Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.com

In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with political theorist and historian Hyrum Lewis to challenge one of the most basic assumptions in American political thinking: the left-right spectrum.

Drawing from his work on The Myth of the Left and Right, Lewis explains why reducing politics to a single line fails to capture how people actually think and act. Instead of treating political identity as one fixed position, he argues for a more granular approach—one that looks at individual issues on their own terms.

The conversation moves beyond political labels into deeper questions about truth, history, and how we interpret the American founding. Lewis breaks down why both conservatives and progressives engage in preserving and changing society, and why those labels often obscure more than they clarify.

They also explore how history is used in modern political debates—especially around the claim that America was founded as a Christian nation. Lewis offers a nuanced framework for understanding the founders, arguing that while Christian ideas shaped the culture, the founding itself reflects a broader and more complex intellectual tradition.

The episode closes with a practical takeaway: how to think more clearly about politics, avoid false binaries, and engage issues with more precision and humility.

Guest Bio
Hyrum Lewis is a professor of history and political theory at Brigham Young University–Idaho, where he leads the American Foundations program. His work focuses on the history of ideology and how political ideas shape culture and society. He is the co-author of The Myth of the Left and Right and the author of There Is a God: How to Respond to Atheism in the Last Days. His research challenges common assumptions about political identity and encourages a more nuanced understanding of how beliefs are formed.

Relevant Links

• The Myth of the Left and Right by Hyrum Lewis and Verlan Lewis: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780197680629
• There Is a God: How to Respond to Atheism in the Last Days by Hyrum Lewis: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781462120413

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What does it actually mean to “deconstruct” your faith—and why are so many people doing it?

In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with Margaret Rose Bronson, founder of Deconstruction Doulas, a support network helping people navigate religious trauma and high-control church environments. Drawing from her own experience inside patriarchal and authoritarian church systems, Margaret explains the difference between deconstruction and deconversion, and why that distinction matters.

The conversation explores how certain theological frameworks can lead to control, shame, and harm—particularly for women—and how these systems often operate beneath the surface of otherwise “normal” church communities. Margaret also breaks down the role of a “deconstruction doula,” someone who walks alongside individuals as they process their beliefs, ask hard questions, and rebuild their understanding of faith on their own terms.

They also discuss the real-world cost of deconstruction, including shunning, loss of community, and long-term emotional impact on individuals and families. This episode provides a grounded, firsthand look at how religious systems can both shape and distort faith—and what it takes to reclaim it.

Deconstruction Doulas: https://www.deconstructiondoulas.com
The Rise of Christian Nationalism (CNN): https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/the-whole-story-with-anderson-cooper/episodes/10f01a2c-b8ef-11f0-99d9-ebc70f76e43c

Guest Bio:
Margaret Rose Bronson is the founder of Deconstruction Doulas, a support network helping people navigate faith deconstruction and recover from religious trauma. A survivor of high-control church environments, she now works with individuals rebuilding their beliefs, identity, and sense of autonomy after leaving harmful systems.

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🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?
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faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore

❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:
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📩 Reach out to us:

• Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com
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Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.com

*Note* Appologies for my audio, it was a bad microphone day! - Will

What role does Christian Zionism play in shaping American politics and foreign policy?

In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright sits down with investigative journalist Kiera Butler of Mother Jones to unpack the growing influence of Christian Zionism—particularly within charismatic evangelical movements and political leadership. Drawing from her recent reporting, Butler explains how theological beliefs about Israel, biblical prophecy, and the end times are influencing real-world decisions, including reactions to U.S. military action in Iran.

The conversation explores the divide within Christian nationalist circles, where some groups celebrate geopolitical conflict as part of a prophetic timeline while others reject intervention entirely. Butler also breaks down the rise of movements like the New Apostolic Reformation, the role of influential figures and organizations, and how these ideas are spreading from pulpits to policy.

They also examine how changes to the Johnson Amendment, generational shifts among evangelicals, and the growing political visibility of Christian Zionism could shape upcoming elections.

Trump’s Holy Warriors Finally Got the Apocalypse They’ve Prayed For: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/03/trumps-holy-warriors-finally-got-the-apocalypse-theyve-prayed-for/

Guest Bio
Kiera Butler is a senior investigative reporter at Mother Jones, where she covers religion, politics, and the growing influence of movements like Christian nationalism and Christian Zionism. Her reporting focuses on how belief systems shape real-world policy and political behavior.

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🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?
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