Disarming Leviathan Podcast

We are in between seasons of the Disarming Leviathan podcast (mainly so I can finish my Doctoral project at Fuller Seminary), but I wanted to post this episode I did with the Surge Network. My friend Aaron Dailey and I talk about a variety of things, including how we have seen pastoral ministry change in Phoenix over the last two decades. I share some of the lessons I’ve learned, the growing anxiety about affiliation among clergy, and why the hardest part of this job is the ghosts.You can also find the video here. Get full access to Disarming Leviathan at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe

David Ruybalid, pastor, writer, and trauma‑informed practitioner who co-founded the Religious Trauma Network, critiques claims of a modern revival. He contrasts Spirit-formed repentance and humility with manufactured emotional hype. They discuss why young men are returning while many women leave, how religious symbols become tribal, and practical steps like trauma training and accountable, humble leadership.

Helen Paynter, biblical scholar and former nephrologist who studies violence and misuse of Scripture, guides a fresh reading of violent Old Testament texts. She traces themes through Scripture to show how warfare language is reframed by the cross. She warns against using conquest passages for modern political power and offers practical tips for spotting mistranslation and theological misuse.

In a thought-provoking discussion, biblical scholar Dru Johnson explains that the Torah serves as a guide to shape moral character rather than a strict legal code. He highlights the significance of casuistic law in nurturing Israelite identity and contrasts it with modern American legal assumptions. Johnson emphasizes positive commandments aimed at protecting the vulnerable, challenging the misuse of biblical law in today's political climate. His insights encourage listeners to embrace biblical wisdom with discernment and empathy, fostering a deeper understanding of civic life.

In this episode, pastor and author Zach W. Lambert confronts the weaponization of Scripture in American public life and church culture. Drawing from his book Better Ways to Read the Bible, he outlines how harmful interpretive “lenses” have been used to justify everything from Christian nationalism to slavery to spiritual abuse. Rather than abandoning Scripture, Lambert calls Christians to reclaim a Jesus-centered, context-aware, fruit-bearing engagement with the Bible. He offers four healthy lenses—Jesus, context, flourishing, and fruitfulness—and explains how these can guide both personal discipleship and public theology in a way that heals rather than harms.About ZachZach W. Lambert is the founding pastor of Restore Austin, a multiethnic, multigenerational church in Austin, Texas. He is the author of Better Ways to Read the Bible: Transforming a Weapon of Harm into a Tool of Healing, a book that helps Christians rethink how Scripture is interpreted and applied in both church and society. Zach is a frequent speaker and writer on topics related to justice, public theology, and deconstruction. His work appears on Substack under the title Public Theology, and he shares regular content on Instagram and X at @ZachWLambert. Get full access to Disarming Leviathan at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, pastor and author Tara Beth Leach reflects on how the work of preaching and pastoring has changed in a time of political division, cultural anxiety, and social media outrage. She names the temptation pastors face to use the pulpit for venting or applause, and instead offers a vision of slow, intentional, Spirit-led formation shaped by liturgy, Scripture, and communal prayer. Drawing from her own journey, Tara Beth shares how she moved from reactive preaching to prophetic pastoring marked by maternal empathy, imagination, and subversive presence.About Tara BethTara Beth Leach is a pastor, writer, and speaker who serves as the Senior Pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Naperville, Illinois. She is the author of several books including Radiant Church and Emboldened: A Vision for Empowering Women in Ministry. A graduate of Northern Seminary, Tara Beth has pastored in diverse settings across the country and regularly writes and teaches on preaching, spiritual formation, and women in leadership. Her ministry centers on helping the church embody a radiant witness of the Kingdom of God in the midst of division, injustice, and fear. She writes regularly on Substack and speaks at conferences and churches across the U.S. Get full access to Disarming Leviathan at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, writer and researcher Rachel Darnall shares her firsthand perspective on the rise of patriarchal theology in American Christianity and its connection to Christian nationalism. Drawing from her new video series It’s a Man’s World: The Genesis 3:16 Effect, Rachel explains how teachings rooted in control, male hierarchy, and politicized family roles have moved from the margins into mainstream evangelical spaces. She outlines how homeschooling, classical education, and economic structures are often used to reinforce authoritarian leadership, particularly in places like Moscow, Idaho. Rachel helps listeners see the human cost of these systems and offers practical insight into how churches and families can resist spiritual abuse while staying rooted in Scripture and community.About RachelRachel Darnall is a writer and researcher focused on gender, theological ethics, and religious authoritarianism. She is the creator of It’s a Man’s World: The Genesis 3:16 Effect, a video series produced with the Anastasis Center for Christian Education and Ministry that examines the rise and reach of Christian patriarchy in American religious life. Rachel holds an M.A. in Theological Studies from Westminster Theological Seminary (2024) and has been writing on gender, purity culture, and church power dynamics since 2017. Her work is shaped by a deep interest in women’s history and a commitment to biblical integrity. Get full access to Disarming Leviathan at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Dr. Vincent Bacote offers a thoughtful and theologically grounded vision for civic engagement shaped by the character of Christ. He challenges listeners to reject both Christian triumphalism and political withdrawal, advocating instead for a kingdom-oriented public witness that seeks the good of others. Drawing from his work in ethics, political theology, and his recent documentary Black + Evangelical, Bacote addresses power, integrity, institutional engagement, and the importance of discernment in advocacy. He invites Christians to see politics not as ultimate but as a space of provisional service, where we gesture toward the coming Kingdom through faithful, humble presence in public life.About VinceDr. Vincent Bacote is Professor of Theology and the Director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College, where he has taught since 2000. He is the author of The Political Disciple: A Theology of Public Life and numerous articles on theology, culture, and public ethics. Dr. Bacote is also the narrator and co-creator of the documentary Black + Evangelical, which explores the lived experiences of Black Christians within evangelical institutions. A frequent conference speaker and commentator, he writes at vincentbacote.com and is known for equipping the church to engage faithfully in political and cultural life without falling into ideological captivity. Get full access to Disarming Leviathan at disarmingleviathan.substack.com/subscribe

Joash Thomas, a Canadian ordained minister and author of The Justice of Jesus, shares profound insights on justice from a biblical perspective. He contrasts retributive and restorative justice, urging a focus on communal healing over individual salvation. Joash critiques the historical impact of colonialism on the church and promotes prioritizing marginalized communities. He emphasizes the need for Christians to adopt a politically agnostic stance, advocating for the oppressed while following the Spirit towards acts of justice and care.

Caleb Campbell kicks off the new season with exciting announcements and holiday greetings. Featured guests include esteemed scholars like Dr. Carmen Imes and Dr. Vince Bacote. The focus this season is on loving Christian nationalist neighbors amid the holiday chaos. Listeners will explore how to embody Jesus' teachings in civic life. Plus, there's a bundled resource for ministry leaders with training videos included. Don't miss the upcoming Communities of Flourishing conference in Phoenix, promising to empower churches for local impact!