Red Letter Christians Podcast

This week, we talk to Scotty Utz from RAWtools South and discuss transforming firearms into garden tools and designing faith-informed, survivor-centered rituals around gun destruction. We cover RAWTools' efforts to promote nonviolence through certification programs and their Gun Violence Awareness Month events, including the Blacksmith-a-Marathon, which honors all victims of gun violence.   Connect with Scotty Scotty’s site RAWTool South RAWTools South IG Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

We speak with longtime Red Letter Christian supporter and author Terry Webb about her 94 years of life, how she's grown her faith, and her new book, "Christian Citizenship Endangered in America.” A response to Trumpism and the rise of Christian nationalism shaping U.S. policy. Connect with Terry Terry’s site Terry’s Substack Terry on Facebook Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne   

Originally recorded and published on the RLC Blog on July 3, 2021. One-hundred and seventy-four years ago, abolitionist, writer, and statesman Frederick Douglass gave a speech to the 600 members of the Rochester Ladies Anti-Slavery Society entitled “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” On July 3, 2021, Christian leaders from around the country gathered virtually with Red Letter Christians to read this powerful piece together. Read along here:  ---- Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

In this solo show, Shane Claiborne marks Gun Violence Awareness Month by highlighting Raw Tools' unique mission to transform surrendered weapons into art and garden tools. Specifically, he focuses on their June blacksmith marathon—a powerful initiative memorializing the 40,000 American lives lost annually to gun violence while calling for urgent, commonsense gun reform. Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

This week, we chat with Brad Jersak, from Saint Stephen's University, about living a nonviolent, justice-seeking Christianity that resists the “takeover mentality.” Instead, it acts as the church’s prophetic conscience, echoing Dr. King’s view of laws and heart-change as parallel tracks. More about Brad Brad's site Saint Stephen's Brad on IG Brad on Substack Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

This week, we revisit the archive with Doug Pagitt of Vote Common Good. We discuss the major deployment of masked federal ICE agents to Minneapolis, amid the city’s post–George Floyd organizing. We hear about the continual need for citizen action, growing clergy solidarity, and sustaining “joy” through music and art as a humanizing response. More about Doug Vote Common Good Common Good Podcast VCG on IG Doug's site Doug on IG Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

We talk with Dr. James Bigham about moral courage and practical responses to U.S. gun violence, now described as the leading cause of death for ages 1–19, with over 100 deaths daily. He describes collaborations with gun shops and training healthcare professionals, ​pastors, and other caregivers to address the epidemic. More about James Dr. Bigham's initiative: Firearm Injury Prevention: Dr. James Bigham Leads Program for Health Care Providers - UW Family Medicine Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

This week, we talk with political scientist and civil resistance scholar, Dr. Maria J. Stephan, co-author of Why Civil Resistance Works. We discuss how she was shaped by early community and faith organizing in Vermont, and later by the documentary A Force More Powerful and global nonviolent struggles. Stephan explains research on preventing democratic backsliding and the need for sustained engagement beyond mass protests, through tactics such as boycotts, strikes, walkouts, and noncooperation. Connect with Maria Website: Maria Stephan Instagram: @horizonsprjt The Horizons Project: The Horizons Project Nonviolent Action Resources and Training: Nonviolent Action Resources and Training Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

We chat with Tim Shriver—Special Olympics leader, disability rights advocate, and author—who explains how decades with Special Olympics athletes taught him to see people “from the inside out” and recognize dignity as universal, inherent, and not earned. Connect with Tim Website: Tim Shriver Instagram: @timothyshriver The Dignity Index: The Dignity Index Need A Lift? Podcast: Need A Lift? with Tim Shriver - Podcast - Apple Podcasts The Special Olympics: Special Olympics Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

On this episode, Shane sits down with Kat Armas to talk about how we meet this moment as followers of Jesus, the role of prayer and liturgy, and her new book, Liturgies for Resisting Empire. Connect with Kat Website: Kat Armas Instagram: @katarmas Substack: Some Things Abuelita | Kat Armas | Substack Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

Shane is joined by Pastor Carl Ruby and Viles Dorsainvil from Springfield, OH.  They have been leading the way in advocating for Haitian families facing the possibility of deportation, and now have a case before the Supreme Court.  Socials: Carl Ruby (@carlrubygoblue) Viles Dorsainvil on Instagram Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

Jim Murphy Shane speaks with longtime friend Jim Murphy, author of the viral bestseller Inner Excellence and newly republished The Best Possible Life. They discuss the importance of viewing Christianity as transformative rather than escapist, and the value of countercultural, gospel-centered living. Connect with Jim Website: Inner Excellence | By Jim Murphy Instagram: Jim Murphy (@innerexcellencejimmurphy) • Instagram profile @innerexcellencejimmurphy Substack: Inner Excellence | Jim Murphy | Substack X: Jim Murphy (@innerexcellence) on X @‌innerexcellence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/innerexcellence/ Facebook: Inner Excellence | Lakeland FL Buy the book: Inner Excellence Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

Shane talks with Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ in the US and Canada. She is the first Black woman to lead a mainline denomination as Chief Executive, and is a prominent, prophetic voice in the US and beyond. Connect with Terri Terri Hord Owens Facebook Disciples of Christ Facebook Instagram Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Terri's books Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

Shane talks with Peter Pedemonti, one of the leaders and founders of the New Sanctuary Movement in Philadelphia, and a passionate, faith-rooted organizer working to protect immigrant families. Connect with Peter New Sanctuary Movement Philadelphia Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

Shane is joined by Rev. Cody Deese, a courageous pastor in Georgia.  Recent clips of his sermons have gone viral as he seeks to address the current spiritual crisis in America and pastor a congregation through these turbulent times. Connect with Cody • @codydeese • Cody's website • Vining Lakes Church   Connect with RLC • Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  • To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   • Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  • Instagram: @RedLetterXians  • Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  • Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne   

Shane Claiborne sits down with Marvin Rees, former Bristol mayor and new UK House of Lords member, to discuss how local leaders are tackling global crises like climate change and systemic inequality amidst failing national institutions. Connect with Marvin @marvinjrees Connect with RLC • Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  • To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   • Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  • Instagram: @RedLetterXians  • Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  • Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

Shane speaks with Abeer Shehadeh Nasser, a Palestinian Christian citizen of Israel from Nazareth and co-host of the podcast Across the Divide. She shares how separation among Palestinians fuels identity crises and recounts an early encounter with Christian Zionism that pushed her to connect faith with political reality. Connect with Abeer • Across The Divide podcast Connect with RLC • Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  • To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   • Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  • Instagram: @RedLetterXians  • Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  • Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

Shane issues a raw plea to protect hope through resilient faith and community. Drawing a direct line from the 1991 Al-Amiriyah shelter bombing to recent strikes on a primary school in Tehran, he discusses the devastating human cost of U.S.-backed violence and reads the names of over 60 children lost to the machinery of war. He challenges the "apocalyptic theologies" that justify mass death, and calls for a Christianity rooted in the radical nonviolence of Jesus. Connect with RLC • Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  • To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   • Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  • Instagram: @RedLetterXians  • Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  • Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne     

Shane welcomes Rev. Gerlyn Henry, an Anglican priest. They discuss differences, her formation away from “Not of This World” individualism toward neighbor-centered faith, and her deepening solidarity with Palestinians through learning about the Nakba, meeting Palestinians, and traveling in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Connect with Gerlyn @rev.gerlynhenry @gerlynhenry Connect with RLC • Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  • To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   • Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  • Instagram: @RedLetterXians  • Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  • Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

Shane talks with Canadian author and speaker Sarah Bessey. They discuss their friendship with Rachel Held Evans, and a new book Sarah curated to honor Rachel's life: Braving the Truth: Essential Essays for Reckoning with and Reimagining Faith. They also talk about the importance of Canada's sovereignty... and origami. Connect with Sarah Sarah's site @sarahbessey Braving the Truth Field Notes substack Connect with RLC • Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  • To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   • Follow us on YouTube: @RedLetterChristians • Instagram: @RedLetterXians  • Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  • Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne