Disarming Leviathan Podcast

In this episode, pastor and author Tara Beth Leach reflects on how the work of preaching and pastoring has changed in a time of political division, cultural anxiety, and social media outrage. She names the temptation pastors face to use the pulpit for venting or applause, and instead offers a vision of slow, intentional, Spirit-led formation shaped by liturgy, Scripture, and communal prayer. Drawi...

In this episode, writer and researcher Rachel Darnall shares her firsthand perspective on the rise of patriarchal theology in American Christianity and its connection to Christian nationalism. Drawing from her new video series It’s a Man’s World: The Genesis 3:16 Effect , Rachel explains how teachings rooted in control, male hierarchy, and politicized family roles have moved from the margins into...

In this episode, Dr. Vincent Bacote offers a thoughtful and theologically grounded vision for civic engagement shaped by the character of Christ. He challenges listeners to reject both Christian triumphalism and political withdrawal, advocating instead for a kingdom-oriented public witness that seeks the good of others. Drawing from his work in ethics, political theology, and his recent documentar...

In this episode, Joash Thomas challenges Western Christians to recover a holistic vision of justice rooted in the way of Jesus. Drawing from his new book The Justice of Jesus , Joash contrasts retributive and restorative justice, highlights the global church’s theological depth, and critiques the “colonizer’s gospel” that prioritizes soul salvation over bodily and communal healing. He explores how...

The Disarming Leviathan podcast returns with a new season focused on helping Christians navigate political discipleship and civic engagement in a polarized world. In this preview episode, host Caleb Campbell introduces upcoming guests—including Dr. Carmen Imes, Dr. Vince Bacote, and Joash Thomas—and outlines the season’s goal: equipping listeners to bear faithful witness to the Kingdom of God whil...

In this episode of Disarming Leviathan , biblical scholar Dr. Carmen Joy Imes joins Caleb Campbell to unpack her latest book, Becoming God’s Family: Why the Church Still Matters . Together, they explore how the Bible casts a radical vision of the church as a true spiritual family—one that defies the shallow belonging offered by partisan movements, nationalism, and consumer identity. Imes argues th...

In this special crossover episode, Caleb joins a conversation with scholars Paul D. Miller, David Koyzis, and Michael W. Austin to help the church understand and respond to Christian Nationalism. Together they unpack what Christian Nationalism is, how it differs from patriotism, and why it poses serious challenges to the gospel’s witness. They also explore related topics like Abraham Kuyper’s sphe...

In this special episode, Caleb joins the team from Bodies Behind the Bus for a conversation about faith, justice, and compassion in the face of political division. Together, they share a joint fundraiser supporting a DACA recipient fighting to stay with their family in the U.S. As we enter this season, we can be about the business of loving our neighbor through acts of service, generosity, and kin...

This is a rerelease of an earlier episode. Stay tuned to the Disarming Leviathan Podcast. New Episodes coming in a few weeks! Get full access to Disarming Leviathan: Missionary to Christian Nationalists at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe Get full access to Disarming Leviathan at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe

This is a rerelease of an earlier episode. Stay tuned to the Disarming Leviathan Podcast. New Episodes coming in a few weeks! Get full access to Disarming Leviathan: Missionary to Christian Nationalists at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe In this episode, Phil Herndon examines how purveyors of American Christian Nationalism leverage the emotions of their audiences to gain allegiance, powe...

This is a rerelease of an earlier episode. Stay tuned to the Disarming Leviathan Podcast. New Episodes coming in a few weeks! Get full access to Disarming Leviathan: Missionary to Christian Nationalists at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe In this episode of Disarming Leviathan , Caleb Campbell speaks with Holly Berkley Fletcher about her journey from missionary kid in Kenya to CIA analyst...

Caleb joins Dr. Jemar Tisby for a joint podcast that explores the history of American Christian Nationalism and the church and ways that we can engage those who are imbibing this harmful ideology. About Jemar Tisby Jemar Tisby (BA, University of Notre Dame; MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) s the New York Times bestselling author of The Color of Compromise and the award-winning How to Fight Rac...

Matthew D. Taylor stops by the pod to discuss the recent rise of independent charismatic leaders promoting American Christian Nationalism. Matt helps us understand some of the movement’s more prominent […] The post The Rise of Charismatic Christian Nationalism w/ Matthew D. Taylor first appeared on Disarming Leviathan . Get full access to Disarming Leviathan at disarmingleviathan.subst...

This is a rerelease of an earlier episode. Stay tuned to the Disarming Leviathan Podcast. New Episodes coming in a few weeks! Get full access to Disarming Leviathan: Missionary to Christian Nationalists at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe Dr. Katharine Hayhoe shares her experience as a climate scientist and gives some practical coaching on how we can cultivate healthy conversations with f...

This is a rerelease of an earlier episode. Stay tuned to the Disarming Leviathan Podcast. New Episodes coming in a few weeks! Get full access to Disarming Leviathan: Missionary to Christian Nationalists at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe — Pastor and author David Swanson joins us for a discussion about the ways that racism, tribalism, and nationalism are impacting the American Church, an...

This is a rerelease of an earlier episode. Stay tuned to the Disarming Leviathan Podcast. New Episodes coming in a few weeks! Get full access to Disarming Leviathan: Missionary to Christian Nationalists at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe Pastor Steve Bezner joins us to discuss how American culture has influenced the American Church's view of Jesus. We explore some of the distorted views...

This is a rerelease of an earlier episode. Stay tuned to the Disarming Leviathan Podcast. New Episodes coming in a few weeks! Get full access to Disarming Leviathan: Missionary to Christian Nationalists at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe — Bible scholar Dr. Timothy Gombis joins Caleb for an exploration of the themes of power and government in the New Testament and how they can shape our...

This is a rerelease of an earlier episode. Stay tuned to the Disarming Leviathan Podcast. New Episodes coming in a few weeks! Get full access to Disarming Leviathan: Missionary to Christian Nationalists at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe — Dr. Dennis Edwards guides us in exploring how the New Testament can shape our understanding of and engagement in politics today. More about Dr. Dennis...

This is a rerelease of an earlier episode featuring Tim Alberta. Stay tuned to the Disarming Leviathan Podcast. New Episodes coming in a few weeks! Get full access to Disarming Leviathan: Missionary to Christian Nationalists at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe Get full access to Disarming Leviathan at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe

Hey friends, I hope you’re having a great summer. I wanted to take a moment to share a quick update on both the Disarming Leviathan podcast and the broader ministry. Podcast Update First, the podcast. I’m pretty much doing this on my own — no production team, no fancy strategy. If we did have seasons, I think we’d be wrapping up either our second or third season right about now. The way I’ve struc...

Political theorist Laurie Johnson joins Caleb Campbell to unpack the deeper forces driving America’s culture wars and ideological divisions. Drawing from her book The Gap in God's Country , Laurie shares her own political and spiritual journey—from Fox News conservative to a more reflective and empathetic posture—exploring how economic upheaval, social dislocation, and a loss of place have fostere...

In this episode of Disarming Leviathan , death penalty scholar and former prosecutor Corinna Lain joins Caleb to discuss her groundbreaking book Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection . With a blend of research and personal reflection, Lain uncovers the history, flawed protocols, and moral implications of lethal injection as America’s primary method of execution. From t...

In this episode of the Disarming Leviathan podcast, Caleb Campbell talks with John Thielepape, a pastor and community leader from North Texas who now works with the Multifaith Neighbors Network and LocalNet. John shares how his team is helping churches and local institutions respond to political polarization, extremism, and social fragmentation. Drawing from his experience managing a community res...

In a time when influence is currency and spiritual leaders are often shaped by worldly ambition, Kyle Strobel invites us to consider a different path: the cruciform way of the Lamb. Drawing from his book The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb and years of spiritual, theological reflection, Kyle explores how Christian leaders are tempted to use manipulative, domineering, and even demonic form...

Episode note: Apologies for the sound quality. We had some technical difficulties and recorded this on a sub-par recording platform (the free kind ;-) Huge thanks to Chris for being so gracious and adjusting to make this interview happen! In this compelling conversation, Old Testament scholar and missiologist Christopher J. H. Wright unpacks the Bible’s warnings about idolatry—especially its polit...