Episodes

  • 194. Dangers of Faith in the Pentagon & AI in Faith
    Dec 11 2025

    This episode of Dangerous Dogma features a conversation between Word&Way Editor Brian Kaylor, Lutheran minister and journalist Angela Denker, and Disciples pastor and author Beau Underwood. The conversation includes consideration of U.S. strikes against Venezuelan boats, Pete Hegseth's Christian prayer services at the Pentagon, the use of AI in churches, and alarms about AI Christian music and books. You can watch a video version of the conversation here.

    Here are a few pieces mentioned in the episode:

    • Brian wrote a piece for A Public Witness about the prayer services at the Pentagon.
    • Ross Douthat of the New York Times wrote about Hegseth and Christian Nationalism.
    • People can now text with AI Jesus.
    • Christianity Today wrote about a hit AI Christian artist.
    • Brian created a video review of a Noah's ark children's book voiced by an AI Donald Trump.

    Also, check out the most recent books by the three panelists:

    • Brian Kaylor, The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power
    • Angela Denker, Disciples of White Jesus: The Radicalization of American Boyhood
    • Beau Underwood (with Brian Kaylor), Baptizing America How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism
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    48 mins
  • 193. News Roundup: Elections, Government Shutdown, & Clergy Challenging ICE
    Nov 4 2025

    This episode of Dangerous Dogma features a conversation between Word&Way Editor Brian Kaylor, Lutheran minister and journalist Angela Denker, and Disciples pastor and author Beau Underwood. The conversation includes consideration of religious attacks in elections this week, impacts of the ongoing government shutdown on churches, and clergy protesting against ICE. Watch a video version of this latest conversation here.

    Here are a few articles related to some of what was discussed:

    • Angela interviewed two Minneapolis mayoral candidates: DeWayne Davis and Jazz Hampton.
    • Brian wrote about the New York City mayoral race
    • Brian reported on pastors assaulted while peacefully protesting ICE
    • Brian wrote about the Department of Homeland Security co-opting Bible verses

    Also, check out the most recent books by the three panelists:

    • Brian Kaylor, The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power
    • Angela Denker, Disciples of White Jesus: The Radicalization of American Boyhood
    • Beau Underwood (with Brian Kaylor), Baptizing America How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism
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    43 mins
  • 192. Hannah Kardon, United Methodist Pastor Arrested During Anti-ICE Protest
    Oct 30 2025

    In this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with Hannah Kardon, a United Methodist minister in the Chicago area. Kardon was violently arrested during a protest outside an ICE facility on Oct. 17. Video of the incident can be viewed here. Other issues discussed in this episode include ICE actions at churches, the legal pushback against the Trump administration by various denominations, and the misuse of Bible verses by the Department of Homeland Security. Watch a video version of this latest conversation here.

    Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics. And order the new book by Brian Kaylor, The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power.

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    39 mins
  • 191. William Stell on Evangelicals & Antigay Christianity
    Oct 15 2025

    In this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with William Stell, a religious studies professor and author of the forthcoming book, Born Again Queer: A History of Evangelical Gay Activism and the Making of Antigay Christianity. Kaylor is also joined by guest cohost Jared Burkholder, scholar in residence at Moravian Theological Seminary. This is the third in a three-part series in partnership with Moravian exploring historical and contemporary issues of concerns involving evangelicals (following conversations with Randall Balmer in episode 189 and Angela Parker in episode 190). Other previous conversations mentioned in this episode are those with David Swartz in episode 180 and Isaac Sharp in episode 100. Watch a video version of this latest conversation here.

    Burkholder will be giving the annual Walter Vivian Moses Lecture on Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. (ET) at the Bahnson Center on the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Campus of Moravian Theological Seminary. It will also be livestreamed for free. Sign up to watch here.

    Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics. And preorder the forthcoming book by Brian Kaylor ,The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power.

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    57 mins
  • 190. Angela Parker on Evangelicals, Biblical Interpretation, & White Supremacy
    Oct 8 2025

    In this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with Angela Parker, an associate professor of New Testament and Greek at the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University, the author of If God Still Breathes, Why Can't I?: Black Lives Matter and Biblical Authority, and coauthor of the Unsettling Lent devotional. This is the second in a three-part series in partnership with Moravian Theological Seminary exploring historical and contemporary issues of concerns involving evangelicals. Parker previously appeared on Dangerous Dogma in episode 20. Watch a video version of this latest conversation here.

    Jared Burkholder, scholar in residence at Moravian, will be giving the annual Walter Vivian Moses Lecture on Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. (ET) at the Bahnson Center on the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Campus of Moravian Theological Seminary. It will also be livestreamed for free. Sign up to watch here.

    Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics. And preorder the new book by Brian Kaylor ,The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power.

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    47 mins
  • 189. Randall Balmer on Evangelicals & Church-State Separation
    Oct 1 2025

    In this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with Randall Balmer, a historian of American religion and author of the new book, America's Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State. Kaylor is also joined by guest cohost Jared Burkholder, scholar in residence at Moravian Theological Seminary. This is the first in a three-part series in partnership with Moravian exploring historical and contemporary issues of concerns involving evangelicals. Balmer previously appeared on Dangerous Dogma in episode 25 and episode 124. You can watch a video version of this episdoe here.

    Burkholder will be giving the annual Walter Vivian Moses Lecture on Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. (ET) at the Bahnson Center on the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Campus of Moravian Theological Seminary. It will also be livestreamed for free. Sign up to watch here.

    Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics. And preorder the forthcoming book by Brian Kaylor ,The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power.

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    47 mins
  • 188. Brian Kaylor on The Bible According to Christian Nationalists (with guest host Beau Underwood)
    Sep 23 2025

    In this episode, guest host Beau Underwood interviews Word&Way President Brian Kaylor about his new book The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power. You can watch a video version of this conversation on YouTube.

    Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics.

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    44 mins
  • 187. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver on Faith & Politics [Reissue]
    Sep 3 2025

    In this episode originally recorded in 2021, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) about faith and politics as a United Methodist minister and U.S. congressman. Cleaver also discusses his experience on Jan. 6, attacks on voting rights, and what gives him hope. First released four years ago, this episode is being reissued as Republicans in Missouri are citing Christianity to justify an attempt to gerrymander Cleaver out of office.

    Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics. And preorder the forthcoming book by Brian Kaylor, The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power.

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    56 mins