Faithful Presence Podcast

The church keeps making the same mistake: either we grab for political power or retreat from the world completely. Greg Forster explains why Augustine still matters for how Christians live, work, vote, invest, and witness today. The question isn’t whether Christians should care about culture. It’s whether we confuse the kingdom of God with the success of our side. That confusion can lead to bad theology, bad discipleship, and a weaker public witness.

Dr. Amy Black, Professor of Political Science at Wheaton and co-author Civil Religion and the Renewal of American Politics (Cambridge Press, 2026), joins Michael to discuss the definition of civil religion, and navigating religious pluralism in American democracy. Their conversation explores the challenge of shared values in politics and the role of religion in shaping political culture. It delves into the influence of religious traditions, party platforms, and the role of pastors in equipping people for politics. Additionally, it discusses the Bible's role in navigating the public square, emphasizing the eternal principles it offers for living in a representative democracy.

Video of this podcast is available on our website: www-faithful-presence.org

Takeaways

• The Role of Civil Religion in Unifying a Diverse Population Shared values in politics
• The role of religion in shaping political culture

Chapters

• 00:00 Transitioning to College
• 01:20 Challenges of Absent Parent
• 04:35 Media Reporting and Its Impact
• 08:42 Doctrine of Spirituality of the Church
• 15:36 Christians in Political Science
• 19:37 The APSA Congressional Fellowship Program
• 21:04 Working in Congress and Changing Perceptions
• 26:01 Wheaton College and Civil Religion
• 36:25 Defining Civil Religion and Shared Values
• 38:19 Navigating Religious Pluralism in American Democracy
• 51:16 The Challenge of Shared Values
• 52:05 Religious Traditions in American Politics
• 57:37 The Influence of Party Platforms
• 01:11:15 The Role of Pastors in Equipping People for Politics
• 01:14:25 The Bible's Role in Navigating the Public Square

In June 2026, Rev. Michael Langer hosted a workshop during the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Denver Colorado. Through a combination of Q&A, presentation, and discussion, Michael discussed the difficulties facing pastors due to demographic sorting, media bias, social media algorithms, brain chemistry, and truncated discipleship.

Numerous works are sited and more information is available at faithful-presence.org

"B-O-O-G-A-L-O-O" (2010) by the Diplomats of Solid Sound is used by license. Scheduling by Josie Risinger Post-production by Andrew Brinkmann (c) 2025, Faithful Presence, all rights reserved

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"B-O-O-G-A-L-O-O" (2010) by the Diplomats of Solid Sound is used by license. Scheduling by Josie Risinger, Post-production by Andrew Brinkmann (c) 2025, Faithful Presence, all rights reserved

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"B-O-O-G-A-L-O-O" (2010) by the Diplomats of Solid Sound is used by license. Scheduling by Josie Risinger, Post-production by Andrew Brinkmann (c) 2025, Faithful Presence, all rights reserved

"B-O-O-G-A-L-O-O" (2010) by the Diplomats of Solid Sound is used by license. Scheduling by Josie Risinger Post-production by Andrew Brinkmann (c) 2025, Faithful Presence, all rights reserved

Works Cited

“100 Ways John Paul II Changed the World”Laborem Exercens” (1981)“Centesimus Annus,” (1991) “Evangelium Vitae” (1995)

"B-O-O-G-A-L-O-O" (2010) by the Diplomats of Solid Sound is used by license. Scheduling by Josie RisingerPost-production by Andrew Brinkmann (c) 2025, Faithful Presence, all rights reserved

Dr. Dean Weaver (D.Min.Th.M.), Stated Clerk of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, joins Michael to talk about ideological and cultural trends that are driving a period of migration from both sides of the theological perspective. Just as is happening in many denominations, the EPC has recently been receiving churches and individuals from both sides of their theological position, the PCUSA and the PCA, which has, in turn, forced conversations about what binds a denomination together. Along the way, they discuss theology, Larry Norman, the difference between theological differences and orthodoxy, the role of the public square in church preference, and their mutual love of whole-life discipleship.

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"B-O-O-G-A-L-O-O" (2010) by the Diplomats of Solid Sound is used by license. Scheduling by Josie Risinger, Post-production by Andrew Brinkmann (c) 2025, Faithful Presence, all rights reserved

In this episode, Jamie Dangers, Director of Federal Affairs at Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, joins Michael for an illuminating and important conversation on the complex and critical issue of advocacy for the unborn. Jamie shares insights on the evolution of the pro-life initiative and how the Dobbs decision has refocused their efforts. Along the way, they discuss the place of a pro-life view in the history of the Christian church, and share how each of them came to understand the importance of this issue as well as the necessity of a pastoral, rather than militant, approach.

*** This is a discussion about a divisive and deeply personal issue that always involves real people in real situations. It is also one that can expose past and lingering wounds. Please listen with a soft heart and reach out to your local pastor or us at Faithful Presence if you have pastoral questions. ***

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"B-O-O-G-A-L-O-O" (2010) by the Diplomats of Solid Sound is used by license. Scheduling by Josie Risinger, Post-production by Andrew Brinkmann (c) 2025, Faithful Presence, all rights reserved