In this episode of the Faithful Presence Podcast, Reverend Michael Langer and Dr. Charlie Self discuss the integration of faith and work, emphasizing the importance of whole life discipleship. They explore Charlie's extensive background in ministry and academia, the significance of the local church, and the need to bridge the gap between Sunday worship and Monday work. The conversation explores the significance of intellectual formation in theology and its application in various social contexts. It emphasizes the importance of humility, diversity, and the role of organizations like the Acton Institute in fostering meaningful dialogue among different Christian traditions. The conversation explores the influence of Marxist ideology on modern evangelical practices and the rise of the New Apostolic Reformation. It emphasizes the necessity of discipleship and holistic formation in the church to counteract radicalization and promote a faithful engagement in the public square.

Takeaways

• Importance of whole life discipleship
• Integration of faith and work Intellectual formation is essential
• Diversity enriches theological discussions Marxism's impact on evangelicalism
• Importance of discipleship in faith

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Faithful Presence Podcast
• 04:28 Charlie Self's Journey in Ministry
• 07:29 The Intersection of Academia and Pastoral Work
• 10:19 Understanding Paul's Teachings
• 14:43 The Sunday to Monday Disconnect
• 16:58 The Role of the Local Church
• 19:15 The Importance of Vocational Formation
• 22:16 Faithful Presence in Healthcare
• 25:37 The Value of Every Role in Society
• 27:43 The Importance of Humility in Theology
• 28:59 Navigating Ideological Formation
• 31:52 Intellectual Formation and Its Roots
• 32:21 Engagement with Acton Institute
• 34:34 The Role of Ecumenical Spirit
• 36:00 Understanding Acton's Mission
• 38:20 Diversity in Christian Engagement
• 40:41 Art and Intellectual Culture in Worship
• 41:58 The Intersection of Virtue and Free Markets
• 43:51 Faithful Presence in Social Issues
• 46:33 Access to Capital and Markets
• 48:08 Moral Implications of Economic Practices
• 50:31 The Complexity of Ideologies
• 52:15 Dialogue in the Public Square
• 53:46 Eschatology and Public Square Praxis
• 01:00:07 Understanding the New Apostolic Reformation
• 01:06:47 Engagement in the Public Square
• 01:11:34 Discipleship Dynamics and Formation
• 01:18:52 Revival and Transformation in Society

The conversation between Reverend Michael Langer and Dr. Greg Forster explores the intersection of faith, public engagement, and the role of theology in addressing contemporary societal issues. They discuss the importance of whole-life discipleship, the Karam Fellowship's mission, and the need for a robust public theology that connects doctrine with practical application in the world. The conversation explores the intersection of faith, culture, and politics, emphasizing the importance of discipleship and the church's role in society. It discusses the historical context of Augustine's teachings and their relevance to contemporary issues within the church and culture.

Takeaways

• Faith and work integration
• Importance of public theology Importance of discipleship
• Relevance of Augustine's teachings

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Faithful Presence Podcast
• 00:55 Meet Dr. Greg Forster
• 03:07 The Role of Theology in Society
• 09:50 Karam Fellowship and Its Mission
• 15:00 Public Theology and Its Importance
• 21:50 Engaging with Contemporary Issues
• 30:09 Books and Their Impact on Theology
• 40:08 Conclusion and Future Directions
• 40:31 Revival and Discipleship
• 41:56 Faithful Presence and Cultural Engagement
• 45:02 Christianity and Cultural Power
• 51:06 Augustine's Political Theology
• 56:57 Eusebian vs. Donatist Perspectives
• 01:01:01 Practical Applications for Christians
• 01:11:46 Navigating Faith in Public Life

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 traditions, party platforms, and the role of pastors in equipping people for politics. Additionally, it discusses the Bible's role in navigating the public square, emphasizing the eternal principles it offers for living in a representative democracy.

Video of this podcast is available on our website: www-faithful-presence.org

Takeaways

• The Role of Civil Religion in Unifying a Diverse Population Shared values in politics
• The role of religion in shaping political culture

Chapters

• 00:00 Transitioning to College
• 01:20 Challenges of Absent Parent
• 04:35 Media Reporting and Its Impact
• 08:42 Doctrine of Spirituality of the Church
• 15:36 Christians in Political Science
• 19:37 The APSA Congressional Fellowship Program
• 21:04 Working in Congress and Changing Perceptions
• 26:01 Wheaton College and Civil Religion
• 36:25 Defining Civil Religion and Shared Values
• 38:19 Navigating Religious Pluralism in American Democracy
• 51:16 The Challenge of Shared Values
• 52:05 Religious Traditions in American Politics
• 57:37 The Influence of Party Platforms
• 01:11:15 The Role of Pastors in Equipping People for Politics
• 01:14:25 The Bible's Role in Navigating the Public Square