Faithful Disruption: Religion in Public Life

On this episode, Trista’s guest is Chris Shannahan, author of Life on the Breadline: Theology, Poverty and Politics in an Age of Austerity. He is an Associate Professor in Political Theology at Coventry University’s Research Centre for Peace and Security in Coventry, UK.Chris served in a variety of teaching and ministry roles, including as a Methodist Minister in inner-city London and Birmingham and a community organizer. His grassroots experience provided the grounding for his research in urban theology, sociology of religion and diversity studies and the basis of his PhD, within which he developed the first critical analysis of urban theology in the UK.As always, you can reach Trista at the Center for Religion in Public Life by emailing: crpl@ptstulsa.edu.

On this episode of “Faithful Disruption: Religion in Public Life,” our host, Trista Soendker Nicholson, takes us to Cambridge, England for a conversation with Dr. Jonathan Chaplin. They discuss the unique differences and similarities surrounding issues of church and state in the United Kingdom and the United States.Jonathan is a specialist in Christian political theology and a fellow of Wesley House, Cambridge Theological Federation, where he works with the Centre for Faith in Public Life. He is also the author of Beyond Establishment: Resetting Church-State Relations in England published in 2022, and Faith in Democracy: Framing a Politics of Deep Diversity released in 2021.From 2006 to 2017, he was director of the Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics in Cambridge, and from 1999 to 2006 he was associate professor of political theory at the Institute of Christian Studies (ICS) in Toronto. He held the Dooyeweerd Chair in Social and Political Philosophy at ICS from 2004 to 2006 and was visiting lecturer in Christian social and political thought at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam from 2007 to 2011.He is a research fellow of the Canadian Christian think-tank Cardus. He also wrote, Herman Dooyeweerd: Christian Philosopher of State and Civil Society (2011). He has edited or co-edited nine other works and published many articles and book chapters in the field.As always, you can reach Trista at the Center for Religion in Public Life by emailing: crpl@ptstulsa.edu. Stay updated by subscribing to our Substack.

Kelli Driscoll Crews and Emilee Bounds discuss the importance and value of community organizing in this episode of Faithful Disruption with Trista Soendker Nicholson. They share how community organizing isn't just about problems. It's about people connecting and building solutions together.

Emma Olson Sharkey visits with Faithful Disruption host Trista Soendker Nicholson about the way congressional and other voting districts are changing to increase political power for some and disenfranchise others.Sharkey is a partner at Elias Law Group. She focuses her practice on nonprofit tax and campaign finance law, and legal issues related to ballot measures. Emma advises clients participating in political and issue advocacy across the country, including progressive ballot measure campaigns, political campaigns, and nonprofit organizations. She helps clients understand the law, anticipate challenges, and mitigate legal risk.Emma is one of the nation’s leading ballot measure attorneys, counseling clients on how to effectively engage in measures across the country. She routinely defends clients engaged in ballot measure activity before state agencies and advises on ballot measure litigation strategy. She has served as outside counsel to progressive ballot measure efforts in more than 15 states, most recently focusing on campaigns that seek to protect the ballot measure process.Emma regularly speaks and writes about ballot measures, most recently in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Salon, NBC News, Slate, CBS News Radio, The Hill, Democracy Docket, the Columbia Journalism Review, Pluribus, and Common Dreams. Her research has also been cited by TIME Magazine. (from law firm page https://elias.law/bio/emma-olson-sharkey/)

The Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr., a Phillips alum and longest serving pastor at East Sixth Street Christian Church in Oklahoma City, discusses his lifelong commitment to resistance and change. He also shares how this part of his ministry has changed as he has faced several health concerns.

On this episode, Trista Soendker-Nicholson talks with the artist Anthony Suber about the intersection of his art, resistance and faith. He is the featured artist for an exhibition opening April 27th at Phillips called, “Speculative Liturgies: The Perpetual B loom of Greenwood.” That is also the date for our annual Tulsa Race Massacre Lectureship with Teresa L. Fry Brown. Special thanks to the Nicole Longnecker Gallery for making our art exhibition possible @nicolelongneckergallery.Register for the Tulsa Race Massacre Lectureship and the opening of Anthony’s art exhibition. You can also read Trista's latest blogs.