"Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies" w/Dr. David P. Gushee

In this episode, Josh Bertram is joined by Dr. David Gushee, a distinguished Christian ethicist and author, to discuss his upcoming book, "Defending a Democracy from Its Christian Enemies." They explore the concept of democracy, threats to its stability, and the rise of authoritarian reactionary Christianity. Dr. Gushee shares insights from his research on seven countries, including the United States, France, Germany, Russia, Poland, Hungary, and Brazil, highlighting the influence of this phenomenon. The conversation delves into the role of the Pentecostal tradition and its susceptibility to charismatic leaders. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the challenges democracy faces and the resources within Christian ethics to address them.

Continuing the conversation, Josh and Dr. Gushee explore the concept of Christian nationalism and its implications. They discuss the desire for a Christian-dominated politics and culture, with a focus on white conservative Christians. The conversation touches on the policy goals of rolling back cultural liberalization, including issues such as abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender equality. They also examine the appeal of charismatic leaders like Donald Trump and the parallels to biblical figures like Cyrus. Dr. Gushee highlights the humane policies of Cyrus and contrasts them with the actions of contemporary leaders. Join them as they navigate the complex intersection of faith, politics, and democracy.

Keywords: democracy, Christian ethics, authoritarian reactionary Christianity, Christian nationalism, threats to democracy, Pentecostal tradition, charismatic leaders, political influence, Christian nationalism, cultural liberalization, policy goals, charismatic leaders, Donald Trump, white conservative Christians, abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, Cyrus.

#Democracy #ChristianEthics #AuthoritarianChristianity #PentecostalTradition #CharismaticLeaders #PoliticalInfluence #ChristianNationalism #CulturalLiberalization #PolicyGoals #CharismaticLeaders #DonaldTrump #ConservativeChristians #AbortionRights #LGBTQRights #GenderEquality #Cyrus

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Dr. David P. Gushee (PhD, Union Theological Seminary, New York) is an ethicist, pastor, author, and advocate. He is the Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University, and Chair of Christian Social Ethics at Vrije Universiteit (“Free University”) Amsterdam, and Senior Research Fellow, International Baptist Theological Study Centre.

Gushee is the elected Past-President of both the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Christian Ethics, signaling his role as one of America's leading Christian ethicists. He is the author, co-author, editor, or co-editor of more than 27 books and over 175 academic book chapters, journal articles, and reviews (see his full academic C.V.). His most recognized works include Introducing Christian Ethics, Righteous Gentiles of the Holocaust, Kingdom Ethics, and The Sacredness of Human Life. With his Changing Our Mind (more than 25,000 sold) and After Evangelicalism, he charts a theological and ethical course for post-evangelical Christians, a course he more personally relates in memoir, Still Christian. Altogether his books have sold over 100,000 copies and been translated into a dozen languages.