The Bible and Bitcoin with Alin Armstrong (WiM374)

Summary

In this episode of 'What is Money Show', host Robert Breedlove interviews Pastor Allan Armstrong, also known as Pastor Coin, on the intersection of Christianity and Bitcoin. They delve into the moral and ethical dimensions of money, discussing how the Bible addresses financial concepts and the implications of Fiat money's inflationary nature. Armstrong highlights the importance of understanding money as a storage of human time and energy, advocating for Bitcoin as a fair and just monetary system that aligns with Christian values, fostering human flourishing and the expansion of 'Eden' on Earth.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The script discusses the confusion and complaints about the high cost of living, hinting at the impact of inflation on everyday life.
• 💡 The 'What is Money Show' aims to shed light on the corruption of money, with a focus on concepts like Bitcoin and its ethical dimensions from a Judeo-Christian perspective.
• 🎧 It recommends new listeners to start with episodes 1-9, which lay the groundwork for understanding money, featuring a series with Michael Sailor.
• 💰 The show is sponsor-based, with a selective approach to sponsors that align with values like freedom, education, and self-sovereignty.
• 🚀 The sponsorship feature includes Wolf, a startup accelerator for the Bitcoin lightning network, aiming to foster innovation and global Bitcoin adoption.
• 📚 Pastor Allan Armstrong, also known as Pastor Coin, is the author of 'The Bible and Bitcoin' and discusses the intersection of Christianity and money.
• 🐘 The metaphor of 'Fiat money as the elephant in the room' in Christian ethics is used to describe the overlooked issue of money theft through inflation and money printing.
• 📖 Armstrong's book and teachings aim to educate people on the immorality of the Fiat system, prompting a reevaluation of traditional financial systems from a biblical standpoint.
• 🗣 The conversation explores the lack of discussion on the ethics of money in the church, despite the increasing awareness of the negative effects of inflation.
• 💡 The script touches on the rational and theological basis for opposing systemic theft through taxation and inflation, suggesting a return to biblical principles of honesty and property rights.
• 🌐 The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the nature of money, its impact on society, and the potential for Bitcoin to offer a more ethical and stable monetary system.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the 'What is Money Show'?

The main theme of the 'What is Money Show' is to shed light on the corruption of money, exploring the nature of money, its moral and ethical dimensions, and the impact of Bitcoin from a Judeo-Christian perspective.

Why does the host of the show recommend starting with episodes 1-9 for new listeners?

The host recommends starting with episodes 1-9 because they lay the groundwork for many of the concepts discussed on the show, and they feature a series with Michael Sailor, which has been highly praised for its contribution to listeners' understanding of money and Bitcoin.

What is the primary source of revenue for the 'What is Money Show'?

The 'What is Money Show' is 100% sponsor-based, with revenues derived from direct sponsorships that the host carefully selects, ensuring they align with the show's values such as freedom, education, and self-sovereignty.

What is the Wolf's Clothing program mentioned in the podcast?

Wolf's Clothing is a startup accelerator dedicated exclusively to the Bitcoin lightning network. It brings teams from around the world to New York City to work with like-minded entrepreneurs, aiming to help early-stage companies achieve product-market fit, develop their brand, secure funding, and grow businesses that contribute to the global adoption of Bitcoin.

What is Pastor Allan Armstrong's view on the relationship between Fiat money and Christian ethics?

Pastor Allan Armstrong views Fiat money as an 'elephant in the room' in Christian ethics, suggesting that the church often fails to address the immorality of the Fiat system, including how inflation and money printing work, which he equates to theft.

Why does Pastor Allan Armstrong believe the church has been slow to engage with the topic of Fiat money?

Pastor Allan Armstrong believes the church has been slow to engage with the topic of Fiat money due to a lack of education about how the Fiat system works, both in schools and within the church, leading to an ignorance or dismissal of the deeper questions about money.

What does Pastor Allan Armstrong suggest is the role of taxation in Christian ethics?

Pastor Allan Armstrong suggests that taxation, particularly when viewed as a form of theft or invisible taxation through inflation, is a significant issue in Christian ethics that is often overlooked or inappropriately discussed as a Christian duty.

How does the conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees about paying taxes relate to the concept of Fiat money?

The conversation is used to illustrate the distinction between what is owed to the state (Caesar) and what is owed to God. Jesus' response to 'render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's' is interpreted by Pastor Allan Armstrong as an encouragement to give oneself fully to God, implying that if everyone did so, the authority of Caesar (or the state) would fade into irrelevance.

What is the significance of the Bible's use of economic language to describe salvation?

The use of economic language to describe salvation, such as 'redeeming debt' or 'paying the wages of sin,' underscores the universality of economic concepts in understanding and communicating deep spiritual truths, reflecting the interconnectedness of earthly and heavenly laws of value.

How does Pastor Allan Armstrong define money in the context of human time and energy?

Pastor Allan Armstrong defines money as a technology used to store human time and energy, which are the most finite and precious resources given to humans in God's image, highlighting the importance of choosing a store of value that aligns with moral and ethical standards.

What does the Bible say about just weights and measures in the context of money?

Proverbs 16:11 and related scriptures emphasize the importance of using just and equal measures in commerce, which can be related to the concept of a fair and predictable monetary system like Bitcoin, as opposed to the unpredictable and manipulative nature of Fiat money.