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Prophets, Politicians, and Partisans with Ryan Self | Episode 283

May 22, 2026 • E284 • 01:02:02

In an era of social media influencers and viral hot takes, the word "prophetic" gets thrown around constantly — but usually it just means "someone saying things I agree with." Dennis Sanders sits down with writer and communications professional Ryan Self to dig into what the biblical prophets actually looked like, and why today's version often falls dangerously short.

Ryan, who writes the Substack Ryan's Boring Book Club, recently published a two-part series — Preachers, Prophets, and Politicians — examining how the religious left and right are both falling into the same trap: mistaking tribal partisanship for genuine moral courage. From megachurch pastors building empires on outrage clicks, to progressive Christian influencers spreading election conspiracies, to politicians wrapping their campaigns in the language of the gospel, Dennis and Ryan explore how audience capture, social media incentives, and the hunger for a platform are quietly eroding the church's credibility.

Shownotes:

Preachers, Prophets and Politicians (Part 1)

Preachers, Prophets and Politicians (Part Two)

Don't make Colbert a free speech martyr

Related Episodes:

LGBTQ Allies and Effective Inclusion with Ryan Self | Episode 243

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