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Note: This episode was recorded prior to Tricia McLaughlin announced she was leaving DHS: (read)

Minnesota-based YouTuber and former pastor Pat Kahnke returns to Faithful Politics to discuss federal immigration enforcement, media narratives, and the emotional toll on local communities. He describes how recent operations in the Twin Cities have affected families, churches, and public trust, and how conflicting information shapes national perception. The conversation explores how Christians interpret immigration through scripture, why many congregations are divided, and how political messaging influences public response. We also examine the midterm political implications, the role of media ecosystems, and how to engage friends and neighbors who see the situation differently. This episode focuses on how faith, civic responsibility, and real-time events intersect — and what constructive engagement looks like in a polarized moment.

Guest Bio:
Pat Kahnke is a Minnesota-based commentator, former pastor, and host of the  @culturefaithandpolitics podcast. His work focuses on the intersection of religion, civic life, and public policy, with particular attention to how faith communities respond to political conflict and social change.

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Filmmaker Matthew Pridgen, director of The Sins of Our Fathers: Race, Religion and the Rise of Trump, joins Faithful Politics to examine the roots and rise of Christian nationalism in America.

Drawing from his documentary, Pridgen traces connections between slavery, segregation, and modern religious politics, arguing that Christian language has repeatedly been used to justify systems of power. We discuss how Christian nationalism differs from traditional conservatism, how racial fear has shaped political strategy, and why white evangelical voting patterns remain central to today’s political landscape.

This episode explores the historical foundations of Christian nationalism, its theological distortions, and what it means for Christians navigating faith, race, and democracy in the United States.

Watch the film: https://sinsofourfathersfilm.com/

Guest Bio

Matthew Pridgen is a filmmaker and social commentator best known for his documentary The Sins of Our Fathers: Race, Religion and the Rise of Trump. His work examines the intersection of race, Christianity, and political power in American history.

Raised in South Carolina, Pridgen’s ministry work in historically Black communities reshaped his understanding of American history, theology, and public life. His documentary traces how religious rhetoric has been used to justify slavery, segregation, and modern political movements, while calling Christians back to what he describes as the “real Jesus” — one rooted in sacrificial love rather than cultural dominance.

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Christian nationalism is becoming a central force in American politics and public debate. In this episode, Congressman Jared Huffman joins Faithful Politics to discuss Christian nationalism in the United States, how it is defined, and how it is influencing government, policy, and political rhetoric in 2026. This conversation explores what people mean when they use the term Christian nationalism and why it has become a major topic in discussions about democracy, religious liberty, and the role of faith in public life.

Huffman explains how lawmakers and policy experts identify Christian nationalism in legislation and government action, and how it differs from personal religious belief or individual expressions of faith. The discussion looks at church-state separation, the First Amendment, and how Christian nationalism is showing up in debates over education, federal agencies, public funding, and political messaging. The episode also covers the Congressional Free Thought Caucus, the Religious Liberty Commission, the Anti-Christian Bias Task Force, and the ongoing relevance of the Johnson Amendment.

The conversation examines how Christian nationalism is framed by supporters and critics, why the term is contested, and how it connects to broader questions about pluralism, religious diversity, and democratic norms. Huffman outlines how members of Congress evaluate whether policies cross into religious favoritism and what tools exist to respond when concerns about church-state boundaries arise. The episode also addresses how political movements, media narratives, and demographic shifts are shaping the current conversation around Christian nationalism in America.

Learn more about the Freethought Caucus: https://freethoughtcaucus-huffman.house.gov

Guest bio
Jared Huffman represents California’s 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is co-chair of the Congressional Free Thought Caucus, a group focused on church-state separation, religious liberty, and the role of religion in public policy. Huffman has led congressional briefings and initiatives examining Christian nationalism, pluralism, and the influence of religion in American politics.

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Sociologist Ruth Braunstein joins Faithful Politics to examine how Americans use faith and moral language to interpret citizenship, protest, and public life. Drawing on her research into religious activism across the political spectrum, Braunstein explains why democracy in the United States is often framed as a “sacred project” and how two competing moral narratives — one rooted in prophetic critique and another in patriotic preservation — shape today’s political conflicts. The conversation explores Christian nationalism, motivated reasoning, and the internal dynamics of white evangelical communities, while also highlighting progressive faith activism that often goes unseen. Braunstein argues that pluralism is difficult but necessary, and that meaningful democratic engagement starts by moving from partisan abstractions to shared local concerns. This discussion provides a sociological framework for understanding how faith communities influence politics and how citizens can hold strong convictions while navigating deep disagreement. 

Learn more: https://www.ruthbraunstein.com

Democracy is Hard Substack: https://substack.com/@ruthbraunstein

Guest Bio
Ruth Braunstein is a sociologist who studies religion, politics, and democratic life in the United States. She is the author of Prophets and Patriots: Faith and Democracy Across the Political Divide and writes the Substack Democracy Is Hard. Her research examines how Americans across ideological lines use faith to interpret public responsibility, citizenship, and protest. She also hosts the documentary podcast When the Wolves Came, which explores internal debates within evangelical communities about extremism and political identity.

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In this episode of Faithful Politics, we sit down with James Michael Smith, founder of  @DiscipleDojo for a conversation about how Christians engage culture without losing clarity or charity. Smith draws on his background in theology and martial arts to frame public discourse as sparring — pushing ideas hard while still treating the other person as a training partner rather than an enemy.

The conversation moves across church culture, political polarization, and the habits that shape how we disagree. We discuss how identity gets tied to ideology, why online spaces intensify conflict, and what it looks like to challenge ideas without dehumanizing people. Smith also shares how his ministry works to form Christians who can think critically, hold convictions, and stay grounded in real-world relationships.

Throughout the episode, the focus stays on discipline — intellectual, spiritual, and relational. The goal isn’t to eliminate disagreement. It’s to handle it in a way that sharpens understanding instead of tearing people apart. 

Disciple Dojo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCMEea4p5qqTlpDrp3vl9G3A 

Guest Bio 
James Michael Smith is the founder of Disciple Dojo, a discipleship and Bible-training ministry that equips Christians to think clearly and engage culture with integrity. He holds an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. Smith also founded Refugee Jitsu, a free program that teaches self-defense and resilience to refugee and underserved youth. His work brings together theology, cultural analysis, and disciplined conversation in both digital and in-person spaces.

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This month’s live Point of View (POV) brings a close reading of several U.S. government social media posts that pair Bible verses and prayers with military messaging. We’re joined by author and journalist Brian Kaylor to examine how these passages are being used, what they mean in their original context, and whether that kind of messaging is appropriate for a pluralistic public institution.

We walk through four examples – Psalm 18, Psalm 23, Joshua 1:9, and the Lord’s Prayer – and ask two questions for each: Is this a faithful reading of the text? And what happens when scripture is used as institutional messaging by the government? The conversation explores how biblical language can shift from personal devotion to national branding, and what that does to public theology, civic identity, and the way people understand faith in a political environment.
We also discuss the role of military chaplains, the difference between individual religious expression and government-sponsored messaging, and recent developments around worship services hosted within federal institutions.

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Note: We discuss social media posts in this episode that are shown on the screen. To see the actual images watch the YouTube episode: https://youtu.be/316SCgIX9qQ 

The Department of Homeland Security has been posting Bible verses alongside immigration enforcement content. In this episode, Will and Pastor Josh are joined by President and editor-in-chief of Word&Way Brian Kaylor to examine what those posts mean and why they matter. The conversation focuses on how specific passages of Scripture are being applied, whether they are used in context, and what happens when government messaging adopts religious language to frame public policy.

Kaylor walks through several examples and explains how these verses function rhetorically. The group discusses interpretation, audience impact, and the broader implications for churches, public discourse, and civic life. The episode also explores how political messaging can shape the way people understand both faith and government authority, especially for newer believers or those encountering Scripture through social media rather than through a church context.

The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power
https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780827203501

Social Media Images Used:

• Matthew 5:9 — “Blessed are the peacemakers”: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1D8o2ar3ay/
• Isaiah 6:8 — “Send me”: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17v3tazVxv/
• Proverbs 28:1 — “The wicked flee…”: https://x.com/DHSgov/status/1949913619644493930?s=20
• Psalm 28:7 — “The Lord is my strength and my shield”: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPbyLZoEUJ4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• Isaiah 41:10 — “Fear thou not…”: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRXiDWuicRE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• Proverbs 23:24 — “Father of a righteous child…”: https://x.com/DHSgov/status/2000609130835292248?s=20

Guest Bio

Brian Kaylor is a Baptist minister, journalist, and commentator covering the intersection of faith, politics, and public life. He serves as President and editor-in-chief of Word&Way and writes extensively about church-state issues, Christian nationalism, and the public use of Scripture

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**Warning*** This episode contains discussion about sexual abuse

Investigative reporter Jessica Lussenhop joins Faithful Politics to discuss her ProPublica investigation into sexual abuse and institutional silence inside the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church. Alongside reporter Andy Mannix, she walks through how a single criminal case in Minnesota exposed a broader system of internal “forgiveness sessions,” unreported abuse, and failures of accountability. The conversation also explores how investigative journalists verify survivor accounts, the role of clergy privilege laws, and why transparency inside religious institutions matters. This episode examines the intersection of faith, authority, and justice—and what happens when communities prioritize internal resolution over public accountability. 

Learn more:

• Young Girls Were Sexually Abused by a Church Member. They Were Told to Forgive and Forget.: https://www.propublica.org/article/sexual-abuse-old-apostolic-lutheran-church-minnesota
• 5 Takeaways From Our Investigation Into How Leaders of a Minnesota Church Community Enabled a Child Abuser: https://www.propublica.org/article/minnesota-old-apostolic-lutheran-church-investigation-takeaways
• What a Recorded Interview Between Police and Preachers Reveals About How a Minnesota Church Handled Sexual Abuse: https://www.propublica.org/article/minnesota-old-apostolic-lutheran-church-sexual-abuse-police-recording

Guest Bios

Jessica Lussenhop
Jessica Lussenhop is an investigative reporter with ProPublica covering institutional failures, criminal justice, and accountability. She reports on how systems impact vulnerable communities and is the host of an upcoming ProPublica investigative podcast.

Andy Mannix
Andy Mannix is an investigative reporter with ProPublica and former Minnesota Star Tribune journalist. His work focuses on policing, public institutions, and accou

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Church conflict is no longer the exception—it’s the norm. In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram are joined by Andy Hale, congregational psychologist and author of Mending the Fracturing Church, to explore why churches are experiencing deeper polarization and what it takes to rebuild trust.

Hale explains how psychology, family systems theory, and theology intersect in congregational life, and why conflict itself is not the real threat—avoidance and fear are. The conversation digs into how political identity, generational divides, and moral certainty are reshaping church communities, often in ways leaders are unprepared to address.

Rather than offering quick fixes or ideological answers, Hale calls for patience, self-awareness, and practices that restore human connection—starting with understanding how fear, identity, and the need to be “right” shape the way we treat one another. It’s a grounded, hopeful conversation about what it looks like for the church to remain faithful in a polarized age.

Guest Bio 

Andy Hale is a congregational psychologist, minister, and organizational consultant who works with churches navigating conflict, polarization, and institutional change. With nearly three decades of experience in congregational and denominational leadership, his work integrates psychology, family systems theory, and theology to help faith communities rebuild trust and practice healthier forms of disagreement.

He is the author of Mending the Fracturing Church: How to Navigate Conflict and Build Trust for Thriving Communities and hosts two podcasts, including Clergy Confessions, which explores the hidden pressures pastors face today. Hale currently serves in denominational leadership with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

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In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram speak with Dan Carr, a pastor and Republican political organizer whose faith and politics are closely aligned with the MAGA movement.

The conversation explores how theological conviction becomes political identity and where those convictions collide with the realities of a pluralistic democracy. Carr shares his faith story, explains why he believes Christians should be deeply engaged in politics, and outlines how he evaluates public policy through a biblical worldview. 

From contrasting political perspectives, the discussion moves beyond party labels to examine deeper questions: Where is the line between moral conviction and coercion? How should people of faith relate to those who do not share their assumptions? And what happens when religious identity and political identity become inseparable?

Rather than seeking agreement, the episode offers clarity. It reveals how faith-driven conservatism understands power, policy, and culture—and what it looks like when those ideas are tested in direct conversation with a Democratic host.

Learn more: https://danqcarr.com/

Dan Carr is a pastor, author, and political organizer working at the intersection of faith and conservative politics. He serves as pastor of Community Baptist Church and is involved in Republican political strategy and civic engagement in Mississippi. Carr has worked in political organizing and public policy, including serving as a political director connected to the Mississippi Public Service Commission.

Raised in a ministry family, Carr’s work focuses on strengthening churches, families, and local communities while encouraging Christians to remain active in public life. He is the author of Chivalry Isn’t Dead and I Have Surrendered, where he explores themes of faith, identity, and cultural responsibility. Carr is a prominent voice in conservative Christian circles, advocating for policies shaped by a biblical worldview and engaging debates around religious freedom, social issues, and the role of government in American society. 

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