The Dialog

A lawyer told me recently that ignorance is not a valid defense in a court of law. You can't stand before a judge, or before God, and say, "Well, I just didn't know." And the harder question isn't whether you know. It's whether you want to know.

"Nobody told me" sounds innocent. But it means someone else had the responsibility, and whoever has the responsibility has the control. My co-host Nick Surface and I recorded this in October 2025, in the middle of a government shutdown, and we talk about blame, poverty, ownership and what Jesus meant when He preached good news to the poor. Nick also talks about his broke years in England.

What happens when you blame someone else?
They get the control. If I own my situation, it can be fixed. If I don't, all I can do is wait for a savior to show up and rescue me.

Why did Jesus preach good news to the poor?
Jesus told John the Baptist's disciples that the blind see, the lame walk, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor (Matthew 11:4-5). To me, Scripture illustrates poverty as a mindset, and Jesus taught people to think better.

What does it mean to repent?
The Greek word behind repent is μετάνοια (metanoia). It means to change your thinking (Matthew 4:17, Romans 12:2).

How do you get out of a cycle?
Ask the question my dad taught me: how's that working out for you? You'll know them by their fruit (Matthew 7:16). If you don't like the outputs, change the inputs, starting with who you spend time with.

Scriptures
Hosea 4:6 · Matthew 4:17 · Matthew 7:16 · Matthew 11:2-5 · Matthew 26:11 · Romans 8 · Romans 12:2

Words, people and sayings
μετάνοια (metanoia): to change your thinking
Josh's dad: "How's that working out for you?"
Jim Rohn: you're the average of the five people you spend the most time with

Chapters
0:00 Cold open and show intro
1:11 Ignorance is not a valid defense
3:51 The cost of ignorance (Hosea 4:6)
4:47 "Nobody told me": where blame starts
8:19 A missions trip to Skid Row
11:02 Blame them, and they're in control
12:25 What Nick learned living in the UK
16:13 Why did Jesus preach good news to the poor?
18:55 Repent means change your thinking
23:29 Poverty starts with our thinking
24:47 Nick: "I've been so broke it hurts"
27:48 Nick's broke years in England
30:33 Blame the country, and you can't do anything
33:14 How early Christians shocked Rome
36:55 "I love food and I don't love discipline"
40:52 "So what are you going to do about it?"
41:53 "How's that working out for you?"
43:04 You become like the people around you
45:58 Don't like your results? Change your circle
48:08 You can win in any environment

Previous: 1.3 / Is life a problem to solve?
Next: 1.5 / Is there truth in other religions?

New episodes most weeks.
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Go to my website / https://jkc.is

What is The Dialog?

Ancient philosophers used the dialog to find answers to life’s greatest questions. The Dialog is a search for truth in modern life through the lens of ancient philosophy, history, and theology. This podcast will challenge your assumptions, change your thinking and show you how to master modern living.