In this final episode of the special eight-episode series called ‘Politics discerned differently,’ Dr. Mark Turman and Curtis Chang discuss the intersection of faith and politics, particularly in the context of the upcoming election. They explore the implications of political violence, the role of the church in political discourse, and the importance of character in political candidates. 

The conversation also delves into the unique American experiment of majority rule and minority rights, the relationship between Christianity and democracy, and the need for Christians to engage meaningfully in the political process, especially as they may find themselves in a minority position. 

Curtis emphasizes the importance of renouncing political violence and fostering a culture of life, while also addressing the limitations of relying solely on law to shape moral values. The episode concludes with advice for future political leaders on how to govern inclusively and with integrity.

• (03:13): Navigating the Political Landscape
• (05:55): The Threat of Political Violence
• (08:52): The Role of the Church in Politics
• (11:57): Character vs. Policy in Politics
• (14:51): The American Experiment: Majority Rule and Minority Rights
• (18:11): The Relationship Between Christianity and Democracy
• (24:03): The Importance of Engaging as a Minority
• (30:01): Expectations of Politics and the Role of Faith
• (35:46): The Limitations of Law as a Discipler
• (41:11): Election Fairness and Integrity
• (45:50): Advice for the Next President

Episode Transcript (PDF)

• Peace in Politics: How to reduce anxiety during the 2022 midterms: A conversation with Josh Miller
• Can you trust American institutions? A conversation with Curtis Chang
• An invitation to “The After Party”: Reframing Christian engagement in politics with David French and Curtis Chang
• Should Christians pursue power? A conversation with David French
• Losing Our Religion: A conversation with Russell Moore
• When politics get extreme, what should Christians do? A conversation with Tim Alberta
• Navigating extremism: A conversation with Elizabeth Neumann
• How does the Bible apply to today’s politics? With Kaitlyn Schiess

• Election 2024: Discern politics differently
• Peace in Politics ebook by Josh Miller 
• How fair are the US elections?
• Respectfully, I Disagree by Dr. Jim Denison 
• What to do when church members question elections
• How can Christians respond redemptively to election turmoil?
• The lost art of civility • Denison Forum
• How should Christians vote?
• Are Christians required to vote?
• What does the Bible say about politics? • Denison Forum

• AllSides
• Ground News
• The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics
• My Faith Votes
• Redeeming Babel
• The Good Faith podcast
• Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture Has Been Used and Abused in American Politics and Where We Go from Here
• Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America: Moore, Russell

Curtis Chang bridges the worlds of secular institutions and theology. In the former world, he is the founder and CEO of Consulting Within Reach (CWR), a firm serving nonprofits and government agencies. His consulting work has won an award in social innovation from the Obama White House, and he teaches strategic planning as a faculty member of American University’s School of International Service.

In the Christian world, he is a consulting professor at Duke Divinity School and a Senior Fellow at Fuller Theological Seminary. Curtis is also a former senior pastor of an Evangelical Covenant Church in San Jose, California. He is the author of The After Party: Towards Better Christian Politics (with Nancy French), The Anxiety Opportunity: How Worry Is the Doorway to Your Best Self, and Engaging Unbelief: A Captivating Strategy from Augustine and Aquinas.

Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

In this seventh episode of the special eight-episode series called ‘Politics discerned differently,’ Dr. Mark Turman discusses the sanctity of life and the issue of abortion with Dr. Katie Fruge and Dr. Ryan Denison. The conversation explores the cultural and political landscape surrounding abortion and the challenges faced by the pro-life movement. They emphasize the importance of approaching the conversation with a biblical perspective and a recognition of the innate dignity and worth of every human being. They also discuss the need for a holistic pro-life approach that not only focuses on the pre-born but also supports families and creates a culture of life. 

The conversation explores the complex and nuanced topic of the sanctity of life, particularly in relation to abortion and IVF. The speakers discuss the different perspectives on when life begins and the sacredness of every stage of life. They emphasize the importance of understanding and respecting differing viewpoints, as well as the need for better conversations around the topic. 

They also address the role of politics and political parties in addressing the sanctity of life, highlighting the need for a holistic approach and the dangers of oversimplification. The speakers conclude by urging churches to take a comprehensive approach to promoting a culture of life and addressing the various causes of abortion.

• (03:11): Approaching the Sanctity of Life with a Biblical Perspective
• (05:04): A Holistic Pro-Life Approach: Supporting Families and Creating a Culture of Life
• (09:31): Challenges Faced by the Pro-Life Movement in the Cultural and Political Landscape
• (25:14): Theological Perspectives on Personhood and When Life Begins
• (30:52): Understanding the Complexities of the Sanctity of Life
• (37:01): Exploring the Role of Politics and Political Parties
• (45:15): The Impact of IVF on the Sanctity of Life
• (48:59): The Reality of Chemical Abortions
• (55:23): The Role of Churches in Promoting the Sanctity of Life

Episode Transcript (PDF)

• Faith in the public square: A conversation with David French
• Why we must choose life
• Who determines the value of life?
• When politics get extreme, what should Christians do? A conversation with Tim Alberta

• Respectfully, I Disagree by Dr. Jim Denison - Audiobook - Audible.com
• The sanctity of life from conception to natural death
• What does the Bible say about abortion? • Denison Forum
• Alabama Supreme Court rules that frozen embryos are “unborn children”: When does life begin? What does this decision mean for abortion and the sanctity of life?
• How can so many Americans be so wrong on abortion?
• What does it truly mean to be pro-life today?
• The Coming Tsunami
• Election 2024: Discern politics differently
• How Does God See America? 
• How should Christians vote?
• Did the Republican party abandon the pro-life movement?
• Trump campaign states he would veto a national abortion ban
• When does life begin? Frozen embryos, IVF, and the sanctity of life
• How can God redeem America’s declining birth rates?

• My Faith Votes
• Divided We Fall: America’s Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation
• Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America: Moore, Russell
• The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics – Redeeming Babel
• Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, Not the Donkey or the Elephant
• Speak the Truth: How to Bring God Back into Every Conversation
• Joyful Outsiders: Six Ways to Live Like Jesus in a Disorienting Culture
• Truth Over Tribe
• Your Party Will Not Win This Election – Christianity Today
• Kingdom of Rage by Elizabeth Neumann
• The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism

Katie Frugé, Ph.D., earned her Master of Divinity degree and Ph.D. in systematic theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Katie Frugé has been named director of Texas Baptists’ Center for Cultural Engagement and the Christian Life Commission. Frugé began her service with the Baptist General Convention of Texas in 2019 as the hunger and human care specialist with the CLC. She later took on the role of associate director of the CLC.

Ryan Denison, PhD, is the Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum. Ryan writes The Daily Article every Friday and contributes writing and research to many of the ministry’s productions. He holds a PhD in church history from BH Carroll Theological Institute after having earned his MDiv at Truett Seminary. He’s authored The Path to Purpose, What Are My Spiritual Gifts?, How to Bless God by Blessing Others, 7 Deadly Sins, and has contributed writing or research to every Denison Forum book.

Mark Turman, DMin is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

In this sixth episode of the special eight-episode series called ‘Politics discerned differently,’ Dr. Mark Turman discusses the importance of being salt and light for Christ in uncivil times and navigating the political season. He is joined by Carmen LaBerge and Patrick Miller, who share their insights on echo chambers, media consumption, and the role of Christians as cultural missionaries. They emphasize the need to engage in diverse conversations, listen to different perspectives, and represent Christ in every interaction. They also challenge the idea of winning in the culture and highlight the importance of suffering and serving as missionaries in a broken world. 

In this conversation, Patrick and Carmen discuss the tension and frustration that some Christians in America feel about their role in society. They explore the idea of Christians as outsiders and the historical context of America as a new Jerusalem. They emphasize the need for a complex understanding of American history and the importance of recognizing that Christians have been outsiders at various points in history. 

They also discuss the concepts of majority rule and minority rights, and how Christians should navigate being in the majority or minority position. The conversation then shifts to the topic of extremism and the vulnerability of Christians to becoming radicalized. They encourage Christians to be curious, open-minded, and willing to admit when they don't know or have changed their minds. They also remind Christians to focus on the kingdom of God and to engage in local communities to make a real difference.

• (04:20): Understanding Echo Chambers
• (07:05): Breaking Out of Echo Chambers
• (11:28): Engaging with Different Viewpoints
• (14:38): Navigating Media Bias
• (21:44): Being Cultural Missionaries
• (25:11): Redefining Winning in the Culture
• (27:06): Embracing Suffering and Serving
• (31:22): The tension between insiders and outsiders in America
• (34:51): Navigating majority rule and minority rights as Christians
• (45:25): The temptation of extremism and the importance of truth
• (53:22): Admitting uncertainty and embracing growth
• (59:00): Focusing on local communities and the kingdom of God

Episode Transcript (PDF)

Related Denison Forum podcasts: 

• An invitation to “The After Party”: Reframing Christian engagement in politics with David French and Curtis Chang
• Should Christians pursue power? A conversation with David French
• Why must Christians be civil in uncivil times?
• Losing Our Religion: A conversation with Russell Moore
• Truth over tribe: A conversation with Patrick Miller

Related Denison Forum articles and resources: 

• Respectfully, I Disagree by Dr. Jim Denison - Audiobook
• Do you need a social media fast? Experts share healthy media diet tips
• Election 2024: Discern politics differently
• How should Christians vote?
• The Coming Tsunami
• The lost art of civility • Denison Forum
• How can Christians respond redemptively to election turmoil?

Other trusted resources: 

• Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation
• Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America: Moore, Russell
• The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics - Redeeming Babel
• Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, Not the Donkey or the Elephant
• Speak the Truth: How to Bring God Back into Every Conversation
• Joyful Outsiders: Six Ways to Live Like Jesus in a Disorienting Culture
• Truth Over Tribe
• Carmen LaBerge’s Website
• Mornings with Carmen LaBerge
• Your Party Will Not Win This Election - Christianity Today
• Kingdom of Rage by Elizabeth Neumann
• The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism

Carmen LaBerge is a Christian author, speaker and radio host equipping Christians to get off the sidelines and into the cultural conversations of the day. Her weekday show is Mornings with Carmen on the Faith Radio Network and Carmen engages with audiences via CarmenLaBerge.com. With clever candor, Carmen is a distinctively Christian voice in today's cultural conversations and she has influence with a wide variety of audiences. As both a theologian and everyday communicator, Carmen takes large complex subjects and helps readers and listeners develop the mind of Christ on the matters of the day. She addresses everything from foreign affairs to affairs of the heart, politics to parenting, reconnecting the eternal with the everyday. She holds a B.S. in Business from the University of Florida and an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. She resides on a farm west of Nashville with her husband, Jim, where they raise kids, cows, and chickens and cultivate fruit trees, laughter and a very good life.

Patrick Miller is a pastor and cultural commentator who writes about politics, culture, and technology, contributing articles to Christianity Today, Newsweek, The Gospel Coalition, and other publications. His podcast, Truth Over Tribe, is one of Apple's top news commentary podcasts, featuring interviews with leading Christian thinkers, writers, and scholars. He's the co-author of Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, Not the Donkey or the Elephant and Joyful Outsiders: Six Ways to Live Like Jesus in a Disorienting Culture. Patrick received a Master of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary and pastors a politically diverse church, The Crossing. He and his wife, Emily, have two children.

Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

In this fifth episode of the special eight-episode series called ‘Politics discerned differently,’ Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Micah Tomasella to discuss the complex relationship between faith and politics, particularly in the context of families, churches, and society at large. They explore how political issues have become increasingly divisive within families and church communities, especially over the past decade. 

The conversation touches on historical and cultural factors that have contributed to the rise of Christian nationalism and the blending of faith with politics. They emphasize the importance of keeping politics in its proper place, not allowing it to overshadow one's faith or become an idol. 

The discussion also covers the role of the church in guiding believers through political engagement, encouraging them to prioritize their faith and witness for Christ over political affiliations.

• (02:57): Personal Experiences with Politics
• (07:52): The Rise of Identity Politics
• (12:24): Historical and Cultural Factors
• (20:11): The Impact of Social Media
• (25:09): Patriotism vs. Nationalism
• (30:25): Historical Parallels: Founding Fathers and Modern Politics
• (32:46): The Nature of American Politics: Tension and Unity
• (36:20): Faith and Politics: Finding Balance
• (40:03): Political Idolatry: A Call for Reflection
• (50:28): The Role of the Church in Political Discourse
• (55:00): Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Episode Transcript (PDF)

• American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church: A conversation with Andrew L. Whitehead
• The Coming Tsunami a year later: Dr. Jim Denison on politics as religion, AI ethics, and peaceful cultural engagement
• When politics get extreme, what should Christians do? A conversation with Tim Alberta
• Why must Christians be civil in uncivil times?
• What does it mean to be a Christian patriot?
• How to be a good citizen of heaven and America: A conversation with Jim Denison
• Navigating extremism: A conversation with Elizabeth Neumann

• Respectfully, I Disagree by Dr. Jim Denison - Audiobook - Audible.com
• Election 2024: Discern politics differently
• The Coming Tsunami
• What the controversial “God & Country” documentary gets right and wrong: Should you watch?
• The lost art of civility • Denison Forum
• A majority of Americans aren't proud to be American: Why the difference between pride and patriotism matters
• What does the Bible say about politics? • Denison Forum
• How should Christians vote?
• November is nigh: 6 significant midterm issues for concerned Christian voters

• Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire
• The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism
• The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics - Redeeming Babel
• Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture Has Been Used and Abused in American Politics and Where We Go from Here
• Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America: Moore, Russell
• Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, Not the Donkey or the Elephant
• Your Party Will Not Win This Election | Christianity Today

Micah Tomasella is the Advancement Officer at Denison Ministries. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are proud parents of two young daughters, Olivia and Joanna. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.

Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

In this fourth episode of the special eight-episode series called ‘Politics discerned differently,’ Dr. Mark Turman, Dr. Jim Denison, and Dr. Ryan Denison explore the intersection of faith and politics as America approaches the presidential election. They discuss the concept of America as a Christian nation, the role of biblical perspectives in civic life, and the implications of Christian nationalism. 

The conversation extends to historical and theological insights from the American and French revolutions and emphasizes humility, prayer, and living according to biblical teachings to navigate the political landscape. 

(03:25): Foundational Questions on God's Perspective

(06:06): The Role of Prophecy in Modern Times

(10:49): Replacement Theology and Its Implications

(14:50): American Pride and Patriotism

(18:15): Defining a Christian Nation

(27:10): Challenges of Legislating Morality

(36:31): America as a City on a Hill: Historical Context and Implications

(45:27): Christian Nationalism: Definitions and Debates

(52:19): Theological Foundations: Human Nature and Democracy

(56:51): Comparing the American and French Revolutions

(01:05:41): Practical Advice for Christians in Politics

Episode Transcript (PDF)

Related Denison Forum podcasts:

• How God sees America in 2022
• Can America be moral without God?
• How political should Christians be? Preston Sprinkle discusses his new book, “Exiles”
• When politics get extreme, what should Christians do? A conversation with Tim Alberta
• How does the Bible apply to today’s politics? With Kaitlyn Schiess

Related Denison Forum articles and resources: 

• Respectfully, I Disagree by Dr. Jim Denison - Audiobook 
• How Does God See America?
• Do Americans have to be Christians? An excerpt from "The Religion of American Greatness" by Paul D. Miller
• Election 2024: Discern politics differently
• The Coming Tsunami
• Will democracy in America survive?
• A majority of Americans aren't proud to be American: Why the difference between pride and patriotism matters
• Politics Simplified - Christian Parenting
• Peace in Politics- First15

Other trusted resources: 

• Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire
• The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism
• Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture Has Been Used and Abused in American Politics and Where We Go from Here
• Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America: Moore, Russell
• Your Party Will Not Win This Election | Christianity Today
• The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics - Redeeming Babel
• My Faith Votes

Jim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening.

Ryan Denison, PhD, is the Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum. Ryan writes The Daily Article every Friday and contributes writing and research to many of the ministry’s productions. He holds a PhD in church history from BH Carroll Theological Institute after having earned his MDiv at Truett Seminary. He’s authored The Path to Purpose, What Are My Spiritual Gifts?, How to Bless God by Blessing Others, 7 Deadly Sins, and has contributed writing or research to every Denison Forum book.

Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

In this third episode of the special eight-episode series called 'Politics discerned differently,' Dr. Mark Turman and Kaitlyn Schiess explore the intersection of faith and politics. Kaitlyn, an author and doctoral student in political theology, shares her insights on how Christians can live biblically, engage in political discussions redemptively, and navigate the complexities of elections. 

They discuss the role of political theology and the impact of extreme rhetoric and offer practical ways to integrate faith into political life. Discover the deeper meaning of Christian engagement in the public sphere and learn how to maintain a balanced and thoughtful approach to politics.

• (01:53): Kaitlyn's Background and Passion for Theology
• (03:03): The Role of Political Theology in Christian Life
• (05:52): Defining Political Theology
• (09:28): Kaitlyn's Journey into Political Theology
• (12:57): The Intersection of Faith and Politics
• (17:33): The Impact of Extreme Political Rhetoric
• (23:27): The Psychological Effects of Political Fear
• (26:38): Living Faithfully Through Elections
• (30:33): Spiritual Formation and Political Engagement
• (34:56): Humility and Making Faithful Judgments
• (40:34): Praying for Leaders and Political Idolatry
• (47:30): Hope and Unity in the Church

Episode Transcript (PDF)

Related Denison Forum podcasts: 

• Losing Our Religion: A conversation with Russell Moore
• How does the Bible apply to today’s politics? With Kaitlyn Schiess
• How political should Christians be? Preston Sprinkle discusses his new book, “Exiles”
• Should Christians pursue power? A conversation with David French
• How to vote for imperfect political parties: A conversation with Jason Yates
• Navigating extremism: A conversation with Elizabeth Neumann

Related Denison Forum articles & resources:

• What does the Bible say about politics? • Denison Forum
• Election 2024: Discern politics differently
• Respectfully, I Disagree by Dr. Jim Denison - Audiobook - Audible.com
• House plans to impeach the president: Why I am a Christian patriot but not a Christian nationalist
• How should Christians vote?
• Are Christians required to vote?
• The Bible and the Civil Rights Movement: An excerpt from “The Ballot and the Bible” by Kaitlyn Schiess

Other trusted resources: 

• Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire (Church in the Shadow of Empire, 2)
• The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism: Alberta, Tim
• Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America: Moore, Russell
• Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, Not the Donkey or the Elephant
• Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture Has Been Used and Abused in American Politics and Where We Go from Here
• Kaitlyn Schiess

Kaitlyn Schiess is an author, speaker, and perpetual theology student. She is the author of The Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture has been Used and Abused in American Politics and Where We Go from Here (Brazos, 2023) and The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor (IVP, 2020). Her writing has appeared at Christianity Today, The New York Times, Christ and Pop Culture, RELEVANT, and Sojourner. She has a Masters in systematic theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and is currently a doctoral student in political theology at Duke Divinity School. She lives in Durham, North Carolina.

Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

In this second episode of a special eight-episode series called “Politics discerned differently,” Dr. Turman and Conner Jones, Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries, explore the complex world of news, journalism, and media in the context of today's political climate. They discuss the importance of seeking truth in politics, the evolving nature of journalism and media, and the role of truth from a Christian perspective. 

They also touch on the influence of social media, independent journalism, conspiracy theories, censorship, and the emerging impact of artificial intelligence on the information landscape. This episode will help you navigate this political season thoughtfully and redemptively.

• (02:51): The Role of Performance Marketing
• (04:32): The Importance of Truth in Politics
• (09:38): Navigating Media and Journalism
• (12:45): The Rise of Independent Journalism
• (14:41): Understanding Misinformation and Disinformation
• (18:52): Accountability in Modern Media
• (24:25): The Role of Fact Checkers
• (28:31): The Importance of a Free Press
• (30:19): Propaganda in Authoritarian Regimes
• (33:07): Challenges of Modern Journalism
• (35:28): Spotting Conspiracy Theories
• (43:02): Censorship and Free Speech
• (50:35): The Role of AI in Politics

Episode Transcript (PDF)

• Truth over tribe: A conversation with Patrick Miller
• The Coming Tsunami a year later: Dr. Jim Denison on politics as religion, AI ethics, and peaceful cultural engagement
• How to be Christian in an anti-Christian culture

• With a contentious election looming, our lack of trust could be our undoing
• How to seek the truth when it comes to fake news
• Respectfully, I Disagree by Dr. Jim Denison - Audiobook - Audible.com
• It's not all bad news: A biblical strategy for fighting negativity bias
• Election 2024: Discern politics differently
• Does Facebook imperil democracy?
• How to fight against the Age of Outrage
• With a contentious election looming, our lack of trust could be our undoing
• How do you spot a deepfake video?
• Preparing for your first vote
• In ‘post-truth’ politics, how can we distinguish truth from falsehood?
• What is Truth?

• AllSides
• Ground News
• My Faith Votes
• Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation - Kindle edition by French, David A. 
• Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, Not the Donkey or the Elephant
• The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics - Redeeming Babel

Conner is the Director of Performance Marketing here at Denison Ministries. After graduating from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management, he worked in the PAC-3 Missile program at Lockheed-Martin as a contracts negotiator before coming to Denison Ministries. His role is to leverage many digital platforms to increase the reach of our content and grow the audience of Denison Forum and our three other brands. He passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife Raigan, and together they will soon be welcoming a baby boy into the world. 

Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

In this first episode of a special eight-episode series called “Politics discerned differently,” Dr. Turman and Dr. Denison discuss the importance of understanding and engaging in politics from a biblical perspective, the role of Christians in political discourse, and how to maintain faith and civil responsibility during this unprecedented political season. 

They also talk about the historical context of democracy, the moral foundations of politics, and practical ways to balance political engagement with spiritual growth. This conversation is designed to equip and encourage Christians in navigating today's political landscape.

• (01:13): Historical Context and Personal Reflections
• (05:09): Denison Forum's Mission and Vision
• (06:22): Discerning Politics Biblically
• (11:30): Christianity and Democracy: A Complex Relationship
• (22:08): Principles for Christian Political Engagement
• (28:35): Politics as a Reflection of Culture
• (35:09): Political Denominationalism and Partisanship
• (39:45): Balancing Political Engagement and Spiritual Life
• (42:46): The Impact of Media and Social Consumption
• (45:27): Healthy Political Engagement for Christians
• (51:51): Understanding Winning in a Democratic Republic
• (57:15): The Stakes of the Upcoming Election

Episode Transcript (PDF)

Related Denison Forum Podcasts: 

• How to be a good citizen of heaven and America: A conversation with Jim Denison
• An invitation to “The After Party”: Reframing Christian engagement in politics with David French and Curtis Chang
• Why must Christians be civil in uncivil times?
• When politics get extreme, what should Christians do? A conversation with Tim Alberta

Related Denison Forum articles & resources: 

• Respectfully, I Disagree by Dr. Jim Denison - Audiobook - Audible.com
• Respectfully, I Disagree (E-Book) From
• The lost art of civility • Denison Forum
• Election 2024: Discern politics differently
• With a contentious election looming, our lack of trust could be our undoing
• How can Christians respond redemptively to election turmoil?
• How the church can weather oncoming political storms

Other trusted resources: 

• The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics - Redeeming Babel
• Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation
• The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism: Alberta, Tim
• Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, Not the Donkey or the Elephant
• Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire
• Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture Has Been Used and Abused in American Politics and Where We Go from Here
• My Faith Votes

Jim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening.

Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

Welcome back to the Denison Forum podcast! This episode features Dr. Mark Turman, executive director of Denison Forum, in conversation with Janet Denison about her ministry and her evening devotional book, Wisdom Matters. They discuss the importance of biblical wisdom, the differences between knowledge and wisdom, and how wisdom can help us navigate life's challenges. Janet shares personal stories and insights from her journey of faith, including early experiences in ministry and how desperation led her to a deeper understanding of scripture. They highlight the role of the Holy Spirit in ministry and the tendency to misuse Bible knowledge. 

Janet emphasizes the need to lean on God's understanding and not our own, especially in difficult times. They also explain how the devotional book is structured to provide daily wisdom and how it can be accessed both as a hardcover and through the Foundations with Janet app, where users can hear Janet read each devotional. Discover practical ways to end your day with God's wisdom and explore the powerful impact it can have on your life.

• (00:46): Introducing Janet Denison and Foundations Ministry
• (02:01): The Importance of Wisdom
• (05:01): Biblical Foundation of Wisdom
• (14:33): Personal Stories and Experiences
• (20:43): The Role of the Holy Spirit in Ministry
• (30:29): Challenges and Hardships in Ministry
• (36:33): Wisdom Matters: An Evening Devotional
• (44:16): Conclusion and Resources

• Episode Transcript (PDF)
• 📘Wisdom Matters: An Evening Devotional
• Foundations with Janet Denison website
• Foundations Bible Studies
• 📘 A Great Calm: Finding God’s Peace When You Need It Most 



Janet Denison has been writing and teaching Bible study for almost forty years and speaks with a voice that has experienced the truth of God’s word. She often says the reason she gets out of bed each day is to help others understand and apply the truth of God’s word to their daily lives. Teaching the Bible is her great privilege, and her goal is to help people live a life that God is able to bless. She is the primary author of the Bible studies at Foundations with Janet.

Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

In this enlightening podcast episode, Jared Wilson joins Dr. Mark Turman on the Denison Forum podcast to discuss his latest book Friendship with the Friend of Sinners: The Remarkable Possibility of Closeness with Christ. Jared shares his personal faith journey, his roles in ministry, and the inspiration behind his new book. The conversation explores themes of loneliness, the true meaning of a relationship with Christ, and the importance of community and church in one's spiritual life. Jared also examines the tangible friendship believers can have with Jesus, emphasizing the significance of both personal and communal aspects of faith.

(00:25): Jared Wilson's Backstory

(03:23): Journey to Midwestern Seminary

(04:18): Current Roles and Responsibilities

(06:24): Discussing the Book: Friendship with the Friend of Sinners

(09:58): The Concept of Friendship with God

(12:24): The Role of Religion and Relationship

(17:16): The Reality of Jesus as a Person

(28:04): The Importance of the Local Church

(38:43): Conclusion and Final Thoughts

• Episode Transcript (PDF)
• For The Church podcast 
• Jared Wilson’s website
• Friendship with the Friend of Sinners: The Remarkable Possibility of Closeness with Christ

Jared is assistant professor of pastoral ministry and author in residence at Midwestern Seminary and director of the Pastoral Training Center at Liberty Baptist Church, all in Kansas City, Missouri. He is the author of numerous books, including The Imperfect Disciple, Love Me Anyway, The Prodigal Church, and The Gospel According to Satan. He is the host of the For The Church podcast and co-host of Christianity Today's The Art of Pastoring podcast. Jared also blogs regularly at the For The Church website, and he speaks at numerous churches and conferences around the world.

Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.