PODCAST · religion
ERLC Podcast
by ERLC
Insights into the moral, cultural, and ethical issues of our day.
Episodes
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Meet the ERLC’s New VP, Zack Pruitt
On today's episode, ERLC President Dr. Evan Lenow speaks with Zack Pruitt, the ERLC’s vice president of public policy and general counsel. Zack shares about his new role and how he'll contribute to the ERLC's mission to assist churches by providing practical resources and advocating for Southern...
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Exploring Religious Liberty in “Faith and Freedom”
This episode features a conversation about the newly released book, "Faith and Freedom: Six Theological Reflections on Religious Liberty." On today's episode, ERLC President Dr. Evan Lenow speaks with the book's editor, Dr. Jennifer Patterson, and one of the book's contributors, Dr. Jonathan...
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Dr. Willy Rice on Leading the Southern Baptist Convention
This episode features Dr. Willy Rice, president of the Southern Baptist Convention. On today's episode, ERLC President Dr. Evan Lenow speaks with Dr. Rice about his recent election as the 66th president of the SBC, his vision for the convention, and how the ERLC can partner with and equip…
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A Sneak Peek of the ERLC’s New Guide on Marriage and Family
This episode features the ERLC's new church guide, "What God Has Joined Together: A Practical Guide for Honoring God's Design for Marriage." On today's episode, you'll hear from ERLC Director of Research, Dr. RaShan Frost, as he speaks with Dr. Lilly Park, one of the principal advisors on the...
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Grace Jin Drexel on the Persecuted Church in China
Today's episode features Grace Jin Drexel, recipient of the ERLC's John Leland Religious Liberty Award. In October 2025, Grace's father, Pastor Jin, was arrested in his home as part of a nationwide crackdown in China on independent Christian churches. He and 17 other leaders from Zion Church were...
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Scott Foshie on Advancing the Gospel in Illinois
On today's episode, ERLC President Dr. Evan Lenow talks with Dr. Foshie about the encouraging work and unique challenges facing churches across Illinois. With more than 900 churches, Illinois Baptists are working together to advance the gospel to the 12.7 million people who call Illinois home,...
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Understanding the Brentwood Statement on AI and Christian Ministry
The Brentwood Statement is a collaborative statement from Southern Baptist leaders, led by Lifeway, designed to help guide Christian ministers as they navigate the opportunities and challenges of AI in ministry and everyday life. Dr. Jason Thacker, director of the ERLC's Research Institute and a...
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Why Shaping the Culture Matters for Southern Baptists
As Matthew 5:13-16 tells us, we are to be salt and light in a dark world. In this new series, we want to encourage you with examples of Southern Baptists who are bringing the truth of God's Word to bear, not only in the halls of Congress, but in their local communities. By sharing these stories…
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How Mississippi Baptists are Shaping Culture
As a state convention of more than 2,000 churches, Mississippi Baptists are seeking to equip local churches to make disciples in Mississippi and around the world. From college campuses to prison systems to communities experiencing poverty, they are taking opportunities to share the hope of the...
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How Worship Shapes Christian Ethics
Several years ago, Dr. Mark Liederbach, senior professor of ethics, theology, and culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Dr. Evan Lenow, president of the ERLC, collaborated on a book titled “Ethics as Worship: The Pursuit of Moral Discipleship,” which released in 2021. On…
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Understanding our Calling as Dual Citizens (Part 2)
Our nation's 250th anniversary was a momentous occasion. To celebrate America's founding and Christianity's influence throughout her history, we hosted an event on Monday night of this year's SBC Annual Meeting, featuring a keynote and a panel based on the ERLC's newest collection of essays…
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Understanding our Calling as Dual Citizens (Part 1)
On Monday night of this year's annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, the ERLC hosted a packed dinner event in honor of our nation's 250th anniversary. During the event, the room was greeted by Dr. Evan Lenow during his second week as ERLC president, in addition to hearing a keynote address and a...
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Don Currence on Christians serving in the public square
Don Currence has become a staple at SBC annual meetings over the years in his service as registration secretary and assisting his predecessor. Don has a unique insight into ministry and public service. In addition to his responsibilities within the SBC, Don has also served as mayor of Ozark,...
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The story behind a pregnancy resource center's Supreme Court win
This summer's Supreme Court case, First Choice Women's Resource Centers, Inc. v. Davenport was about the state of New Jersey issuing a subpoena for the personal information of First Choice donors all in an attempt to intimidate the supporters' pro-life mission. On April 29, the Supreme Court…
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Dr. Hollingsworth on what he learned leading the ERLC
Dr. Hollingsworth joined the ERLC as the entity's interim president on October 1, 2025 and concluded his tenure on May 31, 2026. On today's episode, you'll hear from Dr. Hollingsworth as he reflects on his time leading the ERLC and the firsthand impact he has seen the ERLC's work have on…
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NC Baptists and ERLC place 100th ultrasound machine
North Carolina Baptists have been a longtime partner in advocating for the lives of our smallest neighbors, pre-born children. They have generously donated nearly 10% of the ultrasound machines that the ERLC'S Psalm 139 Project has placed in pregnancy resource centers. On today's episode, ERLC...
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Dr. Nathan Lorick on Equipping SBC Churches in Texas
As the executive director for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Dr. Nathan Lorick has a passion to see the Lord work in his state. The SBTC's mission is to mobilize its 2,880 churches to multiply disciple making movements in Texas and around the world. In the past year, the convention…
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Meet ERLC President-elect Dr. Evan Lenow
On April 13th, we were excited to announce that Dr. Evan Lenow was unanimously elected by the ERLC’s Board of Trustees to fill the role as the Commission’s next president. On today’s episode, Dr. RaShan Frost, ERLC director of research, speaks with Dr. Lenow about his vision for the ERLC as he...
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America’s 250th: Reflections on Faithful Christian Citizenship
This July marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As we approach the SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando, we’re developing resources to help you equip your congregation to live out their faith in the public square—engaging in cultural issues with a faithful gospel witness....
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What you should know about physician-assisted suicide
As Southern Baptists, we believe in the sanctity of all lives, from conception to the natural end of life. But in recent years, we’ve seen the value of human life increasingly challenged through legislation, both domestically and internationally, that seeks to legalize physician-assisted suicide....
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How churches can address assisted reproductive technologies
More and more pastors and ministry leaders are walking alongside couples facing infertility and the difficult questions surrounding assisted reproductive technologies. For many couples, the good longing for a child is accompanied by deep grief, complex decisions, and quiet heartache. Often, these...
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A pro-life response to chemical abortion
Chemical abortion, or what many refer to as the abortion pill is now the most common method of ending a pregnancy in the United States. Yet the legal landscape surrounding its approval, safety standards, and reporting requirements is riddled with gaps, inconsistencies, and misconceptions. The...
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Dr. Fred Luter on racial unity in the SBC
In this episode of the ERLC Podcast, Interim President Dr. Gary Hollingsworth sits down with Dr. Fred Luter, senior pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, to discuss racial reconciliation in the life of the church. Together, they reflect…
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Southern Baptists, pro-life advocacy, and the March for Life
Southern Baptists have had a longstanding commitment to advocating for the protection of preborn lives and opposing abortion in every form. This is rooted in the biblical revelation that all people are created in God's image and have inherent value. During a recent pro-life advocacy trip to...
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How the ERLC amplifies the voice of Southern Baptists in D.C.
Every year, the ERLC puts together a Public Policy Agenda which focuses on policy priorities that are rooted in Scripture, reflective of the Baptist Faith & Message, and responsive to actions taken by messengers from SBC churches. This year’s Public Policy Agenda hits on a range of issues,...
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Why Southern Baptists should March for Life
On today's episode, you'll hear from Jennie Lichter, president of the March for Life, as she speaks with ERLC Interim President Dr. Gary Hollingsworth about the importance of the March for Life, its impact on our culture today, particularly since the overturn of Roe v. Wade, and why Southern...
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New England Baptists On Promoting Life in a Changing Culture
As part of our Across State Lines emphasis, New England Baptist partnered with the ERLC'S Psalm 139 Project to donate an ultrasound machine to Aspire Now Pregnancy Care Center in Vermont, a pro-choice state. On today's episode, you'll hear from Terry Dorsett, executive director of the Baptist...
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Georgia Baptists on equipping families for gospel ministry
Cooperation is at the heart of being a Southern Baptist. And with over 46,000 churches across our country, state conventions are critical in mobilizing and supporting pastors and ministry leaders in each state. That's why at the ERLC, we seek to come alongside these state directors and the…
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How Tennessee Baptists partner with the Psalm 139 Project
The ERLC's Psalm 139 Project is an incredible initiative that places ultrasound machines in pregnancy centers, giving vulnerable mothers a window into the womb so they can see the precious lives growing within them. And now, through a new initiative of the Psalm 139 Project called "Across State...
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Alabama Baptists on pro-life work and making a difference for Christ
State Baptist Conventions help mobilize, unify, and equip churches who are bound together by state lines. On today's episode, Dr. Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, talks with ERLC Interim President Dr. Gary Hollingsworth. They discuss the unique...
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ERLC Presidential Search Update
On today's episode, we talk with the chairman of the ERLC Presidential Search Committee, Mitch Kimbrell. He shares where the search committee process currently stands and how prayer has shaped and sustained the committee's work. He also shares the search committee's hope that the next leader will...
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Florida Baptists on life and other cultural challenges
Today we're talking with Dr. Stephen Rummage of the Florida Baptist Convention. Our Baptist State conventions are vital in equipping and supporting Southern Baptist churches in their gospel mission. On today's episode, ERLC interim president Dr. Gary Hollingsworth talks to Dr. Rummage about the...
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Jason Thacker on how AI is shaping humanity
Technology has always shaped the way we live and think with AI rapidly evolving. The question is an if it's shaping us. On today's episode, we're joined by RaShan Frost, director of research and senior fellow at the ERLC and Jason Thacker, director of the research institute at the ERLC. Together,...
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What you should know about AI
Welcome to the ERLC Podcast, where our goal is to help you think biblically about today’s cultural issues. I’m Lindsay Nicolet, and today we're talking about Artificial Intelligence and the Church. This summer, the White House released its AI Action Plan, highlighting how winning the race for AI...
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Protecting our Kids at the Supreme Court with Skrmetti
Before the Supreme Court rightly ruled in favor of a Tennessee law protecting minors from gender transition procedures, we hosted a discussion at SBC25 to talk through this important case. ERLC President Brent Leatherwood spoke to Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and Alliance…
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Cooperation with Baptist State Conventions before the Supreme Court
This summer, in conjunction with anticipated Supreme Court decisions, we hosted a conversation about how Baptist state conventions are partnering with the ERLC to protect their churches’ biblical convictions when they are challenged at the Supreme Court. Panelists Nathan Lorick, executive…
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Southern Baptists in the Public Square
How does being a Christians affect one’s public service? And what can Southern Baptists do to influence the public square? During SBC25 in Dallas, ERLC President Brent Leatherwood spoke with Ambassador designate Mark Walker, President Trump’s appointee for the Office of International Religious...
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Why is the Skrmetti Supreme Court case important?
This week marked a decisive victory in protecting minors from harmful gender transition procedures. The Supreme Court justices ruled 6-3 in favor of the Tennessee law banning healthcare providers from prescribing medication or performing procedures on minors to “transition” to an identity…
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100 Years of the SBC Cooperative Program
In the early days of the Southern Baptist Convention, when the costs of ministry opportunities were beginning to expand, convention leaders proposed the 75 Million Campaign, a five-year pledge campaign with the purpose of funding missions. This campaign planted the seed for what would grow to be...
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Congressman Moran on Defunding Planned Parenthood
May 22nd marked a significant milestone in the ongoing work to protect the dignity of every human life. The United States House of Representatives voted to defund Planned Parenthood — a major victory for life and for the countless voices who have tirelessly advocated for this outcome. Planned...
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A Q&A with ERLC Trustee Chairman Scott Foshie
Whether engaging with issues of life, religious liberty, marriage and family, or human dignity, the ERLC works to ensure that Southern Baptist convictions are at the table in the cultural and policy discussions of our nation’s leaders. This Comission also serves as a resource for Southern Baptist...
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Your Questions Answered: Part 2
For over a century, the ERLC has upheld its dual mandate to speak into the public square and equip our pastors and churches with resources to engage the culture on moral and ethical issues in areas such as life, religious liberty, marriage and family, and human dignity. Whether serving churches…
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Your Questions Answered: Part 1
The ERLC was founded over 100 years ago with a dual mandate to speak into the public square while equipping our pastors and churches with resources to engage the culture on moral and ethical issues in areas such as life, religious liberty, marriage and family, and human dignity. While we work on...
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How can churches address sports betting?
Gambling has been on the rise in recent years, and now more than ever, it’s seeping its way into our everyday lives. From advertisements on our phones to the big screens, the gambling industry is fighting for our attention. But why is this such a problem? This industry preys on the weak and...
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Defunding Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in the United States, responsible for nearly 400,000 abortions annually. This Supreme Court term, there is an important case called Medina vs. Planned Parenthood that will determine whether individual Medicaid beneficiaries have the legal right…
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ERLC hosts pastors in Washington, D.C.
Over the past few months, the ERLC has actively called on Congress and the administration to take decisive action to defund Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider responsible for nearly 400,000 abortions annually. In March, the ERLC hosted its first pastor advocacy trip where...
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Sen. James Lankford on faith in the public square
In a time of intense political polarization, finding examples of faith-informed leadership that brings people together rather than pushing them apart can feel rare. That’s why today's conversation between Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, and Republican...
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How the ERLC Research team supports our work in D.C.
At the ERLC, our goal is to serve our Southern Baptist churches in the public square. As you have heard throughout this series about our work in Washington D.C., having a presence and a voice in our nation’s capital allows us to speak up, for, and from our Southern Baptist churches before various...
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Making the voice of Southern Baptists heard in the legislative branch
The ERLC’s presence in our nation’s capital allows us to speak up, for, and from our Southern Baptist churches before various audiences. In our previous episodes, we’ve covered the executive and judicial branches, demonstrating the need for Christians’ involvement in the various facets of our...
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What Southern Baptists should know about the judicial branch
The ERLC’s presence in our nation’s capital allows us to speak up, for, and from our Southern Baptist churches before various audiences, including our federal government leaders. In our last episode, we learned about how the ERLC interacts with the executive branch. Today, we’ll turn our…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Insights into the moral, cultural, and ethical issues of our day.
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ERLC
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How many episodes does ERLC Podcast have?
ERLC Podcast currently has 421 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
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Insights into the moral, cultural, and ethical issues of our day.
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ERLC Podcast publishes regularly with 421 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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ERLC Podcast is created and hosted by ERLC.
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