James Baldwin was my exact age — 63 — when he died in 1987. At the time of his death, he had written essential novels, plays and essays and had given a multitude of powerful speeches, including a 1965 debate…
Politics, faith and mission: A conversation with Andrea Russell
Gladstone’s Library is a remarkable institution, a residential research library in Northern Wales that was founded by four-time British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone. Last month, I taught a course at the Library with Oxford University’s Professor of Black Theology…
Politics, faith and mission: A conversation with Bishop Michael Curry
Michael Curry was elected 27th presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in 2015, after previously serving as bishop of North Carolina. One of America’s most-renowned preachers, he is perhaps most widely known for his sermon at the “royal wedding” of…
Politics, faith and mission: A conversation with Melissa Deckman
Melissa Deckman is a political scientist studying gender, religion and American politics. The author of the wondrous new book The Politics of Gen Z: How the Youngest Voters Will Shape Our Democracy from Columbia Press, she also is CEO of…
Politics, faith and mission: A conversation with Matthew D. Taylor
Matthew D. Taylor is author of The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement that Is Threatening Our Democracy, a brilliant and deep dive into the world of charismatic American Christians who planted the seeds for January 6 and…
‘Who is my neighbor?’
Over the past two weeks, the Trump/Vance campaign has spoken often about an influx of Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, and proffered the outrageous claim that these immigrants are stealing and eating the pets of white Springfield citizens. Despite a…
Politics, faith and mission: A conversation with Nancy French
I’ve known Nancy French for some years now, if by “know” we count social media connection, which I do. I’ve gotten out of the habit of talking about disagreements with people; I look for places of connection and ask whether…
Politics, faith and mission: A conversation with Robert P. Jones
Robert P. Jones is founder and president of Public Religion Research Institute and one of America’s foremost scholars on race, religion and politics. He is regularly featured in the news media and is the author of several essential books including…
Politics, faith and mission: A conversation with Brian Kaylor
Brian Kaylor is president and editor-in-chief of Word&Way, a Baptist minister with a Ph.D. in political communications, and the author or co-author of five books on religion and politics, including a new book on white Christian nationalism with Beau Underwood,…