What does it mean to sing about Jesus when the name has been co-opted by politics, performance, and power?
In this episode, Moore welcomes singer-songwriter Jon Guerra to discuss Guerra’s new album simply titled Jesus. Guerra shares how his music serves as devotional art—less Sunday morning worship and more Monday morning prayer—and explains his journey back to the words of Christ after experiences that created distance.
Moore and Guerra explore themes of nationalism, church collapse, and finding authentic faith in a politically charged culture. Guerra reflects on his time as a worship leader during the painful public downfall of James MacDonald’s ministry, offering honest insights about power, performance, and platform in Christian leadership.
The conversation moves through Guerra’s creative process, including his work on Terrence Malick’s films, and unpacks the countercultural message of songs like “Citizens”—which confronts the marriage of faith and political power. As the child of Cuban immigrants, Guerra also opens up about his fear of scarcity and how it shapes his understanding of Jesus’ teachings about treasure and provision.
At a time when Jesus’ name is often wielded as a tribal symbol, Guerra’s music invites listeners to encounter Christ not as a political mascot, but as the one who welcomes immigrants as citizens and calls us to a narrower, and better, way.
Join Jon on tour this spring, and listen to Jesus here.
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“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity Today
Executive Producer: Clarissa Moll
Host: Russell Moore
Producer: Leslie Thompson
Associate Producer: McKenzie Hill
Senior Producer: Matt Stevens
Audio engineering by Kevin Morris
Video producer: Sam Cedar
Theme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton
