Following Jesus in the Halls of Power: A Conversation on Faith and Politics - w/ Michael Wear

Episode • Apr 10, 2017 • 45m

How does someone faithfully follow Jesus while working at the highest levels of American government? Mike Erre and Andy sit down with Michael Wear, author of Reclaiming Hope and former Director of Faith Outreach for President Obama, to explore what it looks like to live out the teachings of Jesus under a microscope of politics, partisanship, and public scrutiny.

Wear shares his incredible journey—from a chance hallway meeting with then-Senator Obama to serving in the White House’s Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. He opens up about the tensions of holding Christian convictions in a progressive Democratic administration and explains how he navigated controversial issues like abortion, the contraception mandate, and LGBTQ+ rights. Through it all, he offers a hopeful vision for how Christians of all stripes can engage in meaningful political action without losing their integrity or their soul.

Key Takeaways: • Faith and Public Service – What it meant for Wear to live as a committed Christian while serving under President Obama, and how his identity shaped his political engagement. • Engagement Without Idolatry – Practical ways that followers of Jesus can advocate for justice, human dignity, and the common good without placing their hope in political outcomes. • Reframing Polarization – Why reclaiming hope requires that we move beyond cynicism and demonization, and what it looks like to be 'other-centered' in the public square. • From Critique to Contribution – Ways Christians can create shared moral ground around pressing issues like poverty, fatherhood, immigration, and religious liberty. • How Hope Becomes Subversive – Wear’s definition of hope as a force that challenges fear-based politics and empowers believers to lead with humility and courage.

Guest Highlight: Michael Wear – Author of Reclaiming Hope and President of Public Square Strategies, Wear offers a deeply informed and nuanced take on the intersection between Christian faith and American politics. As one of President Obama’s youngest staffers, he brings firsthand experience from the frontlines of policymaking and shares a radical vision of what Spirit-led civic engagement could look like today.

Resources Mentioned: • Book: Reclaiming Hope by Michael Wear – Amazon • Public Faith Initiative – publicfaith.us • World Vision – worldvision.org • Tyler Wigg-Stevenson – The World is Not Ours to Save

Reframe your approach to politics by rediscovering Jesus-centered activism that puts people over partisanship. Subscribe for more conversations that challenge cultural assumptions and deepen your discipleship. Leave a review, share with a friend, and follow us on social media to stay engaged.

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

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Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

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