Tribalism, Cancel Culture, and Loving the Enemy

This week, Maine’s Graham Platner won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate despite having a Nazi tattoo on his chest and recent relationship scandals surface from his past. As well, Texas’s Ken Paxton won the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, while having allegations of infidelity and securities fraud. How did these people gain popularity with voters and within their parties? This week on The Bulletin’s summer programming we look at segments that have to do with how tribalism has become ingrained in how we navigate the world, including our church, and what happens when someone steps outside of the lines of their group. The episode includes conversations with New York Times journalist Frank Bruni about his book The Age of Grievance, Mockingcast’s David Zahl about an incident in which David French was cancelled from a polarization panel, and Sharon McMahon about how to view others you disagree with. REFERENCED IN THE EPISODE: The Age of Grievance by Frank Bruni GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: Join the conversation at our Substack. Find us on YouTube. Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. ABOUT THE GUESTS: Frank Bruni has been a journalist at The New York Times for over 25 years, in roles as diverse as op-ed columnist, White House correspondent, Rome bureau chief, and chief restaurant critic. He is the author of four New York Times bestsellers. In July 2021, he became a full professor at Duke University, teaching in the school of public policy. His latest book is The Age of Grievance. David Zahl is the founder and director of Mockingbird Ministries, editor-in-chief of the Mockingbird website, and co-host of both The Mockingcast and The Brothers Zahl podcasts. His latest book is, The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World. His writing has been featured in The Washington Post, Christianity Today, and The Guardian, among others. Sharon McMahon is a former government teacher who took her passion for education to Instagram, where more than a million people rely on her for non-partisan, fact-based information as "America's Government Teacher." Sharon is also the host of the podcast, Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, where, each week, she provides entertaining yet factual accounts of America’s most fascinating moments and people. She is the author of The Small and Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement. ABOUT THE BULLETIN: The Bulletin is a twice-weekly news analysis podcast from Christianity Today, with editor-at-large Russell Moore. Each episode offers commentary on current events and headlining news with a roundtable of premier guests, and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. “The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today Host: Alexa Copeland Associate Producers: Alexa Copeland Editing and Mix: Kevin Morris Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs Music: Dan Phelps Executive Producer: Erik Petrik Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices