Faithful Politics

In a thought-provoking discussion, Amy Hawk, author of 'The Judas Effect', shares her journey from a fervent evangelical leader to a critic of the manipulation of faith for political gain. She recounts her disillusionment during the 2016 election, reflecting on the emotional struggles of reconciling her beliefs with Trumpism. Hawk draws powerful parallels between Judas’ betrayal and the compromises made by evangelical leaders. Ultimately, she emphasizes the need for integrity in faith communities and her renewed spiritual path rooted in the teachings of Jesus and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn an era of rising polarization, what does religious liberty really mean—and why does it matter today? Dr. Owen Anderson, professor of philosophy and religious studies at Arizona State University, joins Will and Josh to unpack the philosophical roots of religious freedom, natural theology, and the moral principles that shaped the American founding. Together, they explore tough questions: How do we define religious liberty in a pluralistic society? Are the ideals in the Declaration of Independence grounded in Protestant theology? What does it mean to protect religious freedom without weaponizing faith for political gain? The conversation also touches on hot-button issues like Christian nationalism, DEI programs, transgender rights, and the complex relationship between church and state. Whether you're curious about the faith of the Founders or wrestling with modern debates about freedom of conscience, this episode offers thoughtful insight into the intersection of faith, philosophy, and democracy.Guest Bio:Dr. Owen Anderson is a professor of philosophy and religious studies at Arizona State University and the pastor of Christ the King Church in Phoenix. His work focuses on natural theology, constitutional principles, and moral philosophy, with a particular interest in how religious liberty and moral truth shape democratic societies. He is the author of several books, including Reason, Faith and Faithfulness, The Declaration of God, and a philosophical commentary on the Book of Job.Resources & Links:Dr. Owen Anderson’s Website: https://drowenanderson.comThe Declaration of God by Owen Anderson: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781107459045 Support the show🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com 📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore ❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:donorbox.org/faithful-politics-podcast 📩 Reach out to us: Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com Political Host, Will Wright: Will@faithfulpolitics.com 📱 Follow & connect with us: Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics 📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:faithfulpolitics.substack.com 📅 RSVP for upcoming live events:Chec...

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhy is it so hard to admit when we’re wrong—even when the evidence is right in front of us? Cognitive bias isn’t just a problem for “other people”—it affects all of us, shaping how we think, vote, and even practice our faith. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Erin Devers, social psychologist and professor, to talk about her new book The Unbiased Self (InterVarsity Press), where she draws on decades of research in psychology, neuroscience, and theology. Together, we explore why biases are baked into the way we process information, how these mental shortcuts affect our politics and faith, and what it actually takes to move toward greater humility and intellectual honesty. We also discuss the “bias blind spot,” confirmation bias, belief perseverance, and the surprising power of dialogue—even across deep disagreements.Guest Bio:Dr. Erin Elizabeth Devers is a social psychologist and professor whose work focuses on cognitive and emotional processes underlying human behavior, particularly around self-perception, social bias, and faith. She has taught social psychology since 2007 and is known for blending psychological science with spiritual insight. She is the author of The Unbiased Self, published by InterVarsity Press.Resources & Links:The Unbiased Self by Erin Devers (InterVarsity Press): https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781514009765Indiana Wesleyan University Faculty Page: https://www.indwes.edu/  Support the show🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com 📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore ❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:donorbox.org/faithful-politics-podcast 📩 Reach out to us: Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com Political Host, Will Wright: Will@faithfulpolitics.com 📱 Follow & connect with us: Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics 📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:faithfulpolitics.substack.com 📅 RSVP for upcoming live events:Chec...

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comThe Seven Mountain Mandate—a concept calling for Christian dominance over key spheres of American life like government, education, media, and family—has quietly gained traction in right-wing political and religious circles. But what does this strategy really entail, and why should it concern us today?In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Matthew Boedy, professor of rhetoric and composition at the University of North Georgia, to unpack the origins, theology, and political aspirations behind the Seven Mountain Mandate. Drawing connections between this fringe theology and mainstream conservative figures like Charlie Kirk and Turning Point USA, Boedy explains how the language of spiritual warfare has morphed into a battle plan for cultural and political takeover.We explore how this movement intersects with Christian nationalism, its ties to authoritarianism, and the implications for LGBTQ rights, religious minorities, and American democracy itself. Whether you’ve heard of the Seven Mountain Mandate or not, this conversation sheds light on a growing influence shaping faith and politics in America.Guest Bio:Dr. Matthew Boedy is a professor of rhetoric and composition at the University of North Georgia and a leading voice analyzing the intersection of religion, politics, and extremism in the United States. He is the author of The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy, where he traces the history and influence of dominion theology across modern conservative movements.Resources & Links:📖 The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy by Matthew Boedy — Available from Westminster John Knox Press (40% off code: 7MCAST): https://www.wjkbooks.com/Products/0664269214/the-seven-mountains-mandate.aspxFollow Matthew Boedy on X (Twitter): @MatthewBoedy Support the show🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com 📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore ❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:donorbox.org/faithful-politics-podcast 📩 Reach out to us: Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com Political Host, Will Wright: Will@faithfulpolitics.com 📱 Follow & connect with us: Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics 📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:faithfulpolitics.substack.com 📅 RSVP for upcoming live events:Chec...

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comPlease join us on May 2nd for our Beyond the Echo Chamber event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1320567174969?aff=oddtdtcreatorAs Donald Trump ramps up executive actions targeting law firms, student protestors, and immigrant communities, constitutional experts are sounding the alarm. Are we witnessing a slow erosion of the rule of law—or a full-blown constitutional crisis? In this episode of Faithful Politics, political host Will Wright and faithful host Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with Professor Eric Berger, a constitutional law scholar at the University of Nebraska College of Law, to unpack the legal and constitutional stakes of Trump’s latest moves.Berger, who signed on to an amicus brief alongside hundreds of law professors opposing Trump’s executive orders against disfavored law firms, explains how these actions violate First Amendment protections and threaten access to the courts. The conversation dives into the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the legal rights of non-citizens under due process, and the broader implications of ignoring judicial orders. Berger also addresses the deportation of graduate students for political speech and how these developments echo authoritarian strategies seen around the world.BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE 676 LAW PROFESSORS IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND FOR DECLARATORY AND PERMANENT INJUNCTIVE RELIEFGuest Bio:Eric Berger is a professor of constitutional law at the University of Nebraska College of Law, specializing in the U.S. Supreme Court, executive power, and judicial interpretation. His scholarship focuses on constitutional structure and procedural fairness, and his work has appeared in leading law reviews and media outlets. Berger has also contributed to The Great Courses series, making complex legal issues access Support the show🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com 📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore ❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:donorbox.org/faithful-politics-podcast 📩 Reach out to us: Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com Political Host, Will Wright: Will@faithfulpolitics.com 📱 Follow & connect with us: Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics 📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:faithfulpolitics.substack.com 📅 RSVP for upcoming live events:Chec...

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comSince 1977, lethal injection has been portrayed as the most humane way to execute someone—but what if that’s a myth? In this episode, legal scholar and death penalty expert Corinna Lain joins host Will Wright to expose what really happens inside America’s execution chambers. From botched executions and hidden medical procedures to falsified prescriptions and black market drugs, Lain’s new book, Secrets of the Killing State, reveals a justice system cloaked in secrecy. She recounts the chilling story of Clayton Lockett’s 2014 execution, explains why so many lethal injections go wrong, and explores the hidden psychological toll on prison staff. We also examine the racial disparities in capital punishment and ask: does the state truly deserve the power to kill?👤 Guest Bio:Corinna Barrett Lain is a law professor and legal historian who has spent over 15 years researching the death penalty. Her latest book, Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection, investigates how executions are carried out in the U.S.—and the secrecy surrounding them. Lain’s work has been cited in top legal journals, and she’s a frequent speaker on issues related to criminal justice, ethics, and constitutional law.🔗 Resources & Links:📘 Secrets of the Killing State by Corinna Lain: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781479832965🖥️ Corinna Lain’s website & tour dates: corinnalain.comRelated Episode: [Coming Soon – Beyond the Echo Chamber: “The Hidden Truths of Lethal Injection”] https://youtube.com/live/_dNOs1E2i4U?feature=share Support the show🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com 📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore ❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:donorbox.org/faithful-politics-podcast 📩 Reach out to us: Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com Political Host, Will Wright: Will@faithfulpolitics.com 📱 Follow & connect with us: Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics 📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:faithfulpolitics.substack.com 📅 RSVP for upcoming live events:Chec...

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn a time when empathy is seen by some as a threat and theology often feels emotionally detached, what if the Apostle Paul’s core message was actually centered on love? In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Nijay Gupta, New Testament scholar and author of The Affections of Christ Jesus: Love at the Heart of Paul’s Theology, to unpack Paul’s deeply emotional, relational, and revolutionary theology.We also dive into the hot-button topic of toxic empathy—what it is, why it’s misunderstood, and how empathy, far from being a weakness, is actually a vital part of Christian maturity. Dr. Gupta explores how Paul’s transformation from violent nationalist to apostle of love offers a powerful model for the modern church.Together, we examine Christian nationalism, church hypocrisy, social media toxicity, and why making the gospel good news again starts with self-sacrificial love—even for our enemies.👤 Guest BioDr. Nijay Gupta is a New Testament scholar, award-winning author, and professor at Northern Seminary. He is widely known for his work on Paul’s letters, biblical interpretation, and early Christian theology. His latest book, The Affections of Christ Jesus, reframes Paul’s theology through the lens of love and emotional depth.🔗 Resources & LinksThe Affections of Christ JesusEngaging Scripture (Substack): Slow Theology Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/slow-theology-simple-faith-for-chaotic-times/id1556188087 Support the show🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com 📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore ❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:donorbox.org/faithful-politics-podcast 📩 Reach out to us: Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com Political Host, Will Wright: Will@faithfulpolitics.com 📱 Follow & connect with us: Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics 📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:faithfulpolitics.substack.com 📅 RSVP for upcoming live events:Chec...

In a thought-provoking discussion, John Fanestil, a United Methodist pastor and historian, dives into the origins of white Christian nationalism in America. He traces how early Protestant beliefs about land and martyrdom shaped national identity and echoes in modern politics. Fanestil also critiques the intertwining of nationalism and Christianity, exploring issues of race, idolatry, and the theological roots of America's founding fathers. His insights spark reflection on the complex legacy of faith in American culture.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this conversation, Will Wright and Josh Burtram interview Jemar Tisby, author of 'The Color of Compromise' and 'How to Fight Racism,' about his new book 'The Spirit of Justice.' They discuss the importance of Black theologians in the national conversation about faith and politics, the need to learn and understand history, and the stories of unsung heroes who resisted racism. Tisby shares the stories of Jarena Lee, the first woman authorized to preach in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Robert Smalls, a former slave who became a Union Navy captain and elected official. The conversation also touches on the significance of preserving Black history and the dangers of suppressing it. In this conversation, Jemar Tisby discusses the historical and present-day challenges faced by Christians in addressing racism. He highlights the need for Christians to understand the history and culture of the communities they seek to serve, and the hypocrisy of advocating for justice abroad while ignoring injustice at home. Tisby also explores the personal sacrifices made by individuals who resisted racism and emphasizes the importance of honoring their legacy. He discusses the role of faith in promoting racial justice and the need for the church to take a bold stance against racism. Tisby also addresses the decline in affiliation among white evangelical Protestants and the potential for a shift in political allegiances within the evangelical community.Buy the book 'The Spirit of Justice: True Stories of Faith, Race, and Resistance': https://a.co/d/iYxC7JBGuest Bio:Jemar Tisby (BA, University of Notre Dame; MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is president of The Witness: A Black Christian Collective, where he writes about race, religion, politics, and culture. He is also cohost of the Pass The Mic podcast. He has spoken nationwide at conferences, and his writing has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and CNN. He is studying for a PhD in history at the University of Mississippi with a focus on race, religion, and social movements in the twentieth century. Support the show🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com 📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore ❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:donorbox.org/faithful-politics-podcast 📩 Reach out to us: Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com Political Host, Will Wright: Will@faithfulpolitics.com 📱 Follow & connect with us: Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics 📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:faithfulpolitics.substack.com 📅 RSVP for upcoming live events:Chec...

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.com📝 Show Description:After publishing a critique of biblical gender roles, author Aimee Byrd faced an online smear campaign—led in part by leaders from her own church. In this episode, she joins Will Wright and Josh Burtram to discuss her new book Saving Face, a deeply personal reflection on faith, identity, and healing after religious trauma.Byrd unpacks how patriarchal church systems often silence women, what it means to rediscover yourself after betrayal, and how theology can be both liberating and weaponized. She also shares how poetry, the Song of Songs, and the face of Christ helped rebuild her spiritual life. From a sit-and-spin memory to misogynistic Facebook groups, this conversation explores the cost of speaking up—and the grace that can follow.👤 Guest Bio:Aimee Byrd is an author, speaker, and former podcast co-host known for her work challenging complementarian theology in evangelical circles. Her books include Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, The Sexual Reformation, and Saving Face. A former café owner turned theologian, Byrd writes about women’s roles in the church, spiritual formation, and healing from religious trauma.📚 Resources & Links:Saving Face by Aimee Byrd – savingfacebook.comAimee Byrd’s Website – aimeebyrd.comAimee narrates the audiobook version of Saving FaceRelated book: Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood by Aimee Byrd Support the show🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com 📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore ❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:donorbox.org/faithful-politics-podcast 📩 Reach out to us: Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com Political Host, Will Wright: Will@faithfulpolitics.com 📱 Follow & connect with us: Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics 📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:faithfulpolitics.substack.com 📅 RSVP for upcoming live events:Chec...