Faith, Sparring, and the Politics of Being Human — James Michael Smith of Disciple Dojo

In this episode of Faithful Politics, we sit down with James Michael Smith, founder of @DiscipleDojo for a conversation about how Christians engage culture without losing clarity or charity. Smith draws on his background in theology and martial arts to frame public discourse as sparring — pushing ideas hard while still treating the other person as a training partner rather than an enemy.

The conversation moves across church culture, political polarization, and the habits that shape how we disagree. We discuss how identity gets tied to ideology, why online spaces intensify conflict, and what it looks like to challenge ideas without dehumanizing people. Smith also shares how his ministry works to form Christians who can think critically, hold convictions, and stay grounded in real-world relationships.

Throughout the episode, the focus stays on discipline — intellectual, spiritual, and relational. The goal isn’t to eliminate disagreement. It’s to handle it in a way that sharpens understanding instead of tearing people apart.

Disciple Dojo YouTube

Guest Bio

James Michael Smith is the founder of Disciple Dojo, a discipleship and Bible-training ministry that equips Christians to think clearly and engage culture with integrity. He holds an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. Smith also founded Refugee Jitsu, a free program that teaches self-defense and resilience to refugee and underserved youth. His work brings together theology, cultural analysis, and disciplined conversation in both digital and in-person spaces.