Ep 23 - Jonathan Rauch "Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain With America"

Ep 24 - Pat Mahoney "On Christian Public Witness"

In this episode, we welcome Rev. Pat Mahoney, a nationally known Christian social and political activist, and an ordained minister in the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Rev. Mahoney is director of the Christian Defense Coalition, a ”national ministry committed to challenging the Body of Christ to live out their faith in the public  Born in New Jersey, Rev. Mahoney attended the University of Dayton and the Faith School of Theology in Maine. His early ministerial experiences in New York City led him to embrace a commitment to expanding the role of the church in addressing society’s wrongs. He began to develop and nurture social programs, and has worked tirelessly on pro-life causes, homelessness, hunger, racism and other pressing issues of social justice from a Christ-centered biblical perspective. Our discussion explores Pat's engagement in public witness, his work with Operation Rescue, our common work on Gun Violence, and our differing views on engaging other faith communities. GUEST LINKS * Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/revmahoney/) * Instagram (‪https://www.instagram.com/revmahoney/)

Ep 23 - Jonathan Rauch "Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain With America"

In this episode, we welcome Jonathan Rauch, a senior fellow of the Governance Studies program at Brookings Institution and the author of nine books and many articles on public policy, culture, and government. He is a contributing writer of The Atlantic and recipient of the 2005 National Magazine Award, the magazine industry’s equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize. His latest book, published in 2025 by Yale, is Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy. Our discussion explores Jonathan's deep interest in and perspectives on Christianity as "a load bearing wall" for American democracy, challenges faced by mainline and evangelical churches, and the differences between what he calls "thin, sharp, and thick" religious expressions of faith. Jonathan underscores the importance of core Christian principles like fearlessness, imitation of Jesus, and forgiveness in strengthening America's democratic fabric. The conversation provides insights into lessons that secular and religious communities can learn from each other to address political polarization and foster a more unified society. Guest Links * Website [https://www.jonathanrauch.com/] (https://www.jonathanrauch.com/) * Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/jonrauch.bsky.social] (‪@jonrauch.bsky.social‬) Episode Summary 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Jonathan's Relationship with Faith and Religion 01:56 The Role of Religion in Society 03:35 Experiences in Japan and Spiritual Insights 04:33 Religion as a Human Universal 09:44 Christianity's Role in Democracy 13:55 Challenges Facing American Churches Today 18:27 The LDS Church and Civic Theology 29:52 Radical Incrementalism and Truth 36:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Ep. 22 - Rick Joyner "The Greatest Unifier"

Join host Mark Beckwith, retired bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, and guest Rev. Rick Joyner, a prominent Evangelical leader, author, public speaker, and founder of Morningstar Ministries, a multi-faceted mission organization which includes Heritage International Ministries, MorningStar University, and MorningStar Fellowship of Churches and Ministries. We explore how to respectfully build mutual understanding and work together across our differences. Rick shares about his life-changing conversion, his strong support for President Trump as well as first-hand experiences and impressions of him, his belief in God as the greatest unifier, and the challenges and hopes that he sees for the country. We also discuss finding unity in diversity and the ongoing pursuit of liberty and justice for all. Guest Links * MorningStar Ministries Website [https://msm.morningstarministries.org/] * Facebook (MorningStar Ministries) [https://www.facebook.com/morningstarmin/] * Facebook (Rick Joyner) [https://www.facebook.com/RickJoyner.MorningStar/] * YouTube (Rick Joyner Official) [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBEB2jQTOl5YKaqK5FFWlFg/] * Books (MorningStar Book Store) [https://store.morningstarministries.org/]

Ep. 21 - Jim Wallis "Faith and Justice"

In this episode we welcome Jim Wallis, a writer, teacher, preacher and justice advocate who believes the gospel of Jesus must be emancipated from its cultural and political captivities. He is a New York Times bestselling author, public theologian, preacher and commentator on ethics and public life. He is the inaugural holder of the Chair in Faith and Justice and the founding Director of the Georgetown University Center on Faith and Justice. He is the founder of Sojourners, and is the author of 12 books and host of the popular podcast The Soul of the Nation.  Jim and I discuss his faith journey, his founding the Sojourner community and magazine, his current role as the Desmond Tutu Chair for Faith and Justice at Georgetown University, lessons he learned from Bishop Tutu in South Africa, the difference between hope and optimism, and the importance of integrating faith with the pursuit of justice. Our dialogue delves into responding to Christian nationalism, advocating for the poor, and maintaining hope in challenging times. Guest Links * Center on Faith & Justice at Georgetown University [https://faithandjustice.georgetown.edu/] * The Jim Wallis Podcast: Soul of a Nation [https://www.jimwallis.org/podcast] * Books [https://www.jimwallis.org/books] * Substack Blog [https://jimwallis.substack.com/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100044470298044] * Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/revjimwallis.bsky.social] (@revjimwallis.bsky.social) * X / Twitter [https://x.com/jimwallis] (@jimwallis)

Ep. 20 - Bishop Michael Curry "The Way of Love"

In this episode, we welcome a very special guest, the dynamic and inspirational Bishop Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church. Known worldwide for his passionate proclamation of "The Way of Love," Bishop Curry's ministry centers on the transformative power of God’s unconditional love to heal, unite, and renew. With his charismatic preaching style and a heart devoted to justice, reconciliation, and inclusion, Bishop Curry rose to international prominence after delivering a moving sermon on the power of love at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Yet his legacy extends far beyond that moment, as he has consistently challenged the Church to follow Jesus by embracing love, confronting societal divisions, fighting injustice, and embodying hope in action. Join us as Bishop Curry and our host, Bishop Mark Beckwith, discuss a vision for a more compassionate world and how we can all embrace love as a force for transformation in our own lives. This conversation will inspire and uplift anyone searching for deeper meaning, courage, and connection. GUEST LINKS * The Way of Love Podcast [https://media.episcopalchurch.org/podcasts/show/the-way-of-love-with-bishop-michael-curry/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/PBMBCurry/] (@PBMBCurry) * X / Twitter [https://twitter.com/BishopCurry] (@BishopCurry) * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/pb_curry] (@pb_curry) GUEST BOOKS * Love Is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/605848/love-is-the-way-by-bishop-michael-curry-with-sara-grace/] (2020) * The Power of Love: Sermons, Reflections, and Wisdom to Uplift and Inspire [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/604756/the-power-of-love-by-bishop-michael-curry/] (2018) * Songs My Grandma Sang [https://www.churchpublishing.org/songsmygrandmasang] (2015) * Following the Way of Jesus: Volume 6 (Church's Teachings for a Changing World) [https://www.churchpublishing.org/followingthewayofjesus] (2013) * Crazy Christians: A Call to Follow Jesus [https://www.churchpublishing.org/crazychristians] (2013)