ARPA Counterpoint

Ben, Sean, and Nathan provide a Christian perspective on three current issues in Australia:
ISIS Brides - They left Australia to join ISIS. Should they be allowed back into the country? Should the government stay true to the Prime Minister's statement that they made their bed, and now they should sleep in it?
Trans Influences - We are now seeing the influence of transgender ideology seeping into proposed changes to the National Construction Code. How can events in the UK, where they have tried this already, provide wisdom for the current situation? Further, should a male be incarcerated in a women's prison in WA? Featuring a secret payout by the Victorian government to a victim of sexual assault in prison.
Public Order Amendment Legislation - In the wake of the Bondi attack, the WA government has sought to place further restrictions on protests which may incite hatred against people on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. Should we be concerned about this legislation? Could this affect Christian protests such as the Rally for Life? UPDATE: Since this discussion, this Bill has been referred to Committee after everyone except Labor opposed it in the Upper House. It likely will not see the light of day in its current form.
We welcome your feedback: arpacounterpoint@gmail.com

In this episode, the crew introduces a simple model for Christian advocacy — Faith, Family, and Future — and focus on the first of those three: faith.
The conversation covers the government's duty to acknowledge religious freedom rather than grant it, the importance of Sabbath laws as a case study in honoring the created order, and why the state should restrict evil rather than coerce worship. They also address growing threats to free speech and religious liberty in Australia and beyond, arguing that Christians are called to advocate for the truth in the public sphere and to hold elected officials accountable to God's standard of good and evil.
We'd love to hear from you: arpacounterpoint@gmail.com

Nathan and Ben provide a Christian perspective on three major policy developments in Australia:
WA Surrogacy Bill - New WA laws allow anyone to access surrogacy, removing previous safeguards. Are their biblical concerns about commodifying children and surrogate mothers?
Central Bank Digital Currency Pilot - RBA's Project Acacia has been testing wholesale digital currency between banks. Can Christian's get on board the centralisation train?
Federal Hate Crimes Bill - Rushed legislation passed after Bondi Beach attack. Is this government overreach? How can government laws can address sin in human hearts?
Bonus: The Liberal-National coalition breakup following the hate crimes vote.
We welcome your feedback: arpacounterpoint@gmail.com
 

On December 14th, 2025, a terrorist attack at Bondi Beach killed 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration. The 30-minute shooting rampage has forced Australia to confront difficult questions.
Nathan and Sean examine four critical issues this tragedy raises:
Where were the police? Why did the shooting continue for 30 minutes with a police station minutes away?
Gun control or armed citizens? Would stricter gun laws help, or would armed civilians have stopped this faster?
High trust to low trust society - How has multiculturalism and progressive ideology eroded the social cohesion that made Australia thrive?
What should the government do? Are inquiries, hate speech laws, and stricter gun control the right response, or do we need a Royal Commission and different solutions?
A sobering but necessary conversation about the state of our nation.
Reach out: arpa.counterpoint@gmail.com

Who is God? - The Father of Jesus Christ.
Who is Jesus Christ? - The King.
Who are you? - A servant of the king.
In this episode Nathan, Sean and Ben discuss what we believe and the implications of Christian faith in the political sphere.
We'd love to hear from you: arpacounterpoint@gmail.com

Housing crisis hitting young Australians | Castle Doctrine push in Queensland | Remembering Charlie Kirk’s legacy and call to biblical manhood.
Nathan, Ben & Sean discuss it all from a Christian worldview.
Feedback or suggestions? arpacounterpoint@gmail.com

In this episode of Counterpoint we delve into the historical and biblical foundations for Christian political engagement. The conversation begins with the story of the Magdeburg Confession of 1550 and its foundational doctrine of the lesser magistrate. We'll discuss the modern-day challenges Christians face in engaging politically, emphasizing the importance of balancing family responsibilities with broader societal involvement.
Political action is a biblical mandate that arises from the gospel calling, and we need to view ourselves as part of a covenant community rather than isolated individuals. We'll examine historical lessons from the Reformation and broader Christian history, underscoring the long-term impact of persistent, principled resistance against tyranny. The episode concludes with practical advice on maintaining a disciplined approach to political involvement while staying grounded in Christian faith and responsibilities.
00:00 Introduction: The Magdeburg Confession
02:47 Welcome to Counterpoint
03:01 The Importance of Political Engagement
03:20 Challenges in Political Action
06:14 Biblical Mandate for Political Action
20:00 Historical Perspectives on Christian Political Action
23:41 Balancing Family and Political Responsibilities
26:46 Covenantal Relationships and Political Engagement
34:52 Conclusion and Call to Action
Subscribe to the Counterpoint Newsletter: www.arpa.com.au 
Reach out: arpacounterpoint@gmail.com 
The Magdeburg Confession:
https://gereformeerd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Magdeburg-Confession-1550.pdf 
A Defense of Liberty Against Tyrants by Junius Brutus
https://www.yorku.ca/comninel/courses/3020pdf/vindiciae.pdf 
God's Smuggler:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/god-s-smuggler-elizabeth-sherrill/book/9780340964927.html 

Welcome to the first episode of ARPA Counterpoint a quick intro to who we are, and what we hope to do.
We'll discuss how Scripture applies to current issues, with monthly roundups of news and mid-month deep dives into topics like Christian governance and cultural engagement.
Join us for thoughtful insights and inspiration to get involved despite our busy lives. Please pray for this work advancing Christ's kingdom.