God and Hamilton

Show open: tonight's lineup

A host opens the show from the Pathway studios in Johnston proper, teases a mystery interview about the book God and Hamilton with its author, previews Dear LFTP advice letters, and points listeners to last week's interview about the Cathedrals album.

Introducing Kevin Cloud and God and Hamilton

• How did Kevin Cloud first experience Hamilton as deeply spiritual, and what moved him to write God and Hamilton?

The host introduces guest Kevin Cloud, author of the forthcoming book God and Hamilton, and explains that a sponsored ad for the book's Kickstarter drew him in: he sees the musical's spiritual themes as more overt than most people recognize.

Kevin's first encounter with Hamilton as a spiritual experience

Guest Kevin Cloud tells of lucking into Broadway tickets, preparing by listening at home, then walking out of the theater feeling he had experienced something deeply spiritual — themes of grace, forgiveness, despair, surrender, and redemption, with the whole atmosphere of the room shifting at profound moments.

The Hamiltons' real faith

Cloud describes reading the Ron Chernow biography: Alexander Hamilton attended chapel twice a day in college, prayed movingly, read scripture to his children, and on his deathbed confessed dependence on the mercy of Christ; Eliza was also deeply faithful — a flawed man, but a spiritual story.

The cast's faith: Lauren Boyd and the pre-show prayer tradition

Cloud says he connected with Broadway cast member Lauren Boyd, who endorsed the book, and relays her story of a tradition begun by original George Washington Chris Jackson: before every performance, cast members circle up and pray that everyone in the theater leaves changed — a tradition that continues.

Transcendent moments: It's Quiet Uptown and the last song

Cloud names his most powerful moments: 'It's Quiet Uptown,' where Eliza flinches at Alexander's touch, then softens and the chorus sings 'forgiveness, can you imagine?' as forgiveness is finally offered; and the finale, where Eliza sings about the orphanage she built — the most broken part of Alexander's life redeemed into grace for orphans. The host agrees, saying even just listening he felt the clarity of forgiveness in that song.

Kickstarter pitch: book, devotional, hymn, Des Moines tickets

Cloud pitches the Kickstarter: three days left, goal already hit, official June 7 release; bonus tiers include a 30-day God and Hamilton devotional guide, a newly recorded hymn written to Alexander Hamilton's hymn lyrics 'The Soul Ascending Into Bliss,' two Hamilton tickets in Des Moines, and an exclusive podcast with Lauren Boyd. The host notes he will miss the tour because he and his brother are going to Ethiopia.

Hamilton's faith arc: devout youth, prodigal middle, faithful end

• Does Hamilton's life show a pattern of devout youth, a prodigal middle, and a strong return to faith at the end?

The host asks whether the musical's impression of Hamilton drifting from faith mid-life is accurate. Cloud agrees: devout as a boy and young man, he wandered in his middle years — Eliza renting a pew at Trinity Church while he skipped — then returned with full fervor in his later years, reading scripture to his children and dying in unmistakable faith.

Why Hamilton's flawed, unknown story draws audiences in

Cloud and the host agree the character connects because he is deeply flawed — triumphs and failures alike — so audiences see themselves, and because Hamilton was an unknown founding father, so the story lands fresh; the musical's popularity even kept him on the $10 bill.

Wrapping the interview: where to find the book

The host closes the interview, pointing listeners to godinhamilton.com and the Kickstarter, and thanks guest Kevin Cloud.

Host reflection on Hamilton; a solo show tonight

Back from the interview, the host reflects: he has not seen the show but listens repeatedly, finding the grace and forgiveness themes and the posture-toward-eternity universal and artistically superb, with a caveat that a couple of things are not kid friendly. He notes he is solo tonight: Mike is out of town working, and Dan did not show.

Dear LFTP: Charlotte's boyfriend stepping into stepfather roles

• Is it fine that Charlotte's boyfriend is bonding with my husband and stepping into a stepfather role with her daughters?

A listener's husband's brother split from his wife Charlotte five years ago; Charlotte's boyfriend of eighteen months is bonding with the husband and jumping into stepfather roles with her daughters. The host says that sounds like the right instinct, then reads the Secular answer, which agrees but adds a turn he calls creepy — staying cordial so the brother can stay informed about the nieces.

Dear LFTP: addiction to vitamin gummies

• I eat nearly half a container of vitamin gummies a day — what should I do, and should I contact my doctor?

A listener eats nearly half a container of vitamin gummies a day and worries about telling new college friends. The host gives two options — take the two as directed with no crutches, or take the two then switch to straight gummy bears to wean off — and reads the Secular answer, which stresses that overdosing vitamins can push vitamin A, vitamin E, and iron to toxic levels and says to talk to a doctor.

Dear LFTP: unpaid internships for a college junior

• Why do companies respond to a college junior's summer job applications with unpaid internship offers instead of paying him?

A mother calling local businesses for her college-junior son asks why companies respond with unpaid internship offers instead of paying. The host says it depends on the job — some cannot pay to train, others use it as a commitment filter — an internship may be worth it for degree-relevant experience, but the mother should stop making the calls; the Secular answer agrees and adds that a son whose mother calls for jobs shows little initiative.

Spiritual rhythms: prayer, fasting, and the Lord's Prayer

The host follows up on his spiritual-rhythms project: prayer and fasting are not only for special requests but things God's people just do, seen in Acts when Paul and Barnabas are sent with prayer and fasting. His current practice is praying the Lord's Prayer three times a day, letting the words highlight like a sing-along ball so they land in his actual context — especially the back half, which, like the Ten Commandments and the greatest commandment, turns toward relationships with other people.

Rhythms are a gift, not righteousness markers; Jesus as the model

The host argues the rhythms became markers of false righteousness, but writing them off means living on 'spiritual Hail Marys'; they are things we get to do, not have to do — putting God's words on our lips and giving quiet solitude with God a chance. He is also working on scripture memorization (the Great Commission, including the neglected 'teach them to obey') and solitude, pointing to Jesus: forty days tempted alone, often seeking solitude, praying, ruminating on the scriptures.

Outro: Dallas Willard note, Kickstarter reminder, sign-off

The host mentions a book by Dallas Willard on the spiritual disciplines — valuable theological background but not specific enough in practice — recommends the God and Hamilton Kickstarter and listening to the full Hamilton musical in one sitting, and signs off, saying the show is out for a week or two: 'be faithful in means, God will handle the ends.'