The State Of Belief

This week, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by a preeminent expert on Christian Nationalism and the New Reformation Movement: Dr. Matthew D. Taylor. His new book (out Oct. 6th) is Defying Tyrants: Following Jesus in a World of Christian Antichrists. We get deep into the history and harm of this word: a quest for power that looks like faith, talks like faith - but then harms people in Jesus’ name.

Matt makes a case that’s both biblical and uncomfortably current. He argues that “Antichrist” isn’t just about bad doctrine—it can describe people who claim Christ but act against him. We also get into Jesus and empire, Christian Nationalism, Pete Hegseth, and what it might look like to resist tyranny without violence.

Dr. Matthew D. Taylor is an award-winning religious studies scholar, author, and nationally-recognized speaker on religion and politics in the United States. He's a visiting scholar at Georgetown University's Center on Faith and Justice, and is one of the leading researchers of Christian Nationalism and the New Apostolic Reformation, charismatic Christian movements that are quietly growing influence on American politics.

Matt holds a PhD in religious studies and Muslim-Christian relations from Georgetown University, and has taught at Georgetown and George Washington University. His books include Scripture People: Salafi Muslims in Evangelical Christian America, and The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy.

The State of Belief host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush welcomes a living legend: Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall, a pioneering voice in theological education and an advocate for gender justice in the Church. As she embarks on her final year as president of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, Dr. Marshall reflects on her remarkable journey, including the challenges she faced as a preacher and educator ordained in the Southern Baptist Convention just as that denomination began its long descent into marginalizing women. Her career survived the threat of a heresy trial and expanded into a multifaith and ever more inclusive vision for the Church and for our society.

More about Molly Marshall:

Rev. Dr. Marshall is a founding member of Baptist Women in Ministry, and her deeply influential books include Joining the Dance: A Theology of the Spirit, and What It Means to Be Human: Made in the Image of God. She received her PhD from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and has served as president of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities since 2022.

The State of Belief host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when religious belief becomes a tool for political control? This week, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA) joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss Christian nationalism, the unexplored religious dimensions of January 6, and why church-state separation protects people of faith and nonbelievers alike. The congressman shares some of the stories in his best-selling new book, No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy From Christian Nationalism.

They also explore Rep. Huffman’s journey from devout Christianity to humanism (spoiler alert: he was ordained!), the growing influence of religious networks in Congress, and what it means to defend a pluralistic democracy from authoritarian threats.

More About Rep. Jared Huffman: First elected to Congress in 2012, Jared Huffman represents California’s 2nd District. With Rep. Jamie Raskin, he co-founded and co-leads the Congressional Freethought Caucus, and works to promote sound public policy based on reason, science and moral values, while protecting the secular character of government and championing the value of freedom of thought worldwide. Prior to his legislative service, Jared worked as a Senior Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

The State of Belief host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“It is as bad as you think it is - and probably worse.” Those chilling words from Dr. Robert P. Jones, Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush’s guest this week, mirror the gravity of the title of his new book: Backslide: Reclaiming a Faith and a
Nation After the Christian Turn Against Democracy.
A historian and sociologist, Robby credibly traces the parallels between 2026 American democracy and 1933 Germany, in particular highlighting the reluctance of the Church to meaningfully engage with the flood of authoritarianism in the country at the time. The crisis of faith and the crisis of democracy Robby sees in the United States today have parallel origins – but also will both benefit from similar prescriptions, which he shares in detail in his book – and in this interview.

Dr. Robert P. Jones is founder and president of the Public Religion Research Institute. His best-selling books include The End of White Christian America; White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity, and The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and the Path to a Shared American Future. Robby's brand new book is titled Backslide: Reclaiming a Faith and a Nation after the Christian Turn Against Democracy, and his Substack is Redeeming Democracy.

The State of Belief host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance.

Here's Robby's article mentioned in the interview: What White Christians Have Wrought
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How is public paralysis an actual tool of authoritarianism? Democracy Forward President Skye Perryman lays out the answer in conversation with host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush on The State of Belief. She’s written the ultimate antidote, a book titled Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times: How to Reclaim Your Power, Fight for Freedom, and Reimagine Democracy.

Listen to this week’s episode for Skye’s key action items including:
• Audit your information intake and identify what is helping or harming your understanding.

• Replace doomscrolling with one concrete action, even if it only takes five minutes.

• Practice speaking across difference without surrendering your values.

• Find one local or national way to support democracy work this week.

• Treat courage and joy as part of the same long-term civic practice.

You’ll come away changed and with a renewed sense of hope and possibility.

The State of Belief host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices