Shows
Respecting ReligionBest of: The myth of American 'chosenness' with Dr. Catherine BrekusHow does the myth of America being a "chosen" nation lead to the religious nationalism we see today? In a presentation first aired in 2023, Harvard Divinity School's Dr. Catherine Brekus talks about how the myth is a complicated mixture of arrogance, exploitation, reform, racism and violence. She looks at the roots of this myth, how it has played out through our country's history, and how the recent surge of white Christian nationalism reflects a deep uneasiness about the loss of Christian privilege in this country. This program originally aired on June 1, 2023, in season 4 of Respecting Religion.
2026-01-2239 min
Respecting ReligionCriminalizing Mercy: Sanctuary and Government Repression of Migrant Justice Today, we are bringing you a special presentation on the contested issue of "sanctuary," which continues to cut into the immigration debates in our country. Dr. Sergio M. González traces the sanctuary movement to its roots in the 1980s and examines how we arrived at a moment where mercy is met with repression. This presentation was given on the campus of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., on Oct. 22, 2025, as part of BJC's annual Walter B. and Kay W. Shurden Lectures on Religious Liberty and Separation of Church and State. SHOW NOTE...
2025-11-0642 min
Obeying the GospelEverywhere in Every Church (October 11)EVERYWHERE IN EVERY CHURCH (OCTOBER 11)View on Website -- https://wordpoints.com/everywhere-every-church-october-11/"That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church" (1 Corinthians 4:17).THE THINGS PAUL TAUGHT AS AN APOSTLE, HE TAUGHT EVERYWHERE IN EVERY CHURCH. And the statement Paul makes here is like others in the same letter indicating that the order he imposed on the Lord’s work and worship in Corinth did not vary from what he imposed on...
2025-10-1103 min
Respecting ReligionElection Day 2024: What happened and where do we go from hereNow that Election Day 2024 is in the rearview mirror, what did we learn? Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman look at the results and what they might mean for our country and the protection of faith freedom for all. They discuss where we saw religion used on the campaign trail, what we might expect to see in the next four years under a second Trump administration, and ways all of us can make a significant difference in local communities. SHOW NOTES Segment 1 (starting at 00:37): Did Americans vote for authoritarianism when they voted for Trump? ...
2024-11-2139 min
Respecting ReligionRace, religion and citizenshipHear excerpts from a special event we organized at the University of Southern California on race, religion and citizenship in this episode of Respecting Religion. The Rev. Dr. Joseph Evans and the Rev. Dr. Christopher The brought their unique experiences and expertise to a conversation on religious and racial identity, moderated by the Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard. Hear their insights about a theology of democracy, their experiences with racism, how to identify authoritarianism, and what lessons Scripture has for our current climate. Segment 1 (starting at 00:35): The event on race, religion and citizenship The Re...
2024-04-1126 min
Respecting ReligionThe presidency and Christian nationalismPresidents have made broad appeals to our country without dividing along religious belief throughout American history. Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman look at presidential leadership and talk about how our country's founding documents set up our system of government that does not create a "Christian nation" in any sort of legal sense – rather, it ensures freedom of religion and freedom from a state establishment of religion. They also talk about why people like to claim we are a "Christian nation" and the reasons that is a problematic statement. Segment 1 (starting at 00:38): Religious freedom at the fo...
2024-02-2237 min
Respecting ReligionA pivotal day in the U.S. HouseGet an inside look at the U.S. House of Representatives and the challenges of Christian nationalism in this week's episode. Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman take you behind-the-scenes of Amanda's testimony to Congress, held on the same day lawmakers elected Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., to be Speaker of the House. They share key moments from the hearing on religious freedom around the world, including a powerful moment with Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla. Plus, they discuss troubling statements from Speaker Johnson, his embrace of Christian nationalism, and how he might navigate his new role. Segment 1...
2023-11-0244 min
Respecting ReligionThe myth of American 'chosenness' (part two)What does the myth of American "chosenness" mean for different communities and the rise of Christian nationalism? Episcopal Bishop and Cherokee nation member Carol Gallagher, Baptist minister Rev. Darrell Hamilton, and Dr. Michael Hoberman, a scholar of early American Jewish literature and culture, engage in a conversation moderated by the Rev. Dr. Jaimie Crumley, a minister and professor of gender studies and ethnic studies. Dr. Catherine Brekus of Harvard Divinity School joins them, too, as they react to her lecture about how the myth of "chosenness" leads to much of the religious nationalism in our country today, including h...
2023-06-0247 minRespecting ReligionThe myth of American 'chosenness' How does the myth of America being a "chosen" nation lead to the religious nationalism we see today? Harvard Divinity School's Dr. Catherine Brekus talks about how the myth is a complicated mixture of arrogance, exploitation, reform, racism and violence. She looks at the roots of this myth, how it has played out through our country's history, and the ways that the recent surge of white Christian nationalism reflects a deep uneasiness about the loss of Christian privilege in this country. SHOW NOTES Segment 1 (starting at 00:47): Meet Dr. Catherine Brekus Dr. Catherine B...
2023-06-0140 minRespecting ReligionWhite supremacy and Christian nationalism: A conversation with the Rev. Dr. Jay Augustine How can we best understand the overlap of white supremacy and Christian nationalism? The Rev. Dr. Jonathan C. "Jay" Augustine joins Amanda and Holly for a wide-ranging conversation during Black History Month as we explore the way Christian nationalism devalues Blackness in our country. A pastor, preacher, lawyer and author, Dr. Augustine shares the differences between racial discrimination and ethnic discrimination we see throughout American history as well as the polarization and "otherism" we see today. He also reviews the various methods of reconciliation and what we all can learn from the Black Church as we seek to envision...
2023-02-2337 minRespecting ReligionKetanji Brown Jackson's confirmation hearings: The historic, the outrageous and the awkwardThe expected and the unexpected came up during Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's confirmation hearings to be a Supreme Court justice. Amanda and Holly review key exchanges, including questions about her personal religious belief and religious liberty. Plus, they review the jaw-dropping news about texts from Virginia Thomas – wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas – on January 6 that showcase the prominence of Christian nationalism in the events and conversations that culminated in the attack on the Capitol. SHOW NOTES: Segment 1: We're back! What's happened since our last podcast? A review of events and a look at Judge Jackson's nomi...
2022-04-0752 minRespecting ReligionRace and Religious FreedomHow do we tell a more inclusive and more critical narrative of religious liberty? How do we recognize and spotlight those who have been left out of the conversation, whether intentionally or not? This week, Amanda and Holly talk about the concept of religious freedom for all, exploring the intersections of race and religious freedom. From the racial divides among Baptist denominations to how BJC is interrogating its own history to BJC's new Project on Race and Religious Freedom, they highlight resources from BJC and our partners. SHOW NOTES: Segment 1: Learning to tell a more honest history and launching...
2022-02-1038 min
Northminster Baptist SermonsAnnual Winter Lecture Series 2017 Part Three Q and A"What Both the Protestants and the Catholics Got Right (Eventually and Episodically): The Descent into the Valley by Walter B. Shurden Minister at Large, Mercer University
2017-02-2600 minNorthminster Baptist SermonsAnnual Winter Lecture Series 2017 Part One"What the Protestants Got Right: The Flight of the Dove" by Walter B. Shurden, Minister at Large Mercer University
2017-02-2501 min