Best Liberty Magazine & Adventist Learning Community Podcasts (2025)

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46: Skeptics of church-state separation versus the historical record - with Steven Green. 37:12

4d ago37:12

37:12

How can we make sense of competing visions for the role of religion in American governance? We can start by following the paper trail left by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Guest: Steven K. Green, Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Religion, Law & Democracy, Willamette University Show Notes: New book by Steven Green, The Grand Col…

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45: An "outsider's" perspective on Christianity and American democracy with Jonathan Rauch 37:24

10d ago37:24

37:24

What can a Jewish atheist teach us about the vital role Christianity plays in maintaining the health of the American republic? Guest: Jonathan Rauch, author and Brookings Institute fellow Show Notes: Book by Jonathan Rauch, Cross Purposes: Christianty's Broken Bargain with Democracy https://www.amazon.com/Cross-Purposes-Christianitys-Bargain-Democr…

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44: A global trend we can't ignore. Interview with Aykan Erdemir. 35:22

17d ago35:22

35:22

History's lessons about antisemitism are fading from our collective memory. A new generation must grapple with this age-old form of hate and what it means for minorities of every kind in today's world. Guest: Aykan Erdemir, Anti-Defamation League Show Notes: "The ADL Global 100 Index results: https://www.adl.org/adl-global-100-index-antisemitism Pr…

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43: A final push on the teetering church-state wall? Interview with Frank Ravitch 38:02

24d ago38:02

38:02

Can the state of Oklahoma fully fund a Catholic charter school that exists to "evangelize" its students? The Supreme Court will soon say "yes" or "no" in a case that may overturn decades of church-state constitutional law. Guest: Frank Ravitch, Professor of law and religion, Michigan State University. Aykan Erdemir, Anti-Defamation League Show Note…

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42: Mere presidential puffery? Or constitutional crisis? with David French. 31:06

1M ago31:06

31:06

As the Trump administration redraws the boundaries of executive authority, are we merely in the midst of a constitutional "adjustment"? Or are we staring down a constitutional crisis with long term implications for civil liberties? Guest: David French, New York Times columnist Show Notes: Advisory Opinions podcast: https://thedispatch.com/podcast/a…

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41: Quakers, ICE, and "chilled expression" with Noah Merrill. 31:29

1M ago31:29

31:29

Houses of worship are no longer off-limits for immigration enforcement as the Trump administration pursues aggressive new policies. But some faith groups are drawing First Amendment lines and asking the courts to enforce them. Guest: Noah Merrill, Secretary, New England Yearly Meeting of Friends Show Notes: The legal complaint filed by Quakers and …

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40: The ABCs of faith in the classroom with Richard Foltin 33:27

2M ago33:27

33:27

Do public schools have to be faith-free zones? Or is this a misunderstanding of our Constitution's First Amendment? We delve into the dos and don'ts of religious expression at school, as well as the rationale for these guardrails. Guest: Richard Foltin, Senior Fellow, Freedom Forum Show Notes: "Freedom Forum's Guidelines for Religion in Public Scho…

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39: Pt. 2 When immigration policy steps on religious toes with Steve Allred and Jason Mustard 30:58

2M ago30:58

30:58

The stories keep on coming--with new federal policies in place, even immigrants with legal status are afraid to go to church or send their children to school. How can individuals navigate this new immigration enforcement landscape?By Liberty Magazine & Adventist Learning Community

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38: When immigration enforcement steps on religious toes with Steve Allred and Jason Mustard 32:00

2M ago32:00

32:00

Could immigration enforcement policy be a religious liberty issue? Under new federal enforcement policies, churches and church properties are no longer off limits for raids or other enforcement activities. How should churches respond? Guests: Steve Allred, attorney and religious liberty advocate Jason Mustard, immigration attorney…

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37: A Christian case against 10 Commandment laws with Amireh Al-Haddad. 31:02

2M ago31:02

31:02

It sounds plausible. There must be some net positives from exposing school children to biblical values, right? But is this true? What are the issues that Christians should consider in the face of the growing push for so-called "10 Commandment laws"? Guest: Amireh Al-Haddad, religious liberty advocate Show notes: Liberty magazine articles: "Thou Sha…

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36: Untangling the COVID religious liberty controversies with Jonathan Cherne 32:39

2M ago32:39

32:39

The avalanche of COVID-era vaccine exemption requests represented a "stress test" for the American legal system. What did we learn about how religious liberty is protected in America today? Show Notes: Church State Council wesbite: https://www.churchstate.org Cherne Law P.C. website: https://www.chernelaw.com…

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35: The Rise of Religious Politics 2.0. with Kevin Vallier 34:05

3M ago34:05

34:05

A little-known political philosophy seeks to fuse religious mandates with a new understanding of political power. What is Catholic integralism? And how would it revolutionize church-state relations in America? Guest: Dr. Kevin Vallier, author and professor, University of Toledo. FB: https://www.facebook.com/kevinvallier1 X: https://x.com/kvallier S…

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34: Partisan Pulpits and Purple Churches with Stephen Cook 29:41

3M ago29:41

29:41

Since 1950s, the so-called Johnson Amendment has been a lightning rod for controversy. Is it an unconstitutional restriction on the speech rights of pastors, as a new lawsuit argues? Or a last line of defense against the politicization of America's houses of worship? Guest: Dr. Stephen Cook, Senior Pastor, Second Baptist Church, Memphis, TN FB: htt…

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33: Pride, Prejudice, and Parental Rights - with Will Haun. 32:27

3M ago32:27

32:27

When deeply held religious beliefs clash with public school lesson plans, finding workable solutions can be a challenge. What happens, though, when a solution is obvious, but compromise has been taken off the table? Guest: William Haun, Senior Counsel, Becket Fund for Religious Liberty X: https://x.com/BecketLaw FB: https://www.facebook.com/becketl…

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Season 3 Teaser 1:03

3M ago1:03

1:03

Next Tuesday, Jan 28, 2025 we launch Season 3—take a peek at some of our upcoming guests!By Liberty Magazine & Adventist Learning Community

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32: The Bible Goes to School with Alan and Bettina 29:47

5M ago29:47

29:47

Conversation between hosts Alan Reinach and Bettina Krause. __________________ Oklahoma's school superintendent has told teachers they must integrate the Christian Bible into all their classes. For Christians, is this a welcome development or a reason for concern? And what legal issues are raised by this growing movement in the US to return the Bib…

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31: Enforcing "God's Law" with Dr. Sima Samar 29:20

5M ago29:20

29:20

How did Afghanistan became the world's largest prison for women? Interview with Sima Samar. The Taliban has ruled Afghanistan since the US and NATO pulled out in 2021. Within days, they began rolling back the hard-won civil rights of women and girls. Today, to be female in Afghanistan is to be legally vulnerable and physically isolated. Sima Samar,…

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30: Antisemitism - The Canary in the Coal Mine with Mark Schickman 31:15

5M ago31:15

31:15

Antisemitism is on the rise in America and around the world. Interview with Mark Schickman. Antisemitism has a long and sordid history and over the centuries, it has taken many different shapes. But what does it look like today in 21st century America? What's driving this spike in antisemitism and how can we better recognize and combat this form of…

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29: Terminated Fire Chief case goes to the Supreme Court with Ron Hittle and Wendy Musell 28:44

5M ago28:44

28:44

When Ron Hittle was fired by city leaders citing his attendence at a "religious event," Ron faced a choice. Accept the decision and move on or stand up against religious discimination. He chose the more difficult path and has now asked the Supreme Court to hear his case that tests legal protection for people of faith in the workplace.…

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28: A matter of survival with Steve McFarland 32:54

6M ago32:54

32:54

A matter of survival. Why a legal principle called "church autonomy" is again facing scrutiny in the courtroom. An interview with Steve McFarland. Question: What makes an Adventist school "Adventist" or a Catholic charity "Catholic" or a Islamic humanitarian agency "Islamic"? Answer: In large part, its employees. Without staff members who share the…

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27: Does mixing faith and politics always end in disaster? with Curtis Chang 31:17

6M ago31:17

31:17

Suffering a political-party hangover? There's a remedy for that. The creators of "The After Party"--Curtis Chang, Russell Moore, and David French--have some thoughts for Christians trying to navigate America's toxic political landscape. We talk with podcaster, theologian, and evangelical leader Curtis Chang about "The After Party"--an online curric…

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26: A clause for confusion? with Charles Haynes 31:16

6M ago31:16

31:16

A clause for confusion? The much-debated meaning of the First Amendment's establishment clause. What exactly did our colonial forebears have in mind when they forbade laws "respecting an establishment of religion"? And why have we been arguing about it ever since? We take a tour through American history and Supreme Court jurisprudence with First Am…

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25: The rise of the Christian culture-war warrior with Barry Hankins 31:51

6M ago31:51

31:51

"How and when did evangelical Christians become a predictable voting bloc? And what does this shift mean--not only for American politics, but for the church itself? We talk with Barry Hankins, an author, professor, and renowned historian of the evangelical movement, about the consequences of politicized Christianity and the forces that drive it." _…

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24: Free to Speak Hate? Campuses & Free Speech with Michael A. Helfand 30:07

7M ago30:07

30:07

College-age students have opinions about the Israel-Gaza war and they're finding ways to share them. But when does political protest morph into something darker? We talk with church-state scholar Michael A. Helfand, professor at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, about rising antisemitism in America and the lines between free speech, discrimination, …

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23: Flags and Fury with Matthew D. Taylor 31:16

7M ago31:16

31:16

Flags and fury: the most important Christian movement you've never heard of. Interview with Matthew D. Taylor. The so-called "Appeal to Heaven" flag entered the national conversation recently with news it had been flown over a house owned by Supreme Court justice Samuel Alito. But what is the story behind this flag and the powerful, yet relatively …

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22: Your mother was wrong. You can talk about politics and religion at the dinner table with Orlan Johnson 31:48

7M ago31:48

31:48

What's the quickest way to turn any social occasion sour? Just steer the conversation toward either religion or politics. Or both. In today's polarized media environment, civil discourse seems like a long-lost art. But a new television program is daring to explore fresh, kinder ways to tackle topics that divide Americans. We talk with attorney Orla…

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21: Worshiping at the altar of America with Brian T. Kaylor 32:11

7M ago32:11

32:11

Who should we blame for the rise of Christian nationalism? Is it simply the work of white Christian supremacists or far-right evangelical political leaders? Or could it also have been fueled by ordinary American Christians, and their decades-long, unquestioning embrace of something called "civil religion"? We talk with award-winning author and jour…

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20: Doing the Lord's work on the government's dime. Interview with Stanley Carslon-Thies 30:50

8M ago30:50

30:50

Over the past three decades, the federal government has come to rely on religious organizations to help deliver essential social services--everything from running domestic violence shelters and food pantries, to providing elder care and job training. But new regulations from the Biden administration are again highlighting longstanding concerns. Can…

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19: Politics as a Spiritual Discipline? Interview with Chris Butler 29:21

8M ago29:21

29:21

Are there practical ways for Christians to innoculate themselves against the toxicity of today's politics? Can Christians be politically active--whether as Republicans or Democracts--without compromising their higher allegience to God? Chris Butler, lead pastor of Chicago Embassy Church Network and cofounder of the AND Campaign, brings his years of…

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18: History--It's not just about the past. Interview with Warren Throckmorton 21:52

8M ago21:52

21:52

Could historical mis-readings of America's founding be helping fuel today's political polarization? What difference does it make what we believe about Thomas Jefferson's religious views or his attitude toward slavery? We talk with Warren Throckmorton, a psychologist, podcaster, and co-author of the book, Getting Jefferson Right: Fact-checking Claim…

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17: It's time to tear up the script about faith in American politics with Michael Wear. 32:56

10M ago32:56

32:56

Mixing faith and politics? It's always a dangerous brew--at least, that's what common wisdom says. But is there a more productive way for Christians to engage with politics? And could Christian values actually help heal our country's widening political divisions? A veteran political strategist thinks the answer to these questions is "Yes," but sugg…

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16: Deadly words: The global fight against blasphemy laws with Kola Alapinni 29:34

11M ago29:34

29:34

In America, we have the luxury of debating religious freedom questions that don't have life-or-death consequences attached. In many other countries, though, the price of freedom is extraordinarily high. Every year, from Pakistan to Iran to Saudi Arabia, men and women are imprisoned or sentenced to death for the so-called crime of blasphemy. We talk…

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15: Punching above its weight: The Adventist Church and religious freedom advocacy with Michael Campbell 30:51

11M ago30:51

30:51

On paper, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is one of America's smallest protestant Christian denominations. Yet through the years, it's had a surprisingly outsized influence on the national discourse around religious freedom issues. How and why did this happen? We unpack the fascinating and little-known history of Adventist advocacy with one of the…

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14: The Church State Council: Six decades of advocacy and change with Alan Reinach 30:28

11M ago30:28

30:28

This week, podcast host Alan Reinach sits in the interview hot seat. As executive director of one of America's oldest religious freedom advocacy organizations, he's seen decades of evolution and turmoil in both the law and culture when it comes to how America protects religious liberty. We take a look back at the Church State Council's 60 years of …

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13: Power worshipping and Christian nationalism with Katherine Stewart 29:23

11M ago29:23

29:23

An investigative journalist spent years exploring the politicization of American Christianity. Her work resulted in not just two best-selling books, but also a documentary, God & Country, which was produced by Hollywood actor and producer Rob Reiner. What first sparked her interest in this topic, and what lessons has she learned about the dangers o…

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12: In God we trust? The crumbling church-state wall. Interview with Frank Ravitch 33:54

11M ago33:54

33:54

It's been a roller-coaster ride over the past few years for those who've been following the current Supreme Court's interpretation of the First Amendment's religion clauses. Decades of jurisprudence has been upended, encouraging states to pass laws that push the constitutional boundaries when it comes to endorsing religious messages. Is there a way…

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11: Too much protection for religion? Understanding the "ministerial exception." Interview with Charles Russo 31:00

11M ago31:00

31:00

Too much, too little, or just right? Has American law found the "Goldilocks point" when it comes to protecting the autonomy of religious institutions, while also protecting other important community interests? The so-called ministerial exception is seen by some Americans as a tool that allows religious organizations to discriminate with impunity. H…

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10: American propaganda and the making of a civil religion. Interview with Andrew Polk 30:23

11M ago30:23

30:23

No--"In God We Trust" wasn't inscribed on our currency during the founding era. And the motto "One Nation Under God" has a more recent origin than many might suspect. We take a fascinating journey into a little-known era of American history; a time when the government was in the business of creating an "American religion." Interview with Andrew R. …

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9: The Supreme Court's lopsided take on religious freedom. Interview with Steven Green 30:24

12M ago30:24

30:24

Many Americans believe that religious folk want to have their cake and eat it, too. People of faith want to be protected from discrimination, but they claim the right to discriminate. They want the state to provide robust legal protection and accommodations, but they also want the state to take a hands-off approach when it comes to how religious in…

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8: Have young Americans given religious freedom a "use-by date"? Interview with Jaziah Masters 29:30

12M ago29:30

29:30

Religious freedom in America may be headed toward the edge of a cliff. Why? Because survey after survey shows that younger generations of Americans neither understand nor value the crucial role religious freedom plays in our democracy. What's behind this worrying trend? And can anything be done to rehabilitate the reputation of religious freedom in…

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7: An unexpected win for faith on campus. Interview with Kim Colby 30:30

12M ago30:30

30:30

Should a religious student club have the same access and support on campus as a secular student club? And can a religious student club require its leadership to pledge support for a shared statement of faith? A recent court decision in California provides hopeful signs that the pendulum may be swinging back toward a fairer deal for students of fait…

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6: Thou shall not post the Ten Commandments. Interview with Marc Zvi Brettler 32:33

12M ago32:33

32:33

There's been a rash of state-level laws recently that mandate the posting of "The Ten Commandments" on the walls of public school classrooms. What's behind this? And whose version of these biblical commands are we talking about, anyway? Interview with Marc Zvi Brettler, Professor of Jewish Studies, Duke University. Show Notes The Torah website for …

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5: Through the eyes of a second-generation Holocaust survivor. Interview with Richard Foltin 32:12

12M ago32:12

32:12

It's often been said that those who forget the past are destined to repeat it. If this is true, then we should be taking note of rising rates of antisemitism--not just in America but around the world. Our conversation in this episode weaves together an intensely personal family history with a discussion of cultural and political warning signs that …

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4: Can you bring your faith to work? Interview with Hiram Sasser 31:19

12M ago31:19

31:19

For a country that claims religious freedom as a fundamental value, America has sometimes had an odd way of showing it--especially when it comes to workplace accommodations for people of faith. Whether it's time off for Sabbaths, or permission to wear religious garb on the job, American workers have had weak legal protection. That is, until now. Wh…

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3: The Supreme Court goes back to (faith-based) school. Interview with Alan Brownstein 30:36

12M ago30:36

30:36

It's a decision that gave many Supreme Court watchers a bad case of whiplash. For decades, the Court said that direct state funding for faith-based schools was constitutionally forbidden. But in Carson v Makin, the Court said that those same religion clauses require the state to fund religious schools in some circumstances. What's behind the Court'…

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2: Does religion have a place in American foreign policy? Interview with Knox Thames 31:24

12M ago31:24

31:24

Twenty-five years ago, the United States became the first and only nation to link religious freedom advocacy with its foreign policy goals. Why? And what has this achieved? A former State Department official provides an insider's take on how the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 changed the face of U.S. foreign policy, and what's ahead. S…

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1: What's so Christian about Christian nationalism? Interview with Amanda Tyler 27:54

12M ago27:54

27:54

Christian nationalism has been in the media spotlight ever since the tumultuous events of January 6, 2021. But finding an agreed-upon definition for this phenomenon has proved elusive. What are we really talking about when we call someone a Christian nationalist? And how accurate, really, is that "Christian" label? Interview with Amanda Tyler, Exec…

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Just Liberty - Trailer 1:23

1y ago1:23

1:23

Coming Spring 2024 - a fresh, balanced take on religious liberty and church-state issues in a world of polarization. Subscribe now so our first episode shows up in your feed.By Adventist Learning Community & Liberty Magazine

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Liberty Magazine & Adventist Learning Community Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen