Truth Over Tribe: Against Political Tribalism (with Patrick Miller)

November 8, 2022November 9, 2022Kirk E. Miller

Have you noticed that you’ve been more anxious recently? Have political differences put a strain on a relationship with a friend or family member? Has politics caused division in your church? Society is increasingly polarized and tribal. And unfortunately, we as Christians are often not immune, but at times even the worst offenders. In this episode, Patrick Miller, an author of Truth Over Tribe, helps us see the causes of our tribalism to pursue a healthier Christian political engagement.

Access the episode here. (Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more.)

A Christian Case Against Christian Nationalism (with Paul Miller)

October 27, 2022October 27, 2022Kirk E. Miller

Talk about “Christian nationalism” is quite the buzz right now. Many are currently decrying it. Some now though are readily embracing the label to champion it. So what exactly is Christian nationalism? And is it something we, as Christians, should be concerned about? Paul Miller answers, “yes,” helping us understand why Christian nationalism is both bad for our neighbors and harmful to the church.

Access the episode here. (Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more.)

How Can I Love Church Members with Different Politics? (Book Recommendation)

September 27, 2022September 29, 2022Kirk E. Miller

Although we believe the same things concerning our faith, Christians nonetheless often differ in their politics. How can this be? And when it does happen, how can we love those with whom we disagree? These are the exact questions Andy Naselli and Jonathan Leeman seek to answer in this short, practical book.

Purchase How Can I Love Church Members with Different Politics?

Listen to a free audio version of the book.

Access “Politics, Conscience, and the Church.”

See my podcast interview with Jonathan Leeman.

See the full list of Kirk’s recommended books.

A Christian Assessment of News Consumption (with Jeffrey Bilbro)

August 15, 2022August 15, 2022Kirk E. Miller

In a world in which our consumption of news is increasingly polarized and sensational, and disinformation is all too common, how do we combat such unhealthy habits to form a better relationship with the news? And what, after all, is the news even for? What is a particularly Christian mode of engaging and consuming news? In his book, Reading the Times: A Literary and Theological Inquiry Into the News, Jeffrey Bilbro provides a theological, even historical, perspective on the function and impact of the news in our lives, a diagnosis of our problem, and a reframing of how we might construct alternative practices.

Access the episode here. (Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more.)

Some key concepts and ideas from the book:

“Macademized minds” (or fragmented attention)

Our attentions are overloaded; we are unable to attend in meaningful ways because there’s too much to attend to.

As a result, presentations of the news become competingly sensational in order to compete for our distracted attention.

Thus, we need to develop better habits for shaping what we give our attention to.

Continue reading →

A Christian Vision for Racial Solidarity: An Alternative to Hostility, Hysteria, and Apathy

March 15, 2022March 15, 2022Kirk E. Miller

A Christian Vision for Racial Solidarity: An Alternative to Hostility, Hysteria, and Apathy
Christian Camp and Conference Association
Wisconsin Sectional Annual Conference
March 15th, 2022

Podcast link.

Lately, our society has witnessed increased attention and concern for matters of racial justice. Of course, as Christians, the equitable treatment of others aligns with our deepest moral convictions. However, many in society, including some Christians, have raised an alarm around this racial reckoning. Other Christians experience frustration or despair, interpreting this reaction as an attempt to hijack and derail progress on race. Where are Christians to begin when so many are given over to hysteria, hostility, and apathy? And how might the Bible and a Christian worldview lead us to a better alternative–namely, racial solidarity?