In this episode, we welcome Jonathan Rauch, a senior fellow of the Governance Studies program at Brookings Institution and the author of nine books and many articles on public policy, culture, and government. He is a contributing writer of The Atlantic and recipient of the 2005 National Magazine Award, the magazine industry’s equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize. His latest book, published in 2025 by Yale, is Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy.

Our discussion explores Jonathan's deep interest in and perspectives on Christianity as "a load bearing wall" for American democracy, challenges faced by mainline and evangelical churches, and the differences between what he calls "thin, sharp, and thick" religious expressions of faith. Jonathan underscores the importance of core Christian principles like fearlessness, imitation of Jesus, and forgiveness in strengthening America's democratic fabric. The conversation provides insights into lessons that secular and religious communities can learn from each other to address political polarization and foster a more unified society.

Guest Links

• Website (https://www.jonathanrauch.com/)
• Bluesky (‪@jonrauch.bsky.social‬)

Episode Summary

00:00 Introduction

01:08 Jonathan's Relationship with Faith and Religion

01:56 The Role of Religion in Society

03:35 Experiences in Japan and Spiritual Insights

04:33 Religion as a Human Universal

09:44 Christianity's Role in Democracy

13:55 Challenges Facing American Churches Today

18:27 The LDS Church and Civic Theology

29:52 Radical Incrementalism and Truth

36:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts