Posts in Christianity
Courageous Conversations: Jeff Sharlet on American Failures and American Possibility

Meet Dr. Jeff Sharlet, Professor in the Art of Writing at Dartmouth College and author of the recently released The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War. In it, he journeys into the corners of our national psyche in an attempt to understand how, over the last decade, reaction has morphed into delusion, social division into distrust, distrust into paranoia, and hatred into fantasies—sometimes realities—of violence.

In this conversation, George and Jeff discuss the religious dimensions of American politics, and the role of grief and uncertainty in the midst of plague and rising fascism. Sharlet offers insight into both the human condition and into our country today, bringing to light a decade of American failures as well as a vision for American possibility,

Jeff Sharlet is the New York Times bestselling author or editor of eight books. His latest is The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War (2023), a National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist for Nonfiction, one of The New York Times 100 Books of the Year, and a New Republic book of the year.

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Pamela Cooper-White on the Psychology of Christian Nationalism

Meet Pamela Cooper-White, MDiv, PhD, LCPC, author of the recently released The Psychology of Christian Nationalism, which uncovers the troubling extent of Christian nationalism, explores its deep psychological roots, and discusses ways in which advocates for justice can safely and effectively attempt to talk across the deep divides in our society.

In this conversation, George and Pamela discuss what Christian nationalism is, the difference between nationalism and patriotism, the cult of personality and the fragility of democracy, and how to channel our energy and outrage into education and advocacy for social change.

Pamela Cooper-White, MDiv, PhD, LCPC is the Christiane Brooks Johnson Professor Emerita of Psychology and Religion and Dean Emerita, Union Theological Seminary, New York, an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of New York, and a licensed psychotherapist.

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Amy Butler: Embracing Jesus' Message in the Church, in the World, and in our Lives

George is joined by his friend and colleague Rev. Dr. Amy Butler, author of the recently released Beautiful and Terrible Things on the necessity of community, the inevitability of conflict, and the transformative power of radical love.

They discuss her book and her story, how the weaponizing of religion today is similar to the political situation Jesus encountered, and the need for crossing boundaries and for doing the hard work.

“Religious communities can be good and redemptive and world-changing if we'll only do the hard work.” - Amy Butler

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Dr. Curtis W. Freeman: Understanding redemption and renewal during Holy Week

This episode is the second installment of a three-part series on redemption and renewal. Dr. Curtis Freeman discusses the significance of how Christians keep time and why the events of Holy Week are integral to the Christian faith.

Dr. Curtis W. Freeman is a research professor of theology and Baptist studies and director of the Baptist House of Studies at Duke Divinity School. His research and teaching explores areas of Free Church theology.

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