Podcast Summary

Live Free with Josh Howerton – Lakepointe Church

Episode: "How is Empathy Weaponized to Manipulate You?! (ft. Allie Beth Stuckey)"
Date: February 9, 2026
Guests: Allie Beth Stuckey (host of "Relatable")
Hosts: Pastor Josh Howerton, Carlos Laroso, Paul C.

Episode Overview

This episode explores the idea of "toxic empathy"—how empathy, when misapplied, can lead to the affirmation of sin, the validation of lies, and the support of destructive policies. The discussion is sparked by recent public criticism of Allie Beth Stuckey, particularly a hit piece by Hillary Clinton regarding her stance on empathy and public policy. The hosts also address important theological questions, including the place of the Jewish people in salvation history, biblical stewardship, the nature of gospel teachings on wealth, and the dangers of conflating popularity with anointing. Practical and cultural issues (such as immigration, abortion, and gender) are examined through a Christian lens.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction & Lighthearted Banter ([00:00–10:00])

• Opening salvo: Notable early quotes about empathy, popularity gospel, and God's faithfulness underline the episode’s main themes.
• Burger Wars: The team jokingly debates Whataburger vs. In-N-Out vs. Shake Shack vs. Cookout, including a blind taste test.
  "[Blind taste test]... you accidentally threw your beloved Whataburger under the bus." – Paul C. ([09:04])
• Transition: Segues from light banter about food to the "deeper stuff"—Bible, theology, and culture.

2. Stewardship, Eschatology, and Reigning with Christ ([11:30–25:00])

• Luke 19 Parable Discussion: Pastor Josh explains the Parable of the Ten Minas and its deeper theological meanings, contrasting popular misunderstanding with a Christ-centered interpretation.
• Inaugurated Eschatology:
  "Churches are quote, outposts of the kingdom... Whenever you walk into a church, that's an outpost, it's an embassy of the kingdom of God, and the laws of the kingdom of God apply there." – Josh Howerton ([12:36])
• Reigning with Christ: Explores the biblical teaching that believers will reign with Christ in the new creation (Rev 20, 2 Tim 2, 1 Cor 6).
• Genesis and New Creation Parallels:
  “The book of Romans calls Jesus the second Adam... How he created in the beginning was through breath. How he does new creation in the new covenant is through breath.” – Josh Howerton ([18:04])
• Historical Fulfillment: Detailed historical context of Jesus' prophecy regarding Jerusalem and the Temple, its fulfillment in A.D. 70, and its apologetic impact.
  "If what he said would happen, did happen. Here's good news—what he said will happen is going to happen. Come quickly, Lord Jesus." – Josh Howerton ([24:52])

3. Salvation, Jewish People, and Theological Clarification ([25:00–43:00])

• Romans 11 Explained:
  "[Romans 11] says, Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of Gentiles has come in... And in this way, all Israel will be saved." – Josh Howerton ([32:53])
• Are Jews Saved Without Faith in Jesus?
  “No one, I repeat, no one is saved by their ethnicity or by their sincerity, but by their faith in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God.” – Paul C. ([34:01])
• Old Testament Salvation: Faith in the Messianic promise—not works or mere ethnicity—always lay at the heart of salvation history (Hebrews, Galatians, John 8).

4. False Gospels: Prosperity, Poverty, Productivity, Provision, Presence, and Popularity ([43:11–51:03])

• Prosperity Gospel: Promises of material return for giving—critiqued as producing users of God, not lovers of God.
• Poverty Gospel: Equating material lack with godliness—also rejected as a distortion.
• Productivity & Provision Gospels: Diligence generally brings provision; God is a good Father who delights in giving to His children.
• Popularity Gospel:
  “The popularity gospel will basically tell you that the more popular you are, the more anointed you must be… but the gospel says, you seek to be faithful.” – Carlos Laroso ([48:35])

5. Tithing: Mandate and Principle ([51:04–57:27])

• Biblical Principle of Firsts:
  “I just call it the principle of the first... God is first... He just wants you to return the first tenth of everything He’s entrusted to you back to Him.” – Josh Howerton ([51:21])
• Personal Testimony: Josh shares his early marital struggles, tracking God’s faithfulness in provision as they tithed on a tiny budget.
• Heart of Faith:
  "You will never—no one will ever convince me that my God is not faithful to provide for his kids when they walk by faith with Him." – Josh Howerton ([57:15])

FEATURED SEGMENT: Allie Beth Stuckey Interview

(Begins [58:53])

6. Empathy as a Weapon: The Hillary Clinton Piece & Public Controversy

• Context: Hillary Clinton criticized Allie Beth Stuckey’s “toxic empathy” stance in The Atlantic, provoking both a social media and political firestorm.

• Allie’s Summary:
  “Empathy becomes toxic when it leads you to do three things: affirm sin, validate lies, or support destructive policies.” – Allie Beth Stuckey ([00:00], [69:15])

• Response to Clinton: Allie clarifies that her critique was about empathy being misused in support of gender ideology—specifically, the case of “trans kids”—not about empathy itself.

• Examples of Toxic Empathy:

  • Gender Ideology: Affirming a child's confusion about sex/gender leads to lies and harmful interventions.
  • Abortion: Compassion for a rape victim should not lead to support for abortion.
  • Immigration: Compassion for one party cannot erase the rights, safety, or justice owed to others affected by illegal entry or crime.

• Selective Empathy:
  "The higher you rate on empathy, the crueler you are to those outside your group... When you name something, when you show people this is bait, this is not real, they’re not going to latch onto the hook." – Allie Beth Stuckey ([74:26], referencing Paul Bloom)

  Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Manipulation By Empathy:
  "They don’t want you to think your way through things, they want you to feel your way through things." – Josh Howerton ([75:27]) "Empathy, when misapplied, blinds you to reality and morality." – Allie Beth Stuckey ([76:02])

• Strategic Weaponization:
  "As long as progressives can convince women that the images... are real examples of where their compassion needs to be pulled, they can effectively persuade them." – Allie Beth Stuckey ([73:34])

• Christian Clarity:
  “At some point you’ll face a choice: does the word of God stand in authority over your feelings or do your feelings stand in authority over the word of God?” – Josh Howerton ([87:03])

• Final Encouragement:
  "I actually want [Christians] to have softer hearts towards the people who are truly vulnerable… Expand your compassion—but then do not be led by your feeling. What does the Bible say?" – Allie Beth Stuckey ([85:53])

TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• 00:00 – Allie Beth sets out her toxic empathy framework.
• 17:14 – Discussion of what it means to “reign with Christ.”
• 24:52 – Jesus’ prophecy of the Temple’s destruction and its fulfillment.
• 32:53 – What is the future for Jewish people in God’s salvation plan?
• 34:01 – Are religious Jews saved? Paul C.’s definitive biblical answer.
• 43:11 – False gospels explained: Prosperity, Poverty, Productivity, etc.
• 48:35 – Popularity gospel and critique of seeking influence vs. faithfulness.
• 51:21 – The biblical principle of tithing and God’s economic faithfulness.
• 58:53 – Introduction and background to Allie Beth Stuckey’s segment.
• 69:15 – Clear definition of "toxic empathy" ("affirm sin, validate lies, support destructive policies")
• 74:26, 75:27, 76:02 – Empathy as a weapon; pathos vs. logos.
• 85:53 – The call to robust, biblical compassion and discernment.

Conclusion

• The episode challenges listeners to discern when empathy is manipulated for anti-biblical ends, to root their responses in Scripture rather than emotion, and to pursue faithfulness over popularity or cultural approval.
• Listeners are exhorted to think critically, verify narratives, and always filter their compassion through biblical principles—not manipulated feelings.
• Allie Beth’s contributions clarify that true Christian compassion considers all who are vulnerable—not just those cast into the spotlight by emotional or political manipulation.

For More:

• Listen to Allie Beth Stuckey's "Relatable" podcast, especially with daughters.
• Read Romans 9–11 for a deeper biblical understanding of Israel’s place in salvation history.
• Reflect on personal stewardship, giving, and the motivations behind them—seek faithfulness and trust in God’s provision.
• Be vigilant: “Gird up the loins of your mind” (1 Peter) when engaging with emotionally charged news or debates.