The J29 Coalition seeks to equip ministry leaders to recapture the evangelical political imagination. Learn more at J29Coalition.com
blog.j29coalition.com (https://blog.j29coalition.com?utm_medium=podcast)
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Equipping pastors to recapture the evangelical political imagination.
What does the Pentateuch have to say to Christians navigating politics, nationalism, power, and division in 2026?
Caleb Campbell talks with Old Testament scholars Dave Beldman and Michael Rhodes about why pastors shouldn’t skip the difficult parts of Genesis through Deuteronomy. They explore the Pentateuch’s vision for work, justice, economic life, immigration, the environment, leadership, and the people of God—and what happens when we pull biblical commands out of their story and use them to serve our modern political agendas.
They discuss the Ten Commandments, Jubilee, the tabernacle, Joseph, and the difference between ancient Israel and the church as God’s “holy nation.” Most importantly, they ask what it looks like for pastors to help their churches enter the world of Scripture, hear God’s agenda, and discern how to live it out faithfully in our own context.
The goal isn’t to find partisan political answers in the Bible. It’s to let Scripture form a people whose lives embody a different kingdom—a kingdom where power is redefined, neighbors are loved, outsiders are welcomed, and the flourishing of others matters.
As Michael Rhodes puts it, there is “gold here that your people need”—but finding it requires us to linger in the text.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com (https://blog.j29coalition.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
14 Sept 2026
The Bible, Violence, and the Misuse of Scripture
Can Christians faithfully read the Bible’s violent passages without using them to justify violence today?
From the conquest narratives in Joshua to modern political rhetoric, Scripture has often been invoked to defend power, war, and national agendas. But what if we’ve been reading these texts the wrong way?
In this episode, Caleb Campbell sits down with renowned Old Testament scholar John Walton to explore one of the Bible’s most challenging questions: What do we do with the violence in Scripture?
Together they discuss:
* Why violence appears so frequently in the biblical story
* Whether God commands violence in the Old Testament
* What the Israelite “conquest” was—and wasn’t
* Why using Joshua to justify colonialism, Christian nationalism, or modern warfare is a profound misuse of Scripture
* How ancient conquest rhetoric differs from modern historical reporting
* Why the Bible is God’s story—not a collection of proof texts for our political or ideological agendas
* How Christians can respond when Scripture is used to justify violence today
Along the way, Walton offers a compelling challenge: one of the greatest threats to biblical authority isn’t that we ignore Scripture—it’s that we use it to sanctify our own ambitions.
If you’ve ever wrestled with the Bible’s violent passages or wondered how to faithfully read difficult texts in a polarized age, this conversation will give you both practical tools and fresh hope for engaging Scripture with greater wisdom, humility, and integrity.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com (https://blog.j29coalition.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
31 Aug 2026
How Should Pastors Talk About Politics?
Many pastors know they should address politics—but don't know how. In this conversation, Michael Rhodes (author of “ (https://bakeracademic.com/products/9781540967558_reimagining-biblical-politics)Reimagining Biblical Politics: What Scripture Says About Public Life and Why It Matters” (https://bakeracademic.com/products/9781540967558_reimagining-biblical-politics)) offers practical coaching for preaching and discipleship in a polarized age. Rather than endorsing parties or policies, pastors are called to proclaim the reign of King Jesus, form the political imagination of their people, and cultivate communities capable of faithful discernment.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com (https://blog.j29coalition.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
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