The War Gospel According to Pete Hegseth: Rev. Brian Kaylor

On the latest episode of The State of Belief, you’ll hear the insightful Rev. Dr. Brian Kaylor, President and Editor-in-Chief of Word&Way. Brian and host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush use the lens of his new book, The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploring Scripture for Political Power, to focus on how scripture is being increasingly manipulated to justify distinctly non-biblical politics and policies – particularly at the Pentagon.

Of the themes that emerged in the conversation, these were particularly notable:

The Misuse of Scripture: Brian discusses how certain factions within Christianity, particularly Christian Nationalists, exploit biblical texts to promote a narrative of violence and division. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing these manipulations and encourages listeners to engage with the Bible in a more faithful and loving manner.

The Role of Faith in Politics: We explore the troubling trend of intertwining faith with militarism, particularly in the context of the U.S. military. Brian highlights the monthly Pentagon prayer services led by fringe faith figures associated with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, preachers who promote a theology that justifies violence in the name of God.

Courage in the Face of Oppression: One of the most inspiring parts of our discussion was Brian’s reflection on the growing movement of individuals standing up against Christian Nationalism. He shares examples of grassroots rallies where people are finding their voices and courage to advocate for a more inclusive and pluralistic society – and the courage they summon to do so.

Paul starts the episode with an urgent check-in with Rev. Noelle D'Amico, Director of Social Justice at the Workers Circle. The organization and its partners are bearing faithful witness to the human rights abuses being committed in Americans' name at the so-called Alligator Alcatraz in Florida as well as other shadowy detention centers.

The Rev. Dr. Brian Kaylor is president and editor-in-chief of Word&Way. He’s also an ordained Baptist minister and a prolific author.  His newest book, The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power, reveals how scripture is twisted to justify the politics of hate and division. The book is a master class in learning how to recognize these manipulations--and how to discover a more faithful way to read the Bible through the lens of Jesus' love and justice.

‍