Apologia Radio | Episode 556 | Don Lemon Invading a Church & Freedom of Speech

Host: Jeff Durbin & team (Luke the Bear, Gabe, others)
Date: January 23, 2026

Overview

This hard-hitting, gospel-driven episode delves into the controversial incident where Don Lemon, former CNN anchor, accompanied protesters into a Minnesota church during a worship service, touching off a fiery discussion about freedom of speech, property rights, and biblical principles. The team explores the limits of free expression, property ownership as rooted in Scripture, and cultural trends of protest. Later, they discuss the Christian philosophy of wealth and inheritance with Dominion Wealth, and close with updates on abortion abolition efforts in Iowa, encouraging activism, prayer, and support.

Key Discussion Points

1. Don Lemon and Protesters Invade Minnesota Church

[06:22–12:00]

• Incident Recap: Don Lemon accompanied activists who disrupted a Sunday church service in Minnesota, citing freedom of speech and protest under the First Amendment as justification.

  • Don Lemon: “This is what the First Amendment is about, about the freedom to protest.” (07:01)
  • Pastor Jonathan highlighted the right of the congregation to gather undisturbed: “We’re here to worship Jesus because that’s the hope of these cities, that’s the hope of the world, is Jesus Christ.” (10:15)

• Hosts’ Response:

  • Jeff Durbin and crew sharply critique Lemon’s perspective, arguing that the right to free speech does not extend to invading private property or interrupting worship.
  • Quote (Jeff): “The freedom of speech does not give people the right to invade other people's property and start screaming and chanting and things like. So it’s just…are you really this dull and stupid, or are you just pretending?” (09:05)

• Biblical Principle – Property Rights:

  • Referenced Deuteronomy 27:17 and the commandment “you shall not steal” as clear foundations for private property.
  • Quote: “By private property is by invitation. At any point, if the leaders and owners and managers of that property don't want you on the property...they can tell you to leave, and you have to leave.” (10:45)
  • Protests are acceptable on public property (sidewalks), and the Church affirms free speech, but within legal and biblical bounds.

• Social Commentary:

  • Drew a parallel between “Operation Pull Up” and broader socialist/covetous attitudes that undergird the activist mindset.
  • Noted hypocrisy in Lemon’s and the activists' approach, pointing out the double standards and selective enforcement (e.g., questioning why similar protests don’t happen at mosques) (09:48).

2. Freedom of Speech – Rights and Biblical Boundaries

[12:00–22:00]

• Distinction Between Rights:

  • Freedom of speech is a Christian-rooted virtue crucial for gospel proclamation but is always bounded by other “networked” laws—property rights, prohibitions on slander/libel, false witness, etc.
  • Quote (Jeff): “Freedom of speech does not mean that you get to violate other standards and laws as you do it.” (15:08)

• Slippery Slope Warning:

  • The panel warns against couching law-breaking or unteachable (scoffing) behavior as “free speech.”
  • Quote: “This is not an exercise of the First Amendment. This is an exercise in foolishness.” (13:00)

• Real-World Application:

  • “If the protesters and Don Lemon crashed [Pastor Jonathan’s] living room and started shouting…this is just a beautiful exercise of the First Amendment. It’s like, no, you’re forgetting so much.” (17:10)
  • Example given of apologetics and pro-life ministry: Christians labor to stay legally on public property even in the face of grave injustices for the sake of honoring God’s law on property.

3. The Attorney General’s View & Legal Backlash

[30:25–31:06]

• AG’s Comments:

  • Supported the protest as an American tradition, invoking the First Amendment.

• Jeff’s Critique:

  • Disputed the idea that free speech is “unfettered,” reiterating the lines drawn by property rights and anti-trespass laws.
  • “We have an example of a lawyer, the attorney general, who doesn’t seem to know the law itself.” (30:57)

• Law Enforcement Action:

  • Noted that some protest organizers were arrested under federal law (18 USC 241), illustrating that religious freedom trumps disruptive protest in the legal hierarchy (34:52).

4. Dominion Wealth: Christians, Stewardship, and Multigenerational Wealth

[35:24–56:00]

• Guests: Josiah and Justin from Dominion Wealth

• Mission:

  • The first and only distinctly Reformed (Calvinistic, covenantal) financial consultancy, focused on budgeting, wealth-building, and legacy planning for Christians.

• Biblical Foundations for Wealth:

  • Proverbs’ call for industry, wisdom, and inheritance: “A righteous man leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren.” (39:55)
  • Rejects the “piety = poverty” teaching; poverty is often (not always) the result of lack of wisdom or work ethic, not a virtue.
  • Quote (Justin): “If you do give a bunch of money to an 18-year-old who has no clue how to manage money, it’s probably more of a curse to them than anything else.” (45:38)

• Clarification Against Prosperity Gospel:

  • Distinction: promoting stewardship and diligent labor as biblical, not promising automatic wealth or health (“God wants me to be happy, healthy, and wealthy”).
  • Quote (Jeff): “What I’m arguing for is the life of wisdom that follows what God says to such a degree that we actually get the benefits and the promises that he says you’ll get by being wise. That’s what I’m saying. Not the health, wealth, prosperity gospel.” (52:07)

• Wealth in Scripture:

  • The parable of the talents is primarily about money and stewardship, not merely spiritual gifts (49:52).
  • Historical figures—Solomon, Abraham, Lydia—were faithful and wealthy.
  • Quote: “You are more of who you are when you have the means to get what you want to see in the world done.” (54:49 Josiah)
  • Wealth in itself is not condemned; love of money is condemned.

5. Abolition Efforts in Iowa: Updates and Mobilization

[60:58–71:24]

• Guests: Rep. Zach Deacon and Caleb Davis (End Abortion Iowa)

• Legislative Update:

  • Equal Protection/Abolition Bill just filed in Iowa’s House, with a record number of sponsors and likely Senate companion bill.
  • Bill simply acknowledges humanity of the preborn from fertilization; calls for equal legal protection (63:53).
  • Quote (Zach): “It declares what’s in the womb is human being from fertilization made in God’s image and deserving of all the protections and due processes of everybody else.” (63:53)

• Call to Action:

  • Iowans and out-of-state Christians:
    • Pray for the bill’s progress
    • Mobilize by contacting churches, legislators, attend the Solemn Assembly at Iowa Capitol (Jan 29, 3pm), and the End Abortion Iowa conference at Fellowship Baptist Church in Des Moines
    • Quote: “When people physically show up…make your presence felt there. Going to your state Capitol is an appropriate area to exercise [your First Amendment rights].” (69:24 Zach)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Property and Speech:

  • “The freedom of speech does not give people the right to invade other people's property and start screaming and chanting...”
    — Jeff Durbin ([09:05])

• On Virtue and Wealth:

  • “A righteous man leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren.”
    — Summarizing Proverbs ([39:55])

• On the Poverty Myth:

  • “Poverty equals piety, or the other way around, piety equals poverty. And that is just not biblical.”
    — Jeff Durbin ([39:55])

• On Inherited Blessing:

  • “If you do give a bunch of money to an 18-year-old who has no clue how to manage money, it’s probably more of a curse to them than anything else.”
    — Justin, Dominion Wealth ([45:38])

• On Christian Activism:

  • “Coming to your state Capitol is an appropriate area to exercise [your First Amendment right].”
    — Zach Deacon ([69:24])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [06:22–12:00] – Breaking down Don Lemon/protesters at Minnesota church, reaction, and biblical context
• [12:00–22:00] – Limits of free speech, private property, network of laws
• [30:25–31:06] – Attorney General response and critique
• [34:52–35:46] – Legal repercussions for the protest; intro to Dominion Wealth segment
• [35:24–56:00] – Dominion Wealth: Christian financial stewardship, biblical wealth, prosperity gospel distinctions
• [60:58–71:24] – Iowa Abolition update, call to action for pastors and Christians

Final Thoughts

• Christians must be able to think in biblical categories—balancing rights (speech, protest) with responsibilities (property, truth, order).
• Wealth and inheritance can be righteous and biblical, if pursued through wisdom and for God’s glory—not for idolatry or self-indulgence.
• The fight for justice—especially for the unborn—requires both principled conviction and strategic, grassroots action, undergirded with prayer and resources.

For in-depth resources, after-shows, and further engagement, visit: ApologiaStudios.com