Episode 19
American Institutions, Moral Courage & Biblical Truth
Featuring Dr. John West
June 23, 2026
Dr. John West, distinguished scholar of American government and Christian civic engagement at Cornerstone University and vice president of the Discovery Institute, joins host Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño for a wide-ranging conversation on the resilience of American institutions, the moral foundations of democratic life, and the courage required to defend truth in the public square. Drawing on a recent event in Grand Rapids featuring Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, the two discuss whether civility and humility alone can sustain a republic, or whether a flourishing democracy requires moral truth and conviction rooted in a biblical worldview. West addresses the problem of human sin within free enterprise and capitalism, drawing on thinkers such as George Gilder and Adam Smith to argue that genuine entrepreneurship involves creativity and self-sacrifice rather than mere greed. The conversation also explores cultural decadence and prosperity, the rise of ideological extremes on both the left and the right, and the need for vibrant Christian churches to call Americans back to their eternal purposes. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how America’s founding principles intersect with Christian faith, and why the courage of one’s convictions remains essential for the renewal of institutions, communities, and the nation.