18 episodes
Powers & Principalities Blake Chastain
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- Society & Culture
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5.0 • 49 Ratings
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Examining the systems and institutions of Christianity in America. Season 2: White evangelicalism & media. Support this podcast: postevangelicalpost.com/support.
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S2E1: On the Museum of the Bible with Cavon Concannon & Jill Hicks-Keeton
Powers & Principalities is a show about the systems and institutions of white evangelical influence in America and the world.
Season 1, published in the fall of 2020, was all about white evangelicalism and Christian nationalism. Season 2 focuses on white evangelicalism & media. This is episode one.
Dating all the way back to at least the 19th century, the various groups we now refer to as White evangelicals have always been early adopters of new media formats. Whether it’s books, radio, tv, film, or any of their digital equivalents like podcasting, youtube, livestreaming, or influencer culture—evangelicals are always at the forefront of using new technology to spread their so-called old time religion. Ultimately, that perennial evangelical impulse is expressed as a desire to tell the Good News, the same good news that, etymologically speaking, is the origin of the term “evangelical” as ‘messenger’ or ‘one who announces’ - and that Good News is found in the Bible.
In order to share that news, it is necessary to share the Bible. And white evangelicals have built many institutions and businesses in order to do just that. The most recent and high-profile of these institutions is The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. And that’s where this season begins.
My guests for this episode are Cavan Concannon and Jill Hicks-Keeton, authors of the new book Does Scripture Speak for Itself?: The Museum of the Bible and the Politics of Interpretation.
Their book takes a critical look at the Museum of the Bible, and the story it is hoping to tell about the Bible. As you’ll hear, it is a very particular perspective on the Bible, and it trying to legitimate that perspective on the national scale. By placing the Museum of the Bible in the long lineage of other evangelical institutions established with similar ends, Concannon and Hicks-Keeton provide a necessary critique of this most recent attempt to prioritize and prefer the evangelical perspective, to the detriment of all others who lay similar claim to Scriptures. I can wait for you to hear this conversation.
Help support my work via a subscription to The Post-Evangelical Post. Subscribe for free, upgrade to a paid tier, and find other ways to support my work at postevangelicalpost.com/support.
Powers & Principalities is a production of The Post-Evangelical Post, LLC. This episode was produced by Podcat Audio. Theme music by Jacob Lewis.
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Bonus Episode: The Inauspicious Anniversary of the Jan 6 Capitol Riot
In this bonus episode, I share my conversation with Chrissy Stroop on the inauspicious anniversary of the Jan 6 Capitol Riot. (One trigger/content note, we talk about Satanic Panic & child abuse in one section). We discuss the lead-up to Trump, the Trump administration, the insurrection, and the Big Lie that has taken root. We also talk about shifts in conversation around religion & Christianity in America, and look ahead at what political fights are to come.
Powers & Principalities is a production of The Post-Evangelical Post. You can support my work directly at postevangelicalpost.com, and you'll gain access to ad-free feeds, Discord, subscriber-only posts, and more to come in 2022.
Follow Blake on Twitter @brchastain.
Follow Chrissy Stroop on Twitter @c_stroop.
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Episode 12: What We've Learned in the Past 4 Years with Reza Aslan
In the season 1 finale of Powers & Principalities, I speak with Reza Aslan about what we've learned about the United States in the past four years. In particular, we discuss what it means that 70 million Americans voted for Trump to be re-elected, the cult-like characteristics of Trumpism, the 'geography of identity' of Trumpism, the role of the media, and much more.
Reza Aslan is author of several books, including God: A Human History, Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth, and Beyond Fundamentalism. He is also Professor of Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside and executive producer of Rough Draft with Reza Aslan and the CNN documentary series, Believer.
Stay tuned after the interview for more info on season 2 of Powers & Principalities.
Follow Reza on Twitter @rezaaslan and learn more about his work at rezaaslan.com.
Follow Blake on Twitter @brchastain and Instagram @brchastain_.
Support Blake's work via a subscription to The Post-Evangelical Post newsletter - use this link to save 40% for 1 year thru 12/2! Other methods of support can be found at exvangelicalpodcast.com/support.
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/powers--principalities/support
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Episode 11: Coup Attempts & Police Nationalism with Jeff Sharlet
In this episode, I speak with Jeff Sharlet, author of The Family (which was turned into a Netflix documentary series of the same name). We discuss the actions of President Trump and the GOP to undermine the results of the election, the role of QAnon, "police nationalism," and much more.
Read Jeff Sharlet's missives from the Trump campaign rallies in Vanity Fair and follow him on Twitter.
Follow Blake on Twitter @brchastain, and follow him on Instagram @brchastain_.
Support the show with a subscription to The Post-Evangelical Post. Free and paid tiers are available. Other methods of support can be found here.
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Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/powers--principalities/message
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/powers--principalities/support
Get full access to The Post-Evangelical Post at postevangelicalpost.substack.com/subscribe
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Episode 10: Post-Election Debrief with Bradley Onishi
Prof. Bradley Onishi from Straight White American Jesus returns to the show to discuss Election Week. We discuss the historical significance of the election of Vice President Kamala Harris, the decisive victory of Joe Biden & the GOP's refusal to concede, and what comes next.
Follow Brad on Twitter @BradleyOnishi and listen to Straight White American Jesus if you aren't already!
Follow Blake @brchastain on Twitter & @brchastain_ on Instagram. Support the show via a subscription to The Post-Evangelical Post, or other methods found at exvangelicalpodcast.com/support.
This episode was produced by Jake Lewis. Thank you, Jake!
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Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/powers--principalities/message
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/powers--principalities/support
Get full access to The Post-Evangelical Post at postevangelicalpost.substack.com/subscribe
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One Day to the Next Stage
We're one day out until the November 3rd election. In this brief episode, Blake reviews this season's guests and the threats that remain regardless of the outcome of election day.
If you haven't voted early, please make your plan to vote and make your voice heard. Use the Vote Save America resources to make your plan to vote.
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Customer Reviews
A must listen
This podcast is essential in understanding what has happened in the US between 2016-2021 and what led to it. Blake does an amazing job of asking thought provoking questions and giving a platform to specialist in these areas, many who are women and people of color. I highly recommend to anyone who has/is grappling with putting their life back together after deconstruction or watching family fall prey to these systems.
Fantastic series
Blake does a great job booking experts and walking that fine “host line” of engaging conversation and questions that spur the experts to unpack their views! Episode 1-2 are PHENOMENAL…can’t wait to enjoy the rest.
Thought provoking and engaging
I have been listening to these the past few months and look forward to season 2. The podcast features fantastic guests and Blake asks interesting and thought provoking questions that we must be asking ourselves. Highly recommend!