In this episode of The Justice Briefing, Dr. Jemar Tisby makes a clear and urgent case: stop trying to persuade white Christian nationalists. After nearly a decade of hardened political and theological divisions, the question is no longer who is confused—it’s what we do with the clarity we now have.

Drawing on history, current events, and a powerful re-reading of Mark 6, this episode reframes faithfulness not as endless argument, but as discernment, boundaries, and strategic action. If you’ve felt drained by unproductive debates, this conversation will help you reclaim your time—and your mission.

In this episode:

• Why this is a moment of moral clarity, not confusion
• The limits of persuasion in polarized media ecosystems
• The anatomy of white Christian nationalism
• How the church has weaponized “unity”
• A biblical case for setting boundaries (Mark 6)
• Why Jesus instructs his followers to move on
• Where to invest your energy for real impact

Study cited in episode: "When Fox News viewers flip to CNN, their opinions shift too, study finds" https://news.berkeley.edu/2022/04/07/when-fox-news-viewers-flip-to-cnn-their-opinions-shift-too-study-finds/

Book your screening of our short documentary "Jesus Was a Migrant": jesuswasamigrant.com

The best way to support The Justice Briefing and our indie film studio, Tisby Studios, is by becoming a paid subscriber: JemarTisby.Substack.com

People keep asking me, “How did it go?”

And I understand the question.

But there’s actually a better question.

The better question is, “What did last night signal?”

What happened last night was more than just a sold-out film premiere.

It was a signal. A shift. A glimpse of what the future of Christian storytelling could be.

This film is the first official production of Tisby Studios.

It’s proof that there is an audience for what I call Transformational faith films—stories that don’t just resolve tension, but channel it into action.

This is not a one-off project.

It’s the beginning of a pipeline.

Take Action

If this reflection with you—if it challenged you, unsettled you, or stayed with you—here are a few ways to take the next step:

1. Become a paid subscriber

Most of the support for this film came from this community.

If you want to see more projects like this—films that tell honest stories about faith, history, and justice—become a paid subscriber to Footnotes. Or upgrade to our FOUNDING TIER.

That’s how we keep building.

👉🏾 JemarTisby.Substack.com

2. Host a screening in your community

This film is meant to be experienced together.

Not alone on a screen, but in a room where people can turn to one another at the end and ask:

“What are we going to do?”

If you want to bring Jesus Was a Migrant to your church, school, or organization, start here:

👉🏾 jesuswasamigrant.com

3. Share this post

If this vision resonates with you, share it.

This is how movements grow—person to person, room to room.

If last night showed us anything, it’s this:

The future of Christian storytelling won’t be safe, simple, or sentimental—it will be truthful, communal, and transformational.

And the question now isn’t what we watched.

It’s: What are we going to do next?

P.S. Mark your calendar for a LIVE ONLINE SCREENING of Jesus Was a Migrant.

April 16, 7:30 pm ET. (registration details forthcoming)

Book a screening: JesusWasAMigrant.com

Support transformational faith films: JemarTisby.Substack.com

Right now the Christian film industry is dominated by what I’ve called “Devotional” films.

These films are often produced by people promoting a conservative—even fundamentalist—and heavily right-leaning version of Christianity.

Not every film needs to do everything. And each type of film has its place.

But we need more films in the Transformational category.

Too many stop with personal piety and holiness. Which is not bad but it’s incomplete.

Not enough films show how faith turns worldly logic upside down.

Not enough Christian films show how the heavenly Kingdom confronts earthly kingdoms.

Not enough Christian films interrogate laws, policies, and institutions.

This is the work of Tisby Studios and our first production--Jesus Was a Migrant.

Watch the trailer: HERE

Host a screening: HERE

Support more Christians films in the transformational category. Become a paid subscriber today: JemarTisby.Substack.com

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