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This Advent, We Cannot Forget the Millions Suffering in the Holy Land
The story of Christ’s birth is deeply intertwined with the realities of occupation, displacement, and struggle.
Unsettling Advent 2024, Day 11
Exploring Advent in a time of dangerous pregnancies, Brian Kaylor reflects on how powerful leaders often seek ways to make women’s journey difficult.
After IDOC Denial, Indiana Death Row Inmate Sues To Allow Spiritual Advisor in Execution Chamber
Monday’s federal lawsuit seeks to overturn the state’s decision not to allow Joseph Corcoran’s minister to be present in the execution chamber — a constitutional right granted by a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
Church
Black Church Coalition Names Reparations, Voting, Health Equity Among Priorities
‘There are so many pressing issues, from the future of COVID-19 and mental health to gun violence and voting rights, that must be addressed,’ said CNBC Chairman W. Franklyn Richardson.
Mike Bickle, Founder of International Prayer Movement, Confesses to Some Past Misconduct
Bickle, founder of the International House of Prayer movement in Kansas City, said he’d had moral failings more than two decades ago but said many of the allegations against him are false.
Preaching to Polarized Congregations: A Responsibility and a Challenge, Clergy Say
'It's not about going from red to blue to purple,' Andrew Hanauer of One America Movement advises clergy. ‘It's about going above the partisan divisions.’
Nation
Haitians in Ohio Find Solidarity at Church After Chaotic Week of False Pet-Eating Claims
The viral racist rumors are being fueled primarily by former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance, and violent threats against the community are upending daily life in Springfield.
Lance Wallnau, First to ‘Prophesy’ Trump’s Presidency, Is Back To Vanquish Anti-Trump Demons
The modern-day 'prophet' and coiner of the phrase '7 Mountain Mandate' has helped to bring the influential Pentecostal group New Apostolic Reformation from the fringes of American Christianity to the heart of US politics.
Where Has Trump Spiritual Adviser Paula White Gone?
The onetime organizer of the former president’s evangelical Christian advisory board has been relatively muted in her public support in the 2024 election season.
World
Vatican Takes Climate Activists to Court on Laudato Si’ Anniversary
The trial takes place on the eighth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical promoting the care of creation and the environment.
For 25th Year, State Department Reports on Threats, Triumphs in Religious Freedom
The report, which assesses conditions in 199 countries, also looks at policies and laws, including those about blasphemy and apostasy, that ‘criminalize religious expression.’
Sudan’s Increased Fighting Empties Christian Clerics From the Capital Khartoum
The brewing civil war in the country has convinced Christians and their leaders to leave the capital en masse, with many fleeing across the border to South Sudan.
Editorials
Addressing racism important to Baptists
The Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Annual Gathering were held a little more than a week apart in June. SBCers and CBFers have much in common —
Baptist Home’s Johnson: A life well-lived
Larry Johnson, associated with The Baptist Home of Missouri since 1984 and the Baptist ministry’s president when he retired in 2005, was remembered May 21 for putting into practice in his last
Editor announces upcoming retirement
With this column I am formally announcing my retirement later this year as Word & Way editor after more than 20 years of service.
Word&Way Voices
When Our National Liturgy Is Greed
Contributing writer Rodney Kennedy argues that the church has failed to properly denounce greed. Mammon is our national god and greed is our national liturgy. Advertisers have become our American clergy and excessive capitalism has made us more capitalist and less Christian.
Don’t Make Me Go to Viewers: ‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’
Juliet Vedral explores the new Amazon Prime film Don’t Make Me Go starring John Cho and Mia Isaac. The movie is both a feel-good father/daughter road trip film and a poignant tale about the fragility and impermanence of life that resonates with Christian scripture.
Rethinking Christian Sex in a Post-Roe World
Lauren Graeber reflects on how certain Christian teachings on sexuality have impacted her life and what it might mean for how she parents her children, especially now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned. She hopes to offer her daughter something more just and independent so she can know that
E-Newsletter
Progressive Baptists Say It’s Time for More Advocacy
In this issue of A Public Witness, we virtually meet in St. Louis to hear from the Progressive National Baptist Convention as they advocate for an engaged faith on the ninth anniversary of Michael Brown's death in nearby Ferguson, Missouri.
Disciples Confronting Christian Nationalism
This issue of A Public Witness takes you to Louisville to see how a denomination with deep American roots is witnessing against those advocating for a close alignment between God and country. And includes exciting news about a forthcoming effort from us.
Youth Rising to Put Faith in Action
This issue of A Public Witness takes you inside the Rising Youth cohort of Faith in Action to hear about young adult dreams for more faithful politics.
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183. Shannon Fleck of Faithful America
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… -
182. Ruth Braunstein on When the Wolves Came
In this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with sociologist Ruth Braunstein about her documentary podcast When the Wolves Came. You can also find her writings at her Substack newsletter Democracy Is Hard. Mentioned in the episode is Caleb Campbell, who previously appeared on episode 150 of Dangerous Dogma. Note: Don't forget to subscribe to… -
181. Angela Denker on Disciples of White Jesus
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… -
180. David Swartz on Rebel on Main
In this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with historian David Swartz about his new narrative podcast project Rebel on Main, which offers a historical and contemporary exploration of a Kentucky county and its unusual Confederate statue. You can watch a video version of this conversation here. (You can also hear an earlier episode with… -
179. Munther Isaac on Christ in the Rubble
In this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with Rev. Munther Isaac, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, about his forthcoming book Christ in the Rubble: Faith, the Bible, and the Genocide in Gaza. He also talks about Donald Trump's plan to "take over" Gaza, the importance of using the terms "genocide"… -
178. State Senator Shows How NOT to Read Proverbs
On Tuesday (Feb. 25), a session of the Oklahoma Senate transformed into a spontaneous Bible study. Or perhaps more of a Bible study cosplay demonstrating how not to read the Bible, specifically how not to read the Book of Proverbs. In this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor unpacks the errors in how Proverbs was cited… -
177. Countering Sean Feucht with Karrie Gaspard-Hogewood
In this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with Karrie Gaspard-Hogewood, a sociology doctoral fellow at Tulane University, about a protest march she organized to counter an event by Christian Nationalistic musician Sean Feucht in New Orleans on Feb. 8, 2025. You can learn more about Feucht at A Public Witness, including reports on his… -
176. Paul Raushenbush & Trump's Targeting of Christians
In this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with Rev. Paul Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, about various ways the Trump administration has targeted Christian groups, including Episcopalians, Catholics, and Lutherans. You can read more about the recent attacks on Lutheran charity work in a report at A Public Witness and in a memo from… -
175. Mariann Budde, John Danforth, & Prophetic Preaching
In this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with John Danforth, a former U.S. Senator and Episcopal priest, about the controversy over Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde's sermon during an inauguration prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral. You can read more about the issue at A Public Witness, including a report on the sermon, a look… -
174. Joe Blosser on To Love Our Neighbors
Joe Blosser talks with Word&Way President Brian Kaylor about her new book To Love Our Neighbors: Radical Practices in Solidarity, Sufficiency, and Sustainability. He also discusses understandings of how a neighbor is, church food pantries, and economic neoliberalism. Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense…
