Religion Unplugged

How does one balance faithfulness to religious tradition with artistic expression? Culture critic Joseph Holmes interviews director Lotfy Nathan on this very topic. Lotfy was raised in the Coptic Christian tradition and grew up to make a horror film about the childhood of Jesus based on the Infancy Gospel of Thomas--starring Nicholas Cage! 

Christians have many terms for those who came before them. They are called saints, heroes of the faith, and church fathers. But rarely are they referred to simply as ancestors. William H. Lamar IV pastors one of the oldest black churches in Washington, DC. He speaks with Matthew Peterson about his recent book, “Ancestors: Those Who Bless Us, Curse Us, and Hold Us.” He also talks about why it is im...

Few Christians will deny that Jesus and his disciples did miracles 2000 years ago. But does supernatural healing still occur in 2025? On this issue, there is much more debate. But, for New York Times Bestselling Author Lee Strobel, the answer is clear. Culture Critic Joseph Holmes interviews Strobel about his new documentary, The Case for Miracles. The Case For Miracles:  https://thecaseformiracle...

Catechesis is almost as old as Christianity itself. And while many catechisms have evolved over the years, the age of catechisms is rarely seen as a drawback — if anything, knowing that a catechism is tried and true can be what makes people trust it. But Trevin Wax and Thomas West believe it is worth developing a new catechism. Trevin speaks with Matthew Peterson about why churches and traditions...

American Evangelicalism has major influence over the culture and politics of the U.S. But, where did it all begin? In his recent book, “Jesus Springs,” William Schultz argues that the center of evangelicalism is in Colorado Springs. William and Matthew Peterson talk about how the Western city helped build the evangelical movement into what it is today. Jesus Springs: https://uncpress.org/978146968...

Many writers have been credited with the authorship of the Bible. Some Biblical books list their writers explicitly, others are more ambiguous. But is writing the same as narrating? Raffi Magarik’s recent book “Fictions of God” investigates the question of the Bible’s narratology and its effects on both the protestant reformation and epic literature. Fictions of God:  https://press.uchicago.edu/uc...

Pope Francis was undeniably controversial in Catholic and non-Catholic circles alike. So far, his predecessor has been less polarizing, but are the two popes really as different as they appear? Joseph Holmes interviews reporter and writer Christopher White about his recent book “Pope Leo XIV: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy.” Pope Leo XIV:  https://store.loyolapress.com/pope-leo-x...

How did a formerly homeless high school dropout end up with a doctorate in public policy and a poverty relief organization? Matthew Peterson interviews Dr. Terence Lester about his recent book “From Dropout to Doctorate.” Lester explains how education changed his life, how he is fighting poverty in Atlanta, Georgia, and how poverty and education can be deeply intertwined. From Dropout to Doctorate...

“How has christianity changed by the means of transmission?” This is one of the core questions Professor David N. Hempton asks with his book “Christianity at the Crossroads,” in which he recounts the way Christianity has developed from the print revolution to the digital age due to the methods in which it is shared and experienced. Matthew Peterson speaks with Hempton about how these communication...

Is it possible for faith-based film audiences and horror film audiences to converge? Despite the seeming chasm between the two genres, some of 2025’s biggest horror films have much to say about faith. Culture Writers Joseph Holmes and Jillian Cheney discuss the role of religion and spirituality in The Conjuring: Last Rites, Sinners and Black Phone 2.

Over 100 years ago, Muhammad ‘Abduh grappled with the ways in which Islam and Christianity can coexist. He also explored the ways in which the two faiths have either contributed or restricted philosophical and scientific advancement. Now, due to the book’s ongoing cultural relevance, Mohammed Gamal Abdelnour and Umran Khan have translated ‘Abduh’s “Science and Civilization between Islam and Christ...

The book of Exodus is full of violence, disease, plagues and power struggle. Can this story be told through the lens of a comedic mockumentary? Culture critic Joseph Holmes interviews Mitch Hudson, director of the new faith-based TV show “The Promised Land,” which presents an “Office”-style twist on the story of Exodus. The Promised Land:  https://www.youtube.com/@ThePromisedLandSeries/featured

Fr. Stephen M. Koeth’s “Crabgrass Catholicism” explores the many ways the Catholic Church drove the creation of suburban culture in postwar America. Crabgrass Catholicism:  https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/C/bo250888546.html

Mike Flynt made history by going back to play college football at the age of 59. Now, with a new movie called "The Senior"   in theaters from Angel Studios, Mike opens up about his experiences and the strong role faith played. The Senior: https://www.angel.com/movies/senior

Culture critic Joseph Holmes talks to filmmaker and author Salvador Litvak about his new faith-based thriller, "Guns & Moses," and how the film reflects the fears and experiences of modern Orthodox Jews. In theaters October 14th. Guns & Moses:  gunsandmosesmovie.com

Edward Wright-Ríos explores the devotees of Our Lady of Juquila and why pilgrimage is so much more than just “sweaty therapy” in his book “Devotion in Motion: Pilgrimage in Modern Mexico.” Devotion in Motion:  https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/D/bo248381442.html

Salvation Poem Project President Brennan McPherson sits down with Film Critic Joseph Holmes to discuss his new hand-drawn animation film about the life of Jesus, "Light of the World," which is in theaters September 5th. Light of The World:  https://lightoftheworld.com

Violence done at the hands of religious zealots seems as ancient as war itself. But how do peace-preaching religions become violent? And is religious violence more rampant today than it has been in the past? To find out, Matthew Peterson investigated the rise of Hindu nationalism in India and the ongoing persecution of its religious minorities. ANHAD:  https://anhadindia.com CSSS:  https://csss-is...

After many years as a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, Lee Hawkins composed a memoir about how his investigation into his family's history led him on a journey of self-discovery and forgiveness. Matthew Peterson speaks with Lee about his book, "I Am Nobody's Slave" I Am Nobody's Slave:  https://www.harpercollins.com/products/i-am-nobodys-slave-lee-hawkins?variant=424176858...

Matthew Peterson speaks with Alina Buzdugan of the Bible Chat app--an AI-powered tool intended to help believers and non-believers grow spiritually and advance their knowledge of scripture. Bible Chat:  https://thebiblechat.com

Matthew Peterson speaks with professor and author Philip C. Almond about his recent book "Noah and the Flood in Western Thought." Noah and the Flood in Western Thought:  https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/noah-and-the-flood-in-western-thought/D854F3F09B2AB914D50E274C540BC8D8

Are religious people as active in service as they claim to be? Matthew Peterson speaks with author and former Ohio State Governor John Kasich about his recent book “Heaven Help Us,” which explores how faith communities are making America a kinder nation.

Film and culture critic Joseph Holmes interviews actor Kevin Sorbo about his history in the faith-based film industry, which started with the film "What If?." The film was directed by Dallas Jenkins and returns to theatres August 5th & 7th for its 15th anniversary. #kevinsorbo #hercules #godsnotdead #dallasjenkins #thechosen #christianity #christianfilm #faithbasedfilm

How did the turban become so ubiquitous? Matthew Peterson speaks with Chris Filstrup about his and Jane Merrill’s recent book, “The Turban: A History from East to West,” to investigate the origins and legacy of the headgear.  The Turban: A History from East to West:  https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/T/bo248107952.html

Religion Unplugged culture critic Joseph Holmes sits down with Roy Schwartz, author of " Is Superman Circumcised ," to discuss the Jewish roots of the world's first and greatest superhero. Is Superman Circumcised:  https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/is-superman-circumcised/?srsltid=AfmBOoqcVvb0Jx6SzCgZpyca-meeutW4pEYZFpjTVkuZrgEovryXzsb-