#230 - John Zmirak

The midterms are one week away, and Eric has a warning for every Christian: "If you do not vote, your soul is in danger." John Zmirak of The Stream joins Eric to talk about what's at stake on November 3, why Eric is encouraged that the Justice Department is finally looking into Ilhan Omar, and why Zmirak says candidates like Ilhan Omar and Michigan's Abdul El-Sayed are "laughing at" Christians who stay home.First, a debate Eric has wanted to have: did Jesus have brothers and sisters? Zmirak explains that Martin Luther, the early Anglicans and "basically every Christian before the year 1600" believed Mary remained a virgin. He makes his own argument about why a bloodline of Jesus would have ruled the church for centuries if it had existed. Then the two friends spar over praying to Mary and the saints. Eric's reply: "She's the mother of the judge. So who are you kidding?"Plus, Eric is back home in Danbury, Connecticut, where he learned that his childhood trumpet teacher, who played taps on Flag Day 1973, is still alive in his 90s. He also calls On the Waterfront "a profound Christian film," and announces that Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. returns for a special theatrical event January 24–27. Ask your church to request a theater at bonhoeffermovie.com.Join Eric for the Socrates in the City live broadcast with Ignat Solzhenitsyn on November 12 and the annual Christmas Gala on December 9: socratesinthecity.com. Read John Zmirak at The Stream (stream.org). Rod D. Martin's book is Trump's New World Re-Order. Sign up for Eric's newsletter at ericmetaxas.com.00:00 Back Home in Danbury: Eric's Old Teachers03:49 Taps on Flag Day 1973: Mr. Piccolo06:19 Dr. Jeannie Constantinou in Danbury09:10 The Bonhoeffer Film Returns January 24–2711:11 On the Waterfront: A Profound Christian Film13:18 Socrates in the City: The Gala, the Cruise and Ignat Solzhenitsyn14:23 John Zmirak Joins Eric15:13 Did Jesus Have Brothers and Sisters?16:45 What Martin Luther Believed About Mary21:11 The Jesus Dynasty That Never Was24:52 What the Ancient Churches All Believed28:04 Did Protestants Throw Out Mary With the Bathwater?29:19 "She's the Mother of the Judge": Praying Through Mary32:11 Why Pray to the Saints?34:31 The Midterms Are One Week Away35:32 Ilhan Omar and the Justice Department42:10 "Your Soul Is in Danger": Eric's Message to the Church46:02 Why Every Vote Matters