Summary
This week, Brad Onishi and Matthew D. Taylor break down three major stories shaping the American political and religious landscape:
The Southern Baptist Convention’s hard-right turn The SBC elected a new president, Willie Rice, and moved to further restrict women in church leadership. What do these developments reveal about the growing influence of Christian nationalist and reconstructionist movements within America’s largest Protestant denomination?
Trump’s little-known domestic terrorism framework (NSPM-7) A largely overlooked presidential memorandum could dramatically expand the government’s ability to target protesters, activists, and political opponents. Brad and Matt explain what NSPM-7 is, why civil liberties advocates are alarmed, and how it could reshape political dissent in America.
Exclusive: Gareth Gore on Opus Dei and Pope Leo Investigative journalist Gareth Gore, author of Opus, joins the show to discuss his extraordinary private meeting with Pope Leo, the future of Opus Dei, and what may be a major turning point in the Catholic Church’s relationship with one of its most controversial organizations.
Gareth Gore's book: Opus: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy inside the Catholic Church
Meet The Guest
Matthew D. Taylor
Matthew D. Taylor is a visiting scholar at the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown University. He is the author of Scripture People, The Violent Take It by Force, and the forthcoming book Defying Tyrants, which will be published in October. His work has appeared or been featured in the New York Times, Weekend Edition, On the Media, Rolling Stone, The Bulwark, Politico, Sojourners, and Religion News Service. A theologian and religious studies scholar who specializes in American Islam, Christian nationalism, and Christian extremism, he is also the creator of two limited podcast series–American Unexceptionalism and Charismatic Revival Fury. Taylor holds a PhD from Georgetown University and an MA from Fuller Theological Seminary.
