The Peace of Westphalia of 1648 stands as one of the most transformative milestones in the history of international relations. Emerging from the devastation of the Thirty Years’ War, which claimed millions of lives across Europe, the treaty redefined the way nations interacted and established principles that continue to shape global politics today.

Before thePeace of Westphalia, political authority was deeply intertwined with religious legitimacy. Empires and the Catholic Church often claimed supranational control, leading to endless conflicts over faith and power. The treaty broke from this tradition by affirming the sovereignty of individual states. Each nation gained the right to govern its territory without external interference, regardless of its religion or internal politics. This principle ofnational sovereigntyandnon-interferencebecame the cornerstone of the modern international system.

ThePeace of Westphaliaalso marked a shift from domination by brute force to cooperation through agreement. Nations recognized that stability could be achieved not only by military might but also by respecting boundaries and forging diplomatic consensus. This framework laid the foundation for centuries of European stability, enabling technological innovation, economic growth, and the eventual expansion of European influence across the globe.

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In today’s world of fake news, deep fakes, and endless bias, it’s harder than ever to know what’s true. Yet global events—from wars in Ukraine and Gaza to economic bailouts in Argentina—shape our daily lives, from grocery prices to retirement accounts. That’s why this new podcast series “How the World Works” is here: to cut through the noise and help listeners gain clarity by understanding international relations.

This 10-episode series offers a virtual curriculum that explores the rules, strategies, and philosophies nations use to navigate power, security, and prosperity. It’s not about partisan politics—it’s about learning the “language of Babylon,” the systems and theories that explain why nations act the way they do. Concepts like sovereignty, humanitarian intervention, regime change, and coalitions are unpacked so listeners can see the bigger picture behind the headlines.

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In the Kings and Prophets series finale, we examine the background to books such as Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Malachi, Zechariah, and Haggai. While the majority of the captives remained in Persia and Babylon, many returned to Jerusalem. It was here that the prophets came to gain a new understanding of God's purposes among His people.

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In this penultimate episode of the series, we examine how the Word of God, the message of God, evolved during the Babylonian captivity. Through prophets like Daniel, Ezekiel, and others, the people began to see a picture of God far bigger than they imagined before.

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This episode looks at the final invasion of Babylon, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the beginning of the Jewish captivity in Babylon. The era of the kings is now over. The era of the prophets would now explain and give understanding to what it meant to be the people of God. It was a painful moment for the children of God, but it was the beginning of a great unfolding and unveiling of God’s higher designs and intents.

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In today’s episode in our Kings and Prophets podcast series, we continue to look at the life of Jeremiah and specifically his ministry during the reign of King Jehoiakim. This wicked king made one fateful and stupid move after another that set the nation of Judah up for the invasion of Babylon.

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In this episode, we look at the life and influence of Nebuchadnezzar and the Kingdom of Babylon. These entities are more than historical realities, but key figures and symbols used throughout scripture to define the systems and powers of this world that stand against the Kingdom of God.

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