Can Christians engage in politics without turning a political party into part of the gospel? Jamie Cowen, author of How Politics Has Distorted the Gospel, joins Josh Burtram to explore Christian political engagement, the separation of church and state, and the cost of culture wars. Drawing on his work in Congress and the Bible study he led for Democratic and Republican staff members, Cowen explains why he believes Christian witness depends on more than winning elections—and why pastors have a different responsibility from individual voters.

Josh and Jamie discuss biblical reconciliation, the Moral Majority and Religious Right, Donald Trump, and the barriers partisan religion can create for younger generations. They examine how abortion became a defining political issue and discuss their differing views on Scripture, inference, and the protection of life. The conversation also considers public repentance after false election claims, the church's prophetic role, and how Christians can address immigration, guns, sexuality, and other social issues while treating people with dignity.

About the guest
Jamie Cowen is an immigration lawyer, former chief counsel to a U.S. Senate subcommittee, and former leader of Tikvat Israel Messianic Jewish Congregation in Richmond, Virginia. His experience in government, law, and congregational ministry informs his book How Politics Has Distorted the Gospel and his call for Christians to participate in public life without making the church an extension of a political party.

Book and guest links
How Politics Has Distorted the Gospel
Jamie Cowen Ministries
Email Jamie Cowen
Religion and Politics teaching

Referenced in the discussion
Faithful Politics — Church & State 250+ series
Meredith G. Kline, “Lex Talionis and the Human Fetus” (1977). Kline offers a different interpretation of Exodus 21 from the one Jamie presents in this conversation.

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