Faith and Law

Crossing the aisle has never been easy in politics, but in recent years it has been increasingly seen as an act of betrayal rather than an act of bridge-building. Unfortunately, the same is true of disagreements in many non-political realms. Polarization has found its way into our churches, communities , and even our families. In today's argument culture, is there any hope for restoring civil...

We are at a crossroads in the US on many fronts, including the intersection of sound logic with pressing concerns. Throughout our history we have had men and women with tremendous influence speak into contemporary issues through their thought, whether manifest in writing or speaking. We are navigating an era in which many have tried to discard the law of noncontradiction. The very humanities basis...

It is difficult to know when to share information with others, especially when that information damages another person's reputation. The challenge is especially acute for those who work on the Hill, where information is currency. In this talk, Dr. Anderson developed an 'ethics of gossip' that both challenges our tendency toward "loose lips" and guides us toward knowing whe...

From the private to the public sectors, there is consensus that modern slavery exists and that it is wrong; yet around the world, prosecutions, victim identification, and quality victims services are all in decline. It is an urgent problem and demands our attention and action—but how do we solve human trafficking and other human rights issues today?  Ambassador John Cotton Richmond joined us for a...

Western civilization is said to be the most powerful civilization the world has ever seen, because of its truly global impact. But two things are now obvious. The West has dominated the world for the past 500 years, and a mounting chorus of voices are now saying the West is in decline. Not only is the Christian faith at the heart of the understanding of this ‘civilizational moment, but the crisis...

In light of the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, and our ongoing challenge to continue pushing for policies that protect and uphold the lives of mothers and of their born and pre-born children, should Christians all the more support (rightly designed) federal subsidies for child care and preK? Stanley Carlson-Thies , founder and senior director of the Institutional Religious...

U.S companies are the driving force behind global innovation and the advancement of emerging technologies. A deeper understanding of God’s creativity and our roles as image-bearers can help Christians working on Capitol Hill shape policy that will encourage ingenuity and maintain America's technological cutting-edge while protecting intellectual property. Phoebe Miles, co-founder of the Cade...

Many Americans frame frictions with China not only as a set of conflicting interests to be managed, but as a decisive battle between Democracy and Autocracy, between Good and Evil. In this formulation, our interests are often equated with the maintenance of our power and our power is viewed in millenarian terms. This tendency is baffling not only to our adversaries, but to our allies as well. Why...

The toxic divisions, cancel culture and partisan hatred that continue to grip America are a challenge not just for our country but for our faith. Many churches are divided, while many Christians are selecting out of churches they've been a part of for a long time to find a church that more fully lines up with their political views. More than a third of pastors have considered quitting their m...

There is much public outcry about the Supreme Court's leaked draft majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health. Passions are high on both sides of this issue, further fracturing an already divided nation. However, there is one thing that both proponents and opponents of Roe can agree on -- women and children deserve to be empowered with real options and comprehensive care. Studie...

Many have missed the deep religious significance of Russia’s recent wars, from the “holy war” against ISIS in Syria to recovery of sacred spaces in the Crimea. Dr. Eric Patterson of the Religious Freedom Institute will identify key features of Russia’s religious diplomacy across the Orthodox world and key religious aspects of Russia’s geo-politics, from Purim’s necklace to Ukrainian denominational...

For much of American history, our country had no formally established church but it did have a soft religious establishment -- Protestant at first and then Judeo-Christian -- that shaped and grounded our national debates. In the 1960s and 1970s, the collapse of the Protestant Mainline dissolved that center, and our culture wars should be understood as the attempts by different forces to fill that...

Religious liberty is having another significant year at the Supreme Court. Luke Goodrich is VP & senior counsel at Becket , where he represents religious organizations and individuals in religious liberty disputes in courts across the country, including in the Supreme Court.  Mr Goodrich broke down the religious liberty cases at SCOTUS this term--from school choice ( Carson v. Makin ), to publ...

In celebration of  Second Chance Month , we partnered with  Prison Fellowship to gather a panel of experts, law enforcement leaders, and directly impacted voices for a discussion around improving outcomes among the one in three American adults with a criminal record. We are excited for this opportunity to dive into ways to advance second chances, thoughtful alternatives to incarceration, and succe...

The central question of this cultural moment, the one behind the most difficult issues we face as a society, is what does it mean to be human. Who are we? What is our value? What is our responsibility to one another? The vision of humanity at the heart of the Christian story is true and good, the most compelling account of who we are, and the best opportunity for Christians to offer life and hope...

In 1973 in Roe v Wade , the Supreme Court found an implied right to abortion in the Constitution. By the end of this term in June, it will rule on a case - Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Women's Health Organization - that challenges the continuing validity of that holding.  Professors Helen Alvaré of George Mason Scalia School of Law and William Saunders of The Catholic University of America w...

Abandoning the view of human nature that guided the country’s Founders, Americans for two centuries have justified democracy on false and romantic grounds. We think too highly of ourselves, and this comforting misperception magnifies our partisan polarization, intensifies our frustration with democratic institutions, and heightens our susceptibility to authoritarianism. A necessary first step to a...

Faith & Law hosted a panel of senior Capitol Hill Veterans, moderated by John Palafoutas, founder of Faith & Law, to explore the "Trials and Tribulations of Living an Ethical Life on Capitol Hill."  Panelists included: Arne Christenson , former Chief of Staff to then Speaker Newt Gingrich. Nicole Gustafson , former senior policy advisor and chief counsel to former Majority Leader...

Federal law protects the civil rights of medical conscience and religious freedom in health care. These defend the rights of medical professionals, clinics, hospitals, and other health care entities who refuse to participate in specific medical procedures or health care activities, based on moral objections or religious beliefs. In recent years, advocates and politicians have been trying to pressu...

How should Christians arrive at political positions? How does Biblical political judgement differ from secular judgement? Is there a place to exercise Biblical judgment at all in our modern politics?  Dr. Micah J. Watson of Calvin University and Dr. David Corey of Baylor University discuss Scripture, faith, and reasoning by natural law. Support the show

The United States is facing a moral crisis prompted by rapid increases in cross-border migration and global displacement. For too long, the debate around immigration policy has been framed with false choices that have resulted in political stalemates at a great human cost. Crisis after crisis, Americans are asked to choose between security and unbridled compassion. Is there a better way to safegua...

On the eve of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month, it is appropriate to reflect on how public policy, current healthcare protocols, and our own lack of understanding can compound the trauma of the loss of a child and contribute to prolonged grief reactions. In addition to gaining a better understanding of the unique obstacles facing bereaved parents and their families, we will discuss eviden...

America’s national and international crises have thrown a stark spotlight on leadership, and shown up once again the strong differences between secular views and Christian views. But what are the defining features of a biblical view of leadership? How do we ensure that servant leadership is more than a cliché? How do we make our distinctive dimensions of leadership real in these turbulent times? O...

Many young professionals have sought answers to the important question: “How exactly do I discern God’s will, and determine what life and career path to take in the days ahead?” While countless responses to this question have been suggested and published, the biblical answer is profoundly simple and truly liberating. Join Congressman Mike Johnson as he presents the answer that may change your life...

This past year we have seen so much grief, pain and horror: bodies floating down the Ganges as Covid rages in India, medical personnel exhausted and dying in their efforts to care for those who have gotten sick, fracture in our social and political culture that threatens to destroy our country, alongside the world's usual quota of war, illness, accident, and danger. Where is God? Why doesn&ap...