WEEK 23: American Empire & Progressive Christian Nationalism. This week, we take the bench to the Radcliffe Gardens across from Cambridge Common and are joined by Frank, another Harvard student with a sharp interest in politics, law, and the role of religion in public life. We open with a quick introduction to Frank’s background — from Bates College to Harvard — and talk about what drew him into debates about politics, faith, and American power. For the appetizer, we come prepared with a classic law-student exercise: our top three best and worst Supreme Court decisions. We debate cases ranging from Brown v. Board and Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization to infamous decisions like Dred Scott, Buck v. Bell, and Wickard v. Filburn, arguing about which rulings most strengthened — or most damaged — the American constitutional system. The main topic turns to one of the most urgent geopolitical questions right now: Iran, U.S. power, and the rules of international law. We walk through the basic legal framework governing war between states under the United Nations Charter, including the prohibition on the use of force, the doctrine of self-defense under Article 51, and the principles of necessity and proportionality that are supposed to limit military action. Using the latest escalation between Iran, Israel, and the United States as a case study, we ask whether American involvement fits within international law — or whether the modern system has simply broken down when major powers decide to act. From there, we pivot to the growing political figure James Talarico, the Texas Democrat whose viral speeches combine progressive politics with overtly theological language. We unpack the idea of “progressive Christian nationalism,” look at some of Talarico’s more controversial statements about faith and identity, and debate whether his approach represents a genuine theological vision or a political repackaging of Christianity. We then turn briefly to the Texas Senate race, breaking down the contrast between John Cornyn’s institutional Republican career and Ken Paxton’s confrontational, populist brand of conservatism, and what that fight says about the future direction of the GOP. Finally, we close with Girl Problems, where things get a little more personal: Should you ever settle for anything less than the best in a spouse? What are the top traits to look for in a husband or wife — and which traits are the biggest red flags? We each give our lists and debate what actually matters when choosing someone to build a life with. Email approachthebenchquestions@gmail.com with your questions/comments or submit a voice memo at https://www.speakpipe.com/approachthebench for a chance to be featured on the show! You can also submit anonymous comments through this Google Form: https://forms.gle/9Zjxzkpwajivx19z8 00:00 Introducing Frank 12:27 Best and Worst Supreme Court Opinions 22:56 Iran and the American Empire 51:05 Progressive Christian Nationalism 1:08:32 Girl Problems: Best and Worst Traits in a Spouse
