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No Apology: Authentic Christianity Without Filters

Welcome to No Apology with Emilee and Chris Danielson, a variety talk show designed to have you laugh louder, dig deeper, and live larger in the Lord Jesus Christ. We're authentic historical Christians who take the Bible not just seriously, not just literally, but as our final authority for our life here on earth. And guess what happens when you do that? You become honest in your dealings.

Today's show focuses on honesty – honest reflections on current events, honest biblical analysis, and an honest game of "Right On or Way Off" that puts biblical discernment to the test. We're joined by Mike Shaw, our former news director who left us for greener pastures in Texas (or as we like to say, he bailed on us for a job near family).

News and Views

Trump's Middle East Diplomacy

President Trump recently visited Saudi Arabia and secured several major agreements. First, a $142 billion arms deal, then a broader $600 billion investment package where Saudis will be investing directly in the United States. Qatar Airways also announced plans to purchase 150 Boeing aircraft. These deals represent significant economic opportunities for America.

The Saudi prince has been on the scene for four or five years, implementing progressive changes within Saudi society. He's more forward-thinking and open to the West than his predecessors. Saudi Arabia has historically been among the Arab countries most friendly toward the West and non-antagonistic toward Israel, even being among the first to sign the Abraham Accords.

As Mike Shaw points out, "Over the course of years of all the Arab countries, Saudi Arabia has been the best to deal with and the most friendly toward not only the West, but non-antagonistic toward Israel as well."

However, Trump's meeting with Muhammad Al Jalani, the unelected Syrian president and former ISIS leader, raises serious concerns. This man had a $10 million reward on his head from the West just four months ago – a reward that was recently lifted.

Mike Shaw doesn't mince words: "I hate this. I don't know why President Trump doesn't know these things. This guy in Syria is bad news, maybe even worse news. They're still anti-Christian, still Sharia law there, and worse terrorists."

Emilee offers a more pragmatic view: "When you are a world leader, you got to deal with the devil. That's the reality. These are the people that are going to be there. You can say this guy is really, really bad, but the next guy that would fill in for him will be just as bad, if not worse."

Chris takes a more balanced approach: "Being honest, I have a vacillating opinion. If he's doing what I think he's doing, bravo. If he's not, we're in deep trouble. You cannot make nice with terrorists – they don't change their spots very quickly. But Trump has got to deal with all these people on the same level. He's trying to get peace and stability over there."

The situation recalls eschatological concerns, with Chris noting, "This does have end times written all over it." It's worth considering whether these diplomatic developments align with biblical prophecy about the last days.

Housing Crisis in America

A new analysis reveals a troubling reality: in nearly half of U.S. states, a typical family of four doesn't earn enough to afford a median-priced three-bedroom home. The findings assume a 6.65% mortgage rate, 10% down payment, and housing costs not exceeding 30% of gross income.

Hawaii ranks as the least affordable state, requiring a $229,000 income to purchase a $797,000 median-priced home – 41% more than the state's median four-person household income. California, Montana, Idaho, and New York complete the top five least affordable states.

By contrast, states like Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois offer more breathing room, with Iowa requiring only $81,000 and Texas $102,000 in household income.

"When I was growing up, moms by and large did not work outside the home. And yet homeowners everywhere," Chris observes. "Home ownership has dropped dramatically. That's never a good thing for culture."

This stark reality prompted Mike to joke, "I need a raise or a rich wife," leading to the creation of a fictional email address: mikereversesugardaddy.org.

DNC Internal Politics

The Democratic National Committee has recommended a new vote for its vice chairs, potentially ousting David Hogg and Malcolm Kenyatta despite their having been elected. This demonstrates the volatile nature of their leadership approach.

Emilee sees this as typical of "socialist authoritarian dictatorship type activity where they have a so-called election and then they're put into power, and the moment they realize this may not be what they really want, they change the rules." She warns that "there will be nothing that you can depend on or hold on to under this dictator authoritarian type leadership. It's just the whims of men and it's volatile."

Even more disturbing are reports from Democratic insiders that former President Biden's aides considered putting him in a wheelchair if he was reelected for a second term – what Chris calls a "Weekend at Bernie's" scenario.

Mike Shaw points out, "The cognitive decline during the Biden administration was real, everybody knew about it, there was a big cover up." He adds, "We found out that there was an autopen that was signing legislation, signing bills, signing executive orders, making decisions."

Emilee identifies a clear contrast: "On the Christian biblical side of things, there's order, there's rationale, there's right and wrong, there's things that we ought to do and things that we ought not to do. On the opposite side of that, you have chaos. It's just deconstructing everything – deconstructing the family, marriage, law and order, language, religion, even the DNC."

Right On or Way Off?

In this segment, Emilee reads contentious statements, and Chris and Mike must determine whether they're biblically sound ("right on") or misguided ("way off"). The winner receives the coveted "Greatest of All This Week" trophy.

Statement 1: "They have people repeat, 'He died for my sins' so often they forget that he actually died for standing up to an oppressive ruling class who used religion to exploit people, gain influence, and make a profit."

WAY OFF!

Chris immediately identified the problem: "Anytime you try to put social justice in and around the cross, I'm way off because it comes down to saving sinners for salvation, for eternity. It's the blood of Jesus over the doorpost of our soul. Every society's been oppressive. The cross of Christ is about Jesus dying for the sins of mankind."

Mike initially thought the statement had merit because Jesus did confront religious leaders, but he acknowledged that "obviously the whole mission was to die for our sins and that is paramount."

Emilee confirmed the statement was "way off," pointing to 1 Corinthians 15:3 where Paul wrote, "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins according to the scripture." She noted three problems with the statement:

1. The vague "they" insinuates traditional biblical Christianity without naming it.
2. It downplays the central truth of Christ's sacrificial death for sin.
3. It ignores that Christ's death for sins is precisely what offers humanity escape from oppression and exploitation.

Statement 2: "I believe when talking about the Bible, I believe it is God's word because it finds me where I am."

RIGHT ON!

This quote from Abraham Lincoln sparked debate. Both contestants initially deemed it "way off," concerned it reflected self-centered Bible reading.

Mike explained, "Sometimes I'll read the Bible and go, 'Ouch! Oh, wait. Ow. Stop. Oh, that hurt. I better fix that. I need to work on that. Lord, help me with that.' The Bible done well is an attitude adjustment a lot of times."

Chris emphasized, "The Bible is not about you. At all. You are a byproduct benefit of what goes on in the Bible. The Bible from start to finish is salvation history of God revealing himself to mankind as the creator God."

To their surprise, Emilee declared the statement "right on," explaining that Lincoln was recognizing how Scripture speaks to our specific circumstances and needs. This doesn't change the meaning of Scripture but acknowledges its personal application.

After some protest, Chris conceded: "I am right on with Abraham Lincoln and the full explanation. I am way off on how that statement reads to the average person who's being deceived in our culture."

Statement 3: "Jesus protected women, empowered women, honored women, was funded by women, learned from women, spoke of women as examples to follow. It's our turn."

WAY OFF!

Both contestants immediately recognized the problem with this feminist t-shirt slogan.

Chris explained, "It's just another person trying to use the life and testimony of Jesus Christ to advance an agenda. There was no chance for me to say 'right on' when you said 'it's our turn.' The patriarchy is still the patriarchy. It's still God's plan."

Mike pointed to Ephesians 5 and explained the biblical structure: "First of all, Christ is the head of the church and loves the body and takes care of it. The man is the head of the family and loves his wife and takes care of his family. They're trying to take a crowbar to put a wedge in there and tear down the patriarchy because why? It's the spirit of antichrist."

Emilee confirmed this was "way off," citing John 6:38 where Jesus says, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but to do the will of him who sent me."

Chris shared some compelling statistics about spiritual leadership: when a man comes to Christ, approximately 93% of his family follows, compared to 33% when a woman converts, and just 7% when a child does. This doesn't diminish women's value but recognizes God's design for family leadership.

Final Thoughts

Mike Shaw:

"I was watching a Maxwell minute about encouragement. Everyone needs encouragement. In the body of Christ, we get to encourage each other. It's not that we have to encourage each other, but we get to. When Paul was telling Timothy to fan into flames those gifts, that's what we do when we encourage each other. So come alongside a brother or sister today, tell them how much you love them, tell them that you see God in them, and fan into flames those gifts so that we can continue to encourage and serve each other and serve God in the process."

Chris Danielson:

"I like doing this show. I like the fact that Mike's still with us from Texas. I like that it's really your show, Emilee, and we're trying to support it. If I had my way, I would do this as a daily – every day at noon, just record 30 minutes of thoughts, encouragement, and Bible study. That's impossible because there's other things we have to do to earn an income. But I want to encourage you publicly, Emilee, to keep pushing this show forward in the ways you do behind the scenes. And I'll keep supporting it, leading it, taking the back seat, being right on, being way off, or whatever I got to do to help this show go forward."

Emilee Danielson:

"I just want to encourage you like Abraham Lincoln, get into God's word. It's his word for you because it will find you right where you are."