Disarming Leviathan Podcast

In this episode, pastor and author Tara Beth Leach reflects on how the work of preaching and pastoring has changed in a time of political division, cultural anxiety, and social media outrage. She names the temptation pastors face to use the pulpit for venting or applause, and instead offers a vision of slow, intentional, Spirit-led formation shaped by liturgy, Scripture, and communal prayer. Drawing from her own journey, Tara Beth shares how she moved from reactive preaching to prophetic pastoring marked by maternal empathy, imagination, and subversive presence.About Tara BethTara Beth Leach is a pastor, writer, and speaker who serves as the Senior Pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Naperville, Illinois. She is the author of several books including Radiant Church and Emboldened: A Vision for Empowering Women in Ministry. A graduate of Northern Seminary, Tara Beth has pastored in diverse settings across the country and regularly writes and teaches on preaching, spiritual formation, and women in leadership. Her ministry centers on helping the church embody a radiant witness of the Kingdom of God in the midst of division, injustice, and fear. She writes regularly on Substack and speaks at conferences and churches across the U.S. Get full access to Disarming Leviathan at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, writer and researcher Rachel Darnall shares her firsthand perspective on the rise of patriarchal theology in American Christianity and its connection to Christian nationalism. Drawing from her new video series It’s a Man’s World: The Genesis 3:16 Effect, Rachel explains how teachings rooted in control, male hierarchy, and politicized family roles have moved from the margins into mainstream evangelical spaces. She outlines how homeschooling, classical education, and economic structures are often used to reinforce authoritarian leadership, particularly in places like Moscow, Idaho. Rachel helps listeners see the human cost of these systems and offers practical insight into how churches and families can resist spiritual abuse while staying rooted in Scripture and community.About RachelRachel Darnall is a writer and researcher focused on gender, theological ethics, and religious authoritarianism. She is the creator of It’s a Man’s World: The Genesis 3:16 Effect, a video series produced with the Anastasis Center for Christian Education and Ministry that examines the rise and reach of Christian patriarchy in American religious life. Rachel holds an M.A. in Theological Studies from Westminster Theological Seminary (2024) and has been writing on gender, purity culture, and church power dynamics since 2017. Her work is shaped by a deep interest in women’s history and a commitment to biblical integrity. Get full access to Disarming Leviathan at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe

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 VinceDr. 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. Get full access to Disarming Leviathan at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe

Joash Thomas, a Canadian ordained minister and author of The Justice of Jesus, shares profound insights on justice from a biblical perspective. He contrasts retributive and restorative justice, urging a focus on communal healing over individual salvation. Joash critiques the historical impact of colonialism on the church and promotes prioritizing marginalized communities. He emphasizes the need for Christians to adopt a politically agnostic stance, advocating for the oppressed while following the Spirit towards acts of justice and care.

Caleb Campbell kicks off the new season with exciting announcements and holiday greetings. Featured guests include esteemed scholars like Dr. Carmen Imes and Dr. Vince Bacote. The focus this season is on loving Christian nationalist neighbors amid the holiday chaos. Listeners will explore how to embody Jesus' teachings in civic life. Plus, there's a bundled resource for ministry leaders with training videos included. Don't miss the upcoming Communities of Flourishing conference in Phoenix, promising to empower churches for local impact!

Dr. Carmen Joy Imes, an Associate Professor of Old Testament at Biola University and author, discusses her book, Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters. She explores how Scripture presents a radical vision of the church as a true spiritual family, emphasizing the importance of sibling relationships among believers. Imes critiques authoritarian church models and the dangers of political identity overshadowing Christian loyalty. She advocates for diverse congregations and practices of hospitality that foster deeper communal connections.

Join Caleb Campbell, a lead pastor, alongside experts Paul D. Miller, David Koyzis, and Michael W. Austin as they dissect the complexities of Christian nationalism. They clarify how this movement diverges from genuine patriotism and poses threats to the church's mission. The discussion includes insights on identity fusion, the Seven Mountain Mandate, and the significance of natural law in governance. Listeners gain a practical blueprint for engaging politically while prioritizing love and humility in their faith.

In this special episode, Caleb joins the team from Bodies Behind the Bus for a conversation about faith, justice, and compassion in the face of political division. Together, they share a joint fundraiser supporting a DACA recipient fighting to stay with their family in the U.S.As we enter this season, we can be about the business of loving our neighbor through acts of service, generosity, and kindness. Please consider donating to ease the burden for an immigrant family with DACA status pursuing legal pathways to safety.To donate and support the family mentioned in this episode, click here.Over the next few weeks, the Disarming Leviathan Podcast will feature collaborative projects like this one, with new interviews launching in the new year. Subscribe on Substack or visit disarmingleviathan.com to stay connected. Get full access to Disarming Leviathan at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe

This is a rerelease of an earlier episode.Stay tuned to the Disarming Leviathan Podcast. New Episodes coming in a few weeks!Get full access to Disarming Leviathan: Missionary to Christian Nationalists at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe Get full access to Disarming Leviathan at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe

This is a rerelease of an earlier episode.Stay tuned to the Disarming Leviathan Podcast. New Episodes coming in a few weeks!Get full access to Disarming Leviathan: Missionary to Christian Nationalists at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode, Phil Herndon examines how purveyors of American Christian Nationalism leverage the emotions of their audiences to gain allegiance, power, and money.This episode will not only help you recognize when your loved ones are experiencing emotions like rage, anxiety, and fear, but also provide you with practical tools for fostering peaceful, constructive conversations.About PhilPhil uses a dynamic approach to help his clients recover their hearts and redeem their stories. His therapeutic approach is grounded in the Spiritual Root System™, and is informed by the work of Irvin Yalom, Curt Thompson, Dan Siegel, and Dan Allender. He also integrates perspectives from Judeo-Christian traditions, existential philosophy, and pastoral care. Phil works with individuals who have lost their way through addiction, anxiety, depression, struggles with spirituality, or burnout to walk them through the tumultuous and scary times that are so common to the human experience.Phil worked in the trucking business through college and after college until finally realizing his true passion was helping people walk through difficulties and heartache. He completed graduate school in 1992 with a Master of Arts degree in counseling and religious education.He served as a pastor in Texas for 15 years until joining the Center for Professional Excellence in 2005 where he served as Clinical Director until 2020. Phil became the Clinical Director and co-owner of (what is now) River Tree in 2020 and loves his role in developing, encouraging, and equipping the staff as they walk with people through their life journeys. Get full access to Disarming Leviathan at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe