Harvest Windsor's stance on COVID-19 (https://harvestwindsor.ca/our-stance-on-covid-19/)

2. Liberty Coalition Canada list of churches gathering for Good Friday/Resurrection Sunday (https://www.libertycoalitioncanada.com/we-will-gather-easter-2021)

3. Ezra Institute Podcast (https://feedpress.me/eicc-podcast-for-cultural-reformation) 

8: A Christian Response to Race and Nationhood

In this episode, Dr. Aaron Rock addresses race and nationhood from a biblical perspective. Specifically we discuss:

1. The importance of discussing racism and the danger of virtue-signaling.

2. Some key biblical considerations and cultural lies that we need to be aware of in this discussion.

3. How a secular worldview can taint the church's response.

4. Why the source of our identity is critical.

 

Supplemental Resources and News Articles

1. https://christianconcern.com/ccpressreleases/victory-for-scottish-church-leaders-as-judge-rules-government-acted-unconstitutionally-when-criminalising-gathered-worship/

7: A Christian Response to M.A.I.D.

In this episode, Dr. Aaron Rock address Medical Assistance in Dying (M.A.I.D.) in light of the recent passing of Bill C-7 here in Canada which expands access to M.A.I.D. to those struggling with mental illness. Specifically we discuss:

1. What is M.A.I.D. and how did we get here.

2. The arguments for and against M.A.I.D.

3. Critical biblical considerations

4. Alternatives to M.A.I.D. and what Christians can do now that Bill C-7 is passed.

 

Supplemental Resources

1. The Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA https://arpacanada.ca/) has many great resources dealing with euthanasia including their site "Care not Kill" https://carenotkill.ca/ 

2. Here is the article informing us of Pastor James Coates' release: https://www.jccf.ca/pastor-james-coates-to-be-released-from-jail-as-crown-withdraws-charges/ 

 

 

6: What to do when it’s Hard to Trust Authority?

In this episode Dr. Aaron Rock discusses:

• The dangers of blindly trusting the “Experts”
• The limits of science and the preeminence of divine revelation
• How we should understand Romans 13

Supplemental Resources 

1. https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/family-wedding-followed-covid-rules-top-doctor-says
2. https://nationalpost.com/opinion/derek-h-burney-canada-is-caught-in-a-perfect-storm-of-dysfunction-muddling-through-is-not-the-answer
3. https://www.libertycoalitioncanada.com/resources

5: The Myth of Moral Neutrality

In this episode Dr. Aaron Rock discusses:

• How believers often fall prey to the idea of moral neutrality.
• The notion that sins are weighted differently in their punishment.
• The various positions on the scale of moral sensitivity.
• What big moral issues are particularly important to study right now.

Supplemental Resources 

1. What went wrong in Canada's Pandemic Response? A presentation by Lieutenant Colonel David Redman.

4: Home Church, Underground Church, and the Church Institute

In this episode Dr. Aaron Rock discusses:

• What the church is and how it differs from a simple gathering of believers.
• The practical importance of church buildings and the church institute.
• The benefits and deficits of home churches.
• How churches can prepare for future persecution.

Supplemental Resources:

1. Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents by Rod Dreher

2. A Week of Sacred Assembly: Praying & Fasting for our Nation 

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3: Canadian Pastor Arrested; Officials ”Cross the Rubicon”

In this episode Dr. Aaron Rock discusses:

1. The recent arrest of Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church in Edmonton Alberta

2. The overreach of our government and why Pastor Coates' arrest should shock us.

3. The relationship of church and state and why it is important for the church as an institute to be defended.

 

Supplemental Resources:

1. If you or your church would like to join in the "Call to Sacred Assembly: a week of fasting and prayer" from February 28 to March 6th, you can use and share this graphic: 

2. To learn more about the relationship of the church and the state please check out The Niagara 2020 Declaration

 

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2: Should Christians be Politically Engaged?

In this episode Dr. Aaron Rock discusses the need for Christians to discard the false dualism that separates spiritual life from political life and to see political engagement as part of our responsibility to stand up against injustice, speaking out for the betterment of society, the role of the church, etc. Some main areas of discussion are:

1. Some of the shifting realties in politics that necessitate that we become more engaged.

2. The "political" issues we need to be most concerned about today.

3. Things Christians/churches should not be doing politically.

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1: Act Essential: Why Churches Should Oppose Lockdowns

In this debut episode Dr. Aaron Rock introduces the Leadership Now podcast and discusses the following:

1. The damages lockdowns cause and why he is opposed to them.

2. What biblical justice is and how it is relevant to lockdowns.

3. Why it is important that churches speak out against lockdowns and push for reopening.

 

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