Dangerous Dogma

Angela Parker, an associate professor of New Testament and Greek and author, dives into the complexities of evangelicalism and biblical interpretation. She emphasizes the importance of engaging with diverse communities to uncover fresh insights in scripture. Parker critiques the use of inerrancy as a tool for enforcing patriarchal authority and discusses how historical events shape contemporary racism. She advocates for acknowledging race in biblical texts and connects the dots between power dynamics and social justice, while previewing her upcoming book, Faith Unlynched.

In this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with Randall Balmer, a historian of American religion and author of the new book, America's Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State. Kaylor is also joined by guest cohost Jared Burkholder, scholar in residence at Moravian Theological Seminary. This is the first in a three-part series in partnership with Moravian exploring historical and contemporary issues of concerns involving evangelicals. Balmer previously appeared on Dangerous Dogma in episode 25 and episode 124. You can watch a video version of this episdoe here. Burkholder will be giving the annual Walter Vivian Moses Lecture on Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. (ET) at the Bahnson Center on the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Campus of Moravian Theological Seminary. It will also be livestreamed for free. Sign up to watch here. Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics. And preorder the forthcoming book by Brian Kaylor ,The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power.

In this episode, guest host Beau Underwood interviews Word&Way President Brian Kaylor about his new book The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power. You can watch a video version of this conversation on YouTube. Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics.

In this episode originally recorded in 2021, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) about faith and politics as a United Methodist minister and U.S. congressman. Cleaver also discusses his experience on Jan. 6, attacks on voting rights, and what gives him hope. First released four years ago, this episode is being reissued as Republicans in Missouri are citing Christianity to justify an attempt to gerrymander Cleaver out of office. Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics. And preorder the forthcoming book by Brian Kaylor, The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power.

In this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty, a professor at Union Presbyterian Seminary in North Carolina and author of the new book Authentic Christian Freedom: Deconstructing the American Gospel of Liberty. She discusses issues of Christian ethics, liberty, fundamentalism, ministry, and seminary education. Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics. And preorder the forthcoming book by Brian Kaylor, The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power.

In this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with Mara Richards Bim about a weekly interfaith prayer vigil being held outside an ICE office in Dallas, Texas. She talks about how denominations are fighting back in court and the how Department of Homeland Security is co-opting Bible verses to justify ICE actions. She also discusses efforts to challenge Christian Nationalism in Texas, including a bill pushing the posting of a highly edited version of the Ten Commandments in public schools. You can watch a video version of this conversation on YouTube. Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics. And preorder the forthcoming book by Brian Kaylor, The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power.

In this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with Warren Throckmorton, a retired professor who has spent years debunking false claims by Christian Nationalist pseudo-historian David Barton. Throckmorton is coauthor of Getting Jefferson Right: Fact-Checking Claims About Thomas Jefferson and author of the forthcoming The Christian Past That Wasn't: Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History. He also hosts the podcast Telling Jefferson Lies. You can watch a video version of this conversation on YouTube. Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics. And order a preorder the forthcoming book by Brian Kaylor, The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power.

In this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with Shannon Fleck, the new executive director of Faithful America. She discusses Christian Nationalism in Oklahoma and nationally. You can watch a video version of his conversation on YouTube. Fleck's predecessor, Rev. Nathan Empsall, previously appeared on episode 61 of Dangerous Dogma. He also wrote several columns for WordWay and wrote an Unsettling Advent devotional. Word&Way previously worked with Faithful America to challenge the Christian Nationalism of the ReAwaken America Tour by gathering ministers together for a public challenge to the event featuring Michael Flynn, Eric, Trump, Kash Patel, Lance Wallnau, and Sean Feucht in Branson, Missouri. We also joined their boat billboard against another RAT event at Trump Doral in Miami, Florida. Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics. And order a copy of Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism by Brian Kaylor and Beau Underwood. If you buy it directly from Chalice Press, they are offering 33% off the cover price when you use the promo code "BApodcast."

Ruth Braunstein, a sociologist focused on the intersection of religion and US politics, discusses her documentary podcast 'When the Wolves Came.' She explores the rise of Christian nationalism in evangelical churches and how congregations respond to this extremism. Braunstein shares insights from her research and the creative process of transforming complex ideas into compelling narratives. The conversation also highlights the personal stories and challenges of faith communities navigating political divides and a society deeply impacted by conspiratorial thinking.

In this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with journalist and Lutheran minister Angela Denker about her forthcoming book Disciples of White Jesus: The Radicalization of American Boyhood. You can watch a video version of this conversation here. You can also hear an earlier conversation with Denker in episode 68, and a conversation with Caleb Campbell in episode 150. Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics. And order a copy of Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism by Brian Kaylor and Beau Underwood. If you buy it directly from Chalice Press, they are offering 33% off the cover price when you use the promo code "BApodcast."