PODCAST · religion
Faith and Law
by Faith and Law
Over the past 30 years, Faith and Law has brought a wide variety of distinguished speakers to address contemporary political and cultural issues for the benefit of congressional staff.
Episodes
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1776 and Socialism
A lot happened in 1776. Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence and Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations was published. While Jefferson, a lawyer, wrote about an inalienable right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” Smith, an economist, wrote about an “obvious and…
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The White House Faith-Based Initiative at 25 Years: Accomplishments, Shifts and Opportunities
Dating back to the Charitable Choice Act, the White House faith-based initiative turned 25 this year. Benefiting from bipartisan support, the initiative has seesawed back and forth between different administrations, notwithstanding different policy priorities. Girien R. Salazar, Director of...
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Freedom of the Press: Why a Healthy Democracy Needs Journalistic Sunlight
We live in a time of media disruption where every week, a local news outlet shuts down in America causing more and more small communities to lack access to local and national news. Justice Brandeis said, “sunlight is the best disinfectant.” That’s true for all Americans but perhaps especially for...
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AI and the Pope: A Case Study in Catholic Social Teaching
Marking the 135th anniversary of Rerum novarum (reh-rum no-va-rum), Pope Leo the 14th released his first encyclical, entitled ‘Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.’ Father Michael Baggot, Associate Professor of Bioethics at the Pontifical...
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The Making of the American Mind: The Story of our Declaration of Independence
Jefferson called the Declaration of Independence “an expression of the American mind.” What is that mind and what does it tell us for today, especially about the great questions of truth, happiness, and . . . God? Matthew Spalding, Kirby Professor in Constitutional Government and Dean of the Van...
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Why are there more abortions after Dobbs? Gen Z and the Pro-life Future
Sixty percent of women who had an abortion said they would not have if they had received adequate emotional or financial support. Women who seek abortions are typically already mothers living in poverty and facing food and housing instability. Churches and non-profits are essential sources of...
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Vice in an Internet Age
The sports betting industry generated $16.96 billion in revenue in 2025 alone, with gamblers betting a total of nearly $167 billion on athletic contests. Is this working against the flourishing of our society? Christine Emba, Senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and Dr. Johnathan...
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The Indispensable Virtues of the Indispensable Man: A Moral Biography of George Washington
The patriotism and personal virtue of George Washington have long been admired by a grateful nation. In this lecture, Dr. Joseph Prud’homme, Burton Family Chair in Religion, Politics, and Culture and Associate Professor of Political Science and Affiliated Faculty member in Religious Studies at...
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Restoring the American Imagination
Aristotle taught that every good deed requires a beautiful image. Then it stands to reason, America needs a great store of beautiful images designed to help us maintain our way of life and preserve equal justice, liberty, and law. Dr. Matthew Mehan, Associate Dean and Associate Professor of...
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What Am I Doing Here? Rediscovering Purpose and Joy in Your Work
What am I doing here? What steps can I take when at times I feel tempted to despair about my work? How will I be able to continue to do the work I love in a culture of such fracture, polarization and contempt that only seems to be intensifying? This conversation with board certified psychiatrist,...
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Bear Witness: The Pursuit of Justice in a Violent Land
Honduras’ entrenched corruption, pervasive violence, narcotics flows, and weakened democracy continue to drive migration north and have consequences far beyond its borders. Amid these pressures, brave Christian civic leaders are stepping forward to uphold justice in a climate of impunity and...
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Restore the Republic — 2026, the Last Best Chance for the Last Best Hope
Many Christians talk earnestly about ‘the Christian roots of America,’ but never say what they were. Equally the MAGA movement aims to ‘make America great again,’ but never stops to say what made America great in first place. Dr. Os Guinness, foreign admirer of the US, will join us for a...
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Politics and Our Sense of the Divine
What is the significance of the Christian confession that God has made each person with a sense of the divine? Dr. Gray Sutanto, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at the Reformed Theological Seminary, joined us to discuss how the awareness of God arises in the human person, and its...
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From Division to Solidarity: Hope for a Fractured Politics
American political life is increasingly fractured by generational conflict, growing distrust of institutions, and a willingness across the spectrum to exercise power arbitrarily. From Congress to town halls, an older generation seeks to preserve the past while a younger movement pursues change…
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The Constitution is the Solution to the Politics of Division
Common ground is hard to find in today’s politics. In a society teeming with irreconcilable political perspectives, many people have grown frustrated under a system of government that constantly demands compromise. More and more on both the right and the left have come to blame the Constitution…
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Classical Liberalism: A Treasury Worth Defending
Dr. Joseph Prud'Homme, Burton Family Chair in Religion, Politics, and Culture, and the director of the Institute for Religion, Politics, and Culture at Washington College, MD, joined us to discuss the classical liberal tradition. Properly understood, classical liberalism has been the foundation…
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The Public Policy Calling
Public policy making wrestles with competing visions of what it means to be human and of how we can live well individually and in community. In a lecture titled "The Public Policy Calling", Dr. Jennifer Patterson, Lecturer in Public Theology and Director of the Institute for Theology and Public...
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The Power of Forgiveness in a Culture of Rage
In a culture that prizes outrage over reconciliation, forgiveness is increasingly seen as weakness--an outdated concept that fails to take harm seriously. But what if forgiveness is not about minimizing justice but about restoring hope? In a Friday Forum titled “The Power of Forgiveness in a...
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Faithful Free Speech: From Campus to the Hill
In a recent interview, the campus free speech advocate, Greg Lukianoff, noted that Americans are waking up from the “Vegas Delusion” when it comes to what’s happening at the nation’s colleges and universities regarding the freedom to express one’s views. No more does “what happened on campus…
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Religious Liberty and Parental Opt-Outs: School Choice at the Supreme Court
You're listening to the Faith and Law podcast. This spring, the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor, protecting the right of parents to direct the religious upbringing of their children and to opt their young children out of one-sided gender ideology curriculum in public...
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Religious Liberty, the Source of All Freedoms: A 250-Year Perspective
The culture of freedom we enjoy in the United States is deeply shaped by religious minorities seeking to honor God in their beliefs and orders of worship from the colonial period to the present day. Marc Wheat, General Counsel for Advancing American Freedom, introduced the historical and legal...
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Politics and Sausage Making
Most Americans either do not understand legislative politics, or if they do, they are repulsed by the process. But Congress is the most important institution in the American government because without it, democracy is impossible. Working in Congress gives you the opportunity to do good for...
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Bringing Ben Home: A Story of Injustice and Redemption
In 1988, Ben Spencer was sentenced to life in prison for a murder he did not commit. He spent 34 years wrongfully imprisoned. Now, Ben has teamed up with award-winning journalist Barbara Bradley Hagerty to share his story – and larger story about the flaws in the legal system that allow mistakes…
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2026: Recovering What Made America Great in the First Place
Many Christians talk earnestly about ‘the Christian roots of America,’ but never say what they were. Equally the MAGA movement aims to ‘make America great again,’ but never stops to say what made America great in first place. Dr. Os Guinness, foreign admirer of the US, joined us to discuss what…
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From Power to Redemption: Chuck Colson and the Legacy of Second Chances
Ed Simcox, author of In the Room and Indiana’s 55th Secretary of State joined us for a reflection on his personal encounters with Chuck Colson and the early days of the national justice movement. As Prison Fellowship marks its 50th anniversary, this discussion explored how faith shaped a…
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Able to Succeed: People with Disabilities and the Imago Dei
People with disabilities are created in the image of God, imbued with the same intrinsic value and bestowed the unalienable rights declared in our nation’s founding document. However, the history of disability policy and social norms have not always mirrored this foundational truth. Drawing from...
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Is Religious Liberty Compatible with Progress?
Is the purpose of religious liberty to end religious oppression or is it to change, perhaps even eradicate, religion as it has been known across history? That question has been at the heart of America’s debates about religious liberty since the founding era and it still plagues us today. Dr....
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Living Truthfully: Ellul, Propaganda, and the Christian Mind
In his 1962 book, Propaganda, Jacques Ellul outlines three conditions for propaganda’s success. Bombard people with excessive information so they will forget, always have “breaking news” so they do not reflect or think critically, and have no North Star or standard to measure deviation. As...
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Natural Law as a Basis for “Hopeful Realism” in Democratic Politics
During a time when political conversations are marked by deep division, polarization, and challenging moral questions, what resources do evangelicals have to think and act critically, coherently, and theologically about public life? In their new book, Hopeful Realism: Evangelical Natural Law and...
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Are Religion and Politics Indivisible? Models for Pluralist Democracies
Dr. Amy E. Black, Professor of Political Science at Wheaton College (IL) joined us to share ideas from her forthcoming book, Civil Religion and the Renewal of American Politics. Dr. Black rejects strict secularism and Christian nationalism, suggesting instead that an inclusive civil religion is…
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The Cost of Perfection: How Overparenting is Hurting Our Kids
American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Timothy Carney challenges modern parenting strategies that prioritize over-scheduling, intense academic pressure, and material success. Drawing from years of research and his own experience as a father of six, Carney reveals how the relentless drive for...
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New Media and the Future of Religion
We partnered with the Institute for Human Ecology for a conversation between Dr. Joseph Capizzi, the first ever lay Dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America, and The New York Times columnist Ross Douthat. Our panelists discussed the…
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The Trials and Tribulations of Living an Ethical Life on Capitol Hill
In this annual panel discussion with Capitol Hill veterans, we were joined by Michelle Altman, a former U.S. Senate Chief of Staff, Arne Christenson, a former Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House, and A.T. Johnston, a former Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense. Panelists shared their...
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Leading Together in Divided Times
In a democratic society, differences and disagreements are inevitable—but they don’t have to lead to dysfunction. For leaders, especially those guided by faith, understanding pluralism is key to navigating tensions and fostering unity. Ben Klutsey, Executive Director of the Mercatus Center at...
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The Global Flourishing Study: An Interim Report for Policymakers
In May 2025, respected academic journal, Nature/Springer will publish a special Global Flourishing Study collection of papers, a product of four years of collaboration among more than 40 leading experts from Harvard University, Baylor University and Gallup. This $43.4 million dollar initiative...
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Understanding Violent Crime and the Policy Responses
Deadly violence dishonors the innate, God-given dignity of all people and brings grave loss to families and communities. In this Friday Forum in partnership with Prison Fellowship, a panel of experts in criminal justice joined us to discuss how policymakers both on Capitol Hill and in the states...
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Where Are We Now? Faith in the Public Square
Secularists have failed spectacularly in their quest for a “naked public square”, devoid of religious values. Christians enjoy a dominant presence in public life, especially civil government. But how has this extraordinary opportunity impacted politics and public policy? The Honorable Paul…
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Optimism and Opportunity: Faithful Perspectives on Technological Advancement
Is it correct or even possible to be optimistic about our future given the rapid pace of technological change and all the challenges these developments bring? Along with technology, our modern society has reaped great abundance and stands to gain more, but Christians must also think about how to...
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Reflecting on Israel-Gaza at One Year: War Abroad, Polarization at Home
War in the Middle East has the entire world on edge. Here at home, the war is also contributing to America’s divisions, from anti-Semitism on college campuses to hate crimes against Arab Americans to a significant breakdown in Jewish-Muslim relations. What has a year of peacemaking among…
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America at 250 years: The Role of Religion Then – and Now
Faith and Law 2024 Leadership Conference Dr. Mark Hall, Regent University Support the show
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Impacting Babylon
Brig. General (Ret.) John Teichert's opening prayer and devotional given during our 2024 Leadership Conference. Support the show
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Finding Unity – Constitutionally Speaking
2024 Leadership Conference. John Shelton of the Advancing American Freedom interviews Dr. Yuval Levin of the American Enterprise Institute. Support the show
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Thinking Biblically about Bioethics: A Conversation about IVF
2024 Leadership Conference. Panel Discussion featuring Elaine Petty, Charmaine Yoest, and Dr. Bill Hurlbut. Support the show
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Caring for Creation as a Matter of Life: Christian Environmental Stewardship
Genesis 1:26 reveals that God made humankind in His image and reflecting His nature for an awesome assignment: to rule responsibly over all He has made. Being good stewards of God’s creation is a biblical mandate. In this lecture, Dr. Jessica Moerman, climate scientist and President and CEO of…
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Religious Liberty and Regulations: Implications of Overturning Chevron
Federal agencies have often used the regulatory process to impose mandates that infringe on key rights of religious exercise and conscience. But this spring, the Supreme Court overturned the longstanding doctrine of congressional delegation known as Chevron deference. What does that mean for...
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The Closing of the American Heart: Why young adults are steering clear of marriage and family and what Washington can do about it
Marriage and fertility rates are lower than ever seen before in America’s history. This means that a record share of today’s young adults will never marry or have children. But the paradox is that men, women, and children in married families are much more likely to thrive socially, emotionally…
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Productive Disagreement: How to have productive disagreements in an age of incivility and conflict
Disagreements are easy; productive disagreements require effort. But productive disagreements are the heartbeat of a healthy democracy, a healthy team, and even a healthy family. Dr. Rick Langer and Dr. Tim Muehlhoff of Biola University joined us for a look at productive disagreements and what…
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From the Garden to Government: What does Creation have to do with Politics?
How should we, as Christians, think about the role of government? And how should we think about our own roles as public servants? Dr. Vince Bacote, professor of theology at Wheaton College, joined us in a partnership with the Center for Public Justice for a theological discussion on government,...
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Up the Down Staircase: How to Build Up When Everything Seems to be Falling Down?
In a polarized world, where the public square has become increasingly hostile, how do we continue to make progress on the things we are called to build? Is it even possible to build anything at the moment? With a strong track record of working under challenging circumstances to bring about…
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Why Law Requires Love: A Reflection on Genesis and Cicero
How do we, as a people, hand down love, one generation to another? Is that the role of the law? What did previous generations know about this tradition of love and law that we, today, may have forgotten? Dr. Matthew Mehan, Associate Dean and Assistant Professor of Government at Hillsdale College...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Over the past 30 years, Faith and Law has brought a wide variety of distinguished speakers to address contemporary political and cultural issues for the benefit of congressional staff.
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Faith and Law
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How many episodes does Faith and Law have?
Faith and Law currently has 212 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Faith and Law about?
Over the past 30 years, Faith and Law has brought a wide variety of distinguished speakers to address contemporary political and cultural issues for the benefit of congressional staff.
How often does Faith and Law release new episodes?
Faith and Law publishes regularly with 212 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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Faith and Law is created and hosted by Faith and Law.
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