Marriage and fertility rates are lower than ever seen before in America’s history. This means that a record share of today’s young adults will never marry or have children. But the paradox is that men, women, and children in married families are much more likely to thrive socially, emotionally, and financially than their peers who don’t enjoy that …

Disagreements are easy; productive disagreements require effort. But productive disagreements are the heartbeat of a healthy democracy, a healthy team, and even a healthy family. Dr. Rick Langer and Dr. Tim Muehlhoff of Biola University joined us for a look at productive disagreements and what they ask of our hearts as well as what they ask of our …

How should we, as Christians, think about the role of government? And how should we think about our own roles as public servants? Dr. Vince Bacote, professor of theology at Wheaton College, joined us in a partnership with the Center for Public Justice for a theological discussion on government, authority, and sphere sovereignty — a term coined by 1…

In a polarized world, where the public square has become increasingly hostile, how do we continue to make progress on the things we are called to build? Is it even possible to build anything at the moment? With a strong track record of working under challenging circumstances to bring about societal change, Baroness Philippa Stroud, Member of the Ho…

How do we, as a people, hand down love, one generation to another? Is that the role of the law? What did previous generations know about this tradition of love and law that we, today, may have forgotten? Dr. Matthew Mehan, Associate Dean and Assistant Professor of Government at Hillsdale College joined us for a reflection on possible answers to the…

Over 70 million adults in the U.S. have a criminal record. These individuals face over 44,000 government-imposed barriers to work, housing, education, and civil rights that limit their efforts to become responsible stewards of their families and communities. How can churches, businesses, law enforcement, and policymakers better unlock second chance…

In the United States – and, indeed, around the world – changing demographics reflect a steadily aging population. As families grow smaller and more far-flung and as care costs escalate, conversations about elder care are complex and, often, heart breaking. While in the past it was generally presumed that care of elders was a family obligation, toda…

The days of Christianity providing a unifying moral vision for our culture (Christendom) are over. Dr. W. Robert Godfrey, Chairman of Ligonier Ministries joined us to discuss how Abraham Kuyper anticipated this contemporary problem facing American Christians and can help us develop a persuasive and public Christian program. Support the Show.…

Declinism is in the air in certain circles, and it coincides with the conclusion of some historians that 250 years is roughly the lifespan of great superpowers. How do Christians understand such cyclical views of history, and what are the genuine grounds for confidence in the possibility of renewal. Christians are not called to be Pollyannas, but w…

We live in times when low-grade nihilism simmers just beneath the surface of everyday conversation, the desire for impact birthed in secular zeal soon stymied by chokeholds of institutional breakdown and pixelated trust. We call out injustice in public but feel squeamish about acknowledging our contributions to it. We text expressions of care to on…

The kind of people we are, has much to do with the kind of public life we have. Spiritual formation is central to civic renewal. Michael Wear, Founder, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, joined us to share ideas outlined in his new book, The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life…

Every child is capable of being an agent of their own uplift provided they are given the resources to inform the decisions that will make them successful adults. Ian Rowe, Sr. Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute discussed four factors that are crucial for children to overcome the victimhood narrative and discover their pathway to power: fam…

Faith and Law hosted our yearly panel discussion with Capitol Hill veterans to explore ethical issues encountered by Hill staff, especially as they reach senior leadership positions. Panelists including John Cusey, Melika McKinnis, and John Shelton shared their stories of success and failure as they navigated the complicated ethical waters of the H…

As a leader of the largest ever global study on human flourishing, Dr. Byron Johnson, Distinguished Professor of the Social Sciences at Baylor University and Visiting Distinguished Professor in the School of Public Policy at Pepperdine University, joined us to discuss why a "focus on flourishing" is important for all policymakers whatever their pol…

Gary Haugen's firsthand experience investigating systemic human rights abuses helped him recognize a troubling pattern: people living in the world’s poorest communities experienced constant physical danger because their local justice systems weren’t equipped to defend them from the violence they faced every day. Haugen was told that this would neve…

The American political order, and the civilization from which it emerged, are under unprecedented assault—from both the political Left and the New Right. Yet the ideals and institutions that have shaped Western Civilization—concepts such as individual freedom, natural rights, and belief in a loving God—have made profound contributions to human flou…

Mark Tooley, president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy joined us to discuss how Dutch and English Whiggish principles birthed by Anglo Protestantism created ordered liberty and self government. These principles are not static but dynamic. And once shaping society they are not easily erased. Confidence about tomorrow can come if we recall…

In our day, "social justice" is a loaded term. While it is easy to agree that every relationship carries responsibilities -- friend and friend, business and client, government and people -- identifying the terms and principles of those responsibilities is a trickier task. What makes one party a giver and another a receiver? When injustice abounds, …

V. Bradley Lewis, Associate Professor Philosophy at Catholic University, and Jonathon Askonas, Assistant Professor of Politics at Catholic University, engaged in an interview-style discussion on the current standing, risks, and allure of artificial intelligence. Support the Show.By Faith and Law

The development of medical treatments often requires use of human subjects, as well as human cells and body parts as models of human systems, to investigate mechanisms of action and to test therapeutics. Biotechnology has provided many successful therapies for previously intractable conditions, but also increasingly complex techniques that can alte…

The divisions in America increasingly create an environment where everything is political, and the places in society where people who disagree can come together are dwindling as a result. How does our faith act as a compass to guide us through this culture of litmus tests and virtue signalling? When our culture wants us to pick sides and put our fa…

For over half a century, pro-life advocates have fought to protect the sanctity of human life. Now that the decision the pro-life community has been waiting and praying for has finally become a reality, a question remains: Now what? How do we continue to stand for life for everyone who bears the image of God—from womb to tomb? And if abortion dispr…

For nearly a decade, federal policies meant to address homelessness have centered around “Housing First,” which begins with an assumption that the crisis is driven primarily by a lack of affordable housing. But is it really? Studies show that most individuals experiencing homelessness suffer from severe addiction, untreated mental illness, or a com…

In celebration of 40 years of ministry on Capitol Hill, Faith and Law hosted a special panel discussion moderated by alumni Katherine Haley. The panel consisted of current Members of congress, representative Mike Johnson, representative Julia Letlow, and representative Adrian Smith, who shared stories about how their Christian faith has guided them…

What do the pro-life and racial justice movements share in common? How can these shared values lead to greater advocacy and more effective outcomes in society. Gloria Purvis, Catholic author, commentator and the host and executive producer of The Gloria Purvis Podcast, joined us to discuss Life and Race in Post-Dobbs America. Before we begin playin…

Civil-military relations have often been tense and the current age of high political polarization poses particular challenges to maintaining healthy civil-military relations. Dr. Peter Feaver, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at Duke University and former Special Advisor on the National Security Council during both the Clinton and B…

More than one in three adults in the U.S. have a criminal record. These individuals face over 44,000 government-imposed barriers to work, housing, education, and civil rights that limit their efforts to become responsible stewards of their families and communities. How can churches, businesses, law enforcement, and policymakers better unlock second…

Anxiety seeps into everything–into our own individual lives, relationships, and even our politics. As Christians, how might a transformed view of anxiety change the way we participate in politics? Curtis Chang demonstrates how anxiety is not a sin that should be prayed away, but how it is an opportunity to invite God into our individual and politic…

Faith and Law Executive Director, Lauren Noyes was joined by special guest panelists Russell Moore and David French for a discussion on some of the issues of deepest concern to the Faith and Law community, including, life, religious liberty, and building unity in today's polarized political environment. Support the Show.…

When it comes to religious freedom, should Christians support diversity or are there any limits to religious freedom? If so, what are those limits and how do we determine them in a diverse society? Stanley Carlson-Thies, Senior Director at the Center for Public Justice, Lauren Baas Residential Program Coordinator for the American Studies Program an…

Every day, police officers step up to fill an irreplaceable role in the community, responding to neighbors in crisis. However, access to important and lifesaving training for officers is often limited—increasing the risk of excessive use of force and undermining officer well-being. How can federal, state, and local leaders foster more effective and…

Joseph Capizzi, Ph.D. in Theology, is the Executive Director of the Institute for Human Ecology and an Ordinary Professor of Moral Theology at The Catholic University of America. He has published widely on just war theory, bioethics, the history of moral theology, and political liberalism. Dr. Capizzi worked as a research fellow at the VADM James B…

Faith and Law will host a panel of Capitol Hill veterans to explore ethical issues encountered by Hill staff, especially as they reach senior leadership positions. Panelists will share their stories of success and failure as they navigated the complicated ethical waters of the Hill. Discussion will be moderated by John Palafoutas, co-founder of Fai…

Ronald Reagan’s strategy for a peaceful victory in the Cold War combined military, economic, information, and political pressure with diplomatic outreach – all undergirded by Reagan's Christian faith. Dr. William Inboden, Executive Director and William Powers, Jr. Chair at the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas-Austin …

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 cu…

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 …

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 gui…

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…

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 understandi…

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 an…

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 pr…

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 t…

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 thir…

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 rea…

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 Institutewill identify key features of Russia’s religious diplomacy across the Orthodox world and key religious aspects of Russia’s geo-politics, …

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…

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--fro…

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, thou…

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 …

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 o…