Dr. Matthew Taylor: Following Jesus in a World of Christian Antichrists

Dr. Matthew Taylor: Following Jesus in a World of Christian Antichrists

Author: Interfaith Alliance May 17, 2026 Duration: 55:19
A seismic shift is happening in America’s religious and political landscape—and we need to understand it now. Religion scholar and theologian Dr. Matthew D. Taylor unpacks how Christian nationalism, spiritual warfare, and authoritarian mythologies are reshaping democracy, fueling violence, and distorting faith. If you're wondering why faith is being weaponized to justify tyranny, or how religion fuels the dangerous myth of angels vs. demons in today’s politics, this episode reveals the startling truth behind the headlines. Drawing from his work as the author of The Violent Take It By Force and his upcoming book Defying Tyrants: Following Jesus in a World of Christian Antichrists, Matt argues that understanding and confronting these spiritualized political narratives is essential to protecting both democracy and the integrity of faith. Dr. Matthew D. Taylor is a visiting scholar at the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown University. His Substack is “Matthew D Taylor’s Reckonings." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosted by Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, The State Of Belief is a weekly conversation that lives at the intersection of faith and public life, presented by the Interfaith Alliance. Each episode brings together a thoughtful and often surprising mix of voices-from religious leaders and activists to artists and civic strategists-for discussions that are as engaging and humorous as they are deeply meaningful. These dialogues move beyond abstract theory, offering a grounded look at how spiritual wisdom informs practical action and political engagement in real time. Tuning in, you’ll hear a potent blend of personal stories, strategic insight, and hopeful analysis from people working on the front lines of communities nationwide. The podcast operates from a simple but vital premise, captured in its tagline: “Where Religion and Democracy Meet.” It’s a space designed not for debate, but for exploration, examining how diverse beliefs shape our collective pursuit of justice and democracy. If you’re looking for a source that takes the pulse of faith in America with intelligence, warmth, and a sense of urgency, this is the series for you.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The State Of Belief
Podcast Episodes
Passion & Policy: Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:39
Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, one of the country’s top advocates and experts working at the intersection of religion, politics and policy, has just this week joined Interfaith Alliance as the organization’s new Senior Dire…
The VP Picks, Religious Diversity, and a Vision for Democracy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:06
This week, we’ve pushed up the release of The State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance's weekly podcast, to get you the insightful expert commentary you need, when you need it. We're excited to share with you this week’s epi…
E.J. Dionne: The Vice-Presidential Candidates and Religion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:31
With a lot of attention on the second spot on the presidential ticket right now - whether it's JD Vance and childless cat ladies, or the range of contenders for Kamala Harris' pick - religion and beliefs are prominent in…
We're Going Forward: Wajahat Ali [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:57
With the threat of a right-wing anti-democratic impulse strengthened by conservative extremist policies, campaigns, and rhetoric on the rise, the preservation and protection of our democracy is more critical now than eve…
Amy Spitalnick: Antisemitism and Democracy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:29
In a time when fundamental democratic norms are increasingly contested and targeted, religious identities and freedoms are threatened by increasing hate crimes, conspiracy theories, and misinformation. Amy Spitalnick of…
A Slow Civil War with Jeff Sharlet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:11
The political climate in the last few weeks has left many feeling overwhelmed and scared, waiting for the next shoe to drop. The increasing collaboration of right-wing groups to rally around Project 2025 shows the threat…
How July 4th and Juneteenth Can Bring America Together [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:16
Happy Independence Day Weekend! In this episode of The State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance's weekly podcast and radio program, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush interviews Rev. Thomas L. Bowen, White House Senior Advi…
Faith in Choice: Two Years After Dobbs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:13
Often in the reproductive healthcare debate, the voice of the faithful gets portrayed only on one side - the side of those trying to restrict women’s autonomy and access to abortion. However, this does not portray the en…

«1...678910