Today is our day to shine, and where better to shine than the world of politics? John is joined in today’s video by Michael Wear. He’s the CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life and author of The Spirit of Our Politics. In this conversation, Michael reminds us that politics isn’t just a stage where others act and we observe; in a democracy, we are participants. When people of faith treat politics like a place where ‘shining’ doesn’t apply, Michael suggests, we leave behind an opening for darkness that quickly fills the space. The thing about hate and contempt is that the moment we think we’re using them, they’re using us.

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Music in this episode: Starry Dream - Uptempo by A. Blomqvist MB01OKHAB5EAUXF

00:00 — Why our world and politics need shining today
01:00 — Michael Wear: The Spirit of Our Politics explained
02:00 — Why our politics is sick with dark passions
03:46 — Why we are not just spectators but participants
05:08 — Why politics needs light, not darkness
06:06 — Do everything without grumbling — even in politics
07:14 — What Paul meant by “our citizenship is in heaven”
08:40 — How Roman citizenship helps explain Paul’s words
09:57 — Why salvation does not come from Caesar or politics
10:56 — Isaiah’s vision: swords into plowshares
13:25 — Taking off the old self with its practices
15:14 — Why hatred is not a viable source of belonging
17:09 — How anger and contempt end up using us
18:09 — Why we must confront the spirit of violence in us
19:20 — How to hold on to hope in political life
21:36 — Dallas Willard’s phrase: “Don’t give them hell, give them heaven”