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In this off-the-cuff episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian take a break from theology to talk about the strange, collapsing circus of American politics. From Tucker Carlson’s platforming of white nationalists to the generational weirdness fueling Gen-Z extremism, they walk through the coalitions, catastrophes, and casual bigotry shaping the moment we’re all stuck in. 

This is not a formal analysis — it’s two friends thinking out loud about the unraveling of the American Right and why the “big tent” that Trump held together with spite and entertainment value was always destined to fall apart. 

Together, they get into: 

• Tucker Carlson, Nick Fuentes, and the GOP’s increasingly porous boundaries
• Why Gen-Z racism and antisemitism are both baffling and deeply predictable
• The internal contradictions of a coalition united only by its enemies
• Why no future Republican can replicate Trump’s insult-comic superpower
• Whether Democrats’ greatest strength is simply not being in charge
• How economics, identity, and media chaos warp political loyalty
• And whether any of this gives us reason for hope

Funny, bleak, curious, and surprisingly thoughtful — this is a politics episode for anyone trying to make sense of a political moment that feels genuinely unhinged.
 Check out this article from Rod Dreher's substack for useful background. 

Note: (we DO NOT endorse Dreher's opinions or support for various politicians, in the US or outside) 

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 In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian sit down with author and scholar Karen Swallow Prior to trace the story of American evangelicalism—from its idealistic roots to its current identity crisis. Drawing on her own journey through fundamentalism, academia, and activism, Karen reflects on how the movement that once shaped her faith has fractured under the weight of politics, celebrity, and cultural power. 

Together, they explore: 

• Karen’s early life in New England and her path into evangelicalism.
• The legacy of missions, activism, and moral reform in the evangelical imagination.
• How movements like the Moral Majority and the “evangelical industrial complex” reshaped the church.
• What the Trump era revealed about faith, power, and the limits of charity.
• Why literature, beauty, and truth still matter for spiritual renewal.
• How believers might reclaim calling and culture without losing the gospel in the process.

This conversation is part memoir, part cultural history, and part theological reflection—an honest look at what evangelicals built, what broke, and what might come next.

Here are some LINKS to Karen's Substack, and her books on Amazon.
 

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In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian explore what it really takes to build peace after violence. Drawing from Brian’s recent study trip to Northern Ireland and Scotland, they revisit the story of The Troubles—a decades-long conflict marked by division, loss, and fragile hope—and ask what the church can learn from those who chose reconciliation over revenge. 

Together, they discuss: 

• The hidden costs of peace and why reconciliation always begins at the ground level.
• How storytelling and listening can dismantle generations of hatred.
• The emotional and spiritual weight of forgiveness after violence.
• Why violence is easy—and peace demands faith, patience, and sacrifice.
• What it means to be a prophetic community in a world that profits from division.

Through stories of loss, courage, and the slow work of rebuilding trust, this conversation reminds us that peace is not a moment—it’s a discipline, and often, a cross to carry.
 

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In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian begin a new series exploring one of the most debated and fascinating corners of Christian faith — the charismatic gifts. From speaking in tongues to miraculous healings, from holy laughter to dreams and visions, they trace how Christians have wrestled with the Holy Spirit’s power through history and in their own lives.

Together, they explore:

• What Scripture means by “spiritual gifts” and how different traditions understand them.
• The tension between skepticism, superstition, and sincere faith.
• Their own experiences of the miraculous — and what makes them cautious believers.
• Why ecstatic experiences can both deepen and distort our spiritual lives.
• How to pursue the presence of God without confusing emotion for encounter.

Whether you come from a Pentecostal background or have only watched these moments on YouTube, this episode invites you to consider how the Spirit still moves — sometimes mysteriously, sometimes controversially, always unpredictably.

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In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James, Brian, and James’s father take on one of the most complicated forms of love — the love of country. Patriotism can inspire courage, service, and unity — but it can also slide into pride, denial, or even idolatry. So what does it mean to love a nation honestly? 

Together, they explore: 

• Whether patriotism is a virtue or a temptation in Christian life.
• How love of country can both strengthen and distort our moral vision.
• The difference between devotion to ideals and allegiance to power.
• What it means to tell the truth about a nation you still hope for.
• How faith redefines belonging — not by the flag we wave, but the kingdom we serve.

At a time when nationalism and cynicism compete for our hearts, this conversation invites listeners to consider a third way: a patriotism rooted not in triumph, but in truth.
 

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 In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian explore how the digital revolution has reshaped church life—from livestream services during the pandemic to the ongoing debate about what counts as real worship. Is online church an extension of embodied faith, or does it diminish the communal and physical nature of Christian life? 

Together, they discuss: 

• The history of televised and streamed services before and after COVID-19.
• The creativity and strain of leading worship online during the pandemic.
• Communion in a digital space—what was gained and what was lost.
• Why some churches embraced livestreaming while others shut it down.
• Theological reflections on embodiment, discipleship, and formation in a digital age.
• The enduring tension between accessibility and the need for in-person community.

This conversation wrestles with the costs and opportunities of digital church, asking what it means to pursue embodied faith when screens are always just a click away.
 

You can find the link to the Tish Warren article we referenced in the notes here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/30/opinion/church-online-services-covid.html

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 In this episode of Faithful Dissent, we explore how the assassination of Charlie Kirk became more than a news story — it became a mirror. Everyone sees it differently: as evidence of cultural decay, political hatred, or spiritual warfare. But what does that say about us? And what does it mean to seek truth when our own desires shape the stories we tell? 

Together, we discuss: 

• How perception is shaped by ideology, fear, and tribal loyalty.
• Why violent events expose not just divisions, but the lenses through which we interpret the world.
• The spiritual and cultural costs of turning everything into confirmation of our side.
• Biblical wisdom for cultivating sight that goes beyond the mirror of self-interest

 https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/the-bluesky-ization-of-the-american

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In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian are joined by author and speaker Justin Lee to unpack the complex legacy of Dr. James Dobson. For decades, Dobson’s Focus on the Family shaped evangelical households with resources on parenting, sexuality, and faith. His warm voice and practical advice influenced millions — but so did his forays into the culture wars, funding of ex-gay ministries, and eventual role as a political powerbroker.

Together, we discuss:

• How Dobson’s early work as a family psychologist offered empathy and practical guidance.
• The tension between his compassion on some issues and his harsh rhetoric on LGBTQ people.
• The rise of Focus on the Family as both a trusted resource and a political machine.
• The ways Dobson helped merge evangelical identity with Republican politics in the 1990s and 2000s.
• What his support for figures like Trump means for his legacy today.

Dobson remains a figure both beloved and criticized — a reminder of how charisma, media reach, and the lure of power can shape faith communities for generations.

We have some links for this episode.  First we mentioned a Youtube link where you can see Dr. Dobson from the 80s.  This is a great video for understanding how he came to prominence in Christian Evangelicalism

Second, Justin has written some books: you can find them here at this website:

https://geekyjustin.com/books/

And the books Justin Lee recommeds are 

The Chaos Machine

and 

Christlike Acceptance across Deep Difference

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In this episode of Faithful Dissent, we explore what it means to live in a world where truth often takes a back seat to ideology, certainty, and spectacle. From social media echo chambers to cultural figures who speak with authority regardless of accuracy, our public discourse increasingly rewards performance over honesty. But what happens to our communities, churches, and relationships when truth is treated as optional?

Together, we discuss:

• How ideological labels and attacks shut down meaningful conversation.
• The rise of media voices who profit from distortion and certainty.
• Why the erosion of truth in public life spills over into families, friendships, and churches.
• Biblical models of discernment, like Acts 15, that embrace tension, humility, and communal wisdom.
• Practical ways Christians can resist outrage culture and embody honesty, mercy, and patience.

In an age where deception spreads faster than ever, this conversation invites listeners to rediscover what it means to live faithfully, humbly, and truthfully—even in a post-truth world.

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In this episode of Faithful Dissent, we sit down with Tommy Givens to explore the lasting influence of John MacArthur—one of the most prominent evangelical voices of the past half-century. Known for his uncompromising teaching and strong positions on scripture, authority, and culture, MacArthur has shaped generations of pastors, churches, and theological debates. But what has his legacy meant for the broader church?

Together, we discuss:

• How MacArthur’s ministry defined certain streams of evangelical identity.
• The theological convictions that made him both a respected leader and a divisive figure.
• The cultural and political stances that amplified his reach beyond the pulpit.
• What the church can learn from both the strengths and the limits of his influence.

Whether you view MacArthur as a stalwart defender of truth or a polarizing figure, his impact is undeniable. This conversation with Tommy Givens invites listeners to reflect critically on how leaders shape the church we inherit—and the one we hope to build.