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Featured
Southern Baptists, Christian Nationalism, and Bad Data
This issue of A Public Witness digs into recent data from Lifeway Research and the Land Center to see what we can actually learn about a significant evangelical denomination and why the framing of the report misses the mark.
Review: Gospel As Work of Art
In "Review: Gospel As Work of Art: Imaginative Truth and the Open Text," David Brown challenges us to expand our understanding of scripture past source criticism and historical Jesus studies to include works of imagination.
Early Christian Scripture and Ancient Codices Draw Collectors’ Eyes to Paris
The starring role in a June auction at Christie's will be taken by the Crosby-Schoyen Codex, the oldest known book in private hands. Written on papyrus in the Coptic language, it contains the oldest complete version of the First Epistle of Peter and the Book of Jonah.
Speaker Johnson Doesn’t Know How Walls Work
This issue of A Public Witness looks back at Thomas Jefferson’s letter to Baptists penned 202 years ago this week and explores why prominent figures deliberately misrepresent the metaphorical “wall of separation” between church and state.
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141. Trey Ferguson on Theologizin' Bigger
Trey Ferguson, a minister and writer, talks with Word&Way President Brian Kaylor about his new book Theologizin' Bigger: Homilies on Living Freely and Loving Wholly. He also discusses biblical interpretation, inerrancy, and Black Panther. Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and… -
140. Derek Kubilus on Holy Hell
Derek Kubilus, a Methodist pastor in Ohio, talks with Word&Way President Brian Kaylor about his book Holy Hell: A Case against Eternal Damnation. He also discusses translation issues, Wesleyan teachings, and Star Wars. 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. -
139. Jim Wallis, Brian Kaylor, & Angela Denker on Christian Nationalism
Angela Denker, a journalist and Lutheran minister, moderates a discussion with Jim Wallis of the Georgetown Center on Faith and Justice and Word&Way President Brian Kaylor about Christian Nationalism and other issues of faith and politics. A written version of this conversation was previously published at A Public Witness. Denker, author of Red State Christians: A… -
138. Brian Kaylor & Beau Underwood on Baptizing America
Beau Underwood talks with Word&Way President Brian Kaylor about the forthcoming book they co-authored, Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism. They also discuss changing U.S. demographics and how the book came together. Underwood previously appeared on episode 43. Save 33% on Baptizing America with the promo code "BApodcast" at chalicepress.com. Note: Don't…
Church
Hiking, Disc Golf, Flower Arranging: UMC Initiative Connects People Around Non-Church Interests
'Fresh Expressions' is a denominational initiative intended to connect people who may not be interested in church but are interested in learning a new skill or making new friends.
After Traditionalist Churches Left, UMC May Be More — Not Less — Diverse
Even after the departures, 24% of North Carolina clergy remaining in the denomination disagree with allowing LGBTQ people to get married and ordained within the denomination.
Prominent New York Church, Sued for Gender Bias, Moves Forward With Male Pastor Candidate
Kevin R. Johnson will be recommended for the congregation’s approval to lead the more than 200-year-old Abyssinian Baptist Church, considered by many to be the flagship of the Black church in America.
Nation
Southern Baptists, Christian Nationalism, and Bad Data
This issue of A Public Witness digs into recent data from Lifeway Research and the Land Center to see what we can actually learn about a significant evangelical denomination and why the framing of the report misses the mark.
‘Flynn’ Portrays the Christian Nationalist Evangelist’s Fight With the Deep State
A new film omits details of Flynn's career, including his pardons issued by his former boss, Donald Trump, and the existence of a network of conspiratorial websites and companies, with names like “Digital Soldiers LLC,” a term used by QAnon.
Florida Will Open Schools to Volunteer Chaplains
Opponents cite several problems with the new Florida law that takes effect July 1, including there being no training requirements for these public school chaplains.
World
Early Christian Scripture and Ancient Codices Draw Collectors’ Eyes to Paris
The starring role in a June auction at Christie's will be taken by the Crosby-Schoyen Codex, the oldest known book in private hands. Written on papyrus in the Coptic language, it contains the oldest complete version of the First Epistle of Peter and the Book of Jonah.
Prominent Baptist Pastor in Military-Ruled Myanmar Detained Again Hours After Release From Prison
The Rev. Hkalam Samson is a prominent advocate for the human rights of ethnic and religious minorities in Myanmar and in 2019 was part of a delegation that met President Trump at the White House.
The Ninth Fort
This issue of A Public Witness reflects on Genocide Awareness Month and how we can’t stop atrocities if we refuse to see them.
Editorials
The Lord Was Not in the Earthquake
Brian Kaylor reacts to claims that God is sending a message through a 4.8 magnitude earthquake shook the northeastern part of the U.S. on Friday or a solar eclipse going across much of the U.S. on Monday.
When Bad Theology Leads to Bad Laws
During a recent debate in the Missouri Senate over a proposal to create rape and incest exemptions to Missouri’s abortion ban, one lawmaker argued against such exceptions by defaming God.
Unsettling Advent 2023, Day 21
For the final devotional exploring Advent in a time of bloodshed in Israel, Brian Kaylor reflects on how Gaza is significant in a biblical story that doesn’t explicitly mention the place.
Word&Way Voices
Donald Trump, Bible Salesman
Contributing writer Rodney Kennedy explores the various meanings behind Trump’s recent endorsement of Lee Greenwood’s ‘God Bless the USA Bible.’
A Century Ago, One State Tried to Close Religious Schools − A Far Cry From Today
On April 2, Oklahoma’s Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case that could allow a Catholic charter school to open — which critics say would demolish the line between church and state in education.
Let’s Not Destroy What We Helped Build
Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell explores what our role is as Christians when it comes to public schools.
E-Newsletter
Southern Baptists, Christian Nationalism, and Bad Data
This issue of A Public Witness digs into recent data from Lifeway Research and the Land Center to see what we can actually learn about a significant evangelical denomination and why the framing of the report misses the mark.
Strengthening the Church-State Wall to Protect Democracy
This issue of A Public Witness takes you inside the Summit for Religious Freedom to hear about why church-state separation matters for democracy and the vitality of the Christian witness.
Review & Giveaway: Ministers of Propaganda
This issue of A Public Witness explores what Scott Coley’s forthcoming book “Ministers of Propaganda: Truth, Power, and the Ideology of the Religious Right” reveals about the antidote to Christo-authoritarianism.
Podcasts
Top Podcast Episodes of 2023
We had a lot of great podcast conversations this year. So let’s count down the top 10 most-downloaded of episodes of Dangerous Dogma in 2023.
Jay Augustine on When Prophets Preach
In episode 104 of Dangerous Dogma, Jay Augustine, senior pastor at St. Joseph AME Church in Durham, North Carolina, talks about his book When Prophets Preach: Leadership and the Politics of the Pulpit. He also discusses preaching about current events,
Craig Lamar Brown & Andrea Summer on Between Mercy and Me
In episode 103 of Dangerous Dogma, Craig Lamar Brown and Andrea Summer talk with about their movie Between Mercy and Me. They also discuss issues of racism, church worship, and creating music and movies.
Amanda Tyler of Christians Against Christian Nationalism
In episode 102 of Dangerous Dogma, Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, talks about attending the ReAwaken America Tour and a Pastors for Trump meeting at Trump Doral in Miami, Florida.
Books
Review: Gospel As Work of Art
In "Review: Gospel As Work of Art: Imaginative Truth and the Open Text," David Brown challenges us to expand our understanding of scripture past source criticism and historical Jesus studies to include works of imagination.
Review: A Faith of Many Rooms
In "A Faith of Many Rooms: Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity," Debie Thomas takes readers on a deeply personal and profoundly theological odyssey.
Review & Giveaway: Ministers of Propaganda
This issue of A Public Witness explores what Scott Coley’s forthcoming book “Ministers of Propaganda: Truth, Power, and the Ideology of the Religious Right” reveals about the antidote to Christo-authoritarianism.
Review: A Quilted Life
In "A Quilted Life: Reflections of a Sharecropper’s Daughter," Catherine Meeks describes the adventures and adversity she encountered on her path to becoming an empowered voice for change.