ARPA Counterpoint

We are back! In the August 2026 update, the crew look at the following events:
Machetes in Perth - Earlier this year, the rise in crime involving machetes led the Victorian government to ban them. Now a gang of youth have reportedly used machetes in an attack in the Perth suburbs. How have the government and police responded? How should they respond?
Men in Women's Sport - Kirralee Smith has just lost her appeal in the High Court. She has been told to pay $95,000 in reparations for posting publicly available information about men in women's sport. Further, women are being forced to accept playing against men, even if there are legitimate concerns about safety.
Secret Harbour By-election - One Nation now have a Lower House seat in WA after their victory in the Secret Harbour By-election. It was a comprehensive result in what had been a safe Labor seat. 
We welcome your feedback: arpacounterpoint@gmail.com

The crew and Pastor Jim continue the discussion on Family, this time focusing on how the "cult of the experts" undermines the biblical understanding of the family. Looking to expose how we are influenced in our everyday life, we consider the following:
What do we understand by the "cult of the experts"? Should we disregard "experts"?
In what ways does deferring to experts, particularly in the family sphere, go contrary to Scripture?
What tasks does God give us in our daily walk of life? How does He equip us to fulfil them wisely?
What is "the preferential option for the amateur"? How is this manifest in the Church?
How important is real life experience, and a proper worldview (understanding of reality) in gaining wisdom? How have the dominant progressive movements in society revealed this?
How is what we see in society a warning, particularly for the way in which we handle Scripture?
Pastor Jim Witteveen is an author and podcaster.
You can find his books and podcast at www.dan1132.com
English translations of Dutch publications about the covenant: www.perspectivafoederis.com
He also writes on Substack: https://dan1132.substack.com
 
We'd love to hear from you: arpacounterpoint@gmail.com

In the June 2026 monthly update, the crew "briefly" look at two topics which will take multiple episodes to cover properly:
Monoculturalism - Pauline Hanson has said that Australia should be "monocultural", while it seems like the rest of the establishment is promoting the idea of "multiculturalism". Amongst the intentional confusion surrounding the topic, we dip our toes in the water and start to look at what constitutes a culture. How do you navigate this issue? Finally, are those who push for multiculturalism hypocrites?This speech on multiculturalism is worth watching: The Failed Experiment of Multiculturalism | Lennox Kalifungwa | ACCS Repairing the Ruins 2026
Federal Budget 2026 - The federal government is attempting to fix "intergenerational inequality" in this year's federal budget, but is that what they will achieve? Is this a budget that is good for Australia?
We welcome your feedback: arpacounterpoint@gmail.com

The crew (including honorary member Pastor Jim Witteveen) are back to continue the discussion on Family. This time, the topic is how the "progressive" movements which have become prominent in Western societies have undermined the biblical understanding of the family:
How have Marxism and Feminism, in particular, undermined the family by attacking God's created order?
What is the connection with egalitarianism?
Who, ultimately, is behind it all? (This is not a conspiracy theory)
What is the role of technology? Should we abandon technology?
How did Cultural Marxism progress through the 20th century?
Pastor Jim Witteveen is an author and podcaster.
You can find his books and podcast at www.dan1132.com
English translations of Dutch publications about the covenant: www.perspectivafoederis.com
He also writes on Substack: https://dan1132.substack.com
 
We'd love to hear from you: arpacounterpoint@gmail.com

The crew are back for the monthly update, covering:
Tickle v Giggle - Although the name of the case may be funny, the implications of the ruling are anything but. This case reveals the Federal Court's interpretation of Australian Law to the questions, "What is a Woman?", and "What is Discrimination?"
Equal Opportunity (WA) - Is Christian schooling in WA under threat? Changes to Equal Opportunity in WA have been threatened for years, but it seems like the State government are now preparing to act. What are the dangers of the proposed changes? How should we act to protect Christian schools?
Child Care - The Prime Minister is continuing his push to make universal access to institutional childcare a reality, with government subsidies now covering the costs of childcare for 3 days per week. Is this best for children, as the PM seems to be claiming? What about the scandals that have recently rocked the childcare industry?- John Anderson's interview with Erica Komisar: How Universal Childcare Could Destroy a Generation | Erica Komisar
We welcome your feedback: arpacounterpoint@gmail.com

How is the language of the household important to properly understanding the Bible? That is the question that the crew and Pastor Jim start with as they continue their discussion on the importance of Family.
As the riches of Scripture are unpacked, the following are discussed:
The role of God the Father, and how fathers are called to emulate their heavenly Father in their households and the church.
God's law as blessing, forming the boundary for rich covenantal relationships.
How understanding adoption in biblical times unlocks the beauty of the biblical truth of adoption into the household of God.
How does the idea of covenant representatives or heads manifest in Scripture and our families?
Is patriarchy evil?
What is love? How should this define true headship?
Pastor Jim Witteveen is an author and podcaster.
You can find his books and podcast at www.dan1132.com
English translations of Dutch publications about the covenant: www.perspectivafoederis.com
He also writes on Substack: https://dan1132.substack.com
 
We'd love to hear from you: arpacounterpoint@gmail.com

The crew are back for the monthly update, covering:
NDIS - What are the changes that the government is proposing to the NDIS? 
State Development Act 2025 (WA) - The WA State government recently passed laws aimed at boosting productivity. Will this law, which gives the government special powers to fast-track approvals, achieve this aim?
Fuel Crisis Update - The current fuel crisis, brought on by the conflict in Iran, has once again exposed Australia's lack of sovereign capability. Also discussed: are Electric Vehicles the answer?
We welcome your feedback: arpacounterpoint@gmail.com

The crew and Pastor Jim continue their discussion on Family by looking at the biblical understanding of the household.
What is the difference between family and household? How does this play out in the responsibilities that we have towards one another? What have we lost in the societal changes of the last 200 years? Join the crew as they discover some of the blessings that God intends for biblical households.
 
Pastor Jim Witteveen is an author and podcaster.
You can find his books and podcast at www.dan1132.com
English translations of Dutch publications about the covenant: www.perspectivafoederis.com
He also writes on Substack: https://dan1132.substack.com
 
We'd love to hear from you: arpacounterpoint@gmail.com

Ben, Sean, and Nathan provide an update on three current issues in March 2026:
Coalition Leadership - Who are the new leaders of the Federal Liberal Party and Nationals? What can we expect from them?
SA Election - While Labor returning to government with a significant majority in the Lower House was expected, the main question of the South Australian election was: would the strong polling for One Nation be reflected in votes and seats?
Price of Fuel - Why have we seen the price of fuel skyrocket in the past few weeks, and fuel shortages in regional areas? Should we blame panic buying? Why are we seeing a repeat of the 1979 oil crisis in Australia despite measures designed to prevent this happening again? How does this happen in a country with abundant resources?
We welcome your feedback: arpacounterpoint@gmail.com

The discussion on Faith, Family, and Future continues with the focus now turning to the family.
For the first time, the crew are joined by a guest: Pastor Jim Witteveen, currently serving as a missionary in Brazil.
Why is the family important? The conversation starts at the Beginning with God's creation ordinances. As the conversation continues, the following questions are also addressed:
What does it mean to live in covenant with one another?
How does covenantal understanding contrast with individualism?
What is the importance of piety? Of self-sacrifice?
What should our attitude be towards family, and our church family?
How does covenant affect the relationship we should have with the State?
When the socialist says that he loves mankind, is he loving anyone?
Pastor Jim Witteveen is an author and podcaster.
You can find his books and podcast at www.dan1132.com
English translations of Dutch publications about the covenant: www.perspectivafoederis.com.
He also writes on Substack: https://dan1132.substack.com
 
We'd love to hear from you: arpacounterpoint@gmail.com