The London Lyceum Religion and Society with Jordan Ballor
Feb 18, 2026
Jordan Ballor, executive director of the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy and editor of a public theology series, reflects on his path into political theology. He discusses think tanks, the CRCD’s mission, religion as a public good, government and religious liberty, pluralism, natural law, and the center’s programs for students and scholars.
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Think Tanks As Alternative Faculties
- Think tanks function as alternative intellectual faculties filling gaps between academia, government, and civil society.
- Their variety reflects different missions: research, policy, programming, and ideological refuge for scholars.
Institutional Form Shapes Mission
- Think tanks come in many institutional forms, including unique embeds like a center inside a law firm.
- Institutional shape influences mission, audiences, and how ideas translate into practice.
Think Tank + Law Firm: Complementary Roles
- The CRCD complements First Liberty's litigation by cultivating civic and intellectual resources for faithful public engagement.
- Legal victory alone is insufficient; cultural and intellectual formation helps people live out faith responsibly in society.
