The conversation explores the theme of war, religion, and divine justification, drawing parallels between historical events and current rhetoric. It delves into the misuse of scripture to justify war and the moral implications of nations going to war.

Takeaways

• Divine justification for war is a recurring theme in history and current rhetoric.
• The misuse of scripture to justify war raises moral and ethical concerns.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Command to Love
• 05:46 The Kingdom of Jerusalem and Divine Auspices
• 10:47 The Role of Religion in War
• 23:34 Just War Theory and Moral Options

Substack: When God Goes to War https://open.substack.com/pub/faithfulwitnessterrancecarroll/p/when-god-goes-to-war?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer

The conversation explores the power of fear as a motivator and its impact on public policy. It delves into the influence of fear on legislation targeting transgender individuals and the intersection of religious freedom and democracy.

Takeaways

• Fear as a motivator
• Impact of fear on public policy

Chapters

• 00:00 The Power of Fear
• 07:42 Legislation and Fear
• 20:12 Religious Freedom and Democracy

Substack: Why Religious Freedom Must Protect Our Transgender Neighbors https://open.substack.com/pub/faithfulwitnessterrancecarroll/p/the-democratic-covenant-why-your?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer

In this episode of Faithful Witness, I sit down with Scott Wasserman, a longtime friend and political insider, to explore the nuanced realities of Zionism, Israel’s evolving identity, and its impact on Black-Jewish relationships.

We dive deep into historical context, ideological divides, and the urgent need for honest dialogue in our communities. This conversation offers clarity on some of the most contentious issues of our time, challenging us to think critically about faith, politics, and shared humanity.

Key topics:

The evolution and diversity within Zionist thought, from support to disillusionment.

The influence of Christian Zionism and religious alliances shaping Israeli policy.

The impact of Israeli military actions and the ethics of just war.

The history and current struggles of Jewish and Palestinian communities.

The state of Black-Jewish solidarity, trauma, and the importance of honest dialogue.

The role of trauma history in shaping political and cultural perspectives.

How ideological alliances threaten democracy and liberal values?

The importance of loving, truthful engagement in divisive issues
Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction: The importance of honest dialogue on Israel and Jewish identity
02:04 - Scott Wasserman’s background in Colorado politics and faith
03:24 - The spectrum of Zionist support, from labor Zionism to disillusionment
05:03 - The origins of Zionism in history and its connection to Jewish identity
08:27 - The impact of nationalism and the modern land of Israel movement
10:20 - The different branches of Zionism and their visions for Israel
12:54 - Scott’s evolving perspective: from support to disappointment
14:45 - Debate over peace, war, and the future of a two-state solution
16:20 - The influence of Christian Zionism and its dangerous alliances
22:35 - Religious extremism and the threat of apocalyptic visions in Israel
25:12 - The rise of religious and ideological maximalism and its threats to peace
27:23 - The challenges of secular liberalism versus religious nationalism
30:58 - The significance of 1967's territorial changes and settler movement
33:41 - Israeli military policies, borders, and the pursuit of expansion
35:26 - The concept of just war and its moral limits
39:47 - The importance of proportionality and conduct in warfare
44:50 - Black community perspectives on Gaza, Palestine, and shared trauma
47:09 - The bond and fractures in Black-Jewish relations in America
52:20 - The complexities of indigeneity, ethnicity, and community identity in the conflict
55:53 - The importance of listening and dialogue across community lines
58:36 - Trauma, legacy, and the cyclical nature of conflict in Israel and Palestine
62:24 - The importance of shared stories, historical context, and healing
66:38 - Reflection on leadership, peace process ruptures, and the future
70:00 - The role of honest discourse, love, justice, and truth in healing
72:06 - Closing thoughts: Love, justice, and truth as guiding principles

Resources & Links:

In the Land of Israel: https://a.co/d/08BwAZyU
Crux Publica Podcast:  @CruxPolitica ​

Why did I start Faithful Witness with Terrance Carroll?

This podcast was born out of history—my own family history and the long struggle for democratic participation carried by generations before us. My ancestors lived in a country where their voices were often suppressed, yet they believed deeply in the promise of democracy. Their witness—and the witness of the Black church—shapes the moral vision behind this podcast.

Faithful Witness explores the intersection of faith, democracy, and public life. Through the lens of public theology, I ask the moral questions that citizens—and especially people of faith—must confront in our time.

In a noisy political culture filled with slogans and outrage, this podcast creates space for thoughtful reflection about:

• Faith and democratic responsibility
• The moral foundations of citizenship
• The prophetic tradition of the Black church
• Christian engagement with politics and public life

Democracy is not just a system of government—it is a moral experiment that requires courage, participation, and accountability.

This podcast is an invitation to reflect on what it means to live as a faithful witness in a democratic society—honoring those who struggled before us while working toward a future that truly includes everyone.

Subscribe and join the conversation.

The conversation explores the importance of voting as a sacred and protected right, the work of Courageous Colorado in strengthening democracy, the impact of the SAVE Act and MEGA Act on voting rights, and the motivation behind these pieces of legislation. It also delves into the demographic shifts in the country and the anxiety around the evolving political landscape. The conversation delves into the potential impact of new voting legislation on voter registration and accessibility, highlighting concerns about documentation requirements and their disproportionate effect on certain populations. It also explores the moral and ethical dimensions of democracy, emphasizing the importance of inclusive participation and trust in the electoral process.

Takeaways

• Voting is a sacred and protected right
• The SAVE Act and MEGA Act have implications for voting rights and reflect a fear-based motivation
• Demographic shifts in the country are causing anxiety and influencing political actions Voter registration legislation may disproportionately affect certain populations
• Democracy should reflect equal dignity and be accessible to all

Chapters

• 00:00 Motivation Behind the Legislation and Demographic Shifts
• 22:19 Impact of New Voting Legislation
• 31:15 The Moral and Ethical Dimensions of Democracy

Are recent U.S. military actions against Iran morally justified? In this episode of Faithful Witness, Terrance Carroll examines the crisis through the lens of Christian just war theory.

What does it actually mean to call a war “just”? Is war ever morally permissible? And how should Christians respond when the state authorizes violence in our name?

Terrance explores:
• The biblical and theological roots of just war theory
• Why war must be a last resort
• The importance of legitimate authority and right intention
• Protecting non-combatants
• Why post-war justice matters
• The tension between pacifism and militarism

This is not a checklist exercise. It’s a call to deep moral reflection and faithful public witness in a time of global instability.

Subscribe for theological engagement at the intersection of faith and democracy.

In this episode of Faithful Witness with Terrance Carroll, Terrance responds to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s criticism of the Boy Scouts—now Scouting America—and explores what’s really at stake.

What does the Eagle Scout Award represent? Is diversity a betrayal of tradition—or a fulfillment of it?

Drawing from his own experience and the moral vision behind Scouting, Terrance explains why inclusion strengthens institutions rather than weakens them. He challenges narrow worldviews that seek to define patriotism, faith, and citizenship in exclusionary terms, and makes the case that Scouting’s evolution reflects America at its best.

🔎 Topics include:

• The meaning and discipline behind the Eagle Scout Award
• The transition from Boy Scouts to Scouting America
• Diversity and inclusion in civic institutions
• Rejecting narrow nationalism and exclusionary ideology
• Faith, democracy, and moral leadership

At a time when public leaders question inclusive institutions, this conversation asks: Who gets to define American character?

👉 Subscribe to Faithful Witness with Terrance Carroll for weekly conversations at the intersection of faith, democracy, and public life.

In this powerful episode of Faithful Witness, former Colorado House Speaker Terrance Carroll dives deep into the complex intersection of faith and politics, warning of the rising threat of Christian nationalism to American democracy.

🔍 Carroll explores the historical roots of the separation of church and state, drawing from the Baptist tradition and key figures like Roger Williams and the Founding Fathers. He emphasizes that religious freedom is a foundational value — one that protects all faiths and preserves the integrity of both church and government.

📌 Key Topics:

• What is Christian nationalism?
• Why religious freedom matters now more than ever
• The Baptist legacy in defending church-state separation
• How faith should remain personal, not political
• The impact of Christian nationalism on democracy

👁️‍🗨️ Watch now to understand why protecting religious liberty for everyone is essential — and what’s at stake if we don’t.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on faith, justice, and public life.

This episode confronts the crisis of children in ICE detention centers and the moral questions surrounding U.S. immigration policy. We examine conditions inside ICE facilities, the violation of children’s rights, and the responsibility of Christians to protect the vulnerable. What does justice demand when children are held in government custody? This conversation challenges silence, calls for compassion, and explores the urgent need for accountability and reform.

Because a nation will ultimately be judged by how it treats its children — and faith without courage is complicity.

Was Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show “inappropriate”? Or was it prophetic?

In this episode of Faithful Witness with Terrance Carroll, we examine the social media backlash to Bad Bunny’s halftime performance and the claim that “the moment called for something else.” But who gets to decide what’s appropriate in moments of public resistance? And why are performances by Black, Brown, and Indigenous artists so often subjected to moral policing?

We explore how whiteness often operates as an unspoken moral authority in American culture — determining when protest is acceptable, when discomfort is justified, and when marginalized voices should code-switch to make others comfortable. While some critics argue Bad Bunny’s show was too political, we ask a deeper question: Was it disruptive — or was it simply honest?

From cultural erasure to democratic ideals, this conversation connects Bad Bunny’s closing message — “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” and “Together we are America” — to the moral project of American democracy.

This is a conversation about race, privilege, public witness, code-switching, and the politics of respectability in Trump’s America.

👉 Subscribe for thoughtful, faith-rooted commentary on democracy, race, and public theology.