The Jim Wallis Podcast

Of course the system is rigged — systems are always rigged to protect the wealth, power, and self-interest of those who created them, those who benefit from them. That’s not hyperbole; that’s reality, that’s human nature, and that’s what the Bible calls sin. Jesus calls us to protect, in particular, "the least of these" who are most vulnerable to the systems' exploitation. This is why defending systems that just maintain the powerful’s own self-interest while neglecting the interests of others, especially the most vulnerable, is not just bad politics — it’s bad theology.The columnist E.J. Dionne writes:"A generations-long conservative majority on the court has been cemented in place by a political minority. Kavanaugh was named by a president who won 46 percent of the popular vote and confirmed by senators representing 44 percent of the population. When you lack a majority, controlling the branch of government not subject to the voters is vital to working your will."We all need to vote on Nov. 6 or before, no matter how much time and effort that takes; get your kids to vote if they are old enough; tell your co-workers and fellow congregants to vote; and even try to find and help people to vote who didn’t in the last election. Vote overwhelmingly for democracy and political accountability in this election year. Vote in the defense and protection of those who are poor and vulnerable — whom the God of the Bible tells us are the test or our politics. And after voting for democracy, commit to a deep and long-term plan to heal it by changing rigged systems and holding them all accountable to the common good of a more multicultural future. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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As people of faith, we know the importance of professing our beliefs.We are in the midst of a national trauma, with a vast number of women in America — across political lines — being re-traumatized by the events of last week. This moment requires pastoral care for survivors and those who love them, prophetic truth-telling about what is (or ought to be) morally acceptable and unacceptable, and the hope for some more profiles in courage in the United States Senate.There is a powerful video on the Sojourners website, that every one should watch and share with their communities.https://sojo.net/articles/i-believe-you-church-leaders-respond-survivorsSurvivors have powerful stories and we must listen and believe what they are telling us. The most public of those survivor stories was on display across the country as the nation was riveted to the broadcast and streaming of the Senate Hearing and the courageous testimony of of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford.Now is the time for men and women to follow her lead and demonstrate their courage. It is time for people of faith and moral principle to raise their voices to their senators, calling for the truth and rejecting Kavanaugh’s nomination unless the FBI investigation definitively confirms Kavanaugh’s testimony.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I observed the funerals of three people recently: John McCain, Aretha Franklin, and Andre Presser. You may know the first two, but I felt such gratitude for a great man like Andre Presser, who wouldn’t be nationally recognized, but will be remembered by countless people as one who helped to shape and change so many lives. May we all live with that as our goal — to inspire and serve those we encounter, regardless of the scale.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a time when bipartisanship seems like a forgotten dream, it is important for us to find and celebrate cases of lawmakers coming together, regardless of party and ideology, to address the many real and immediate challenges we face as a country. Especially on issues of importance to the faith community, we need exceptional and encouraging displays of bipartisanship that we hope can serve as a model moving forward on issues of clear moral and ethical concerns — ones that the faith community can and should help to lead. It is absolutely critical for the faith community to play a role in encouraging bipartisanship in the difficult days ahead. In response to the political crisis that we are in, it is my hope that some critical moral moments of cooperation could help to save the nation’s soul and our very democracy going forward.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Make no mistake: Trump has always desired to be a strong man and now he desires to be seen as a strong man as president of the United States. His admiration for autocrats is by no means confined to Vladimir Putin. He has seemed to reserve much of his praise in public and private comments for autocratic leaders like President Erdogan of Turkey and Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, and much of his criticism for allies leading European democracies. He finds the checks and balances of the American system inconvenient, and he clearly wishes that even the modest checks he has had to contend with so far weren't there.But Trump is more than a liar. He has always tried to change what people believe about the truth — suggesting that there is not any truth, and people should just believe whatever Trump says. Listen to him, and hear him in any situation trying to change the truth to whatever he says it is. This goes all the way back to day one of his presidency, his inauguration day, when Trump said the sun was shining though it was continually raining. It has been raining on our democracy ever since.Donald Trump is NO Strongman by any values of the Christian faith. He is weak morally; He is weak intellectually; He is weak emotionally.So what do we do about Donald Trump? As Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King said, in another time of crisis, “We’ve got some difficult days ahead.”We can’t control all the politics, but we can decide what we will do.It is time for Christians to lift up the truth over falsehood, as a way of life; to defend public service over political tyranny; and to always protect the increasingly vulnerable.It is time to reclaim Jesus.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump Administration's border policies targeting migrants and Muslims is a test for religious leaders to stand and take action for the beliefs they profess.The recently upheld travel ban is motivated by religious animus and racial bigotry: The Muslims being banned by this order are primarily people of color; and their targeting is directly related to the white nationalist ideology that has now taken up office in the White House, which is a great danger to America’s future. The use of religion and race for political purposes undermines the United States’ fundamental commitment to being a pluralist and democratic society.We also see this abhorrent ideology being activated at our borders where the Trump government cruelly and inhumanely separated thousands of children, toddlers, and infants from their families. As the most vulnerable among us are being strategically targeted and denied basic human rights, these cruel practices bring to mind a quotation from Rev. Martin Niemoller when he spoke about his time in a World War II Concentration Camp:First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist.Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.Religious leaders must speak up against the immoral choices of this president and his administration, as well as those in Congress and the courts who should know better but choose loyalty to a man, a party, or an ideology over the good of the country, the best principles of the Constitution, and true religious liberty for all religions. There is more than politics at stake here; at stake is the soul of our nation and the integrity of our faith.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

James 1:27 clearly states " Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." Yet Attorney General Jeff Sessions perverts the meaning of other Biblical verses to justify his horrific treatment of migrant families and migrant children specifically.Following the signing of the Reclaiming Jesus declaration, multiracial elders from across traditions — including evangelical, mainline Protestant, Roman Catholic, and African-American churches — yesterday spoke out about the horrific border crisis . We spoke out because the Trump administration is abusing Scripture to justify abusing migrant children and their families. We said the separation of immigrant children from their parents is not biblical.It is now time to morally press our members of Congress to permanently prevent the Trump administration from family separation, to ensure the reunification of separated families, and to demand the humane treatment of families seeking asylum who have yet to commit a crime and have their case adjudicated with empathy and justice.It is time to cast the light of Jesus on this political crisis.This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another …— 1 John 1:5-7a The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. — John 1:5 So Stand up. Speak Out. Say No. And pray to God that we can be a different people and a different country than this President envisions us being.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On June 14th, 350 Christian leaders, who work on the front lines of the battle for The Soul of the Nation, gathered in Washington DC to convene and create an opportunity for building relationships and cross-sector collaboration.  Five of those leaders gathered together to lay bare the controversy of what it means to be an Evangelical.·            The Reverend Jim Wallis, Founder and President of Sojourners·            Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, President of Skinner Leadership Institute·            Rev. Alexia Salvatierra, the founder of the Faith-Rooted Organizing UnNetwork.·            Rev. Nikki Toyama-Szeto, Executive Director Evangelicals for Social Action·            Rev. Wes Granberg Michaelson, the former General Secretary of the Reformed Church in America The question examined by this Dream Team of Christian Social Leaders was if the word Evangelical still means “Good News,” especially for the growing minority populations in America. Rev. Alexia Salvatierra: “In M25 (Matthew 25) we are constantly intentional in what we call justice in the process…In all of our processes and all of structures, we try to practice being the body of Christ…It’s a profoundly biblical shift.” Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner: “We have an identity crisis in America…The Church of Christ is the body…We have so segmented ourselves that we have not clarified that those who are aligned with Christ are aligned with each other.” Rev. Nikki Toyama-Szeto: “The Church in America is actually going to precede [the] demographic shift. What our churches in our pews are going to look like, that’s going to happen in our churches ten years before it happens along Main Street on America. The church could reimagine how we live our life together as familia.” Rev. Wes Granberg Michaelson: “We have to de-Americanize the Bible…The Gospel of Jesus Christ has a political and social and economic impact. It did then and does now…Romans 13 didn’t mean we were justified in dropping Napalm on Vietnam … [It] doesn’t justify us separating vulnerable families at the border. The Reverend Jim Wallis: “The parties…want to use us and abuse us and…that’s true on both sides of the aisle…How do we evaluate our public life by proclaiming Jesus?” The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. — John 1:5See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Now that several million people have watched the video of Reclaiming Jesus, it is time for us to to take our response to a higher level. Signing the Declaration is a good first step but now it is time to action, to answer the call.We as elders deeply believe in this Pentecost season that the Holy Spirit is at work, even in the darkness of this political moment. We feel it calling us to reclaim Jesus from those who have appropriated, co-opted, and hijacked his name for worldly political and financial power. We are now asking each of you to help show the world that the followers of Jesus refuse to be complicit and refuse to be silent. Will you answer the call to Reclaim Jesus? As elders we are inviting all of you to join us in committing to bringing this declaration into your personal and public lives: into your conversations, into your churches, into communities, and into your nation.As a visible symbol of your commitment to Reclaiming Jesus, we are asking you to partake in candleight vigils. Candles and candlelight vigils represent this movement: The symbolism of a candlelight vigil — of a host of lights together shining in the darkness — has often been powerfully used in dark political or religious times and has often made a situation-changing difference. Candlelight vigils were widespread in South Africa during the oppression of apartheid. In the mid-1980s in the Philippines, peaceful demonstrations including candlelight vigils helped topple the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. In South Korea just last year, the “ candlelight revolution,” helped impeach a corrupt regime. One of the most powerful examples of the power of a candlelight vigil that spurred change many thought impossible is what happened in Leipzig, East Germany in October of 1989. After seven years of weekly “Prayers for Peace” at St. Nicholas Church, a new candlelight vigil began on Oct. 9, which spread to the streets each week and eventually gained 120,000 people. After only a month, the Berlin Wall came down — showing again the power of light in the darkness. I keep going back these days to the Gospel of John, which begins with an image of Christ as light. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (1:5 NIV).” As many have done before, it is time again to trust the light of Christ, join the light of Christ, and take the light of Jesus into the world — believing that the darkness, in the end, cannot overcome that light.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thousands of faithful people filled two churches to over-capacity the Thursday after Pentecost Sunday, emulating the early followers of Jesus, who took their faith to the streets during the Pentecost season. After hearing inspirational talks from church leaders who were the original signatories to the Reclaiming Jesus Declaration, the multitude marched to the White House to pray and articulate the articles of faith required to Reclaim Jesus. In addition to declaring what Christians believe, those gathered outside the White House also proclaimed what they rejected. As Bishop Michael Curry and Rev. Jim Wallis said in a recent letter to church leaders, Reclaiming Jesus "is not just a statement, but the beginning of a process of discernment, prayer, reflection, and action that we believe–and have been told my many others–our churches and their pastors urgently need." We are living through perilous and polarizing times as a nation, with a dangerous crisis of moral and political leadership at the highest levels of our government and in our churches. We believe the soul of the nation and the integrity of faith are now at stake.It is time to be followers of Jesus before anything else—nationality, political party, race, ethnicity, gender, geography—our identity in Christ precedes every other identity. We pray that our nation will see Jesus’ words in us. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).Let’s call out the ungodly events happening every week, many emanating from the White House with the silence and complicity of white evangelical religious leaders. It is clearly time to reclaim Jesus, in the midst of those who are attempting to co-opt Jesus for political gain.Pentecost was the beginning of a new time in the Church’s life, when Christ-followers were empowered by the Holy Spirit. May we also be given the courage to take our faith to the streets of our personal and public lives.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In its first two days of release, over 800,000 people watched the Reclaiming Jesus video, seeing and hearing a broadly diverse group of church elders stand up for the principles of Jesus. As of Monday May 21, 2018, that number has almost doubled to well over 1.5 Million viewers. Now, during this Pentacost Season, is the time time for you to stand up for your faith, watch the video (https://bit.ly/2wJr2W0), and share it with your community via Facebook or Twitter. Bring it to your pastor and ask him or her to show it to your congregation this Sunday as part of how you observe Pentecost. If you are a pastor, please watch this video and prayerfully consider commending the message of these church elders to your parishioners or congregants on Sunday.The Holy Spirit is at work even in the darkness of this political moment. We feel it calling us to reclaim Jesus from those who have appropriated, co-opted, and hijacked his name for worldly power. Will you join us and show the world that the followers of Jesus refuse to be complicit and refuse to be silent? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the late 1970's and early 1980's, right-wing political operatives — like Richard Viguerie, Paul Weyrich, Kevin Phillips, and Terry Dolan—engineered a political takeover of the evangelical movement. This was a radical hijacking of the message of Jesus Christ. Ten years earlier, the movement that became Sojourners was born at an evangelical seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago. We preached the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is transforming both personally and socially — a holistic message aimed to change our lives and the world.In 1973, I worked with Evangelicals for Social Action in a gathering Ron Sider convened, again in Chicago, which produced a document called the "Chicago Declaration of Evangelical Social Concern." In that declaration, we acknowledged the sins of racism and classism and called for repentance. We were hailed as the “young evangelicals” in a “new evangelical” movement.Now, 45 years later, another meeting of 50 fairly diverse leaders met at Wheaton College, a historic evangelical site, to pray and discern together the future of evangelicalism in the U.S. When Fox News, Breitbart, and CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) launched coordinated coverage of the meeting as “ Trump bashing,” featuring the Trump evangelical advisers to the president, you knew the meeting hit a nerve.This disturbing distinction clearly demonstrates the evangelical backsliding we have experienced since the publication of the Chicago Declaration. We are now engaged in “spiritual warfare,” as described in our Scriptures. We don’t finally put our trust in politics, but in God who will win with the long arc of the universe that “bends toward justice” as Dr. King reminded us. I only made one comment at the end of the Wheaton meeting when I said, “I have been listening as I hope you all have been too. The question this meeting is asking about the future of evangelicalism has been answered by the voices of color and women in this room. They are pointing us to the evangel, the good news Jesus said he would bring to the poor in his opening statement in Luke 4. That’s our future, let’s listen.”As one of the white evangelical leaders in the Wheaton meeting had said to me before, “American evangelicalism is destroying the evangel.” Now is the time for the evangel to turn white evangelicalism in America upside down.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As we approach Pentecost Sunday, it is fitting to recall the fear and trepidation early Christians felt after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Acts 2 sets the scene for us: 120 followers of Jesus were hiding in an upper room afraid to proclaim their faith publicly. It is an unfortunate parallel to our current times.But, then as the Bible tells us, the early disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and took to the streets to proudly profess the teachings of Jesus. Now is the time for us to emulate the early followers of Jesus. On May 24, the Thursday after Pentecost, pastors, church leaders, and lay leaders from all over the country will meet in Washington, D.C., to make Pentecost the launching point for a new season of action reclaiming Jesus.Together on May 24, in our nation’s capital, we will:Hold an evening worship service at National City Christian Church, a large church in downtown Washington, D.C., beginning our public declaration of faith with communal prayer, proclamation, and worship, which will be livestreamed on  Sojourners’ Facebook page;Process by candlelight from the steps of the church to the gates of the White House to deliver our declaration on reclaiming Jesus;Observe a candlelight prayer vigil outside the gates themselves, as we proclaim to our political leadership what we believe and what we reject. Jesus has been hijacked by political and religious leaders who are willing to abandon the teachings of Jesus so clearly articulated in Matthew 25. Now is our chance to reclaim Jesus for the integrity of our faith and the Soul of the Nation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The political, religious, and moral crisis in America is going to get worse before it gets better. If we are going to survive this crisis; or better yet, respond to it; or best yet, put our faith into action to turn dangers into opportunities, we are going to have to be more deeply rooted — in our faith, in our relationships to each other, and in our solidarity with the most vulnerable.All faith leaders are invited to The Summit 2018: Radically Rooted, coming up on June 13-15 for a unique gathering that provides both spiritual grounding and concrete actions for change. Together, we must reclaim Jesus from the "Trump evangelicals" who falsely claim that Trump is the best president ever for an allegedly Christian agenda. As jesus says specifically in Matthew 25, a truly Christian agenda will prioritize care for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned.In today's podcast, the Rev. Jim Wallis provides a prescription of hope for the despair many of us feel in this perilous political climate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the 50th Anniversary of the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Rev. Jim Aallis gathered with other faith leaders on the National Mall in Washington DC to give this call to action:"Let us confess our sins, repent of them, and turn this nation around."In recalling the life of Rev. King, we must remember that he was not just a civil rights leader; first and foremost King was a faith leader. As people of faith we must make an act of confession. Confession is telling the truth to God and the world about ourselves. Jesus says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Without confession to the sin of white racism, white supremacy, white privilege, people who call themselves white Christians will never be free — free from the bondage of a lie, a myth, an ideology, and an idol.White racism is our great sin, that it is America’s original sin — foundational to our country. But we have yet to fully name it as the great and founding sin that white supremacy is. A group of elder church leaders just named it in a declaration called “ Reclaiming Jesus” by saying this: “We believe each human being is made in God’s image and likeness. Racial bigotry is a brutal denial of the image of God … Therefore we reject the resurgence of white nationalism and racism on many fronts, including the highest levels of political leadership.”It is time to apply our theology to our public life.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Evangelicals who support Donald Trump and his presidency are destroying the good news of Jesus Christ. In this Easter Season, Jim Wallis and a diverse group of Church elders listed below have banded together to fight for the Soul of the Nation by issuing the declaration of Reclaiming Jesus.The current administration is at war with the values of Jesus Christ so clearly enumerated in the Bible. People who say they are Christians but support the Trump Administration (the TRUMP EVANGELICALS) are creating a religious dissonance the is fracturing the integrity of our faith.Reclaiming Jesus declares: “We believe that each human being is made in God’s image and likeness” (Genesis 1:26), therefore, “Racial bigotry is a brutal denial of the image of God (the imago dei) in some of the children of God” and that causes us to “reject the resurgence of white nationalism and racism in our nation on many fronts, including the highest levels of political leadership.”It continues to say we must also “reject misogyny, the mistreatment, violent abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual assault of women” because “[w]e believe we are one body. In Christ there is to be no oppression based on race, gender, identity, or class (Galatians 3:28).”The declaration further asserts our treatment of the poor and vulnerable is literally a test of our relationship to Jesus. If “We believe that how we treat the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the stranger (meaning immigrants and refugees) the sick, and the prisoner is how we treat Christ himself (Matthew 25: 31-46),” we have another theological, not just a political issue at stake.Reclaiming Jesus also states, “We believe that truth is morally central to our personal and public lives” and that Jesus promises, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).” But the TRUMP EVANGELICALS don’t seem to care about the pervasive, persistent, and pathological “lying that is invading our political and civic life.”The declaration additionally reminds us that, “We believe that Christ’s way of leadership is servanthood, not domination” and that is why “we reject any moves toward autocratic political leadership and authoritarian rule.”The Church elders also agree that “‘America First’ [is] a theological heresy.” “We believe,” says our declaration, that “our churches and our nations are part of an international community whose interests always surpass national boundaries.” Therefore, we “reject xenophobic or ethnic nationalism which places one nation over others as a political goal.”Finally, the TRUMP EVANGELICALS cannot call themselves consistently “pro-life” when their political choices and allegiances do not support the lives of the poor, racial and religious minorities, immigrants and refugees, low-income families and children.From Easter to Pentecost, we will all be taking this to the churches for civil discourse, discernment, and action. Use this declaration as a signal that church leaders have broken the silence by speaking with one voice in unison to address the national moral, political, and even constitutional crisis we now face.Signatories to Reclaiming JesusBishop Carroll A. Baltimore, President and CEO, Global Alliance Interfaith NetworksRev. Dr. Peter Borgdorff, Executive Director Emeritus, Christian Reformed Church in North AmericaDr. Amos Brown, Chair, Social Justice Commission, National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann, Professor Emeritus, Columbia Theological SeminaryDr. Tony Campolo, Co-Founder, Red Letter ChristiansDr. Iva Carruthers, General Secretary, Samuel DeWitt Proctor ConferenceThe Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal ChurchRev. Dr. James Forbes, President and Founder, Healing the Nations Foundation and Preaching Professor at Union Theological SeminaryRev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary Emeritus, Reformed Church in AmericaRev. Dr. Cynthia Hale, Senior Pastor, Ray of Hope Christian Church, Decatur, GARev. Dr. Richard Hamm, former General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)Rev. Dr. Joel C. Hunter, Faith Community Organizer and Chairman, Community Resource NetworkRev. Dr. Jo Anne Lyon, General Superintendent Emerita, The Wesleyan ChurchBishop Vashti McKenzie, 117th Elected and Consecrated Bishop, AME ChurchRev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr., Co-Convener National African American Clergy NetworkDr. John Perkins, Chair Emeritus and Founding Member, Christian Community Development AssociationBishop Lawrence Reddick, CEO, Christian Methodist Episcopal ChurchFr. Richard Rohr, Founder, Center for Action and ContemplationDr. Ron Sider, President Emeritus, Evangelicals for Social ActionRev. Jim Wallis, President and Founder, SojournersRev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, Director, NCC Truth and Racial Justice InitiativeDr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, Co-Convener, National African American Clergy Network; President, Skinner Leadership InstituteBishop Will Willimon, Bishop, The United Methodis

The Apostle James tells us, “Faith without works is dead.” That is why the Rev. Jim Wallis is calling for a national church boycott of the National Rifle Association to give life to the thoughts and prayers we send the friends and families of the victims of mass gun murders. By making enormous financial contributions to politicians on the one hand and bullying those politicians who support common sense gun safety laws that are overwhelmingly approved by the vast majority of Americans, the NRA has perverted our democracy and thwarted the will of the people at the expense of the lives of our children while they attend school.In today's episode of The Soul of the Nation, Rev. Wallis provides concrete ways you and your faith communities can take action to end the senseless slaughter of our children. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the aftermath of the mass shooting at a high school in Florida, we saw and heard courageous student survivors stand up to and call out politicians in a manner we haven't seen since student protestors worked together to end the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, we also saw and heard the head of the National Rifle Association Wayne LaPierre commit what might be called heresy and blasphemy, when he declared the falsehood that the greatest God-given right is to own and operate a deadly weapon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In response to the tragic shooting at a Florida high school this week, the Rev. Jim Wallis pronounces, "I believe the National Rifle Association and their gun-running sponsors are responsible for the death of Florida children and their teachers." The politicians and pundits who are so quick to send their thoughts and prayers also need to be held accountable Wallis continues, "I believe the elected officials who are too cowardly to ban assault weapons...are responsible for this week's brutal killing" as well.David Hogg a senior at at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School where the shooting took place told the Washington Post, "Blood is being spilled on the floors of American classrooms and that is not acceptable."Rev. Wallis urges that we take our prayers and turn them into action by siding with our children who live in fear of gun violence everyday and take the steps necessary to end this far too frequent man-made disaster.We as a nation need to repent for the sins of gun violence and the murders of these children and the brave school staff who sought to keep them safe. The biblical definition of repentance means to stop and turn in a new direction. In order to repent, we must realize that thoughts and prayers are not enough; we must take action to uphold life.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As President Trump and his minions deliberately mislead the American public with lies, distortions, and omissions in order to deflect and diminish the special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into possible Russian collusion, potential obstruction of justice, and alleged money laundering, we could be headed into what the media is calling a "constitutional crisis." The Rev. Jim Wallis shows us the real challenge ahead is a crisis of faith. Donald Trump's attempts at establishing himself as an autocratic ruler above the law requires us to recall why leading theologians believe we need democracy.CS Lewis said, "The real reason for democracy is... [m]ankind is so fallen that no man can be trusted with unchecked power over his fellows." And, American public theologian Reinhold Niebuhr wrote, “Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man's inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.”See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

80 faith leaders who represent Hundreds of Millions of Christians took an unprecedented stand against the racism and poverty, citing an integral link between the two sins against God.The Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty, which was sent to members of Congress before last night’s State of the Union address, appeals to all people, especially Christians, to actively work against racism and poverty. It notes that the “body of Christ is perhaps the most diverse racial community in the world.” The leaders call on political leaders from both parties to develop legislative agendas that will reduce racism and poverty. They assert that “[r]acism is systematic and structural in America and harms people of color in very specific, measurable, and tangible ways.” The leaders are “deeply troubled” by budget and other proposals coming from Congress and the administration that would hurt struggling people of all races in both the United States and around the world. These threats to anti-poverty programs have unified them into “a more vigorous, multiracial Christian movement to maintain a circle of protection around all people in poverty and God’s children of color in particular, who are disproportionally impacted.”  A letter to Congress introducing the Declaration reads in part:  “As Christians, we are grounded in God’s love for all people, and we feel called to ask our churches and political leaders of both parties to work together to overcome racism and poverty which are theological, biblical, and gospel issues for us, not merely political or partisan ones… “We are purposefully sending you this statement before you go to your respective retreats. In addition to reading this statement thoughtfully, we ask for the following three things: first, we ask you to discuss this statement and the issues central to it—racism and poverty— at your retreats; second, we ask you to incorporate these concerns into your policy decisions and legislation in 2018 and beyond; third, we ask you to convene meetings with faith leaders in your communities to plan follow-up action on these issues in your states and districts…“Racism and poverty are systemic issues that are central to the Bible and the teachings of Jesus. Therefore, they are critical to policy choices made by political leaders of faith and conscience.”"When people of color in the body of Christ suffer—while many white members of the body of Christ do not acknowledge their pain—we are violating the principle laid down in 1 Corinthians 12: that we are one body with many parts, who suffer with and honor one another. As Galatians instructs us, “there is no more Jew or Greek, bond or free, male or female, because we are all united as one in Christ” (3:28)."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The country reels from the racist rants of the President ,who used profane language in the White House to question why the United States cannot attract more immigrants from majority-white countries instead of what he called Sh!th0les, like countries in Africa, Haiti, and El Salvador. Given Trump's appalling words and behavior, the Rev. Jim Wallis reminds us the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. said, "We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.”"At this moment, we need to bring theology back into our churches. It isn't politics. it's theology," said Wallis. "Sin is the right word to use for racism."Racism and our response to it is not a liberal or a conservative issue. We need political leaders from both parties to stand up to implicit and explicit racial bias.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Donald Trump has voiced once again his racist, and anti-Christian, views regarding immigrants, people of color, and the poor. Multiple sources, Republican and Democrat, have confirmed that the President denigrated immigrants from what he called Sh!tHole countries: Haiti, El Salvador and every country in Africa. Then, he confirmed his racial bias, saying we should bring more people from Norway, an overwhelmingly white country.Speaking of the concept of Imago Dei, the Rev. Jim Wallis says, "Our Scriptures talk about how God created us in God's image and likeness, no exceptions." He cites Corinthians avowing that we are one corpus, and that "when one part of the body of Christ suffers, the rest are supposed to feel the pain."Wallis continued, Donald Trump's words "are a calling..that will bring us together across racial lines...that includes all of God's children...with liberty and justice for all."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Republican Party has embraced religious fundamentalism, a false version of Christianity that is antithetical to the teachings of Jesus Christ, while the Democratic Party has created an irrational and divisive secular fundamentalism often seeming to attack religion itself. These two forces have coalesced to force Christians into a state of political homelessness.The Reverend Jim Wallis says, "The GOP has disregarded the vast values of principled conservatism ... genuine family values, national security through global engagement, a commitment to opportunity for all, empathy for those in need, and the worth and equality of every person under the law."He adds, "The Democratic Party though has lost its connection to working class people, ordinary people...they don't appeal to the values of many of us Christians..."Despite being left in the cold, Christian and other religious voters have an opportunity to wield political clout that can abolish the false binary choice of Conservative or Liberal and bring our nation to a higher moral ground by instead choosing between what is right or wrong. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the midst of fear and despair, the Rev. Jim Wallis finds comfort and joy through living and trusting Christmas.We see the dominant political party planning to cut programs for the poor to cut taxes for the rich — and we fear the devastation of the vulnerable and low-income families. We see our massive economic inequality growing, and virtually every policy decision by those currently in power sides with the rich over the hungry and poor, for the powerful over the lowly. We long for the turning of things upside down.But Christmas says, Mary’s Song of Praise says, her Magnificat promises:He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. (Luke 1:46-55)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

White Evangelicals ignored the moral degradation of Alabama Senatorial candidate Judge Roy Moore in a shocking display of political hypocrisy. As the world watched the outcome of the special election, Black Christians saved the integrity of our nation and restored the true meaning of evangelism. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Rev. Jim Wallis was one of twelve faith leaders who were arrested for reading Bible verses in the Senate Hart Building. As the Republican Senate majority plans to pass a Tax Bill that will strip away food, shelter, and medical care for the poor while doling money to the very rich, people of faith gathered to read aloud from the 2000 verses of the Bible that call upon all of us to tend to those most in need. In today's podcast, you will actually be able to hear thepolice shout down the prayerful as they handcuff and and lead them to prison.Rev Wallis quoted Isiah 10:1-4 "Woe to the legislators who make unjust laws,    to those who issue oppressive decrees,to deprive the poor of their rights    and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people..."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"Locker Room Talk" doesn't only happen in locker rooms and it frequently leads to much more than talk. In order to drastically change our culture to make our world safe for women, we must radically reinvent what we mean by masculinity.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Rev. Jim Wallis follows the chain of deception that starts at the very top of our government to give voice to the proverb, "The Lord detests lying lips but he delights in people who are trustworthy."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Rev. Jim Wallis has a strong suggestion for those in power who are engaged in the debate over Immigration Policy: "Read Your Bible!"The Bible has almost 100 references to immigrants with a clear and consistent commandment: Welcome them and treat them as you would your own. Jesus has even stronger words for Donald Trump and others who are refusing refuge for the Dreamers--the people living among us who were brought here as children.Matthew 25:31-46, New American Bible translation"Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,A stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’And these will go off to eternal punishment."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a teenager in the 60's, Jim's activism drove him from the Church. His search for a deeper meaning in social justice, brought him back. Listen to his very personal story about his conversion and bringing his faith to his public life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When the Values Voters welcomed Donald Trump, they embraced a man who is the "consummate worshiper of money, sex, and power." Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson labeled the standing ovations of Donald Trump and Steve Bannon at the Values Voter Summit idolatry. Listen to today's podcast to hear the challenge, the Reverend Jim Wallis has now laid down to Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council which hosts the Values Voter Summit each year.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Donald Trump, who has the unchecked power to launch nuclear weapons, is an "intellectual, emotional, and moral failure." A Catholic priest at Georgetown University once said, "To build and launch a nuclear weapon is a sin." but Donald Trump says he doesn't understand why the United States doess'nt use their nuclear arsenal. And when his alarming views are exposed by the media, he threatens to blow up the First Amendment. The Reverend Jim Wallis has a thoughtful and prayerful response. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a tradition as old as protests themselves, President Trump and other critics of Black athlete protesters want you to focus on HOW people are protesting instead, of WHY they are protesting.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Heeding the call of Matthew 25, a diverse group of religious leaders united to preserve the Affordable Care Act to protect the most vulnerable among us.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

JIm recalls coming of age in Detroit in the 60's. Sadly, not much has changed.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.