SNAKE 90: Christ Is King Over the State! (James Baird Interview)

This conversation challenges us to reconsider what true liberty actually means in a Christian context. We often think of freedom as the ability to do whatever we want, but the early American founders understood something profound: liberty is ordered toward righteousness. Real freedom isn't licentiousness—doing whatever feels good—but rather the freedom to do what is right and good for our communities. This ancient wisdom reminds us that when we use our liberty to pursue sin or harm our neighbors, we've actually abandoned true freedom. The cultural mandate given in Genesis calls us to subdue the earth, to bring order under Christ's lordship in every sphere of influence we inhabit. We can't coerce salvation—that's the Spirit's work—but we can and should work to create societies that make it easy to be godly and hard to be sinful. Every law legislates morality because every law either permits, requires, or prohibits certain behaviors. The question isn't whether we'll legislate morality, but whose morality will be legislated. As image-bearers of God living under the kingship of Christ, we're called to exercise our authority lovingly, creating order and promoting righteousness in our families, churches, and communities. This isn't Christian nationalism or fascism—it's simply recognizing that Christ is King over all creation, and we have a responsibility to honor that reality in how we live and govern.

Chapter 1: Liberty Ordered Toward Righteousness

0:00 - 3:00

True liberty is ordered toward righteousness, not licentiousness, and Christians must maintain charity over matters of disagreement while upholding moral standards.

Chapter 2: Reformed Baptist and Presbyterian Unity on Church and State

3:00 - 7:00

Despite denominational differences, Reformed Baptists and Presbyterians share common ground on the relationship between church autonomy and the state's moral obligations under Christ's kingship.

Chapter 3: The Founders' Vision: Christianity as Essential to Liberty

7:00 - 12:00

America's founders believed that Christianity and morality were essential prerequisites for genuine liberty and republican government, implementing strict religious laws accordingly.

Chapter 4: Legislating Morality and the Cultural Mandate

12:00 - 17:00

All legislation inherently legislates morality, and Christians should exercise dominion by establishing laws that reflect God's order and help people follow Christian principles outwardly.