Faithful Politics

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In this episode of Faithful Politics, we sit down with James Michael Smith, founder of  @DiscipleDojo for a conversation about how Christians engage culture without losing clarity or charity. Smith draws on his background in theology and martial arts to frame public discourse as sparring — pushing ideas hard while still treating the other person as a training partner rather than an enemy.

The conversation moves across church culture, political polarization, and the habits that shape how we disagree. We discuss how identity gets tied to ideology, why online spaces intensify conflict, and what it looks like to challenge ideas without dehumanizing people. Smith also shares how his ministry works to form Christians who can think critically, hold convictions, and stay grounded in real-world relationships.

Throughout the episode, the focus stays on discipline — intellectual, spiritual, and relational. The goal isn’t to eliminate disagreement. It’s to handle it in a way that sharpens understanding instead of tearing people apart. 

Disciple Dojo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCMEea4p5qqTlpDrp3vl9G3A 

Guest Bio 
James Michael Smith is the founder of Disciple Dojo, a discipleship and Bible-training ministry that equips Christians to think clearly and engage culture with integrity. He holds an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. Smith also founded Refugee Jitsu, a free program that teaches self-defense and resilience to refugee and underserved youth. His work brings together theology, cultural analysis, and disciplined conversation in both digital and in-person spaces.
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📩 Reach out to us:
Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: [email protected]
Political Host, Will Wright: [email protected]
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This month’s live Point of View (POV) brings a close reading of several U.S. government social media posts that pair Bible verses and prayers with military messaging. We’re joined by author and journalist Brian Kaylor to examine how these passages are being used, what they mean in their original context, and whether that kind of messaging is appropriate for a pluralistic public institution.

We walk through four examples – Psalm 18, Psalm 23, Joshua 1:9, and the Lord’s Prayer – and ask two questions for each: Is this a faithful reading of the text? And what happens when scripture is used as institutional messaging by the government? The conversation explores how biblical language can shift from personal devotion to national branding, and what that does to public theology, civic identity, and the way people understand faith in a political environment.
We also discuss the role of military chaplains, the difference between individual religious expression and government-sponsored messaging, and recent developments around worship services hosted within federal institutions.
Support the show
🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?
👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com
📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:
faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore
❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:
https://www.patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPolitics
📩 Reach out to us:
Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: [email protected]
Political Host, Will Wright: [email protected]
📱 Follow & connect with us:
Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik
Instagram: faithful_politics
Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast
LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics
📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:
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Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: [email protected]
Note: We discuss social media posts in this episode that are shown on the screen. To see the actual images watch the YouTube episode: https://youtu.be/316SCgIX9qQ 
The Department of Homeland Security has been posting Bible verses alongside immigration enforcement content. In this episode, Will and Pastor Josh are joined by President and editor-in-chief of Word&Way Brian Kaylor to examine what those posts mean and why they matter. The conversation focuses on how specific passages of Scripture are being applied, whether they are used in context, and what happens when government messaging adopts religious language to frame public policy.
Kaylor walks through several examples and explains how these verses function rhetorically. The group discusses interpretation, audience impact, and the broader implications for churches, public discourse, and civic life. The episode also explores how political messaging can shape the way people understand both faith and government authority, especially for newer believers or those encountering Scripture through social media rather than through a church context.
The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power
https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780827203501
Social Media Images Used:
Matthew 5:9 — “Blessed are the peacemakers”: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1D8o2ar3ay/
Isaiah 6:8 — “Send me”: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17v3tazVxv/
Proverbs 28:1 — “The wicked flee…”: https://x.com/DHSgov/status/1949913619644493930?s=20
Psalm 28:7 — “The Lord is my strength and my shield”: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPbyLZoEUJ4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Isaiah 41:10 — “Fear thou not…”: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRXiDWuicRE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Proverbs 23:24 — “Father of a righteous child…”: https://x.com/DHSgov/status/2000609130835292248?s=20

Guest Bio
Brian Kaylor is a Baptist minister, journalist, and commentator covering the intersection of faith, politics, and public life. He serves as President and editor-in-chief of Word&Way and writes extensively about church-state issues, Christian nat
Support the show
🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?
👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com
📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:
faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore
❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:
https://www.patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPolitics
📩 Reach out to us:
Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: [email protected]
Political Host, Will Wright: [email protected]
📱 Follow & connect with us:
Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik
Instagram: faithful_politics
Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast
LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics
📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:
faithfulpolitics.substack.com

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: [email protected]
**Warning*** This episode contains discussion about sexual abuse
Investigative reporter Jessica Lussenhop joins Faithful Politics to discuss her ProPublica investigation into sexual abuse and institutional silence inside the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church. Alongside reporter Andy Mannix, she walks through how a single criminal case in Minnesota exposed a broader system of internal “forgiveness sessions,” unreported abuse, and failures of accountability. The conversation also explores how investigative journalists verify survivor accounts, the role of clergy privilege laws, and why transparency inside religious institutions matters. This episode examines the intersection of faith, authority, and justice—and what happens when communities prioritize internal resolution over public accountability. 

Learn more:
Young Girls Were Sexually Abused by a Church Member. They Were Told to Forgive and Forget.: https://www.propublica.org/article/sexual-abuse-old-apostolic-lutheran-church-minnesota
5 Takeaways From Our Investigation Into How Leaders of a Minnesota Church Community Enabled a Child Abuser: https://www.propublica.org/article/minnesota-old-apostolic-lutheran-church-investigation-takeaways
What a Recorded Interview Between Police and Preachers Reveals About How a Minnesota Church Handled Sexual Abuse: https://www.propublica.org/article/minnesota-old-apostolic-lutheran-church-sexual-abuse-police-recording
Guest Bios
Jessica Lussenhop
Jessica Lussenhop is an investigative reporter with ProPublica covering institutional failures, criminal justice, and accountability. She reports on how systems impact vulnerable communities and is the host of an upcoming ProPublica investigative podcast.

Andy Mannix
Andy Mannix is an investigative reporter with ProPublica and former Minnesota Star Tribune journalist. His work focuses on
Support the show
🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?
👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com
📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:
faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore
❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:
https://www.patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPolitics
📩 Reach out to us:
Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: [email protected]
Political Host, Will Wright: [email protected]
📱 Follow & connect with us:
Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik
Instagram: faithful_politics
Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast
LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics
📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:
faithfulpolitics.substack.com

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: [email protected]
Church conflict is no longer the exception—it’s the norm. In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram are joined by Andy Hale, congregational psychologist and author of Mending the Fracturing Church, to explore why churches are experiencing deeper polarization and what it takes to rebuild trust.
Hale explains how psychology, family systems theory, and theology intersect in congregational life, and why conflict itself is not the real threat—avoidance and fear are. The conversation digs into how political identity, generational divides, and moral certainty are reshaping church communities, often in ways leaders are unprepared to address.
Rather than offering quick fixes or ideological answers, Hale calls for patience, self-awareness, and practices that restore human connection—starting with understanding how fear, identity, and the need to be “right” shape the way we treat one another. It’s a grounded, hopeful conversation about what it looks like for the church to remain faithful in a polarized age.
Mending the Fracturing Church: How to Navigate Conflict and Build Trust for Thriving Communities: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798881806644
Guest Bio 
Andy Hale is a congregational psychologist, minister, and organizational consultant who works with churches navigating conflict, polarization, and institutional change. With nearly three decades of experience in congregational and denominational leadership, his work integrates psychology, family systems theory, and theology to help faith communities rebuild trust and practice healthier forms of disagreement.
He is the author of Mending the Fracturing Church: How to Navigate Conflict and Build Trust for Thriving Communities and hosts two podcasts, including Clergy Confessions, which explores the hidden pressures pastors face today. Hale currently serves in denominational leadership with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
Support the show
🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?
👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com
📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:
faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore
❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:
https://www.patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPolitics
📩 Reach out to us:
Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: [email protected]
Political Host, Will Wright: [email protected]
📱 Follow & connect with us:
Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik
Instagram: faithful_politics
Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast
LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics
📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:
faithfulpolitics.substack.com