POV: When Government Uses Scripture – A Live Conversation with Brian Kaylor

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: [email protected] 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 Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: [email protected] Wright, Political Host: [email protected] Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast