Podcasts about american christianity

What's actually happening to the church in America and why does it matter beyond Sunday morning? In this episode I'm joined by Ryan Burge, a social scientist who studies religion in the U.S. and brings long-term data, charts, and lived pastoral experience into a conversation often driven by fear or nostalgia. We discuss his book The Vanishing Church, the quiet decline of the moderate church, the rise of polarization inside Christianity, and how broader cultural tribalism has reshaped faith communities. We also explore the growth of the religious “nones,” why church closures are happening steadily but largely unnoticed, and what's lost when the church can no longer function as a space where people learn how to live together across difference.Ryan Burge is professor of practice at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis. Before that he was an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, and was also the graduate coordinator. He has authored over thirty peer-reviewed articles and book chapters alongside four books about religion and politics in the United States. He has written for the New York Times, POLITICO, and the Wall Street Journal. He has also appeared in an NBC Documentary, on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, as well as 60 Minutes which called him, “one of the country's leading data analysts on religion and politics.” He served as a pastor in the American Baptist Church for over twenty years, leading First Baptist Church of Mount Vernon, IL for 17.5 years until its closure in July 2024. He has been married to his wife Jacqueline for over seventeen years. They have two boys.Ryan's Book:The Vanishing ChurchRyan's Recommendation:DominionConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link belowGet Your Sidekick Support the show

Jon talks about developments over the past year in evangelical American Christianity as well as the political landscape, highlights some of his own work, and makes predictions about 2026.Order Against the Waves: Againstthewavesbook.comCheck out Jon's Music: jonharristunes.comTo Support the Podcast: https://www.worldviewconversation.com/support/Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/jonharrispodcastSubstack: https://substack.com/@jonharris?X: https://twitter.com/jonharris1989Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonharris1989/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jonharris1989Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonharrispodcast/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/conversations-that-matter8971/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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What happens when the power of the Holy Spirit collides with the chaos of American politics? Join Joshua Lewis as he sits down with historian Molly Worthen to explore her book Spellbound, which traces the fascinating and often controversial story of charisma—both spiritual and political—from Puritan prophets to modern-day leaders like Donald Trump.We explore the tension between institutional authority and personal revelation that has defined American Christianity and culture for centuries. Discover how figures like Anne Hutchinson challenged Puritan ministers by claiming direct assurance from the Holy Spirit, how George Whitefield revolutionized preaching with theatrical emotion, and how Joseph Smith blended enlightenment rationalism with spiritual experience to birth Mormonism.Professor Worthen, a historian at UNC Chapel Hill, reveals how charismatic leaders aren't always the charming orators we imagine—instead, they're polarizing storytellers who invite followers into transcendent narratives that give suffering and struggle cosmic significance. We explore the dangerous line between prophetic truth and spiritual manipulation, examining everyone from radical Quaker Benjamin Lay to Martin Luther King Jr., and asking the crucial question: how do we test the spirits in an age of radical individualism?Whether you're fascinated by church history, concerned about discernment in charismatic movements, or trying to understand the spiritual undercurrents shaping our political moment, this episode offers essential insights into how divine power—or the claim to it—has shaped the American experiment.0:00 – Introduction0:46 – Molly's background and ministry4:49 – Defining charisma20:11 – Anne Hutchinson & Puritan Massachusetts30:00 – Donna Beatrice & the Congo rebellion36:25 – George Fox & the Quaker movement44:01 – George Whitefield & emotional preaching50:28 – Charisma & American individualism54:05 – Joseph Smith & the Mormon church1:00:14 – Closing thoughts on charisma & discernmentABOUT THE GUEST:

What does biblical manhood actually look like? Spoiler: it's not what you've been told. This sermon explores the story of Joseph—a carpenter who had every reason to walk away from Mary's inexplicable pregnancy but chose something more difficult: solidarity, humility, and embracing mystery over control. Pastor Tonetta draws from the metaphor of a Korean spa scrub to explore what we need to shed during Advent: patriarchy disguised as righteousness, charity that keeps us comfortable instead of solidarity that costs us something, and the false hope of optimism that crumbles when things go sideways. Joseph's power wasn't in control—it was in his subversive tenderness and willingness to not be the main character. If you're exhausted by shallow positivity and wondering what real hope looks like when the world feels dark, this is for you. Includes questions to sit with whether you hold privilege or need to ask for more support.  

In this episode of The Perspectivalist, we examine a viral controversy that exposed a growing fracture within American Christianity. When Buddhist monks walked through central Louisiana promoting a “walk for peace,” many Christians applauded the gesture. Christ Fellowship pastor Jeff Mercer did not. In a brief, two-minute video, he stated a basic Christian claim: true peace comes not through mindfulness or meditation, but through Jesus Christ and His work on the cross.The response was swift and severe. Accusations of intolerance followed, but most strikingly, the sharpest opposition came not from secular critics, but from fellow Christians. Within days, the United Methodist facility where Mercer's church had met for nearly a decade revoked their access—explicitly citing his public statements.In this conversation, Jeff Mercer joins us to discuss the video, the fallout, and what this episode reveals about contemporary Christianity's discomfort with exclusivity, its accommodation to Eastern mysticism, and its fear of speaking plainly in the public square. We explore how ideas of peace have been redefined, why “vanilla” gospel claims now provoke outrage, and what it means to confess Christ openly in a culture—and church—that increasingly prefers silence over clarity.This is a sobering but hopeful conversation about courage, faithfulness, and the cost of public Christianity in our time.

⚖️ Can a saved Christian be judged by God? Most believers miss the critical difference between the judgment of our SINS (settled at the cross) and the judgment of God's SONS (our daily walk with Him). This powerful message reveals why your eternal security is never at risk, but your earthly fellowship with your Heavenly Father absolutely can be broken. Pastor Fortunato unpacks the often-misunderstood truth about Christian discipline and God's chastening of believers. Using vivid object lessons and clear biblical teaching, you'll discover why God judges His children on earth—not to condemn, but to train us away from sin and restore sweet fellowship with Him. What You'll Learn: ✓ The crucial difference between your STANDING before God (eternally secure) and your STATE of fellowship (can be broken) ✓ Why Ephesians 4:30 says you're sealed "unto the day of redemption"—not until you sin again ✓ How chastening proves God's ownership and love for His sons and daughters ✓ The temporal consequences of sin for believers (Galatians 6:7—you reap what you sow) ✓ Why self-examination prevents painful church discipline ✓ The powerful object lesson about weights and sins that slow your Christian race Drawing from Hebrews 12, 1 Corinthians 11, John 1, and Galatians 6, this sermon confronts American Christianity's tendency to embrace eternal security while rejecting God's daily discipline. You'll understand why God allows consequences for believers who refuse to judge themselves—and why His chastening is always for your profit, never for condemnation.

A Sunday morning sermon by Pastor Brett Deal.Years ago, Bebe Winans in a live recording of Nothing but the Blood, as the piano keys tinkled in the background, shared how across American Christianity, we sang the same songs, just with different arrangements. He demonstrated what he meant by taking the song, commonly sung as a single voice, arranged the lyrics as a call and response. Winans asks, “What can wash away my sin?” and the choir reply, “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!” And as the drums kick back on the rhythm, the bass line bouncing up and down, together the voices rejoice: “O precious is the flow / that makes me white as snow / no other fount I know / nothing but the blood of Jesus!”Reading Revelation 15, we've heard this song of before, just with a different arrangement. What we've sung before crossing on the dry ground through the Red Sea, a song of Moses, a hymn of praise to our Almighty God (Exodus 15), has become the song of the Lamb. Amos Young artfully said it this way: “As the Hebrews cried out to their God and then celebrated with Moses in the wake of their deliverance, so also can the church today pray to the Almighty one and continue to sing Moses's song, albeit attuned now to the Lamb's new key.”Beloved, take time today as you sing the songs of Eternity, hear John's revelation as a call to which we respond. Here him exalting: “This is all my hope and peace” and join all creation singing “nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Together, let's sing of His great and awesome works among us! Let's lift our hands in praise as we entrust ourselves to His ways that are just and true (Revelation 15.3)! In the assembly of the saints, let's hear the Apostle's humble worship, “This is all my righteousness,” and join him—bowed low before the Lamb who was slain, by whose blood we are ransomed to be a people for God,” (Revelation 5.9)—knowing we stand before the Lord God by “nothing but the blood of Jesus.”Whatever arrangement you sing, friend, let's go through this day rejoicing!

In the 1700s, Delaware witnessed powerful movements that shaped American Christianity. Today, Stephen Nichols continues exploring this colony's church history, from George Whitefield's Great Awakening preaching to the rise of Methodism. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/a-little-church-history-of-a-middle-colony-the-first-great-awakening/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Journalist and author William J. Kole joins me to unpack the deep and often hidden ties between white evangelicalism, politics, fear, and America's gun culture. Drawing from his new book In Guns We Trust, Bill shares how his own ministry collided with concealed weapons, why fear has shaped so much of the church's response to gun violence, and how Christian nationalism and the idolizing of the Second Amendment have influenced our national crisis. We talk about the shift from historic Christian nonviolence to the embrace of firearms, the political power that keeps common-sense reforms stalled, and what other countries have done to reduce mass shootings. We also explore why “thoughts and prayers” aren't enough and what a truly pro-life ethic demands of us today. If you long to break cycles of violence and return to the nonviolent way of Jesus, this is an essential and challenging conversation.William J. Kole is a veteran journalist and a former foreign correspondent who has reported from North America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. As Vienna bureau chief for The Associated Press, he wrote extensively on the nexus of crime, the weapons trade, arms trafficking and terrorism across Eastern Europe.His evangelical credentials are as extensive as his journalistic ones: He's a former lay missionary for the Assemblies of God, a worship leader at evangelical churches in Europe and around his native New England, and served as board president of Dorcas USA, an international Christian relief and development agency.Kole was AP's New England bureau chief when a gunman armed with a military-style assault rifle massacred 20 first-graders and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Earlier in his career, he was a lead writer on the car crash that killed Britain's Princess Diana, and he also covered the arrest of former Yugoslav strongman Slobodan Milosevic, the death of Pope John Paul II, and Kosovo's independence. His many awards include one from the Society of American Business Editors & Writers for an investigation into the exploitation of undocumented immigrants by the Walmart retail chain.Kole, who speaks French, Dutch and German, studied journalism at Boston University and was a journalism fellow at Columbia University in New York and the National Press Foundation in Washington, D.C. Now an editor for Axios, he lives in Providence, R.I., and Paris.Bill's Book:In Guns We TrustBill's Recommendation:Jesus and John WayneConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link belowFind the Presence Over Power collection at www.shiftingculturepodcast.com/store Get Your Sidekick Support the show

Episode 99 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, with Sister Julia Walsh. In this episode of Messy Jesus Business podcast, Sister Julia Walsh, FSPA talks with Kaitlin Curtice. They explore Indigenous spirituality, the power of stories, the cyclical nature of being, expansiveness and liminality, the difference between certainty and faith, joy in art, Mother Earth, community, taking time to heal, presence and contemplation, and much more. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe:  Email | RSS | More A transcript of the show is available. "Liminality is just the gray areas of life, the spaces where we don't quite know yet. We don't quite have things figured out or it's complex. And I think that if we're honest, that's where so many of us live spiritually, is in those deep questions." -Kaitlin Curtice Kaitlin Curtice ABOUT THE GUEST Kaitlin Curtice is an award-winning author, poet-storyteller, and public speaker. As an enrolled citizen of the Potawatomi nation, Kaitlin writes on the intersections of spirituality and identity and how that shifts throughout our lives. She also speaks on these topics to diverse audiences who are interested in truth-telling and healing. As an inter-spiritual advocate, Kaitlin participates in conversations on topics such as colonialism in faith communities, and she has spoken at many conferences on the importance of inter-faith relationships. Kaitlin leads workshops and retreats, as well as lectures and keynote presentations, ranging from panels at the Aspen Climate Conference to speaking at the Chautauqua Institution and at universities, private retreat centers, and churches across the country. In 2020 Kaitlin's award-winning book Native: Identity, Belonging and Rediscovering God won Georgia Author of the Year in the religion category. Native explores the relationship between American Christianity and Indigenous peoples, drawing on Kaitlin's experiences as a Potawatomi woman. In 2023, Kaitlin released two books, first, Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day, which examines the journey of resisting the status quo of hate by caring for ourselves, one another, and Mother Earth, and second, her first children's book called Winter's Gifts: An Indigenous Celebration of Nature, which is the premier book in a series of four books on the four seasons coming out with Convergent, RandomHouse Books. Her second book in the series called Summer's Magic was released in 2024. Besides her books, Kaitlin has written online for Sojourners, Religion News Service, On Being, SELF Magazine, Oprah Daily, and more. Her work has been featured on CBS and in USA Today. She also writes essays and poetry for The Liminality Journal and spends her time supporting other authors as they navigate the world of publishing. Kaitlin lives near Philadelphia with her partner, two dogs, and two kids. Find out more about Kaitlin at Instagram.com/kaitlincurtice, and The Liminality Journal on Substack. MESSY JESUS BUSINESS is hosted by Sister Julia Walsh.  Produced and edited by Colin Wambsgans. Email us at messyjesusbusiness@gmail.com BE SOCIAL: https://www.facebook.com/MessyJesusBusiness Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MessyJesusBusiness Twitter: @messyjesusbiz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messyjesusbusiness SUPPORT US: https://www.patreon.com/messyjesusbusiness

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this episode of Faithful Politics, Will and Josh speak with Holly Berkley Fletcher, historian, essayist, former CIA Africa analyst, and author of The Missionary Kids: Unmasking the Myths of White Evangelicalism. Drawing from her childhood in Kenya as an MK and years of research on the American missionary movement, Holly explores how missionary culture has shaped white evangelical identity, race narratives, and U.S. religious politics for more than a century.She discusses the history of American missions, the deep roots of evangelical “calling,” the romanticized myth of the missionary saint, and why missionary children often carry the hidden costs of their parents' spiritual ambitions. The conversation dives into race, colonial influence, trauma, American exceptionalism, Christian nationalism, global evangelicalism, and how missions became both a mirror and mask for white American Christianity. Holly also shares personal stories—from boarding school trauma to growing up surrounded by stark inequality—that illuminate the insider/outsider vantage point MKs uniquely bring.If you care about global Christianity, American evangelical culture, deconstruction, mission work, or the complicated intersection of faith and identity, this episode offers an honest, challenging, and deeply human lens.Buy: The Missionary Kids: Unmasking the Myths of White Evangelicalism https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889832034Guest Bio Holly Berkley Fletcher is a historian, essayist, and former Africa analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency, where she spent nearly two decades focusing on political, cultural, and security trends across the continent. Raised in Kenya as a missionary kid, she later earned a PhD in American History, giving her a unique insider/outsider perspective on evangelical culture. Her book, The Missionary Kids: Unmasking the Myths of White Evangelicalism, blends memoir and research to examine the American missions movement, the psychology of calling, racial narratives, and the long-term impact on children raised in missionary families. Her work explores faith, identity, trauma, and globSupport the show

We don't sugarcoat eternity… We expose it. We don't tiptoe around the stakes… We name them: heaven or hell, life or death, victory or regret.We don't bow to comfort, compromise, or cancel culture… We charge into the fire, because Christ is King and the boardroom belongs to Him.Welcome to episode 167 of the C-Suite for Christ podcast, where Paul M. Neuberger pulls zero punches. Today's rally cry is clear: eternity hangs in the balance, and the road is narrow—few will walk it, but only the faithful survive it.Paul M. Neuberger confronts the culture head-on: “Salvation is free, but following Jesus will cost you everything.” He dismantles easy Christianity, exposes lukewarm faith, and calls out a church obsessed with comfort instead of conviction.The cost? Criticism. Rejection. Sacrifice.The truth? Jesus didn't call us to a wide, easy road. He called us to full surrender. The world applauds the crowd—God crowns the courageous.What will you do when YOUR narrow road comes calling?Are you ready to deny yourself, take up your cross, and walk where few dare to go?Buckle up. This one's raw, real, and rooted in the Word.Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. –Matthew 7:13-14 Episode Highlights:04:56 – Culture says the narrow road is judgmental. Culture says the narrow road is old fashioned. Culture says the narrow road is intolerant. Culture says the narrow road is hateful. Culture believes every road leads to heaven unless you believe that one road doesn't. But Jesus didn't say the road is narrow because he wanted to exclude people. The road is narrow because truth is narrow. The road is narrow because holiness is narrow. The road is narrow because obedience is narrow. The road is narrow because sin can't travel with you. The road is narrow because your will must die on that road. The road is narrow because Christ is the only way. And only has never been a popular word. Today, the wide road dominates American Christianity. It's in prosperity preaching, it's an entertainment preaching. It's in the God wants you be happy movement. 13:27 – The narrow road is narrow because Christ is the gate and Christ is not optional. The narrow road is also marked by fruit. Jesus said this in Matthew 7:20, by their fruits you will know them. That means the narrow road produces visible evidence, repentance, righteousness, compassion, purity, generosity, faithfulness, boldness, courage and obedience. And perhaps the clearest marker of the narrow road is this. It changes you. Not your personality, your identity, not your preferences, your priorities, not your feelings, your foundation. The Narrow road is not something you admire, it's something you walk. And those who walk it are unmistakably different from the world. Not because they're better than anyone else, but because Christ has made them new. 29:59 – You can't stay on the narrow road accidentally. You can't stay on the narrow road passively. You can't stay on the narrow road on spiritual autopilot. You stay on it intentionally or you drift off of it inevitably. So how does the disciple stay anchored? If you like lists, boy, you love this episode because here's another one for you. How do you stay anchored on the narrow road?Connect with Paul M. NeubergerWebsite 

For our first of five "best of" episodes for December, we revisit episode #182.White Christian Nationalism threatens American Democracy and American Christianity, but how did we get here, what happens next, and why won't this election solve the problem?If you want to call in to the Bonus Show, leave a voicemail at (530) 332-8020. We'll get to your calls on next Friday's Bonus Show. Or, you can email Matthew at matthew@quoir.com.Join The Quollective today! Use code "slayfascism50" to save 50% off a yearly subscription. Valid now through the end of 2025.Pick up Keith and Matt's book, Reading Romans Right, today, as well as The UnChristian Truth About White Christian Nationalism.Please consider signing up to financially support the Network: QuoirCast on PatreonIf you want to be a guest on the show, email keith@quoir.com.LINKSQuoirCast on PatreonQuoirCast on Patheos Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us a textToday we're celebrating a very special return guest: author, speaker, and independent scholar Diana Butler Bass. If you've been with us before, you'll remember our deep dive into her beautiful book Freeing Jesus. Today, Diana is back with a brand-new offering: A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverance—a book designed to guide us through the seasons, the stories, and the spiritual rhythms that shape a life.You've heard Diana's Substack series, When? When? When? – Longing for the End of Empire. It resonated with me deeply—especially as I write in my own Substack, “When is this going to END?” It echoes Jesus' ancient warning that even the most imposing empires—Herod's Temple, Rome's occupation—will crumble. Empires end, but the Kingdom of God endures. That tension—our longing for an end, and our anticipation of a new beginning—brings us right into Advent.At seventy-seven, I've lived through a decade of Trump-era headlines that have stretched and wrinkled my sense of time. Diana helps us see that time is not just linear—it's circular, liturgical, meaningful. Not the calendar I grew up with in my evangelical days, but one filled with story, metaphor, archetype, and hope. Advent reminds us: we wait for peace, for justice, for love. And when the signs appear, Jesus says, the time is near.So join us. Diana's spiritual kaleidoscope opens a winding, wonder-filled journey through darkness toward light. This conversation will move you—heart, mind, and spirit.SHOW NOTESSupport the showBecome a Patron - Click on the link to learn how you can become a Patron of the show. Thank you! Ken's Substack Page The Podcast Official Site: TheBeachedWhiteMale.com

In this episode, we continue unpacking the difficult but necessary history surrounding the transatlantic slave trade, international slavery systems, and how these events connect to the curses described in Deuteronomy 28. When we honestly study geography, Scripture, and historical patterns of oppression, we begin to see how the experiences of those the world calls “Black” in America overwhelmingly align with the very markers Scripture gives to identify the natural branches of Israel. This isn't about skin color itself, but about the shared, generational experiences of captivity, displacement, and oppression that mirror the biblical curses in their entirety.We also explore Joel 3, where Yahuah condemns the nations for selling His people, scattering them far from their homeland, and dividing His land. This passage strikingly parallels the many slave trades carried out throughout world history—not just the transatlantic system, but numerous others in which powerful nations trafficked and exploited people for profit. Christianity, as practiced by many European and American institutions, played a direct role in this oppression by white-washing Scripture, presenting a European Messiah, and using theology to justify enslavement.This distortion produced deep psychological and spiritual trauma. Enslaved Hebrews were taught a version of Christianity crafted by their oppressors—while simultaneously being beaten, raped, and dehumanized by the same people who demanded they worship a “white savior” and call their enslavers “master.” The long-term impact of this manufactured religious identity has passed down through generations, especially through forbidden images, statues, and portrayals that Scripture itself warns against.We take a deeper look at how early American Christianity was built on pro-slavery theology, from the “slave Bible” that removed empowering passages to sermons commanding enslaved people to obey their earthly masters. We also address the misuse of the “curse of Ham,” and the ways religious institutions have avoided reckoning with their role in centuries of exploitation. We also touch on the Gullah Geechee people—descendants of enslaved Africans who were brought to the coastal regions of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Their unique preservation of language and culture provides powerful evidence of a people who maintained distinct Hebrew-like traditions despite centuries of oppression. The Gullah Geechee's isolation, resilience, and continuity of ancestral customs mirror the scattered yet preserved identity described in Scripture. Their history offers another compelling layer in understanding who the descendants of the natural branches truly are, and how Yahuah preserved markers of identity even in the midst of captivity.By revisiting this history honestly, we can better understand the identity of Yahuah's people, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the ongoing impact of slavery on the descendants of those scattered to the four corners of the earth.SOURCES: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PwGkswcNUZrz55zhNpVcXSnsrq8GUaS4/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=102408561475528851254&rtpof=true&sd=true Support the show

Brad and Dan are back from the American Academy of Religion conference in Boston and kick off this episode with some love for the folks they met there before diving into a wild week in American politics and religion. They start with the viral moment between Erika Kirk and JD Vance at a TPUSA event, unpacking the media frenzy, the rumors about Kirk's political aspirations, and what this says about the internal dynamics of a GOP that's trying to blend celebrity, piety, and power. From there, they break down the Department of Justice's statement implicating Kristi Noem in deportation flights and what that level of entanglement means for accountability within the MAGA movement. The second half of the episode takes a thoughtful turn as Brad and Dan dig into Bill McKibben's essay “They're Doing to America What They Did to Christianity,” exploring how nostalgia and selective memory shape everything from Christian identity to policy debates. They look at why both right wing and progressive versions of Christian nationalism are so dangerous, how civilizational populism reshaped politics during and after the Obama years, and why the GOP still has no coherent healthcare plan. Despite the heavy topics, the hosts offer reasons for hope with updates on recent legal wins, global news like Bolsonaro's sentencing in Brazil, and reminders of why staying engaged matters. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 850-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Subscribe to Teología Sin Vergüenza Subscribe to American Exceptionalism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John and Christian dive into the State of Theology 2025 survey and uncover surprising contradictions in what American Christians believe about God, the Bible, and salvation. From the question "Is Jesus God?" to debates about sin, gender, and truth itself, the results expose a growing divide between biblical foundations and cultural Christianity. John reflects on how Pentecostal and Charismatic teachings have reshaped people's view of God, while Christian connects the trends to the loss of a biblical worldview and the rise of subjective truth. Together, they discuss how theology has shifted from reverence to relativism—and what it means for the future of faith.______________________State of Theology:https://thestateoftheology.com______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

In this episode of The Kirk Effect, Representative David Eastman of the Alaska state legislature and I discuss his experience of attending the memorial service for Charlie Kirk. The memorial service lasted for over five hours, was attended by hundreds of thousands, and raised a lot of questions about the interaction of American Christianity with politics.As a Christian who serves in an elected office, Rep. Eastman has some great insight on how to live and work at that intersection of faith and politics, and provides some helpful ways of thinking about how these two core elements of American life interact.Subscribe to Tim Talks Politics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full show notes (30% off for podcast listeners)!

For over a century, American Christianity has been shaped by fear—fear of losing power, fear of being wrong, fear of outsiders. But what if that fear has distorted the way we see God, the Bible, and even each other?In this message, Pastor Cory traces how American fundamentalism took root, how it still shapes our instincts today, and how Jesus offers a better way—a faith not rooted in control, but in trust.Because as John wrote, “Perfect love drives out fear.”

Dan is off this week. So we are pleased to bring you a feature from our new limited series American Unexceptionalism: Global Lessons on Fighting Religious Nationalism with Dr. Matthew Taylor and Rev. Susan Hayward. South Korea is a nation that is deeply entwined with the United States. From the Korean War (which never technically ended) to Korean pop culture to the deep ties between Korean and American evangelical communities, what happens in the US affects South Korea and vice versa. But most Americans weren't paying attention to the fact that Korean democracy was startlingly challenged less than a year ago when the president at the time (President Yoon) declared martial law and tried to have his political enemies arrested. That attempt at autocratic takeover was unsuccessful, because Koreans took to the streets to protest and even Yoon's own party helped overturn his martial law decision and then impeach him. What can we in the United States learn from Korean activists and religious communities about how to resist wannabe tyrants? We get help on this question from two of the foremost experts on the interchanges between Korean religion and American religion: Helen J. Kim and Ray Kim. Additional Resources https://helenjinkim.com/ Home - International Center for Religion & Diplomacy - International Center for Religion & Diplomacy Helen J. Kim, Race for Revival: How Cold War South Korea Shaped the American Evangelical Empire (New York: Oxford University Press, 2022), https://global.oup.com/academic/product/race-for-revival-9780190062422. Paul Y. Chang, Protest Dialectics: State Repression and South Korea's Democracy Movement, 1970-1979 (Redwood City, CA: Stanford University Press, 2015), https://www.sup.org/books/asian-studies/protest-dialectics.  Chanhee Ho, “Charlie Kirk Memorial in Seoul Shows Power of Christian Nationalism for Young Korean Activists,” Religion Dispatches, September 30, 2025, https://religiondispatches.org/charlie-kirk-memorial-in-seoul-shows-power-of-christian-nationalism-for-young-korean-activists/. Dr. Matthew D. Taylor is the senior Christian scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies in Baltimore, where he specializes in American Christianity, American Islam, Christian extremism, and religious politics. His book, The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement that is Threatening Our Democracy (Broadleaf, 2024), tracks how a loose network of charismatic Christian leaders called the New Apostolic Reformation was a major instigating force for the January 6th Insurrection and is currently reshaping the culture of the religious right in the U.S. Taylor is also the creator of the audio docuseries Charismatic Revival Fury: The New Apostolic Reformation. Rev. Susan Hayward: was until recently the lead on the US Institute of Peace's efforts to understand religious dimensions of conflict and advance efforts engaging religious actors and organizations in peacebuilding. She has conducted political asylum and refugee work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Advocates for Human Rights. Rev. Hayward studied Buddhism in Nepal and is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. www.axismundi.us Executive Producer: Dr. Bradley Onishi Producer: Andrew Gill Original Music and Mixing: Scott Okamoto Production Assistance: Kari Onishi Funded through generous contributions from ICJS, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the ICRD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Granger and AntMan dive into one of the most debated topics in American Christianity today — Christian nationalism. The phrase is used everywhere, but few agree on what it actually means. Is it simply loving your country, or is it trying to merge faith and politics into one? Granger and AntMan unpack the confusion by looking at the history, definitions, and different viewpoints surrounding the movement. As they talk through how patriotism can cross the line into idolatry, Granger reflects on his own story — from singing songs about America to learning what it means to put Christ above every national or political identity. Together, they explore how cultural pride, fear, and comfort can quietly pull believers away from the gospel, even when the intentions seem good. Throughout the episode, the conversation stays grounded in Scripture. Granger and AntMan remind listeners that God’s kingdom isn’t tied to a flag or a political system, and that Christians are called to live with humility and love in whatever nation they’re placed. It’s an honest and needed discussion about faith, country, and where our true allegiance belongs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John West’s Stockholm Syndrome Christianity and Joe Rigney’s The Sin of Empathy both look at problems in American Christianity today. In this episode recorded at the Equipping the Saints Conference in Tacoma, Washington, Glenn interviews them about their books and how we can avoid some of the problems they address. Order John West’s Stockholm Syndrome Christianity: https://stockholmsyndromechristianity.com/ Order Joe Rigney’s The Sin of Empathy: https://canonpress.com/products/the-sin-of-empathy?srsltid=AfmBOooIuCv1xXIHvui4dPKjiWuwE2npYqnW12J1uC9bb86VBOyEQegm Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/ Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

John West's Stockholm Syndrome Christianity and Joe Rigney's The Sin of Empathy both look at problems in American Christianity today. In this episode recorded at the Equipping the Saints Conference in Tacoma, Washington, Glenn interviews them about their books and how we can avoid some of the problems they address.Order John West's Stockholm Syndrome Christianity: https://stockholmsyndromechristianity.com/Order Joe Rigney's The Sin of Empathy: https://canonpress.com/products/the-sin-of-empathy?srsltid=AfmBOooIuCv1xXIHvui4dPKjiWuwE2npYqnW12J1uC9bb86VBOyEQegmSupport the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

John West’s Stockholm Syndrome Christianity and Joe Rigney’s The Sin of Empathy both look at problems in American Christianity today. In this episode recorded at the Equipping the Saints Conference in Tacoma, Washington, Glenn interviews them about their books and how we can avoid some of the problems they address. Order John West’s Stockholm Syndrome Christianity: https://stockholmsyndromechristianity.com/ Order Joe Rigney’s The Sin of Empathy: https://canonpress.com/products/the-sin-of-empathy?srsltid=AfmBOooIuCv1xXIHvui4dPKjiWuwE2npYqnW12J1uC9bb86VBOyEQegm Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/ Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

John West’s Stockholm Syndrome Christianity and Joe Rigney’s The Sin of Empathy both look at problems in American Christianity today. In this episode recorded at the Equipping the Saints Conference in Tacoma, Washington, Glenn interviews them about their books and how we can avoid some of the problems they address. Order John West’s Stockholm Syndrome Christianity: https://stockholmsyndromechristianity.com/ Order Joe Rigney’s The Sin of Empathy: https://canonpress.com/products/the-sin-of-empathy?srsltid=AfmBOooIuCv1xXIHvui4dPKjiWuwE2npYqnW12J1uC9bb86VBOyEQegm Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/ Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

How Are Cultural Shifts Making Evangelical Trends Look Like Revival? Good Faith "founding friend" David French joins Curtis Chang for a powerful conversation on revival, revolution, and the future of American Christianity. Together they explore whether today's supposed spiritual movements signal a genuine renewal of faith or a political realignment within evangelical culture. From Gen Z's shifting beliefs to the rise of MAGA Christianity, they unpack the tension between true repentance and political identity. David and Curtis offer fresh insight into how Christians can pursue authentic spiritual growth while navigating a deeply divided cultural landscape. (02:58) - What is happening in American Christianity? (06:36) - It's Complicated: Mistaking Revolution For Revival (09:35) - What Does Revival Look Like? (12:11) - Revival vs. Revolutionary Christianity (20:09) - Empathy and Struggling With Sin Together (29:11) - Religious and Political Realignment in America (39:45) - Religious Realignment in American Churches Join The After Party Send Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org Donate to Redeeming Babel Mentioned In This Episode: David French's article Something Is Stirring in Christian America, and It's Making Me Nervous Barna Research: Young Adults Lead a Resurgence in Church Attendance Tim Keller's article 'Lord, Do It Again': Tim Keller on Revival (The Gospel Coalition) Tim Keller's message A Biblical Theology of Revival Read Acts 2:14-47 (ESV) - Peter preaches from Joel and repentance breaks out Read Isaiah 6 (ESV) - Isaiah's call and commission George Whitefield and the 1727 The Great Awakening What was the Azusa Street Revival? (Christian Union America) Kevin Brown's article What the Asbury Revival Taught Me About Gen Z (Christianity Today) What is Seven Mountain Dominionism? What is Catholic Integralism? Differing Opinions: Is Empathy A Sin? Some Conservative Christians Argue It Can Be (PBS) Rodney Stark The Rise of Christianity: A Sociologist Reconsiders History (PBS) Read Romans 5:1-11 (ESV) - Peace with God through faith Listen: Good Faith episode 30 Russell Moore discusses why "crazy as a church growth strategy" is not the way of Jesus Ryan Burge: What About White Evangelicals Who Aren't Conservative? More From David French: David French's New York Times pieces HERE Follow David French on Threads Follow Us: Good Faith in Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook Sign up: Redeeming Babel Newsletter The Good Faith Podcast is a production of Redeeming Babel, a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Redeeming Babel.

Will There Be a Christian Super Bowl Halftime Show? … GUEST Kelsey Kramer McGinnis … worship correspondent for Christianity Today … coauthor of “The Myth of Good Christian Parenting” and writes broadly on Christian music and the intersection of American Christianity and popular culture. A Biblical Response to the Immigration Crisis … GUEST Dr Richard Gamble … professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS), Point Breeze. The Way of the Prophet … GUEST Rev Terry Timm … Christ Community Church of the South HillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Preacher: Michael Foster, Text: Matthew 16:13-20 

In this powerful sermon, Pastor Jamey Bridges challenges the modern church with a sobering message from Revelation 3 about spiritual complacency. Through the lens of the ancient Laodicean church—wealthy but spiritually lukewarm—he masterfully connects their struggle to today's American Christianity. Drawing on the vivid imagery of lukewarm water in Laodicea, Pastor Jamey warns against the dangerous comfort zone where believers claim to love Jesus while living like the world. Yet his message pivots to hope, emphasizing Jesus' invitation to spiritual renewal through repentance. With compelling insights about the enemy's schemes of distraction, deception, and division, he reminds us that we don't fight for victory but from victory through Christ. The sermon culminates in a stirring call to action—to move beyond comfortable Christianity, surrender fully to God's plan, and share our testimonies boldly, knowing we are overcomers through the blood of the Lamb.Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or YouTube.

American Christianity is under attack by Zionist frauds and their Shabbos Goy pastors, steering millions toward damnation. Andrew Swedeger ripped apart their lies and championed AZAPAC to restore faith and fight for America! Zionist billionaires and their puppet Donald Trump are trying to bury Thomas Massie for daring to put America first. AZAPAC is our battle cry to destroy their grip and restore our nation's soul! Dr. Michael Rectenwald joins Stew to discuss.   Western civilization has been infected by a parasitic invasion of foreign ideals and values that have been introduced into our culture by strange and morally degenerate people whose goal is world domination. We have been OCCUPIED. Watch the film NOW! https://stewpeters.com/occupied/ Stop the Tricks. $20 off for your first year. The government's tricking you, but we're treating you with real information and big savings. Sign up today and don't miss what they don't want you to know.

In this episode of the Give Me Liberty podcast, host Ryan discusses the impact of COVID-19 on community dynamics, personal experiences with protests and arrests, and the importance of fighting back against tyranny with Gabriel Rench. The conversation delves into the role of the church in society, critiques of compassionate conservatism, and the need for principled governance. The speakers emphasize the importance of courage within the church and the necessity of reclaiming the kingdom of God in America, while also reflecting on the historical context of American Christianity and the lessons learned from the COVID-19 experience.

In this discussion, Stephen and I explore some of the early evidence of a possible “Charlie Kirk effect” on the growth of Christianity in America and discuss the upsides and downsides of using statistical data to try to understand what's happening in American Christianity in the wake of Kirk's death.From the broad social implications of Kirk's work and assassination, Stephen and I pivot to discussing how a society should remember public figures after they've died and what the shape and tone of that discussion says about the relative health of our body politic. We close the conversation on the virtues of courage and friendship and how Charlie Kirk provides an excellent example of those virtues in action.Subscribe to Tim Talks Politics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full show notes (30% off for podcast listeners)!

“There are some things that only time can do. Dynamite can't touch them.”– Dwight D. EisenhowerIn The Scandals of the Kingdom, Dallas Willard names a profound tension between the person of Jesus and the dilemma of modern American Christianity. We spend vast sums of money and energy trying to get people into church. Meanwhile, in the Gospels, people tore the roofs off buildings just to get to Jesus. So much so, He often withdrew from the crowds—not to perform, but to be with His Father and to invest in a few trusted apprentices.Jesus was the most consecrated King who ever lived. And yet, while we strive to build platforms and leverage influence, He chose obscurity and intimacy and consented to the slow and steady work of His Father in the lives entrusted to his care.So we must ask ourselves: Why do we find Him hiding from crowds in places where we keep striving to be seen?If we are willing to be honest with both this longing to be seen and the desire to see immediate results for the fruit of our labors, we can access a precious part of us that becomes a fresh doorway to return home to the heart of God.This episode concludes a deeper cut series—an excavation of the foundational ideas unearthed through Becoming a King. At its core, we've been exploring a central, piercing question: How do we become the kind of men to whom God can entrust His power?Let me remind you—this path was never promised to be easy. But I can assure you: it is profoundly worth it.Over time, a compelling pattern emerges. Through the consent by day and by decade to the narrow road of deep apprenticeship, transformation is no longer just a hope—it becomes a lived reality. I see it in the stories, again and again, from men being led by God into deeper wholeness and restoration through Becoming a King.What once felt like a headwind—marked by adversity, resistance, and battle—in time becomes a tailwind. The strength and care of a good Father, ever present, begins to nourish and sustain us.A Father who is for us, not against us. Having committed Himself to our well-being, He relentlessly pours Himself into our shepherding and our apprenticeship.He is our tailwind. And even in our trials, in the end, we will encounter His exceeding kindness.In this episode, we conclude this conversation with some compelling ideas, questions, and stories from Outposts of Eden around the globe, thanks to the strength lent by allies John Scott Mooring, Pablo Ceron, Ryan Ruebsahm, and Chris Rice.Together, we're looking deeper into the kind of King that Jesus is, and I want you to join us.It's all been prologue. The best is yet to come.For the Kingdom,Morgan and Cherie

Preacher: Michael Foster, Text: Matthew 16:13-20 

Send us a textMy friend and podcast partner, Ken Fong is back from his honeymoon. We're here for another lively edition of The Two Kens. This week, we're unpacking the fallout from what some are calling a “Third Great Awakening,” sparked by the recent Charlie Kirk memorial and the movement he inspired.We'll dive into the headlines—from The Atlantic and Religion News Service to Mother Jones and Wired—and trace how faith, politics, and power are merging in America's latest culture war. We'll explore the New Apostolic Reformation's push to “Christianize the Seven Mountains,” from Wall Street to Hollywood, and what CBS's Andrew Ross Sorkin says about eerie echoes of 1929.Satruday, October 18, I'm off to the NO KINGS protest.Some say this movement is a revival. Others call it a takeover. We say—it's time to talk about it. Join us for an honest, wide-ranging conversation that connects the dots between the headlines, history, and what's happening right now in our churches, schools, and politics.Support the showBecome a Patron - Click on the link to learn how you can become a Patron of the show. Thank you! Ken's Substack Page The Podcast Official Site: TheBeachedWhiteMale.com

For much of the twentieth century, evangelicals and Latter-day Saints occupied distinct corners of American Christianity—yet in recent decades, they've often found themselves aligned politically. In this episode of Dialogue Unbound, host Margaret Olsen Hemming… The post Strange Bedfellows: Evangelicals, Mormons, and the Politics of Power — A Conversation with Benjamin Park and Nicholas Shrum appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

This was a conversation with Heath Carter, historian and author of Union Made: Working People and the Rise of Social Christianity in Chicago. Heath walked us through his journey from growing up in evangelical Orange County to discovering a working-class theological tradition that has been largely erased from our collective memory. We explored how the social gospel wasn't born in elite seminaries but was hammered out by workers quoting scripture in union halls, threatening to leave churches that sided with their bosses, and forcing institutional Christianity to reckon with inequality. Heath traced how both Protestant and Catholic churches went from being uniformly anti-labor in the late 1800s to embracing living wages and collective bargaining by the New Deal era—not because theologians had brilliant insights, but because grassroots pressure made it pragmatically and theologically untenable to ignore the labor question. We discussed why this tradition was gutted in the late 20th century, what UAW President Sean Fain's evangelical faith reveals about what's still possible, and whether democracy can survive when we continually compromise democratic values for market demands. Heath reminded us that 1877 was also a catastrophically bad year in American history, but out of that devastation came movements that actually changed things—not through perfect strategies or ideological purity, but through small, faithful acts and found solidarity that transformed institutional incentives. It's a story we desperately need to remember right now. Heath W. Carter is associate professor of American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he teaches and writes about the intersection of Christianity and American public life. Carter is the author of Union Made: Working People and the Rise of Social Christianity in Chicago, which was the runner-up for the American Society of Church History's 2015 Brewer Prize. He is also the co-editor of three books: The Pew and the Picket Line: Christianity and the American Working Class, Turning Points in the History of American Evangelicalism, and A Documentary History of Religion in America, 4th Ed. ONLINE CLASS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The God of Justice: Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Contemporary Longing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join John Dominic Crossan, Peter Enns, Casey Sigmon, Aizaiah Yong, & Malcolm Foley As always, the class is donation-based, including 0. INFO & Sign-Up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.FaithAndPolitics.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Beer Camp ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get info and tickets here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. _____________________ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 75,000 other people by joining our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 50 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Preacher: Michael Foster, Text: Matthew 16:13-20 

Good news, Christian: You don't have to live in defeat! Even though sin seems to be accepted in American Christianity, Romans 6–8 shows this was never God's plan. In the final message from our recent special meetings, Dr. John Oswalt unpacks this passage to show that, for all who repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ, the truth is clear: You can live in victory!   Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

American Christianity needs to wake up.In this episode, John and Arden Bevere issue a powerful challenge, drawing parallels between the church of Sardis in Revelation and today's Christian culture. They show how small compromises with culture can lead to spiritual slumber. They challenge listeners to return to their first love, stay alert, and keep their hearts pure. Do you want to grow closer to God and be ready for Christ's return? Listen now in part 3 of their conversation.______________________________________FREE Show Notes Here: https://page.church.tech/0360f43d______________________________________Support this podcast by becoming a Patron here (tax-deductible): https://3szn.short.gy/JBgive 

Jon Harris, Pastor Scott Harris, Andrew Rappaport, Danny Steinmeyer, and Tim Bushong remember the ministry of Voddie Baucham including personal stories and the significance of his life and ministry.Our Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code HARRIS for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/conversations-that-matter8971/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Subscribe for $40 for the ENTIRE YEAR! to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 850-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this episode, we explore the recent memorial service for Charlie Kirk, which turned into a significant event for Christian nationalists. We delve into the themes of American identity fused with Christian practice, the hagiographic portrayal of Charlie Kirk, and the reaction of various political and religious figures. From the involvement of Trump and his administration to the divisive rhetoric of speakers like Stephen Miller and Tucker Carlson, this episode highlights the ongoing struggle between different visions of American Christianity and nationalism. We also touch upon the contrasting views on forgiveness vs. hatred within the MAGA movement and the broader implications for the nation. 00:00 Introduction to Charlie Kirk's Memorial 00:44 Defining Christian Nationalism 01:25 Hagiography of Charlie Kirk 05:09 The Saint of MAGA Nation 08:26 Forgiveness and Vengeance 16:46 Christian Nationalism vs. Big Evangelicalism 23:13 Stephen Miller's Speech and Its Implications 28:42 Tucker Carlson's Controversial Remarks 39:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The church is so much more than a building—but when it comes to managing the physical property of church real estate, we often overlook the great good that can emerge from the land and structures. In this episode, social entrepreneur, strategic executive, and author Mark Elsdon joins Mark Labberton on Conversing to explore how churches and faith communities can reimagine their assets—land, buildings, and money—as instruments for mission, community transformation, and spiritual flourishing. From his decades of work at Pres House in Madison, Wisconsin, to his role as consultant, author, and co-leader of RootedGood, Elsdon shares stories of innovation, courage, and the hard but hopeful work of repurposing property and resources for God's mission in the world. Episode Highlights “It isn't about property, nor is it about money. It's about people's lives and it's about God's work in people's lives.” “We often have the faith of our forebears in the church. But the question is, do we have the courage of them?” “I don't think God's going away. I don't think God's declining. But the way people are engaging their faith is really changed and is changing.” “Sometimes I talk about this as like the Blockbuster Video moment… People still want experiences of the divine. They just don't want to access it primarily on a Sunday morning.” “Constraints can produce creativity and, in the life of faith, can also produce a willingness to trust.” Helpful Links and Resources Mark Elsdon's Website *We Aren't Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry,* by Mark Elsdon *Gone for Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition,* by Mark Elsdon RootedGood - resources for congregations, judicatories, and other church leaders related to social enterprise and church property Good Futures Accelerator course How-To Guides Threshold Sacred Development - A mission-aligned property development company focused on supporting churches doing community-oriented development About Mark Elsdon Mark Elsdon lives and works at the intersection of money and meaning as an entrepreneur, non-profit executive, author, and speaker. He is the author of We Aren't Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry (2021) and editor of Gone for Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition (2024). In addition to his role as a director with RootedGood, Mark is also executive director at Pres House, where he led the transformation of a dormant non-profit into a growing, vibrant, multi-million-dollar organization. Mark has a BA in psychology from the University of California–Berkeley, a master of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin School of Business. He is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, USA, and lives in Madison, Wisconsin. Mark is an avid cyclist and considers it a good year when he rides more miles on his bike than he drives in his car. Show Notes Mark Elsdon reflects on thirty years of ministry, beginning with campus work at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Launch of a $17 million student housing project that became a transformative ministry for thousands of students. Elsdon's discovery: “It isn't about property, nor is it about money. It's about people's lives and it's about God's work in people's lives.” Creation of a sober housing program at Pres House that has saved the state of Wisconsin more than a million dollars in addiction-related costs. Innovative blend of mission, ministry, and real estate development to foster student flourishing. The unique impact of housing students in recovery alongside the wider student population. Elsdon's MBA studies at UW–Madison and his calling at the intersection of money and mission. The “Blockbuster Video moment” for American Christianity: people still seek meaning, community, and transcendence, but not in traditional formats. Challenges churches face with aging buildings, declining attendance, and financial strain. How repurposing property reveals new opportunities for mission and ministry. RootedGood's “Good Futures” Accelerator course: helping churches rethink land, buildings, and resources for social enterprise and revenue generation. Example of two congregations in Madison merging to create an environmentally sustainable multifamily housing project and community center. Redefining church property as community space: “flipping the script” so the building belongs to the neighborhood, with the church as anchor tenant. Courage, risk-taking, and letting go of past models are essential for churches to reimagine their future. The critical role of pastoral and lay leadership in sparking change and vision. Storytelling as central to church renewal: “We often have the faith of our forebears in the church. But the question is, do we have the courage of them?” Learning from the pandemic: every church has the capacity for innovation and adaptation. Honouring grief and loss while embracing resurrection hope in church property transitions. Example from San Antonio: members resisted redevelopment until their need for funerals in the sanctuary was acknowledged—turning “either/or” into “both/and.” Affordable housing crisis intersects directly with church land opportunities. Turner Center study: California churches and colleges hold land equal to five Oaklands suitable for affordable housing development. Elsdon warns against cookie-cutter “models” and emphasizes local context, story, and creativity. Forecast: up to 100,000 church properties in the US may be sold or repurposed in the next decade. Elsdon's hope: more repurposing than selling, with land and buildings becoming assets for life-giving mission. The value of constraints: “Constraints can produce creativity and, in the life of faith, can also produce a willingness to trust.” Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.  

In this episode of CrossPolitic, Gabe and Toby address the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk and deliver a wake-up call to the American church. They argue that the church has catastrophically failed in its duty as shepherds, receiving an "F minus" grade for allowing wolves to infiltrate education systems while pastors refuse to warn their congregations about the dangers of public schools. They critique the humanistic unity message being promoted in response to Kirk's murder, explaining how this false religion, which elevates humanity rather than God as the ultimate standard, actually breeds the very violence it claims to oppose. The conversation takes a hard turn toward biblical truth, with the hosts drawing from 2 Corinthians 6 to emphasize that there can be no unity between light and darkness, between Christ and those who hate Him. They challenge the "thou shalt be nice" mentality that has captured much of American Christianity, calling instead for believers to recognize the fundamental war between Christianity and humanism that has raged for over 150 years. Fight Laugh Feast School Wars Conference (October 16-18, Nashville) - Register HERE: https://flfnetwork.com

In this episode of CrossPolitic, Gabe and Toby address the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk and deliver a wake-up call to the American church. They argue that the church has catastrophically failed in its duty as shepherds, receiving an "F minus" grade for allowing wolves to infiltrate education systems while pastors refuse to warn their congregations about the dangers of public schools. They critique the humanistic unity message being promoted in response to Kirk's murder, explaining how this false religion, which elevates humanity rather than God as the ultimate standard, actually breeds the very violence it claims to oppose. The conversation takes a hard turn toward biblical truth, with the hosts drawing from 2 Corinthians 6 to emphasize that there can be no unity between light and darkness, between Christ and those who hate Him. They challenge the "thou shalt be nice" mentality that has captured much of American Christianity, calling instead for believers to recognize the fundamental war between Christianity and humanism that has raged for over 150 years. Fight Laugh Feast School Wars Conference (October 16-18, Nashville) - Register HERE: https://flfnetwork.com

What do we learn about white evangelicalism from those raised by its heroes? From historian Holly Berkley Fletcher, herself a missionary kid, comes this first-of-its-kind examination of how the experiences of missionary kids illuminate broader currents in American Christianity.

Join host Aaron Renn as he sits down with Caleb Morell, author of A Light on the Hill, to explore the rich history of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1878, this evangelical church, located just blocks from the U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court, has remained steadfast in its theological convictions while navigating cultural, political, and social changes over 150 years. From its founding by Civil War veterans to its role in the fundamentalist-modernist controversy, urban challenges, and the revitalization under pastor Mark Dever, this episode uncovers what makes this church a unique case study in American Christianity. Learn how Capitol Hill Baptist has maintained its gospel-centered mission amidst D.C.'s evolving landscape, including its response to suburbanization, gentrification, and even a lawsuit against the city during COVID-19.CHAPTERS:(00:01 - Introduction)(00:24 - What Makes Capitol Hill Baptist Unique?)(03:33 - Founding and Early History (1878))(05:42 - Capsule Summary of the Church's History)(09:24 - The Fundamentalist-Modernist Controversy)(14:56 - Suburbanization and Desegregation in the Mid-20th Century)(20:54 - Urban Planning and Parking Lot Disputes)(22:12 - Racial Integration and Social Engagement)(27:31 - The Marion Barry Era and Urban Violence)(32:13 - Mark Dever's Arrival and Church Revitalization)(35:50 - Gentrification and Its Impact)(38:38 - COVID-19 Lawsuit and Church Response)(41:38 - Commitment to Single-Service Gatherings)(45:09 - Political Engagement Over Time)(49:17 - The Importance of Institutions)(52:11 - Closing Remarks)CALEB MORELL'S LINKS:

So I had the chance to sit down with Elesha Coffman, who's written what might be the only book entirely devoted to the Christian Century magazine, and we ended up diving deep into the whole messy question of what "mainline Protestantism" even means - which apparently stumped two past presidents of the American Society of Church History during her dissertation defense, with the best answer being something about railroads in Philadelphia. We talked through her journey from Christianity Today to studying the Christian Century, how these magazines both spoke to and sometimes wildly misjudged their audiences (especially around Billy Graham), and the cultural capital that tied together mainline Protestant clergy even when their theology and politics diverged from their congregations. What struck me was how the isolation of educated clergy - whether it's the 1920s pastor in North Dakota parceling out his weekly dose of seminary culture through the Christian Century, or today's mainline clergy feeling lonely in their own congregations - keeps showing up as this recurring theme in American church history. Plus, she's working on a book about the Religion News Service, which was apparently run by Jewish editors providing church news to Christian newspapers. This goes to show how much more complicated and interesting these stories get when you actually dig into the archives. Elesha Coffman is a historian of American Christianity and professor of history at Baylor University. She is the author of The Christian Century and the Rise of the Protestant Mainline and Turning Points in American Church History, as well as a biography of anthropologist Margaret Mead. UPCOMING ONLINE CLASS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The God of Justice: Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Contemporary Longing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This transformative online class brings together distinguished scholars from biblical studies, theology, history, and faith leadership to offer exactly what our moment demands: the rich, textured wisdom of multiple academic disciplines speaking into our contemporary quest for justice. Here you'll discover how ancient texts illuminate modern struggles, how theological reflection deepens social action, and how historical understanding opens new possibilities for faithful engagement with our world's brokenness and beauty. Join John Dominic Crossan, Peter Enns, Casey Sigmon, Aizaiah Yong, & Malcolm Foley As always, the class is donation-based, including 0. INFO & Sign-Up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.FaithAndPolitics.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Beer Camp ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get info and tickets here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. _____________________ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 75,000 other people by joining our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 50 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

American Christianity is at a crossroads. In this episode, John and Lisa talk with Martin and Millicent Sedra. Martin grew up in Egypt, where his father boldly preached Christ in the face of persecution. Now ministering globally, they urge the Western church to resist compromise, reject fear of man, and return to bold, biblical faith before it's too late. Their message is clear: the time for comfortable Christianity is over. God is calling His people to embrace His Word and Spirit with passion, raising up a generation to carry the flame of revival.___________________________________________FREE Show Notes Here:  https://page.church.tech/dfdda875___________________________________________Order premium meat now through Good Ranchers—use code “BEVERE" at checkout: https://go.goodranchers.com/bevere___________________________________________Our generous listeners who faithfully support this content monthly make Conversations with John and Lisa possible. Support this podcast by becoming a Patron here (tax-deductible): https://3szn.short.gy/FFF