In this episode, we are joined again by Tim Alberta of The Atlantic and Michael Wear of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, to discuss Michael's brand new book The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life. Michael has been engaging the condition of American politics for more than 15 years, after serving in the White House, helping to launch and lead the AND Campaign, and advising leading policymakers, journalists, practitioners at the intersection of faith and public policy.
Drawing from this experience as well as the work and influence of noteworthy Christian philosopher Dallas Willard, Michael argues that our politics will only get better if we get better. The only way to transcend the current polarized morass we’re in is to deepen and revitalize our spiritual formation. Our politics is downstream of the kind of people we are.
The Spirit of Our Politics argues that the way forward is to better align our political and civic engagement with our religious commitments. And while the democratic answer for believers is never theonomy, or Christian nationalism, or privileging a majority identity—Michael and Tim sketch the contours of what faithful, integrated living might produce.
Guests:
Additional Resources:
The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life, by Michael Wear
The Center for Christianity & Public Life
The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism, by Tim Alberta
"The Surprising Link between the Gospel and Politics," by Michael Wear
Wear We Are Podcast, with Michael and Melissa Wear
"Tim Alberta and Michael Wear: The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory," Faith Angle podcast episode