Of Flames and Crowns

Ep. 24: BEN MERKLE | The State Is Not Your Father

Where tyranny reigns, weak men lie at its feet. They’ve abandoned their post—no longer leading their homes, protecting their families, or standing firm for their churches. Instead, they cling to the State like orphans, begging it to do the work they were called to do: to build, to guard, to rule. The result is predictable—freedom dies, vice thrives, and culture rots. A nation of emasculated men will never be free. What we need are men with spines—men who wield strength, courage, and conviction to crush evil and cultivate good.
In this episode, Lennox Kalifungwa is joined once again by NSA President Dr. Ben Merkle to talk about raising men in an age that neuters them, the power of multigenerational faithfulness, and how households can become the frontlines in the war against tyranny.
This podcast was produced by New Saint Andrews College. Learn how to attend or give to the college at https://nsa.edu 

Ep. 23: JARED LONGSHORE | Imposing and Legislating Christian Morality

In a world hellbent on evicting God from public life, a question echoes with increasing confusion: Would a God of love really force someone to do what they don’t want to do? What happened to “free choice,” “individual liberty,” and all the other slogans we’ve enshrined?
Today, many cling to the myth that law is born from some serene, secular neutrality—hammered out in the halls of diplomacy and burnished by the gentle hand of humanism. But scratch beneath the polished veneer and you’ll find that neutrality is a fairy tale, and tolerance is more marketing slogan than moral principle. Our age will legislate morality all day long—just not Christian morality. Because if there's one thing secularism finds utterly intolerable, it's a truth that won't budge. Christianity is the last great stumbling block, the immovable standard that refuses to bless delusion, flatter vice, or baptize the latest trend in moral relativism.
In this episode, Lennox Kalifungwa is joined by Dr. Jared Longshore—who serves both as Undergraduate Dean and Fellow of Theology at New Saint Andrews College and as Associate Pastor at Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho. A seasoned shepherd in the pulpit since 2007, Dr. Longshore holds both an MDiv and PhD from Southern Seminary. He’s authored such hard-hitting titles as Wisdom for Kings and Queens, Strong and Courageous: Following Jesus Amid the Rise of America's New Religion, and The Case for the Christian Family.
This podcast was produced by New Saint Andrews College. Learn how to attend or give to the college at https://nsa.edu 

Ep. 22: GORDON WILSON | Does God Believe in Climate Change?

In a world gripped by climate panic, environmentalism has become a new religion—and its doomsday prophets dominate the global stage. But is the threat as real as we're told, or is something deeper at play?
In this episode, Lennox Kalifungwa is joined by Dr. Gordon Wilson, Senior Fellow of Natural History at New Saint Andrews College and creator of The Riot and the Dance. Together they explore the theological roots of climate alarmism, the billion-dollar industry it fuels, and why biblical dominion offers a better way to love and steward the earth. Drawing from his book A Different Shade of Green, Dr. Wilson calls Christians to reject fear-based propaganda and recover a joyful, thankful, and faithful approach to creation.
A Different Shade of Green: https://www.amazon.com/Different-Shade-Green-Biblical-Environmentalism/dp/1947644572
The Riot and the Dance: https://canonplus.com/tabs/none/video-series/39009
This podcast was produced by New Saint Andrews College. Learn how to attend or give to the college at https://nsa.edu 

Ep. 21: ANDY NASELLI | Teaching Theology through Stories

Children need more than entertainment—they need stories that shape their souls. When rooted in sound theology, stories become vessels of truth, carrying the mighty works of God to the next generation. Theology was never meant to remain locked in ivory towers, nor storytelling confined to shallow sentimentality. Together, they forge a powerful tool for cultural and spiritual renewal.
In this episode, Lennox Kalifungwa is joined by Andy Naselli—a theologian, preacher, and soon-to-be pastor who lives at the intersection of doctrine and imagination. Andy is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis and is preparing to step into the role of lead pastor at Christ the King Church in Stillwater.
For more information on Andy Naselli, go to https://andynaselli.com/
For more information on the MFA in Creative Writing at NSA, go to https://www.camperdownmfa.com/
This podcast was produced by New Saint Andrews College. Learn how to attend or give to the college at https://nsa.edu 

Ep. 20: CHRISTINE COHEN | Every True Story Is a Christian Story

What will it take for Christians to reclaim their place as the world’s leading storytellers?
The Inklings—Lewis, Tolkien, and their circle—once set the gold standard, crafting tales so rich in meaning they transcended religious and philosophical divides. Why? Because all great stories, at their core, reflect the way God made the world—with truth, beauty, and goodness woven into their fabric.
On this episode of Of Flames and Crowns, Lennox Kalifungwa sits down with Christine Cohen, author of The Winter King and The Sinking City. A proud mother of three, Christine is not only a gifted novelist but also a seasoned editor and teacher of the writing craft. She is a graduate of New Saint Andrews College and holds the distinction of being the first-ever graduate—and now director—of the Camperdown MFA program.
Together, they explore how Christians can recover a vision of wonder, wield words with wisdom, and write stories that leave a lasting mark on culture.
To learn more about the MFA in Creative Writing, go to https://www.camperdownmfa.com/
Christine Cohen books:
The Winter King: https://www.amazon.com/Winter-King-Christine-Cohen-ebook/dp/B081VV255Q
The Sinking City: https://www.amazon.com/Sinking-City-Christine-Cohen/dp/1954887272
This podcast was produced by New Saint Andrews College. Learn how to attend or give to the college at https://nsa.edu 

Ep. 19: BRENT PINKALL | The Art of Persuasive Speech

Those who master language with wisdom and skill shape history. Great speeches embody conviction, courage, and character, revealing the essence of men and the weight of their beliefs. A well-spoken word can ignite action, mold affections, and turn the tides of history. Properly wielded, language is the bedrock of leadership and the catalyst for great movements.
In this episode of Of Flames and Crowns, Lennox Kalifungwa sits down with Brent Pinkall to explore the art of eloquence and persuasive speech. A Junior Fellow of Rhetoric at New Saint Andrews College, Pinkall has dedicated himself to reclaiming the power and beauty of the spoken word. Holding an M.A. in Theology and Letters from NSA and a B.A. in Mass Communications from Kansas State University, he has taught and ministered across cultures, particularly in China, where he lectured on logic, epistemology, classical education, and rhetoric. His book, Redeeming the Six Arts: A Christian Approach to Chinese Classical Education, examines the profound connection between language, culture, and truth.
In an age long on words but short on wisdom, Pinkall challenges us to rediscover the transformative power of eloquence.
This podcast was produced by New Saint Andrews College. Learn how to attend or give to the college at: https://nsa.edu

Ep. 18: REBEKAH MERKLE | Feminine Ambition & Feminist Lies

For nearly two centuries, feminism has waged war on God’s design for women, convincing them that true fulfillment lies in imitating men, scorning homemaking, and embracing barrenness. But what if the real power of femininity is something far greater—something that causes God’s enemies to tremble?
In this episode of Of Flames and Crowns, Rebekah Merkle joins Lennox Kalifungwa to dismantle feminist dogma and cast a vision for biblical womanhood that is strong, intelligent, and unapologetically culture-shaping. She is the author of Eve in Exile, where she challenges feminist myths and calls women to reclaim their God-given roles with joy. A wife, mother, designer, and co-host of What Have You, she embodies a life of intellect, industry, and dominion.
From homemaking to influence, from industry to intellect—this is femininity as God designed it. 
This podcast was produced by New Saint Andrews College. Learn how to attend or give to the college at: https://nsa.edu

Ep. 17: JOE CARLSON | Why You Need Myth to See Reality

In this episode of Of Flames and Crowns, Lennox Kalifungwa and Joe Carlson explore the power of imagination and beauty in literature and creation. In an age suffocating under materialism, naturalism, modernity, and secularism, virtues like beauty, myth, and imagination are not mere luxuries—they are weapons for understanding reality. As tangible manifestations of truth and goodness, they are essential for waging effective cultural warfare.
This podcast was produced by New Saint Andrews College. Learn how to attend or give to the college at: https://nsa.edu
To access Joe Carlson's work on Dante, go to: https://romanroadspress.com/dante/ 

Ep. 16: SIMON KENNEDY | Can Christianity Save Australia’s Future?

In this episode of Of Flames and Crowns, Lennox Kalifungwa speaks with Simon Kennedy about Australia's decline from its Christian roots and the need for reform. Once shaped by Christianity, Australia is now secularized, with only 50% identifying as Christian and fewer attending church. The discussion explores how Australia's Christian heritage influenced its civic culture and the challenges of reviving it through education, church leadership, and policy reforms.
 
This podcast was produced by New Saint Andrews College. Learn how to attend or give to the college at: https://nsa.edu

Ep. 15: CHRISTOPHER SCHLECT | History Proves Theocracy

History is nothing less than the grand testament to Christ’s victorious march through the ages. To read it rightly is to see His unassailable sovereignty, stirring hope and conviction in His reign over all things. But lies—at their core—are acts of revisionism, desperate attempts to defy the King of Kings. From the beginning, the serpent’s words to Eve sought to rewrite history, knowing that distorting the past leads to destruction. In this conversation, Lennox Kalifungwa and Dr. Christopher Schlect explore why knowing, preserving, and rightly understanding history is essential to building Christian civilizations.
This podcast was produced by New Saint Andrews College. Learn how to attend or give to the college at: https://nsa.edu

Ep. 14: JAYSON GRIESER | Manly Poets & Postmodern Fools

Poetry once built civilizations, stirred men to action, and revealed the beauty and order woven into reality. Today, it’s been gutted—stripped of meaning and left to the murmurs of postmodern nihilists. But true poetry isn’t dead; its fire still burns for those with eyes to see. In this episode of Of Flames and Crowns, Dr. Jayson Grieser joins Lennox Kalifungwa to discuss poetry’s lost majesty, its power to shape the soul, and why recovering it matters. From Shakespeare to Herbert, from battle hymns to broken verses, they uncover the art that once moved nations—and can again.
This podcast was produced by New Saint Andrews College. Learn how to attend or give to the college at: https://nsa.edu

Ep. 13: BEN MERKLE | Educating Leaders, Not Cogs

The phrase “Education is Warfare” has become a staple in our vocabulary—and for good reason. Academia is the battleground where the thoughts and affections of entire cultures are forged because education is, at its core, a form of discipleship. To claim academia is to seize the reins of religious and cultural formation. Those who control the classroom shape the future. In this episode, Lennox Kalifungwa sits down with Dr. Ben Merkle, President of New Saint Andrews College, to unpack the vital role education plays in building and sustaining Christian civilizations.
This podcast was produced by New Saint Andrews College. Learn how to attend or give to the college at: https://nsa.edu 

Ep. 12: BEN ZORNES | Decolonization is Communism

Lennox Kalifungwa sits down with Ben Zornes to discuss the growing movement to erase Western influence through postcolonialism and decolonization. While presented as liberation, these ideas often work to dismantle capitalism, Biblical Christianity, and the core ideals that built the West—only to pave the way for communism. Together, they examine the historical and cultural impact of this ideology across the world and why it matters today.
This podcast was produced by New Saint Andrews College. Learn how to attend or give to the college at: https://nsa.edu 

Ep. 11: VISHAL MANGALWADI | Universities Built Culture Better Than Seminaries

The Gospel is not just about saving souls but reforming nations and building Christ’s kingdom on earth. Modern evangelicalism often reduces it to personal salvation, neglecting its transformative power over culture. As society rejects God’s sovereignty, many Christians retreat into Pietism—separating faith from public life. This has led to the secularization of politics, education, and the arts. In this conversation, Lennox Kalifungwa and Vishal Mangalwadi discuss the need for truth and optimism in discipling nations, confronting cultural decay, and reclaiming the world for Christ. Watch as they challenge fatalism and call for faithful Christian influence.
This podcast was produced by New Saint Andrews College. Learn how to attend or give to the college at: https://nsa.edu

Ep. 10: JARED LONGSHORE | All Nations Must Be Christian

If Christ truly holds the cosmos in His hands—and He does—then every nation on earth belongs to Him alone. In the Great Commission (Matthew 28), Christ commands His followers to disciple the nations because all authority in heaven and on earth is His. Nations that refuse to bow to Christ remain in bondage; they cannot be free, let alone flourish, apart from God's holy law—the foundation of true liberty. In this conversation, Lennox Kalifungwa and Jared Longshore confront the pressing need to build distinctly Christian nations.
This podcast was produced by New Saint Andrews College. Learn how to attend or give to the college at: https://nsa.edu

Ep. 09: GORDON WILSON | The Myth of Evolution Destroys Culture

Darwinian evolutionary theory has profoundly influenced modern philosophy, education, and morality—often wielded to deny God's existence. Despite its scientific veneer, it remains confined to theoretical thought, lacking undeniable proof. Its consequences have fueled movements like abortion, ethnic genocide, and materialism. In this conversation, Lennox Kalifungwa and Dr. Gordon Wilson, a senior fellow at New Saint Andrews College and author of Darwin’s Sandcastle, delve into the flaws of evolution. Dr. Wilson, known for The Riot and the Dance and other works, explores the myth of evolution and presents a biblical perspective on science and creation.
This podcast was produced by New Saint Andrews College. Learn how to attend or give to the college at: https://nsa.edu
Purchase Darwin's Sandcastle here: https://romanroadspress.com/darwins-sandcastle/?srsltid=AfmBOopj7zL7eTgYJKXdSLnEcJC1oV_fc93KM1JE1lTJT5eg6hSdImuu
Stream The Riot and the Dance on Canon+ https://canonplus.com/tabs/discover/video-series/39009