Jack Hibbs Podcast — "So Help Me God"

Host: Jack Hibbs
Date: December 8, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Pastor Jack Hibbs examines the biblical perspective on government authority, civic responsibility, and Christian obedience. Centering on the phrase "So Help Me God," Hibbs challenges listeners to consider the tension between obeying civil authorities and upholding God's standards—especially when the two are in conflict. Drawing from scripture, American history, and contemporary culture, Hibbs encourages Christians to engage actively yet faithfully in society, even when it means standing in opposition to unrighteous laws or governmental overreach.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Biblical Foundations for Government Authority

• Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 15:24 — Christ will ultimately deliver the kingdom to God the Father, putting an end to all human rule.
• Hibbs stresses that governmental authority is established by God to enforce righteousness, not to perpetuate evil. (01:25)
  • "The Bible tells us that those who are in authority are God's officers appointed to enforce righteousness." (00:39, 13:23)
• The fear and respect for divine government should permeate even the secular sphere:
  • "We need to fear the Lord... walk before him, knowing that there’s a day of judgment coming." (03:47)

2. The Responsibility—and Judgment—of Those in Power

• Every official is sworn into office with “So help me God,” highlighting accountability to a higher authority. (01:25–02:56)
• Hibbs warns that power without God corrupts, and even believers are susceptible (03:31):
  • "Without God, that kind of power will go to your head and it will ruin you. Listen, people with God have had that power and it has ruined them." (03:31)
• Leaders who legislate unrighteousness will be held accountable by God (04:51, 05:54):
  • "God says, woe to those who do bad government..." (06:12)
  • Cites Psalm 94:20–21 and Isaiah 10:1 as warnings for unrighteous rulers.

3. Civic Engagement and Christian Duty

• Christians bear responsibility to engage with the political process—through voting, speaking out, and contacting lawmakers—not through violence or lawlessness. (06:32–09:53)
  • "How do we stop these things? By getting involved in voting and knowing about the issues and stop being so committed to entertainment." (06:32)
  • "You want me to throw through a window? No, I want you to email your legislator... that's doing righteousness." (09:17)

4. Rejecting False Arguments: Separation of Church and State

• Hibbs rebuts the popular interpretation of “separation of church and state.” He points to historic U.S. government symbols and the role of prayer in Congress as evidence of America’s Christian roots. (10:34–12:58)
  • "The only guy in the middle with the full face looking right at the rostrum... What's his name? Moses." (12:18)
  • "Separation of church and state... It doesn’t exist anyway." (12:28)
• He quips about the inconsistency in how this principle is invoked:
  • "Isn’t it funny how the atheists and the crazies are quick to say separation of church and state? Really? Do you really believe that?... Because if we were to say, okay, that means the government cannot tell us anything, right?" (12:32)

5. When Civil Disobedience Becomes Necessary

• Christians are obliged to resist government laws or orders that require disobedience to God (13:23–14:27). Cites the apostles’ defiance in Acts 5:
  • "If you’re asking us to obey you versus God, we’re gonna obey God." (14:27)
• Reflects on government-imposed church closures during COVID-19 and his own refusal to comply (15:33–16:53):
  • "Pastors all across America wrote and said to me during COVID, ‘You’re making us look so bad by being such a bad witness’... All the while, silly me. God said, preach this gospel to the ends of the earth, never to forsake the assembling together of the saints." (15:33, 16:10)

6. The God-Given Purpose of Law

• Laws should protect the righteous and restrain wrongdoers (10:01, 10:22):
  • "Bad guys are supposed to be afraid of the law, and good guys are supposed to be happy with the law." (10:01)
• If laws harm families and communities, they are in opposition to God and should be opposed (10:22–10:34).

7. Call to Courage and Action

• Hibbs closes with a prayer for boldness, emphasizing that cowardice in the face of evil is condemned in scripture (17:28–18:30):
  • "At the top [of those who will not enter heaven], in the Book of Revelation, number one, at the top of whoremongers, murderers and rapists. At the top is the coward. Wow." (18:23)
• Final exhortation to fear God alone and shine as light in a darkening world (18:30–19:03):

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “So help me God is how it closes. God heard that.” (Talking about officials’ oaths — 02:56)
• “You could call it a bill, you can call it a proposition. If it offends God, it will be actually an albatross or a millstone tied around your neck in the day of judgment.” (03:50)
• “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God. Tom Jefferson, Ben Franklin used that a lot as well.” (07:40)
• “Because a law is passed, does that make it right? Absolutely not. Because a lunatic could have passed a law, and we are the land of lunatics.” (08:13)
• “If the answer is no [do the laws benefit society?], then they’re in opposition to God.” (10:22)
• “Separation of church and state... They didn’t even know anything about that. It doesn’t exist anyway.” (12:25, 12:28)
• “You guys talk among yourselves as whether that’s right or not. But we... if you’re asking us to obey you versus God, we’re gonna obey God.” (14:27)
• “At the top [of those who will not enter heaven]... is the coward. Wow.” (18:23)

Key Timestamps

• 01:25: Exposition on 1 Corinthians 15—End of human government
• 02:56: The power and dangers of political office
• 05:54: Warnings from scripture about unrighteous rulers
• 06:32: Encouragement to engage rather than retreat in apathy
• 07:40: “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God”—quoting Jefferson/Franklin
• 10:34: Legitimacy of laws measured by their benefit to society and reflection of God’s will
• 12:18–12:58: American symbols, Moses in Capitol, and church/state misconceptions
• 13:23–15:33: Biblical example of civil disobedience (Acts 5) and contemporary parallels
• 16:53: Living example during COVID-19—when authorities stray from righteousness
• 17:28–19:03: Closing prayer and bold charge to listeners

Conclusion

Jack Hibbs delivers a passionate, scripture-rich challenge urging Christians to respect God-given authority but to stand firm, speak out, and even resist when laws contradict God’s Word. He intertwines biblical mandate, American heritage, and real-world application to equip believers with both foundation and motivation to shape culture rather than conform to its drift. Through memorable analogies and bold exhortation, Hibbs’ episode pushes listeners to active, courageous, and informed faith in the public square.