Gesturing Toward the Kingdom: Public Faith in a Pluralist Age w/ Vincent Bacote

In this episode, Dr. Vincent Bacote offers a thoughtful and theologically grounded vision for civic engagement shaped by the character of Christ. He challenges listeners to reject both Christian triumphalism and political withdrawal, advocating instead for a kingdom-oriented public witness that seeks the good of others. Drawing from his work in ethics, political theology, and his recent documentary Black + Evangelical, Bacote addresses power, integrity, institutional engagement, and the importance of discernment in advocacy. He invites Christians to see politics not as ultimate but as a space of provisional service, where we gesture toward the coming Kingdom through faithful, humble presence in public life.

About Vince

Dr. Vincent Bacote is Professor of Theology and the Director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College, where he has taught since 2000. He is the author of The Political Disciple: A Theology of Public Life and numerous articles on theology, culture, and public ethics. Dr. Bacote is also the narrator and co-creator of the documentary Black + Evangelical, which explores the lived experiences of Black Christians within evangelical institutions. A frequent conference speaker and commentator, he writes at vincentbacote.com and is known for equipping the church to engage faithfully in political and cultural life without falling into ideological captivity.

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