Faithful Presence Podcast

Dr. Amy Black, Professor of Political Science at Wheaton and co-author Civil Religion and the Renewal of American Politics (Cambridge Press, 2026), joins Michael to discuss the definition of civil religion, and navigating religious pluralism in American democracy. Their conversation explores the challenge of shared values in politics and the role of religion in shaping political culture. It delves into the influence of religious tr...

In June 2026, Rev. Michael Langer hosted a workshop during the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Denver Colorado. Through a combination of Q&A, presentation, and discussion, Michael discussed the difficulties facing pastors due to demographic sorting, media bias, social media algorithms, brain chemistry, and truncated discipleship.

Numerous works are sited and more information is available at faithful-pr...

Works Cited

“100 Ways John Paul II Changed the World”Laborem Exercens” (1981)“Centesimus Annus,” (1991) “Evangelium Vitae” (1995)

"B-O-O-G-A-L-O-O" (2010) by the Diplomats of Solid Sound is used by license. Scheduling by Josie RisingerPost-production by Andrew Brinkmann (c) 2025, Faithful Presence, all rights reserved

Dr. Dean Weaver (D.Min.Th.M.), Stated Clerk of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, joins Michael to talk about ideological and cultural trends that are driving a period of migration from both sides of the theological perspective. Just as is happening in many denominations, the EPC has recently been receiving churches and individuals from both sides of their theological position, the PCUSA and the PCA, which has, in turn, forced co...

In this episode, Jamie Dangers, Director of Federal Affairs at Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, joins Michael for an illuminating and important conversation on the complex and critical issue of advocacy for the unborn. Jamie shares insights on the evolution of the pro-life initiative and how the Dobbs decision has refocused their efforts. Along the way, they discuss the place of a pro-life view in the history of the Christian chu...

Michael welcomes Dr. William Peel (Th.M., D.Min.), President of 24Seven Faith, co-founder of the Faith & Work Summit, member of the Advisory Council for the Lausanne Movement Workplace Ministry, and authorofGoing Public with Your Faith: Becoming a Spiritual Influence at Work, and others.

In this episode, Michael and Dr. Peel discuss the importance of robust vocational formation as a part of whole-life discipleship, the work of ...

The Faithful Presence Podcast’s new series, “Thinking Deeply,” is here.

We start off with Rev. Dr. Peter Lillback (Ph.D), President of Westminster Theological Seminar and author of George Washington's Sacred Fire (2006), and Saint Peter's Principles: Leadership for Those Who Already Know Their Incompetence (2019).

In this episode, Michael and Dr. Lillback discuss the state of theological education in North America, ...

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In this episode, our president, Rev. Michael Langer, shares a message he delivered in 2022 that focuses on the importance of whole-life discipleship for Christ-centered engagement with the public square. The message delves into social media algorithms' intentional and damaging role in civil dis...

William Monroe (Ph.D), Vice President of Analytic AI, discusses AI's multifaceted opportunities and dangers, including what it can and cannot do. This includes describing some of Analytical AI's work with various government agencies that encourage the good,l repair the broken, and oppose evil. Along the way, they talk about the importance of understanding the image of God, AI as a therapy tool, MadMax, red-lining, free markets, and...

"Full-Time 2.0: Work and the Meaning of Life" with David Bahnsen

David Bahnsen joins the podcast to discuss his most recent book and everything from the fallacy of the work-life balance movement to why people are policy, properly defining Christian nationalism and post-millennialism, and the connection between growing up a pastor-theologian's kid and managing large sums of other people's money—all through the lens of the gospe...

NEW SERIES: The Church in the Public Square
In the first episode of Season 4, Michael talks with Pastor David Bailey of Arrabon about the role that the church could and should play in forming disciples that not only welcome diversity but also seek reconciliation. They also discuss their love of bow ties, and offer some insights on how pastors can navigate the current political climate. 
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Michael and Dr. Mullen discuss connecting the social implications of the gospel to the salvific, the messiness of pastors trying to navigate social media's impact on ideological development, the impact of the "Big Sort" on mission, and whether people "have" opinions or "are" their opinions, the false humility of individualized truth claims, "changing the world," the importance of curiosity, interrogating our own beliefs first, and ...

Michael and Dr. Bobo plumb the depths of seminary education,  working in both the public and theological worlds, navigating culture, a redemptive view of vocation, and how a divinity degree helps with bioethics conversations. 

Works Cited
The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life, Os Guinness (2003)

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Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

Faithful Presence is dedicated to W...

Michael talks with scholar, author, and Faithful Presence board member, Dr. Randy Newman, about his most recent book, "Questioning Faith." Together they explore getting to know people, suffering, alcoholism, Christopher Hitchens, the importance of switchbacks, and how many books Dr. Newman has actually written. 

For NPR's interview with Christopher Hitchens referenced by Dr. Newman, go to: https://www.npr.org/2010/06/05...

Michael interviews Dr. Justin Bailey on his recent book and the importance of wedding ideological and cultural formation to emotional formation.  Together they discuss aspects of Dutch-culture in NW Iowa and Chicago, the relationship of mental health to ideological discernment, the development of partisan polarization,  power plays and changing the world, and how the five lenses paradigm can equip us for participating wel...