Good Faith

Conflict feels like it’s everywhere these days. Church communities, old friendships and even families are being pulled apart by tensions over politics, the pandemic, race and more. When should we stay in a church or relationship? When should we perhaps leave? Is there a biblical model to navigate these decisions and what comes in the aftermath? Join David and Curtis to discuss how we as Christians should approach these perplexing questions.   Show Notes: -The Russell Moore Show: Beth Moore Didn’t Expect Us to Be Us

What exactly is a Christian nation? Is America becoming post-Christian? Is it easier or harder to be a Christian in America today than it was 30 years ago? What about 70 years ago? Join David French and Curtis Chang to think through these important questions and to consider some perhaps quite surprising answers.

Why would a 53-year-old man decide that this is the year he will finally become an adult? Find out in this special New Year’s episode where David and Curtis discuss the urgent need for all of us to step up and be the grown ups, both in the church and in the broader culture.

In a special Christmas episode, David French and Curtis Chang talk about the ultimate act of empathy (God becoming human) and the somewhat surprising debate going on in certain corners of the evangelical church; the idea that empathy can be a sin. How far should we go to understand another’s pain? Does empathy require moral agreement? Is our empathy sometimes selective, reserved for those we agree with and withheld from those we don’t?  David and Curtis also dig into some reader mail for a fascinating discussion of the issue of abortion and some surprising realities that may show why pro-life Christians should look beyond the mere legal rules established under Roe v. Wade.   Show Notes: -Joe Rigney: The Enticing Sin of Empathy -The French Press: The American Crisis of Selective Empathy -The French Press: Satanic Pregnancies, Explained -C.S. Lewis: The Screwtape Letters (Amazon) -Kate Shellnutt: Bethlehem Baptist Leaders Clash Over ‘Coddling’ and ‘Cancel Culture’ -The French Press: The Pro-Life Movement Must Transcend Politics

This week David French and Curtis Chang take a hard look at the silent killer of loneliness. Why is loneliness on the rise in America? What might hope look like, and how do we access it? Join us for this Advent episode where the reality of God’s incarnation in Jesus takes center stage, and the true story of hope in dark times is revealed.   Show Notes: -Carol Graham: Premature Mortality and the Long Decline of Hope in America -Social Capital Project - Opioid Overdoses by Demographic -The college connection: The education divide in American social and community life -David Brooks: The Nuclear Family Was a Mistake -Nancy French: What civility really means

In a follow up to last week’s Deconstructing Faith episode, David French and Curtis Chang dive into the sometimes murky and contradictory political views of Christians. All too frequently, the political stances we think are biblical are actually just cultural.  Why are most Christians’ political stances so predictable? For example, why do many believers who care about abortion not care as much about systemic racism? Or vice versa?  Tune into today’s episode as Curtis and David tackle the fascinating interaction between politics, culture, and the Bible… and end with a surprising take on abortion and systemic racism.   Show Notes: -More in Common - The Hidden Tribes of America -Paul D. Miller - The Role of Social Science in ‘Deconstructing’ White Evangelicalism -Kristen du Mez - Jesus and John Wayne -Jemar Tisby - The Color of Compromise -George McKenna - On Abortion: A Lincolnian Position (circa 1995, but still relevant)

David French and Curtis Chang discuss the hot topic of “deconstruction,” a term with multiple meanings, from reevaluation of specific faith related issues to a deeper questioning of Christian faith itself. For many the discussion around deconstruction stems from some sense of pain or hurt caused by the church. David and Curtis (and producer Kris) explore the complex and deeply personal dimensions of this process, including practical suggestions for listeners.   Show Notes: -The French Press: Under Attack from Fundamentalist Pirates, Evangelical Baptists Refused to Give Up the Ship -Karen Swallow Prior: “With this much rot, there’s no choice but to deconstruct” -The French Press: John Wayne, Jesus, and the Struggle to Define the Christian Man -The French Press: America Is in the Grips of a Fundamentalist Revival

David French and his theological wingman Curtis Chang dive into the term “evangelical”, defining it historically and discussing how it fits in the current American context. Is it really a set of religious beliefs, a set of cultural beliefs, or a set of political beliefs? How does evangelicalism compare with fundamentalism? Is evangelical a term worth salvaging for Christians, or has it become too closely tied to a political movement to retain any spiritual relevance?   Show Notes: -The French Press: “Did Donald Trump Make the Church Great Again?” -Pew Research Center: “More White Americans adopted than shed evangelical label during Trump presidency, especially his supporters” -National Association of Evangelicals: “What is an Evangelical?” (including the Bebbington Quadrilateral) -Barna: “Survey Explores Who Qualifies As an Evangelical” (including the 9-point Evangelical) -Ryan Burge: “For White Evangelical Republicans, Approval of Trump is About Immigration more than Abortion” -Ryan Burge: “Why ‘Evangelical’ is becoming another word for ‘Republican’” -The French Press: “The American Crisis of Selective Empathy”

In the inaugural episode of the Good Faith Podcast, David French and his theological wingman Curtis Chang discuss some of the recent issues at Liberty University and how Christians should think about the concept of institutional sin. Curtis makes the theological case for how human institutions fit into the biblical narrative and that as such, they are both made in the image of God and also capable of sin and brokenness. They also discuss why it is important for Christians to place a high priority on being honest and open about institutional sin in our own ranks, amongst our own institutions.   Show Notes: -ProPublica, Hannah Dreyfus: “‘The Liberty Way’: How Liberty University Discourages and Dismisses Students’ Reports of Sexual Assaults” -ProPublica, Hannah Dreyfus: “Senators Call for Federal Investigation Into Liberty University’s Handling of Sexual Assaults. School Promises Independent Probe” -Sarah Pulliam Bailey and Susan Svrluga: “Liberty University spokesman files lawsuit after his firing” -The Roys Report: “Liberty U Gives Large Gifts to Ministries of Powerful Trustees, Prompting Questions of Self-Dealing” -The Roys Report: “Former Liberty University Chairman Hints He Was Demoted For Speaking Out About Trump” -The Roys Report: “Fired Liberty U Spokesman Tells Inside Story Behind Lawsuit | The Roys Report” -Rachel Treisman: “Liberty University Sues Ex-President Jerry Falwell, Jr., Seeking Millions In Damages” -Karen Swallow Prior: “Truth, justice and the torturing of tolerance” -Colossians 1:15-16

Good Faith is a new podcast from The Dispatch. Join hosts David French and Curtis Chang for a conversation with a focus on faith and politics, faith and culture, and faith and law. Notice the common theme there? Subscribe and watch your feed for our brand new podcast, Good Faith.