Good Faith

Can We Find Hope Without Pretending the World Is Fine?
 
Biblical scholar N. T. Wright joins Curtis Chang on the Good Faith podcast to explore Isaiah's message for weary Christians, everyday work, and hope beyond politics. Drawing on his book Into the Heart of Isaiah, Wright explains how God's promises to Israel find fulfillment in Jesus and shape the church's calling today. They discuss waiting on God, serving faithfully in secular workplaces, and why churches and businesses alike can become "Towers of Babel." Wright also challenges comparisons between Donald Trump and King Cyrus.
 
02:37 - N.T. Wright and the Old Testament?
06:03 - Reading Isaiah Through Three Lenses
08:51 - Waiting on the Lord in Isaiah 40:31
15:22 - Finding Faith in Delayed Answers
19:11 - Discovering Isaiah's Literary Unity
28:45 - Isaiah's Struggle and Perseverance
33:00 - What Does Isaiah Say About Secular Work?
43:26 - King Cyrus and Political Misappropriation
48:01 - Isaiah's Message of Comfort and Hope
 
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Mentioned in This Episode:
N.T. Wright's Into the Heart of Isaiah: The Meaning and Message of Isaiah 40–55
N.T. Wright's The Case for the Psalms: Why They Are Essential
C. S. Lewis's Space Trilogy
T. S. Eliot's The Four Quartets: A Poem
"God's Time Is Best" performed by the Netherlands Bach Society
 
Scriptures:
Isaiah 40–55 (ESV)
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
Isaiah 49:4 (ESV)
Isaiah 52:7–12 (ESV)
Isaiah 52:13–53:12 (ESV)
Isaiah 54 (ESV)
Isaiah 44:28 - 45:7 (ESV)
Luke 2:22–38 (ESV)
John 1:1–18 (ESV)
John 1 (ESV)
Genesis 1 (ESV)
Psalm 8 (ESV)
Romans 12–13 (ESV)
 
More from N.T. Wright:
N.T. Wright Online
N.T. Wright's Speaking engagements
N.T. Wright's books (Amazon)
 
Past Conversations with N.T. Wright:
Good Faith ep. 207: N.T. Wright Explains Ephesians: The Church, Christian Nationalism, & the Armor of God
Good Faith ep. 128: The Unseen Spiritual Powers Shaping Our World (with N.T. Wright)
 
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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Why Does Politics Reward the Wrong People?
 
Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger joins Curtis Chang on the Good Faith podcast to discuss the 2026 midterm elections, political corruption, and how Christians can evaluate political leaders. Kinzinger argues that character is revealed when leaders put public responsibility ahead of personal comfort—even when it means challenging their own party. Drawing on his vote to impeach Donald Trump and his service on the January 6 committee, he explores what restoring congressional accountability requires. They also discuss why principled candidates struggle to stay in office and how Christians can oppose harmful actions while loving their enemies and praying for political opponents.
 
02:33 - What Is the Meaning of Heroism?
04:34 - Models of Courage for Congress
09:54 - Faith and the January 6 Impeachment Vote
14:08 - Adam's Midterm Elections Predictions
17:55 - The Other Side of the "God Gap"
22:51 - Avoiding Political Idolatry
25:18 - The Impacts of Redistricting on Congressional Careers
29:00 - Cross-Partisan Alliances and Democratic Principles
31:24 - Are There Candidates Who Understand the Stakes?
36:21 - How Does Political Corruption Work?
42:32 - Adam's Guide to Assessing Character and Examining Records
46:45 - Is There Hope for Congress?
52:37 - Praying for Political Enemies
 
Find more resource for this episode HERE
Sign up  for The After Party course
 
Mentioned in this episode:
Listen to Good Faith episode 255: David French: What Christians Should Want on Election Night
Adam Kinzinger's That's What Heroes Do
Adam Kinzinger's Substack Newsletter & Podcast 
Adam Kinzinger's 2024 Democratic National Convention Speech (transcript)
Listen to Good Faith episode 163: "Adam Kinzinger Defends Democracy and Embraces Biblical Hope"
Check out The After Party
 
Scriptures: 
Matthew 5:43–45 (ESV)
Psalm 119:105 (ESV) 
Matthew 6:10 (ESV) 
1 Corinthians 15:20–23 (ESV) 
Matthew 5–7 (ESV)
 
More From Adam Kinzinger:
Adam Kinzinger's Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in Our Divided Country
Adam Kinzinger's Country First Movement
 
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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Can We Speak About Jesus's Transforming Power Without Reducing It To a Consumer Product?
 
You can believe Christianity is true and still wonder what difference it makes. Theologian and former atheist Alister McGrath joins Curtis Chang to discuss Rethinking Christianity and why conversations about faith need to address meaning, purpose, and hope alongside rational belief. They explore the danger of reducing Christianity to self-help, the limits of intellectual answers to suffering, and how Jesus' suffering speaks to people in their darkest moments. Curtis also shares his experience of anxiety and depression as they consider how truth, lived experience, and Christian friendship can sustain faith.
 
02:34 - Why Won't Christianity Stay Buried?
04:43 - Dr. McGrath's Journey from Atheism to Christianity
07:11 - From Debating Atheism to Addressing Meaning
15:30 - Consumerism, Relevance, and Losing Christianity's Story
19:19 - How Can We Find Purpose and Flourish in Faith?
23:46 - The Limits of Apologetic Answers to Suffering
30:43 - Explaining the Trinity
33:09 - Preaching to the Choir and Finding Companions
 
Find this episode on our website: Good Faith episode 256 
Sign up  for The After Party course
 
Mentioned in This Episode:
Dr. McGrath's Rethinking Christianity: A Thoughtful Guide to a Life-Changing Faith
C.S. Lewis's The Problem of Pain
Henri Blocker's Evil and the Cross
More about C.S. Lewis's conversion
More about Dorothy L. Sayers
More about Alvin Plantinga
Dr. McGrath Debates Richard Dawkins
Dr. McGrath Debates Christopher Hitchens
Dr. McGrath Debates Daniel Dennett
 
Scriptures:
John 4:1–42 (ESV)
John 10:10 (ESV)
Psalm 23 (ESV)
Matthew 7:24–27 (ESV)
 
More From Dr. McGrath:
Professor Alister McGrath at the University of Oxford 
Alister McGrath's website
Alister McGrath's books
 
Follow Us:
Good Faith on Instagram
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Good Faith on Facebook
 
The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Will the Midterms Be a Tourniquet, a Cure, or Something Else Entirely?
 
Does who wins Congress matter? What happens to American democracy after the midterms may be up for grabs. Good Faith "founding friend" and New York Times columnist David French joins Curtis Chang to look beyond the 2026 midterm scoreboard and explore what the elections could mean for presidential power, political extremism, and the church's public witness. They discuss the limits of congressional checks on President Trump, the Texas Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton, and why restoring trust requires more than a partisan victory. David and Curtis also offer practical ways Christians can move to active participation—and a call to pray for justice, repentance, and reconciliation.
 
01:28 - David Forecasts the Midterms
06:45 - Can a Democratic Congress Check the President?
13:10 - The Republican Party's Future and Moderate Candidates
17:48 - Institutional Damage and Constitutional Checks
22:47 - Election Integrity and the Risk of Close Results
30:22 - The Need to Move from Spectatorship to Participation
35:50 - Speaking Up in Evangelical Churches
41:08 - Is Texas a Signal for Faith and Politics?
46:23 - Why Do Candidates Like Adam Kinzinger Struggle?
51:03 - David's Call to Prayer
 
Find this episode on our website: Good Faith episode 255
Sign up  for The After Party course
 
Mentioned in This Episode:
Good Faith ep. 252: David French: Can We Trust the Supreme Court?
David French's The 'God Gap' Is Narrowing in Texas 
Virginia debate Ratifying Convention: Article 2, Section 2, Clause 1 
Congressal authority to judge its members' elections/qualifications: Article I, Section 5
Learn more about The After Party course
 
Scriptures:
Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV)
1 Timothy 2:1–2 (ESV)
 
More From David French:
David French's New York Times pieces HERE
Follow David French on Threads
 
Follow Us:
Good Faith on Instagram
Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter)
Good Faith on Facebook
 
The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Escaping the Digital Age Where Noise Is Our Destiny
 
What if the noise filling your life is drowning out God's voice? John Mark Comer joins Curtis Chang to discuss his book  Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a World of Noise and how churches can offer refuge from digital overload, what the Desert Fathers and Mothers teach about faith and power, and why contemplative prayer sustains public engagement. John Mark and Curtis do a deep dive into the relationship between contemplative prayer, political engagement, and faithful public witness. Along the way, John Mark offers gentle, practical ways to begin making room for God—even if sitting still feels impossible.
 
02:27 - How do we talk about silence in a noisy age?
06:19 - "Quiet time" versus quiet presence
10:52 - Why does solitude matter for active people?
15:34 - Is solitude essential to discipleship?
23:11 - Noisy churches and quieter worship
30:01 - Silence, politics, and public witness 
37:40 - The Desert Fathers, Constantine, the church & empire
43:45 - Solitude and confronting demonic thoughts
50:32 - Starting a practice of quiet & finding joy in God
 
Sign up  for The After Party course
 
Mentioned in This Episode:
John Mark Comer's Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a World of Noise
More about Martin Laird
More about Dallas Willard & spiritual disciplines
Richard Foster's list of spiritual disciplines
Adele Ahlberg Calhoun's Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything
Howard Thurman's Jesus and the Disinherited
Howard Thurman's Meditations of the Heart
Scriptures:
Luke 5:15–16 (ESV)
Psalm 46 (ESV)
Matthew 4:1–11 and Luke 4:1–13 (ESV)
Jude 9 (ESV)
Colossians 1:27 (ESV)
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (ESV)
More From John Mark Comer:
Explore John Mark's website 
Listen to John Mark's podcast
Find John Mark on Instagram
Watch John Mark on YouTube
 
Follow Us:
Good Faith on Instagram
Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter)
Good Faith on Facebook
 
The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.