Faithful Politics

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...

David Gushee, a distinguished Christian ethicist and author, delves into the pressing challenges facing democracy and marginalized communities. He highlights how fear-based politics threaten core biblical values of love and justice. Gushee passionately advocates for LGBTQ dignity and the importance of civil liberties in an increasingly authoritarian landscape. He emphasizes the need for Christians to thoughtfully engage with societal issues while maintaining compassion and integrity, urging a move away from divisive ideologies.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIs everything we think we know about the devil wrong? In this episode, author and filmmaker Jared Brock joins the Faithful Politics podcast to discuss his latest book, A Devil Named Lucifer. From the myth of the horned red figure to the misuse of the word “Lucifer,” Brock breaks down centuries of cultural and theological misconceptions. Drawing from biblical texts, he argues that Satan is not the all-powerful rival we’ve made him out to be—but a minor character in a much bigger story. Hosts Josh Burtram and Will Wright explore how dualistic thinking has shaped theology and politics, and why fear-based rhetoric around evil distorts the gospel message. The conversation also touches on demon possession, mental health, spiritual warfare, and how Christians can “judo” the devil’s tactics to grow in faith.Guest Bio: Jared Brock is an award-winning author and filmmaker known for A God Named Josh and the PBS documentary Redeeming Uncle Tom, narrated by Danny Glover. His writing has appeared in Time, The Guardian, and Christianity Today. His latest book, A Devil Named Lucifer, challenges conventional Christian beliefs about Satan and spiritual warfare.Resources & Links:Read the first chapter: https://adevilnamedlucifer.comJared’s films and books: JaredBrock.comA Devil Named Lucifer on Amazon: https://a.co/d/gOtutw9 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 this engaging conversation, Dr. Greg Garrett, a Baylor University English professor and a leading voice on faith and social justice, tackles the alarming rise of white Christian nationalism and its impact on the church. He discusses how this ideology alienates younger generations and detracts from true Christian values. Highlighting the importance of listening to marginalized voices, Garrett advocates for a Gospel centered on love and justice, emphasizing the necessity of racial reconciliation within Christianity.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn recent years, American Christianity has undergone a profound transformation—and it's reshaping the foundations of our democracy. In this episode, we talk with Jonathan Rauch, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and author of Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy. A self-described atheist, Jew, and gay man, Rauch argues that liberal democracy has long depended on the moral framework Christianity provides—and that its collapse is fueling political dysfunction, extremism, and civic decay. Together with hosts Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram, Rauch explores the historical role of faith in sustaining democratic virtue, the dangers of Christian nationalism, and what it would take for the church to renew itself for the 21st century.Guest Bio:Jonathan Rauch is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a contributing writer at The Atlantic. He is the author of several books, including The Constitution of Knowledge and Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy. Rauch specializes in civil discourse, political philosophy, and the health of liberal democracy.Resources & Links:📘 Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy by Jonathan Rauch: jonathanrauch.com📰 Jonathan Rauch’s article in The Atlantic on “patrimonialism” and Trump (as referenced in the episode): https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/02/corruption-trump-administration/681794/🌐 Braver Angels (bipartisan depolarization network): https://braverangels.org📖 Losing Our Religion by Russell Moore: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/711057/losing-our-religion-by-russell-moore 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.comChristian nationalism has surged to new heights in American politics, raising urgent concerns about democracy, religious freedom, and the separation of church and state. In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC) and lead organizer of the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign.We discuss her new book, How to End Christian Nationalism, its reception, and why she sees this moment as a crucial turning point. Amanda breaks down the myths surrounding religious persecution in the U.S., the Supreme Court’s role in shaping religious liberty, and the dangers of government-endorsed Christianity. She also offers actionable steps for listeners who want to push back against the rise of Christian nationalism and defend religious pluralism in America.Guest Bio:Amanda Tyler is an attorney and the executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC), a leading voice on the intersection of faith, policy, and democracy. She is the co-host of the Respecting Religion podcast and the lead organizer of Christians Against Christian Nationalism, a nationwide campaign addressing the threats posed by Christian nationalist ideology. Her latest book, How to End Christian Nationalism, serves as a practical guide for those seeking to resist the movement’s influence on American politics.Resources & Links:📖 How to End Christian Nationalism – EndChristianNationalism.com📝 Christians Against Christian Nationalism – ChristiansAgainstChristianNationalism.org🏛️ Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty – BJCOnline.org🎙️ Respecting Religion Podcast – BJC Podcast: https://bjconline.org/respectingreligion/ 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...