Where is God in the midst of racial injustice, legal messes, and political chaos? This week, hosts Mike Cosper and editor in chief Russell Moore ferret out answers as they discuss the National Cathedral’s new windows, Trump’s latest legal woes, and the ousting of Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. An all-star guest list joins Mike and Russell this week including Rev. Leonard Hamlin of the National Cathedral, theologian David Taylor, litigator and author Matt Martens and CNN commentator and former Congressman Adam Kinzinger. Tune in for thoughtful and lively conversation around the CT roundtable.
Joining us this week:
- In his role as Canon Missioner, the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr . oversees the Washington National Cathedral’s outreach and social justice initiatives, including gun violence prevention and racial justice and reconciliation. In particular, Dr. Hamlin assists in the building of partnerships and the equipping of the Cathedral community and the congregation to serve as the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Prior to his arrival at the Cathedral, Dr. Hamlin served as the Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Arlington, Va. for 22 years.
- David Taylor is a theologian, author, speaker, priest, and director of initiatives in art and faith. A professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, he has lectured widely on the arts, from Thailand to South Africa. He has written for The Washington Post, Image Journal, Theology Today, Worship, Religion News Service, Christianity Today, and Books & Culture, among others. He lives in Austin with his wife Phaedra, a visual artist and gardener, and his daughter Blythe and son Sebastian.
- Matthew Martens is a trial lawyer in Washington, DC who has spent the bulk of his more than 25-year legal career practicing criminal law both as a federal prosecutor and as a defense attorney. He graduated first in his class both at the University of North Carolina School of Law and at Dallas Theological Seminary. Early in his career, he served as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. He is the author of a recent book entitled, Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal.
- Adam Kinzinger served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Kinzinger originally represented Illinois's 11th congressional district and later Illinois's 16th congressional district. After President Donald Trump was defeated in the 2020 presidential election, Kinzinger became known for his vocal opposition to Trump's claims of voter fraud and attempts to overturn the results. Kinzinger served in the U.S. Air Force, flying missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, South America, and Guam. He has served in the Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command, and Wisconsin Air National Guard. He is presently a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard and founder of CountryFirst.
Resources Referenced: “The Republican Betrayal of PEPFAR” – The Atlantic “What the US Can Learn from PEPFAR” | News & Reporting | Christianity Today “PEPFAR Fight Worries African Christian Leaders | News & Reporting” | Christianity Today “Pro-Life Dispute Leaves Program for HIV/AIDS Patients in Peril” | News & Reporting | Christianity Today “Survey: Hispanic Protestant Churches Are Young, First Gen, and Growing” | News & Reporting | Christianity Today
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