The Soul of the Nation with Jim Wallis

Join host Jim Wallis in a live and enlightening conversation at Georgetown University with Sarah McCammon, esteemed Political Correspondent at NPR and author of the thought-provoking book, "The Exvangelicals." Delve into Sarah's personal narrative as she shares her upbringing within the evangelical church and the profound intersections of faith and politics. Together, they unravel the intricate layers of White Christian Nationalism and its resonance within the presidency of Donald Trump, exploring its profound impacts on Sarah's faith and the broader American religious landscape. Tune in to this compelling episode of The Soul of the Nation as they navigate through the complex terrain of belief, identity, and the soul of America. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join us for a riveting episode of The Soul of the Nation, where the spotlight turns on our esteemed host, Jim Wallis, as he becomes the guest of the hour. In this compelling conversation, Jim Wallis, the renowned New York Times bestselling author, unveils the profound insights from his latest groundbreaking book, The False White Gospel. Hosted by Daniel Burke, the Director of Communications at the Center on Faith and Justice, this episode delves deep into the heart of Wallis' thesis, which argues that the antidote to detrimental religious ideologies lies in cultivating true faith. Wallis presents a compelling case for how authentic spirituality can serve as the cornerstone for revitalizing democracy in our nation. Tune in as Burke guides the discussion, unraveling the layers of Wallis' thought-provoking narrative and exploring its implications for the future of our society. Prepare to be enlightened, challenged, and inspired as we navigate the intersection of religion, politics, and the soul of our nation. You can pre-order The False White Gospel as well as check the upcoming book tour to see if Rev. Jim Wallis is coming to a city near you here! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week's Soul of the Nation, Reverend Jim Wallis engages in a profound conversation with author and Senior Scholar Matthew Taylor about his upcoming book, "THE VIOLENT TAKE IT BY FORCE: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy." Together, they delve into the intricate world of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), exploring its "prophets" and the controversial 7 Mountains Mandate of dominion theology. Matthew Taylor sheds light on the complexities surrounding the NAR movement and its potential impact on democratic principles. The discussion spans the influence of key figures such as Mike Johnson and the broader implications of a movement that intertwines faith and politics. Join us as Rev. Jim Wallis and Matthew Taylor navigate through the theological landscape, examining the intersections of religion, power, and democracy. Gain insights into the challenges posed by movements like NAR and how they shape the narrative of our contemporary political climate. This episode is a compelling exploration of the delicate balance between faith and democracy, raising crucial questions about the future of our society. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week The Soul of the Nation welcomes Tim Alberta, an award-winning journalist, staff writer for The Atlantic magazine and author of the bestselling new book “The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory: American Evangelicalism in an Age of Extremism” Alberta is also the son of an evangelical pastor who was raised in Michigan. His new book raises the important questions: What is the purpose of the Christian church? And why have so many white evangelicals sold their souls for Donald Trump? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Soul of the Nation, we bring you a conversation with Senator Chris Coons at Georgetown University. The event was part of the "Higher Calling" series hosted by the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown. In this conversation, Senator Coons, a Democrat from Delaware who earned a degree in ethics from Yale Divinity School, speaks candidly about his Presbyterian upbringing, confronting former President Donald Trump and how he stays spiritually centered in a place like the U.S. Senate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Soul of the Nation we welcome the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America magazine, consultant to the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication, and author of numerous books, including the New York Times bestseller Jesus: A Pilgrimage. His new book is called “Come Forth: The Promise of Jesus’ Greatest Miracle.” In this episode Father Martin shares his insights on the biblical story of Lazarus, an important Vatican meeting and how to stay spiritually centered and hopeful in a dark and turbulent world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the Soul of the Nation, we welcome Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, DC. Bishop Budde serves as spiritual leader for Episcopalians in the District of Columbia and Maryland, the first woman elected to this position. Bishop Budde is also the author of several books, including, “How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith.” In this episode, Bishop Budde talks about standing up to Donald Trump, "dangerous unselfishness," and how to be Good Samaritans during bad times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this live recording of Soul of the Nation, Rev. Jim Wallis and the Center on Faith and Justice hosted Harvard University political scientist Steven Levitsky for a discussion on his new book “Tyranny of the Minority.” In the book, Levitsky argues that authoritarianism threatens the foundations of the U.S. political system, which the Constitution prevents from becoming a true multi-racial democracy. Levitsky is co-author of the New York Times bestseller How Democracies Die and the David Rockefeller Professor of Latin American Studies and Professor of Government at Harvard University. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Soul of the Nation, our host, Rev. Jim Wallis, engages in a profound conversation with climate advocate and author Kyle Meyaard-Schaap. Together, they explore the timely and pressing subject of climate change through the lens of faith and Christian values. Meyaard-Schaap, author of the thought-provoking book "Following Jesus in a Warming World: A Christian Call to Climate Action," delves into the intersection of spirituality and environmental stewardship. This enlightening discussion looks into how followers of Jesus can rise to the challenge of the climate crisis, recognizing it as a moral imperative. Rev. Jim Wallis and Kyle Meyaard-Schaap explore the key themes of the book, providing insight into how faith communities can play a pivotal role in addressing climate change. They discuss practical steps, advocacy, and the spiritual awakening needed to combat the warming world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Soul of the Nation, Rev. Jim Wallis and the Center on Faith and Justice host a conversation about Robert P. Jones' groundbreaking new book, "The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: And the Path to a Shared American Future." Delving deep into the history of white supremacy in America, Jones takes us on a journey back to 1493 and guides us through the examination of contemporary communities that offer models of racial repair. Joining the conversation are Vann Newkirk II, a staff writer for The Atlantic, and Jennifer Rubin, a columnist for The Washington Post. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Soul of the Nation welcomes Bill McKibben, an American environmentalist, author, and journalist who has written extensively on the impact of global warming. He is the Schumann Distinguished Scholar at Middlebury College and leader of the climate campaign group 350.org. In this episode, they discuss the historical and ongoing struggles for racial equity in America, shedding light on the important work of faith-based communities in promoting justice, diversity, and inclusion. Their conversation highlights the power of unity and collective action in the fight for social equality and justice. The episode also explores the urgent need for environmental stewardship and how we can repay our debt to the environment. Rev. Wallis and McKibben emphasize the ethical and moral dimensions of taking responsibility for the impact of human activity on the planet. They discuss the imperative of mitigating climate change and the practical steps we can take to protect our environment for future generations. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Soul of the Nation, our host Jim Wallis is joined by two of the country’s preeminent Christian leaders to celebrate and discuss the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail.” Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Interim President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, and the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, join to reflect on King’s famed epistle and its lessons for our day. Sixty years after its publication, “Letter From Birmingham Jail” continues to challenge Christians – and all people of faith – to understand that, as King warned, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Soul of the Nation features a public conversation with Rev Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary. In this Q&A moderated by Rev. Ebony Grisom of Georgetown University, Douglas explores the role of Black women in the church, discusses the importance of maintaining hope against what seems at times as insurmountable odds and lays out a pathway towards moving beyond the white imaginary. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim Wallis, the Founding Director of the Georgetown University Center on Faith, advocates spirituality and social change in America. Under Wallis’ leadership, Sojourners has had international acclaim as a group of Christians who work together to live a gospel life that integrates spiritual renewal and social justice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Soul of the Nation welcomes Matthew Desmond, a sociologist at Princeton University whose research focuses on poverty in America. He is the author of four books, including “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City,” which won the Pulitzer Prize. Desmond’s new bestselling book is called “Poverty, By America.” In this episode, Desmond explains why the United States has more poverty than any other advanced democracy, calls the Republicans' plan to reduce federal spending by cutting poverty programs "sinful and shameful," and offers five ways we can all become "poverty abolitionists." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Soul of the Nation features a public conversation Jim Wallis had recently with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi about the role her Catholic faith plays in her public and personal life. The conversation was part of a new series called Higher Calling Jim just launched at the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown University. During this conversation, Nancy Pelosi opens up about the Catholic values she learned growing up in Baltimore, how she deals with relentless political attacks and the Bible verse that inspired her to move, as she says, “from the kitchen to the Congress; from housewife to house speaker.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Soul of the Nation, we continue our series on White Christian Nationalism by welcoming Jack Jenkins to the podcast. Jenkins is a national reporter for Religion News Service (RNS) covering U.S. Catholics and the intersection of religion and politics. Earlier this year, Jenkins ventured west to northern Idaho to explore the rise of White Christian Nationalists staking up a claim in the state and published a piece with RNS documenting his findings. In their conversation, Jenkins discusses his discoveries on how deeply entrenched the White Christian Nationalist movement has become in the local politics of northern Idaho, how he thinks these trends will affect other libertarian minded states, and how current residents are responding to the influx of this movement in their communities. You can read Jack's article from RNS here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Soul of the Nation, we continue our series on White Christian Nationalism by welcoming Rachel Kleinfeld to the podcast. Kleinfeld is a senior fellow in Carnegie’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program. Her work on troubled democracies facing problems such as polarized populations, violence, corruption, and poor governance bridges the United States and international cases. In their conversation, Rachel discusses the rising threats facing modern democracy in America and what can be done to subvert these attempts to overthrow democracy as we know it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Soul of the Nation, we continue our series on White Christian Nationalism by welcoming cultural sociologist Ruth Braunstein to the podcast. Braunstein is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Connecticut, where she is Director of Undergraduate Studies and Director of the Meanings of Democracy Lab, which studies the moral and cultural foundations of American democratic life. Braunstein reveals the types of people who are attracted to White Christian Nationalism, what the phrase "Judeo-Christian" really means, and offers insights on how to persuade people away from Christian nationalist views. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jemar Tisby, a historian and author of "How to Fight Racism: Young Readers Edition," as well as several other books, joins the podcast to talk about his personal history with white evangelicalism, how he came to feel unwelcome in the tradition and how to talk to your kids about racism. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.