Faith and Law

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 Government for the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College is at the end of a long research and writing project to complete his illustrated, semiquincentennial celebratory work, The American Book of Fables. He joined us for a discussion of what must be done to restore the American Imagination.  Support the show

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, author, speaker,  Dr. Curt Thompson, will  provide practical ways of finding joy and resilience while discerning what it means to faithfully live out the vocational callings that perhaps for many of us feel so overwhelming. Support the show

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 inspiring others around the world to seek justice in their own contexts.Our discussion with reporter Ross Halperin,  Co-founder of ASJ-Honduras, Dr. Kurt Ver Beek, and director of criminal justice at the Niskanen Center Greg Newburn, examined how faithful Christian leadership can make accountability, rule of law, and democracy possible.Support the show

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 continuation of his Friday Forum from June 13, 2025 “2026: Recovering What Made America Great in the First Place,” and further dive into what it was that gave the American republic a freedom like no other – which needs to be recovered today.Support the show

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 implication on apologetics as well as public discourse.Support the show

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 even at the cost of community bonds. This shift raises urgent questions about democracy, the rule of law, and the moral health of our political life.Jake Meador, Editor in Chief of Mere Orthodoxy, joined us to explore how a renewed commitment to human dignity and the common good can provide hope and a unifying path forward.Support the show

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 for the resulting discord. But the Constitution is not the problem we face; it is the solution.Yuval Levin, author of American Covenant and Director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at AEI, joined us to discuss Congress’s central role in the minds of the founders, and in the solutions to the political crises and challenges of the current age.Support the show

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 of the American Republic since its founding. The core tenets of this tradition include its commitment both to personal liberty and moral responsibility; its commitment to the rule of law and to limited government; its support for free markets and free enterprise, coupled with a confined but crucially important role for government in aiding those in need; and its support for the freedom of churches and religious associations to spread the Gospel and to leaven society with the spirit of Christian truth.Support the show

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 Life at Reformed Theological Seminary in Washington DC discussed how christians in public policy are called to bring clarity to these questions. Support the show

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 Culture of Rage”, international author, speaker and theologian Amy Orr Ewing joined us to discuss the transformative power of this important biblical command. Support the show

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, stay on campus,” he opined, this aversion to free speech was happening in our council chambers and corporate boardrooms. Our First Amendment ensures important protections of speech, press, and religion. Often seen as separate freedoms, what if they were actually mutually supportive. In other words, what if our free speech was actually grounded in our faith? In this timely talk sponsored by Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy, Prof. Robert George (Reagan Honorary Professor at Pepperdine, and McCormick Professor at Princeton) helped us connect these treasured freedoms to more faithfully engage with a polarized public square.Support the show

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 schools.Our panel of experts, in partnership with the Becket Fund For Religious Liberty, explored the Mahmoud decision and what it means for the future of parental rights and religious freedomSupport the show

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 context for the First Amendment, thereby establishing the foundation for our Friday Forum titled “Religious Liberty and Parental Opt-Outs: School Choice at the Supreme Court” in partnership with Becket. Support the show

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 thousands, perhaps millions of people. Where else in the world can you do that, so early in your career?Mark Strand, former President of the Congressional Institute and current member of the Faith and Law Board of Directors joined us for a lecture titled “Politics and Sausage Making” about glorifying God through work on Capitol Hill. Support the show

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 to occur, and how some states are trying to fix them.Conversation was moderated by Scott Peyton, director of government affairs at Prison Fellowship.Support the show

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 it was that gave the American republic a freedom like no other – which needs to be recovered today.Support the show

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 generation of public leadership and why the call to second chances remains vital for policymakers today. Our conversation was moderated by Scott Peyton, Director of Government Affairs at Prison Fellowship. Support the show

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 her experience, surviving a life threatening and rare spinal cord tumor that left her as a quadriplegic and her decades working on Capitol Hill, Rachel Barkley director of the National Center for Public Policy Research’s Able Americans program, first discussed what the Bible says about people with disabilities, then in light of this, how we should approach disability policy.Support the show

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. Richard Samuelson, Associate Professor of Government at Hillsdale College, presented a study of this founding era debate to help us understand this important tension that has persisted across American history.Support the show

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 Christians we are called to remember, called to think, and called to follow our certain and firm North Star. Dr. Stephen J. Nichols, president of Reformation Bible College and chief academic officer for Ligonier Ministries, discussed how a Christian worldview speaks to these conditions and encourages us to both speak and live truthfully in difficult times.Support the show

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 Democratic Politics, political theorists Dr. Jesse Covington of Westmont College, Dr Bryan T. McGraw of Wheaton College, and Dr. Micah Watson of Calvin College lay out an evangelical theory of the natural law and show how it can be employed within the context of our pluralist democratic order.Support the show

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 the best model for the interplay of religion and politics in a pluralist democracy like the United States.Support the show

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 perfection is harming both parents and children, is leading to skyrocketing rates of anxiety and depression, and how parents, policymakers, and believers, should respond.Support the show

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 “democratization of theology” facilitated by new media and parallel trends. Drawing from Douthat’s latest book, Believe: Why Everyone Should be Religious, the conversation highlighted the changes in the religious landscape and present opportunities for a religious revival. Support the show

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 stories of success and failure as they navigated the complicated ethical waters of faith and work on the Hill. John Palafoutas, Chairman of the board of Faith and Law served as moderator.Support the show

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 George Mason University, will share insights on bridging divides and advancing the common good. Drawing from his experience growing up under military rule in Ghana and his research on pluralism, he will offer practical guidance on how to bring opposing perspectives together in today’s polarized political climate.Support the show

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 involves data collection from approximately 200,000 participants, from 22 geographically and culturally diverse countries. Their goal, to answer ​​questions such as what causes people in some countries to flourish, while others don’t? In this follow up to their initial Friday Forum discussion from December 2023, Pete Peterson, Dean of the School of Public Policy at Pepperdine University interviewed Dr. Byron Johnson, Distinguished Professor of the Social Sciences at Baylor University and Visiting Distinguished Professor in the School of Public Policy at Pepperdine University, to give us a “look under the hood” of what results we might expect to see in May, and what it might mean for American policymakers.The Global Flourishing Study (GFS) is a longitudinal research study being carried out in collaboration between scholars at the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard and Baylor’s Institute for Studies of Religion, and in partnership with Gallup and the Center for Open Science.Watch Pete Peterson’s initial Friday Forum interview with Byron Johnson from December 2023. Support the show

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 should act to reforms that prioritize violence reduction, proportional punishment, and rehabilitation.Support the show

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 McNulty, the ninth president of Grove City College and co-founder of Faith and Law joined us to discuss the wisest road ahead for believers working in the public square.Support the show

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 steward a materially abundant society. What could a radically abundant future look like, especially for our children, and how might it be achieved? How might Christians think about a future of radical abundance enabled by advances in AI, energy, and the policy and cultural frameworks that will enable these technologies? Rachel Barkley, President of RK Barkley Consulting, interviewed and discussed these topics with Taylor Barkley, Director of Public Policy at the Abundance Institute.Support the show

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 America’s faith groups looked like amidst those tensions? And what does a biblical call to peacemaking (Matthew 5:9) look like for Christians here in the US? Support the show

Faith and Law 2024 Leadership ConferenceDr. Mark Hall, Regent UniversitySupport the show

Brig. General (Ret.) John Teichert's opening prayer and devotional given during our 2024 Leadership Conference.Support the show

2024 Leadership Conference. John Shelton of the Advancing American Freedom interviews Dr. Yuval Levin of the American Enterprise Institute.Support the show

2024 Leadership Conference.Panel Discussion featuring Elaine Petty, Charmaine Yoest, and Dr. Bill Hurlbut.Support the show

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 the Evangelical Environmental Network, addressed the debate over the causes of climate change, discussed the role of human activity on today’s global warming, while providing scripture based reasons for how environmental stewardship is part of our Christian witness and a matter of defending the life and health of the most vulnerable.Support the show

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 congressional authority and how is religious freedom impacted by agency rules? Our panel featuring Laura Wolk Slavis of Becket, Paul J. Ray of the Heritage Foundation, Rachel Morrison of the Ethics and Public Policy Center and Amy Vitale of Becket, discussed this question—and how congressional staff can effectively engage the regulatory process—through the lens of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. Support the show

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, and financially than their peers who don’t enjoy that safety and stability.University of Virginia Professor Brad Wilcox of the Institute for Family Studies and American Enterprise Institute joined us to reveal what’s happening to marriage and family life, why these two institutions are losing ground, and what Washington can do to revive their fortunes in 21st-century America.Support the show

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 they ask of our hearts as well as what they ask of our speech–both toward those on the other side and also toward our own in-groupSupport the show

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, authority, and sphere sovereignty — a term coined by 19th century Dutch theologian, politician, and pastor Abraham Kuyper.Support the show

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 societal change, Baroness Philippa Stroud, Member of the House of Lords and a leading public influential in the UK,  identified the steps needed to renew culture, starting with healthy institutions. Drawing on her work with the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship, Stroud discussed how policymakers can foster changes in society that ensure that citizens can take hold of the opportunities in front of them and develop the personal resilience to serve over decades. Support the show

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 joined us for a reflection on possible answers to these and related questions, drawn from revered foundational texts of the Americans who came before us. Such reflections may, perhaps, change the way we make, uphold, and, in a special way, love the law.Support the show

Over 70 million adults in the U.S. have a criminal record. These individuals face over 44,000 government-imposed barriers to work, housing, education, and civil rights that limit their efforts to become responsible stewards of their families and communities. How can churches, businesses, law enforcement, and policymakers better unlock second chances for Americans who have paid their debt to society?A panel of experts from Prison Fellowship joined us for a conversation about the importance of strategies that protect public safety and promote success for individuals with a criminal record.Support the show

In the United States – and, indeed, around the world – changing demographics reflect a steadily aging population. As families grow smaller and more far-flung and as care costs escalate, conversations about elder care are complex and, often, heart breaking. While in the past it was generally presumed that care of elders was a family obligation, today that is less often the norm. Public policy makers who navigate this complex arena have decisions to make as to whether policy should be viewed as a way to replace the care once provided by families, as a scheme to assist families in providing this care, or a blend of both.Lucia Silecchia, Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Faculty Research at The Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law joined us to discuss the ways in which subsidiarity can be a critical part of these urgent conversations. Support the show

The days of Christianity providing a unifying moral vision for our culture (Christendom) are over.  Dr. W. Robert Godfrey, Chairman of Ligonier Ministries joined us to discuss how Abraham Kuyper anticipated this contemporary problem facing American Christians and can help us develop a persuasive and public Christian program.Support the show

Declinism is in the air in certain circles, and it coincides with the conclusion of some historians that 250 years is roughly the lifespan of great superpowers. How do Christians understand such cyclical views of history, and what are the genuine grounds for confidence in the possibility of renewal. Christians are not called to be Pollyannas, but what should our realistic position be?Os Guinness, Anglo-Irishman, author, and social critic, joined us to discuss this timely and important topic.Support the show

We live in times when low-grade nihilism simmers just beneath the surface of everyday conversation, the desire for impact birthed in secular zeal soon stymied by chokeholds of institutional breakdown and pixelated trust. We call out injustice in public but feel squeamish about acknowledging our contributions to it. We text expressions of care to one another but lack the creativity to prove it off-screen. We feel exhausted by the ever-accelerating pace of modern life, by performative politics, by the cultural demand to keep up appearances and continually refine our own identities. Cynical indifference is tempting an entire generation of young adults.Even as we long for experiences of beauty, transcendence, and meaningful co-creation have we lost the ability to find the quiet space required to discern the movement of God?Anne Snyder, editor-in-chief of Comment magazine, joined us to explore a series of principles that can field regeneration, bear fruit, and change history’s direction for the better.Support the show

The kind of people we are, has much to do with the kind of public life we have. Spiritual formation is central to civic renewal. Michael Wear, Founder, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, joined us to share ideas outlined in his new book, The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life.He encouraged us to consider reframing how we view our political involvement as Christians, why who we are in our political life is not quarantined from who we are in "real life," and how we can seek a gentler, healthier politics, all while living and working on Capitol Hill.Support the show

Every child is capable of being an agent of their own uplift provided they are given the resources to inform the decisions that will make them successful adults. Ian Rowe, Sr. Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute discussed four factors that are crucial for children to overcome the victimhood narrative and discover their pathway to power: family, religion, education, and entrepreneurship.Support the show

Faith and Law hosted our yearly panel discussion with Capitol Hill veterans to explore ethical issues encountered by Hill staff, especially as they reach senior leadership positions. Panelists including John Cusey, Melika McKinnis, and John Shelton shared their stories of success and failure as they navigated the complicated ethical waters of the Hill. The discussion was moderated by Bill Wichterman, President of the board of Faith and Law.Due to technical issues with one of the hearing room microphones, parts of our recording have subpar audio quality. We regret any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.Support the show