ICE, Bend, and Slaveholder Christianity

An interview with Jer Swigart of the Global Immersion Project

Join me and my guest host, Dr. David Gushee, for a rollercoaster interview with Jer Swigart, co-founder of the Global Immersion Project. The three of us met on a trip to Israel/Palestine in 2011 hosted by Fuller Seminary. This trip examined the conflict through the two narratives that define the region.

By way of a “Spirit thing,” as David remarked, we caught up with Jer as Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) was detaining two persons in unmarked buses in Bend, Oregon. Jer was with other clergy and people from Bend, standing in the way of the federal and local police. Their action lasted late into the night, but we caught up with Jer as the drama was unfolding.

In this episode we talk about nonviolence, Evangelicalism and its roots in “slaveholder Christianity,” and how white Christians must live out their/our faith.

Clergy square off with militarized police. Jer can be seen in the extreme right edge of the photo pleading with officers to remember their humanity.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Oh Absolutely

Kindness is Contagious

BySteven Martin July 20, 2020July 23, 2020

About our Guest: Jennifer has followed her lifelong fascination with human behavior to both a BA in Psychology, and a Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology. The delightful intersection of kindness, play and connection is where she likes to spend her time both professionally and personally. She is the Founder and Chief Kindness Amplifier at Kindagious (Kindagious.com)

Oh Absolutely

Hauerwas the Peacemaker?

BySteven Martin July 23, 2020July 23, 2020

Nathan Hosler is the Director of the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Public Witness based in Washington, DC. In this capacity, he works on a range of policy and peacebuilding issues and convenes a working group on Nigeria.

Oh Absolutely

After Evangelicalism?

BySteven Martin August 10, 2020August 10, 2020

An interview with David Gushee Rev. Dr. David P. Gushee is one of the leading Christian ethicists of our time. Author of such books as “Kingdom Ethics,” written with his friend and mentor Dr. Glen Stassen, “Changing Our Mind,” the landmark call for inclusion of LGBTQ Christians, to the book we’re going to discuss today. …

Oh Absolutely

Faith and the Eyes to See

BySteven Martin July 30, 2020July 31, 2020

What lens does faith give us that allows us to see the world as it more truly is? How can faiths other than our own help us see more clearly?

Oh Absolutely

Secret Federal Police in Portland

BySteven Martin July 23, 2020July 24, 2020

The world’s attention has been focused on the city of Portland, Oregon, as protests against injustice have continued every day since the death of George Floyd. Recently, federal police, bearing neither name nor badge, have arrived in Portland and have been filmed abducting peaceful protestors and bystander into unmarked vehicles and detaining them without charge.

Oh Absolutely

Bonhoeffer and a Wake-Up Call

BySteven Martin August 20, 2020August 19, 2020

Today we continue with my good friend Dr. David Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at Mercer University, as our co-host. It’s the perfect set-up for a great conversation, as our guest is the Rev. Rob Schenck, President of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute in…