Truce

Did you know that Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump have all stumped for the multi-level marketing industry? MLMs, direct sales, and network marketing have powerful friends. But what about Christian "celebrities"? On this, our fourth and final episode on MLMs, we're going to demonstrate how the gospel is used to sell an illegitimate business model. People like Josh McDowell have spoken for Amway. But does that make his actions wrong? He is, after all, there to preach the gospel to a captive audience. Who can blame him?Ideas explored in this episode:* What was the Trump Network?* Did Bill Clinton speak at Amway events?* How was George Bush involved with MLMs?* Who is Terri Savelle Foy?* Can we mix the gospel and business?* Why do Christians and people of faith sell for pyramid schemes?* How do pyramid schemes target Christians?Want more information and links? Visit our website at www.trucepodcast.com. Truce is a listener supported show. Donate now on Patreon, GoFundMe,

The Amway Decision. The Federal Trade Commission decided that Amway was not an illegal pyramid scheme, but a legitimate business. How did that happen? Why is it important. This week on the Truce Podcast we're joined once again by Robert Fitzpatrick of Pyramid Scheme Alert (https://pyramidschemealert.org/), author of Ponzinomics to explore the history of MLMs.Also in this episode is a brief history of the founders of Amway: Richard DeVos and Jay VanAndel. The DeVos name probably sounds familiar. Our current Secretary of Education is Betsy DeVos, daughter-in-law to Richard. She's made a lot of news in her position because of her stances on charter schools and arming teachers in public schools. A lot of information for this episode came from the book "Dark Money" by Jane Mayer (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/215462/dark-money-by-jane-mayer/9780307947901/). It is an excellent read and raises a lot of good questions about money in politics. Did you know that the Truce Podcast is listener supported? Find

We know that tying business to religion can be tricky. Think about recent stories involving Hobby Lobby, Chick-fil-A, or In-N-Out Burger. But what happens when we tie our religion to a business model that just doesn't work?That's what many multi-level marketing (MLM) companies do every day. They saddle distributors with debt and product they can't sell... often in the name of Jesus. We're joined once again by Robert Fitzpatrick of Pyramidschemealert.org, author of Ponzinomics. Questions answered: (well... we put this here to help search engines)What is an MLM?Is this company a scam?What is a pyramid scheme?Do people lose money on MLMs?Is direct sales for me?How do people get rich in direct sales?Is this a Christian company? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is multi-level marketing? It turns out, it is a very popular business model that targets Christians and other people of faith. But... it is almost guaranteed to fail. Because MLM's and direct sales companies are not designed to sell a product but to sell the business itself.Joining us for this episode is Robert Fitzpatrick. He's the president of Pyramid Scheme Alert and the author of the new book “Ponzinomics: The Untold History of Multi-Level Marketing and How Direct Sales Became an American Swindle”.Also mentioned in the episode is the podcast The Dream. Season one talks in great detail about pyramid schemes. Please be aware that some of the episodes use strong language.Topics covered in this episode:What is multi-level marketing?What is a pyramid scheme?What is a Ponzi scheme?Who are Ponzi schemes named after?Who was Charles Ponzi?Is multi-level marketing the same thing as a pyramid scheme?What is the difference between a pyramid scheme and multi-level marketing and a Ponzi scheme?What is a good book

We're taking a week off from releasing a full episode of the Truce podcast, but I wanted to give you a little something to think about. Where is your media coming from? Your audio sermons? Your curriculum? Let's start a conversation! You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @trucepodcast.com. God willing, there will be a new episode next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Prosperity Gospel. It goes by a lot of names. Prosperity, name it and claim it theology, The Secret, the word of faith movement... but how did it begin? Who came up with the ideas that are now spreading throughout the world? This week on the Truce Podcast we interview Brandon Kimber, director of the new film American Gospel. The film takes a deep dive into the world of the prosperity gospel, and what the gospel is in the first place. The film is 2.5 hours long, and covers a lot of ground. I recommend watching it in 2-3 chunks as a small group with discussion after each chunk. Interviews within the movie include Matt Chandler, Francis Chan, John MacArthur, Jackie Hill Perry, Costi Hinn and many others. There are many clips of famous prosperity teachers explicitly preaching in opposition to the Bible, including Benny Hinn, Joel Osteel, Victoria Osteen, Kenneth Copeland, and Bill Johnson of Bethel Church. Discussed within the episode: What is the prosperity gospel? Who founded the prosperity gospel mov

This week we talk with Mark Galli, editor in chief of Christianity Today about leadership. Are we all called to lead or are just some of us? Does that mean we don’t have to lead if we’re not gifted in that way?We’re also joined by Paul Wingfield of the One Man and His Wilderness podcast.Our main Bible verse comes from Romans 12:3-8.Things we explore in this episode:* Are all Christians supposed to lead?* Are all Christians leaders?* How should Christians lead?* All members of Christ’s body have different gifts.* What are the gifts of the spirit?* Servant leadership* How to lead in your church* Why do so many Christian leaders fail?The Truce podcast is a listener supported show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is it okay to fail? Are we okay with failure in the Christian church? Even mainstream churches frequently link financial and business success with God's blessing. If we're not rich and don't have a big following, does that mean that God doesn't love us? This week on the Truce Podcast we sit down once again with Andrew Schwab, lead singer of Project 86 and host of the Pioneers Podcast to discuss failure. He shares with us the difficulties his band faced with their album Truthless Heroes and Atlantic Records. Andrew is also the author of the books "Fame is Infamy", "Tin Soldiers", and "It's All Downhill from Here". In this episode we explore: * Is it okay to fail? * How should Christians handle failure? * How do I know if I'm a success? * Does our reliance on success distract from the mission of the church? * Does God love me for who I am or do I have to work for it? * How can failure be used as a weapon? * How do I move on from a failure? In this episode, we are also joined by Roy Browning of the Business

There are so many temptations for people who create media. We are constantly targeted by scams, encouraged to brag about ourselves, and told we could always be doing better. Those pressures are shaping the modern church. For better or worse.This week on the Truce Podcast we are joined by Andrew Schwab of Project 86 and the Pioneer's Podcast to explore the odd temptations facing modern Christianity. Andrew is also the author of the books "Fame is Infamy", "The Tin Soldiers", "It's All Downhill from Here".Truce is a listener supported show. Visit our website at www.trucepodcast.com to donate. Please spread the word about the show and post a review of it on iTunes. We'll discuss:* How is technology shaping the modern church?* How do Christians deal with failure?* How do people make money on social media and Instagram?* Should my church podcast its sermons?* Are we creating new popes with our celebrity Christians?* Is it okay for Christians to be famous? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com

Author Michelle DeRusha (Katrina and Martin Luther, True You) gave up media for six weeks. She did it for Lent, the time of year right before Easter when some Christians give something up in order to draw closer to God. In this episode of the Truce Podcast we hear from her about her experience, and from you, our listeners about your experience with the Truce Podcast Media Time Out. If you would like access to the PDF version of the Media Time Out, subscribe to our email update list (I won't sell your data, and emails are few and far between). The link will be emailed to you for free. If you like the Truce Podcast, please leave us a rating on your favorite podcasting app.Topics Covered:What is a media fast?Who is Michelle DeRusha?What are people's personal stories about fasting?What is media bias?How do we decode bias in our media?Is NPR bias?Is cable news bias?Is Fox News bias?In our next episode we'll hear from Andrew Schwab of Project 86 and the Pioneers Podcast about the difficulties of being famous in the

We're surrounded by media. All the time. On our phones, the television, radio... even music at the supermarket. When was the last time you enjoyed the silence?This week on the Truce Podcast, we're going to take a break from media. No TV, radio, music, social media, movies... none of it. We're doing it for a few different reasons:*To demonstrate to ourselves that we don't need our phones as much as we think we do.*To refocus our attention on God.*To see how our media is shaping us. We're going to study the bias and marketing that comes at us through our media.*Our series on the influencer economy will make a lot more sense if you are aware of the messaging that targets you every day.You can call this a media fast. But the Bible has a lot of specific requirements for fasting. So, let's just call this a “time out”. If you'd like to join along, sign up for our email updates list and you'll be emailed a link to our free PDF version of the curriculum. Feel free to make as many copies as you like! Why do a media fas

New episodes of the Truce Podcast are coming soon! Our special guests will include Andrew Schwab of Project 86 and The Pioneers Podcast, author Michelle DeRusha, and Robert Fitzpatrick from Pyramid Scheme Alert. We're exploring how Christians are marketed to and how sometimes makes us fall into some pretty dark traps.Subscribe on Apple Podcast, Google Play, or Spotify. www.trucepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In World War II the world was in chaos. Men shooting other men. The old world of horses and bayonets collided with machine guns and tanks. In the midst of the madness, thousands of men left their trenches on Christmas and met their neighbors. It was a spontaneous gathering of brothers. We in the Christian church can learn a lot from them.Truce is a listener supported show. Click here to help.Our Bible readings were performed by Jasen Banks from the Word x the World podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The events of Daniel 11 helped to disprove Mormonism. In this episode, we take a look at the Rosetta Stone, the Book of Abraham, and Joseph Smith.Truce is a listener-supported podcast. Help by donating via Patreon and GoFundMe. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. http://www.trucepodcast.comMerry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Living And Effective is the newest podcast from Christianity Today and the Christian Standard Bible. Chris sat down with Richard Clark (@TheRichardClark) to discuss media ethics and the nature of Christian broadcasting. Is it okay to talk about infidelity when discussing Dr. Martin Luther King? Is a discussion of Christianity in the 1970's complete without a conversation about where the Jesus People are today? Is Christian media required to stay positive?Subscribe to Living and Effective on any podcasting app or listen at http://www.livingandeffective.com.Truce is a listener supported podcast. Support the show at http://www.patreon.com. Our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram handle is @trucepodcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We need your help! Truce is taking a break this week so we can do some marketing. In the meantime, please:1) Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or where ever you listen2) Tell two friends about the show3) Pray for Truce! God willing, we'll see you next week. Until then, check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're still here, despite the fact that dozens of predictions have told us that the world would have ended by now. John Hagee, Jack Van Impe, Joseph Smith, Jehovah's Witnesses, John Wesley, Harold Camping and so many others have made bogus predictions. What should we think about this? How do people of faith look when we are clearly wrong in such public ways? In this episode of the Truce podcast, we examine some of the reasons behind these predictions and discuss a better way forward.Truce is the Christian podcast that uses journalistic tools to look inside the Christian church. We press pause on the culture wars to explore how we got here and how we can do better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It took a long time for women to get the right to vote. And it took a lot of different opinions about how to go about fighting for that right. Frances Willard, the second president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, used marches and speeches. Her fellow WCTU member, Carrie Nation, preferred... a hatchet. On this episode, the second in a series, we look at a few of the women who were involved in this important movement. Frances Willard, Carrie Nation, and more. Truce is a listener-supported podcast. We're about a thousand dollars in the hole after two seasons of the show. Consider donating a few dollars to keep this thing going. Guests: Jenna DeWitt @Jenna_DeWitt Jim Vorel from Paste Magazine @JimVorel Claire White from the Mob Museum in Las Vegas @TheMobMuseum Sarah Ward from the Woman's Christian Temperance Union https://www.wctu.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 1800's were a drunken mess. The median adult in the US drank 1.7 bottles of 80 proof alcohol each week. Each week! The 1800's were also a time when women didn't have many rights: they couldn't vote, were expected to stay home, and were somewhat invisible in the public sphere. Until they'd had enough. Thanks to the efforts of organizations like the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, women fought for their rights. On this episode of the Truce Podcast, we begin our series on this historic battle. Guests: Jenna DeWitt @Jenna_DeWitt Jim Vorel from Paste Magazine @JimVorel Claire White from the Mob Museum in Las Vegas @TheMobMuseum Sarah Ward from the Woman's Christian Temperance Union https://www.wctu.org/ And remember to check out The Word in the World podcast: https://www.thewordxtheworld.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Jesus eternal? There is a key word in the gospels and the Nicaean Creed: begotten. We don't use it much today, but some people take it to mean that Jesus hasn't been around since the beginning of time. Jehovah's Witnesses use it as proof that Christ was created by God. But does it mean that? No. Our special guest for this episode is Professor Gerald Bray. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices