Disarming Leviathan Podcast

In this episode, Old Testament scholar Tremper Longman III joins the show to unpack how Scripture can shape our public and political imagination without succumbing to partisanship or Christian nationalism. Drawing on decades of biblical scholarship, Longman explores how the Bible offers moral and theological wisdom—not direct public policy—guiding Christians toward faithful engagement in a plurali...

Special Episode! In early 2025, Pastor Gary Mason visited Phoenix for a conference. Caleb joined Lisa Jernigan and Vermon Pierre for a conversation with Gary about his experience pastoring during the Irish Troubles. This discussion weaves together global insights and local applications for fostering Jesus-centered reconciliation. Together, they reflect on how faith communities can become catalysts...

In this episode, pastor and theologian David Fitch joins Caleb Campbell to explore the nature of power from a biblical perspective. Drawing from his book Reckoning with Power , Fitch outlines the distinction between worldly power—marked by coercion and control—and godly power—defined by presence, mutuality, and love. With insight drawn from scripture, history, and modern-day examples, he challenge...

In this episode, Caleb Campbell sits down with Dr. Matthew Boedy to explore the roots, evolution, and rising influence of the Seven Mountains Mandate—a strategic framework behind modern Christian nationalism. Based on his new book, The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy , Boedy unpacks how the movement aims to control key spheres of c...

In this episode of Disarming Leviathan , Caleb Campbell speaks with Holly Berkley Fletcher about her journey from missionary kid in Kenya to CIA analyst to outspoken critic of Christian nationalism. Holly reflects on her evangelical upbringing, her experiences with authoritarian regimes, and how the language of faith is often weaponized to serve political power. The conversation dives into her per...

Podcast Episode Description: In this episode of Disarming Leviathan , Caleb Campbell talks with Todd Wilson about his reflections on C.S. Lewis’s political thought. Todd shares how his long-standing interest in Lewis, combined with a background in politics and pastoral ministry, led him to explore Lewis’s views on democracy, hierarchy, and human nature. Together, they discuss how Lewis’s writing—r...

American boys and men are struggling. Journalist, pastor, and mom Angela Denker joins us to discuss her new book Disciples of White Jesus and the forces shaping the hearts, minds, and identities of young men in America today. From Christian nationalism to isolation and loneliness, Denker helps us trace both the radicalization and the redemption stories unfolding in churches, schools, and homes acr...

In this episode, New Testament scholar Nijay Gupta joins us for a thought-provoking conversation on how the early church encountered and interacted with political power. Drawing from historical context and biblical insight, Nijay helps us explore how the first Christians navigated empire, authority, and allegiance—and what their example might mean for the church today. About Nijay ​Dr. Nijay K. Gu...

Scholar and author Scot McKnight joins us to discuss how scripture can help us discern the differences between the power of empire and the power of Jesus. More About Scot Scot McKnight is professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary and a recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. He is the author of more than ninety books, including the award-winni...

Russell Moore joins us for a conversation about the state of American Evangelicalism and its drift into a movement of tribalism, combativeness, and culture wars. About Russell Russell Moore is Editor in Chief of Christianity Today and is the author of Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America (Penguin Random House). The Wall Street Journal has called Moore “vigorous, cheerful, and...

Mike Bird joins us for a discussion about the early church’s understanding of and interaction with empire. More About Mike Michael grew up in Brisbane before joining the Army and serving as a paratrooper, intelligence operator, and then chaplain’s assistant. It was during his time in the military that he came to faith from a non-Christian background, and soon after felt a call to ministry. He grad...

Skye Jethani joins us for a discussion about how the teachings an example of Jesus can shape our understanding of justice today. About Skye An award-winning author, speaker, and co-host of the Holy Post Podcast, Skye has written more than a dozen books and served as an editor and executive at Christianity Today for more than a decade. Raised in a religiously and ethnically diverse family, his curi...

Katherine Stewart joins us to discuss how purveyors of American Christian Nationalism leverage money, lies, and faith to attract, deceive, and manipulate their audience. About Katherine Katherine Stewart is an award-winning journalist and author known for her deep investigative work on the intersection of religion, politics, and democracy. She has extensively covered the rise of religious national...

Pastor Meghan Good joins us for a conversation about how following the way of Jesus is key to engaging those committed to American Christian Nationalism. More about Meghan Meghan Larissa Good is the lead pastor of Trinity Mennonite Church (Phoenix, Arizona) and author of Divine Gravity: Sparking a Movement to Recover a Better Christian Story , which explores contemporary distortions in how the Chr...

About Drew Drew J. Strait is a pastor-theologian specializing in political idolatry, peacemaking, and how congregations can challenge violent extremism. Strait regularly teaches on Christian nationalism and offers a short course for the public called “Resisting Christian Nationalism with the Gospel of Peace.” He teaches at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary and resides in South Bend, Indiana....

Author Amy Hawk joins us to share her experience moving from leading ministry in Christian Nationalist circles to publicly condemning this movement for betraying Jesus. Learn more about our ministry at DisarmingLeviathan.com About Amy Amy Hawk is a writer and speaker based in Oregon. She co-authored Six Years in the Hanoi Hilton: An Extraordinary Story of Courage and Survival in Vietnam , a milita...

Carmen LaBerge shares Jesus-centered methods and postures we can use when engaging loved ones who have given themselves over to political polarization. About Carmen Carmen LaBerge is an author, speaker, and host of The Reconnect with Carmen LaBerge . Her book, Speak the Truth: Bring God back into the Conversation , is available in print and audio editions. Her work has also been featured on Christ...

Amanda Tyler joins Caleb for a conversation about American Values, justice, pluralism, and Christian Nationalism. 00:00 Introduction to Amanda's Advocacy 00:46 Christian Nationalism Threats and Responses 03:23 Understanding Pluralism and Church-State Separation 08:58 Defining Christian Nationalism and Its Implications 18:01 Historical Lessons on Religion and Government 25:02 Role of Public Schools...

Political Scientist and scholar David Koyzis joins us again to talk about how the scripture can shape our understanding of how our faith can shape our understanding of citizenship, government, and civic engagement. About David Koyzis David Koyzis is an academic political scientist with a PhD in Government and International Studies from the University of Notre Dame, where he wrote a dissertation co...

April Ajoy, author of Star Spangled Jesus, shares her journey of growing up in the American Christian Nationalist movement, and how leaving that community has impacted her faith and engagement in the community. About April Ajoy April Ajoy is an author, content creator and podcast host who uses humor to shine light on harmful, toxic, and sometimes just weird traits of American Evangelicalism. After...

In this episode, Rev. Malcolm Foley joins Caleb to unpack the insidious role greed plays in fueling some of the most pressing evils of our time—racism, Christian Nationalism, and violence. They explore how greed distorts systems and relationships, driving division and oppression, and how the Gospel of Jesus offers a transformative path forward. About Malcolm Malcolm Foley is a pastor, historian, a...

Disarming Leviathan Season 2 is out now! In this episode, Jim Wallis shares his experience fighting against racism, Christian Nationalism, and political idolatry in the Evangelical church in America for over 50 years. Content 00:00 Early Influences and Racial Awareness 01:15 Crisis of Faith and Activism 02:35 Rediscovering Radical Faith 03:22 Founding Sojourners and 1980s Evangelicalism 06:50 Rest...

Hey friends, I’m excited to share an important update on the Disarming Leviathan podcast! We are in the midst of recording a series of interviews that will be released in 2025, featuring incredible guests like Sky Jethani, Amy Hawk, Megan Good, Jim Wallace, and many more engaging voices. I can’t wait for you to hear these episodes, which we aim to drop in January and February of 2025. I also want...

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

This is a rerelease of an earlier episode featuring David Koyzis. Stay tuned to the Disarming Leviathan Podcast. New Episodes coming in a few weeks! David Koyzis joins us to explain his understanding of popular theories of government and add clarity around terms like nationalism, liberalism, communism, and more. Get full access to Disarming Leviathan at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe