Episode Details

In this episode of Faith & Clarity, Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Bishop Mark Beckwith of Braver Angels to explore how Christians can engage a deeply divided culture with conviction, courage, and Christlike love.

They discuss the rise of polarization and declining trust in America, and why rebuilding relationships is essential for a healthier public witness. The conversation highlights practical ways believers can pursue unity without compromising truth, grounded in the Imago Dei, love of neighbor and enemy, and a commitment to faithful presence in everyday life.

Bishop Beckwith also shares how initiatives like Braver Angels are helping people listen better, engage across differences, and model what it means to live as citizens of heaven in a divided world.

Topics

(0:00) Introduction

(2:29) Meet Bishop Beckwith

(6:40) How Braver Angels began

(11:32) Braver Faith in churches

(17:17) Politics versus faith

(25:31) Faith and citizenship

(28:34) Religion as democracy support

(30:55) Imago Dei in practice

(33:16) Love as a command

(36:17) Surviving family politics

(40:41) Bridgebuilding without compromise

(44:51) Handling anger and ego

(47:20) Conclusion

Resources

• Braver Angels
• Denison Forum: Our political future and an interview that moved me deeply
• Pew Research: Public trust in government 
• Ask Us Anything: info@denisonforum.org
• Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

About Bishop Mark Beckwith

Ordained in the Episcopal Church in 1979, Mark Beckwith served parishes in Connecticut, New Jersey and Massachusetts.  Elected Bishop of Newark (NJ), he served in that capacity for twelve years until his retirement in 2018.    In the wake of gang violence in Newark, he helped found the Newark Interfaith Coalition for Hope and Peace.  With a local Rabbi and Imam from that coalition, he appeared several times on Morning Joe, and did two PBS interview shows hosted by Jon Meacham.  The three of them co-hosted A Matter of Faith, a NJ Public TV show that focused on local issues.  He currently serves as the Bishop Liaison for Bishops United Against Gun Violence, a network of 100 bishops he co-founded after the Newtown, Ct. killings in 2012.  He is the co-founder of Faith Leaders for Ending Gun Violence, a national ecumenical group of diverse religious leaders.  He has been co-chair of Braver Faith, a department of Braver Angels, a national movement that seeks to depolarize America.  He is the author of Seeing the Unseen:  Beyond Prejudices, Paradigms and Party Lines (Morehouse Publishing, 2022).  He posts weekly on his website, markbeckwith.net.  He hosts a podcast, Reconciliation Roundtable, which involves conversations with religious and civic leaders.  He offers spiritual direction and coaching for clergy.  A graduate of Amherst College and Yale Divinity School, he lives in Jaffrey, New Hampshire.