By Andy Hale
This week on the CBF Podcast Conversation, Andy welcomes Dr. Daniel Silliman, news editor of Christianity Today and historian of American religion, for a fascinating exploration of faith, power, and the inner life of a president. Drawing from his new book One Lost Soul, Silliman takes us beyond the headlines of Richard Nixon’s political career and into a deeper, more complex story—one shaped not only by ambition and scandal, but by a persistent and unresolved spiritual struggle.
Through the conversation, Silliman traces how Nixon’s Quaker upbringing, his formation as a “Cold War Christian,” and his complicated relationship with figures like Billy Graham all contributed to a public faith that was often strategic, but also deeply personal. Rather than offering a simplistic critique, Silliman invites us to consider how Nixon’s longing for assurance, fear of inadequacy, and inability to fully embrace grace shaped both his decisions and his downfall. It’s a portrait that challenges us to see presidential history not just as political narrative, but as theological terrain.
This episode also raises timely questions about the role of religion in public life today. What does it mean when faith becomes a tool for power—or when it fails to offer the grounding it promises? And how might understanding the spiritual lives of leaders help us navigate our own moment with greater clarity and humility? This is a compelling and thought-provoking conversation for anyone interested in the intersection of faith, leadership, and American public life.
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This podcast is presented by:
- Baylor’s Garland School of Social Work: Social workers can be found addressing the full scope of the human experience in churches, schools, prisons, government agencies, senior living centers, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies.
- Baptist Seminary of Kentucky: BSK equips leaders through their Homegrown Initiative, offering ministry leaders training and growth that fits into their busy schedules.
- The Gardner-Webb School of Divinity: The Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity aims to equip, nurture, encourage, and support men and women for their very best service in the Kingdom of God.
- The Center for Congregational Health: Strengthening congregations through consulting, leadership coaching, and intentional ministry.
- The Baptist House of Studies at Union Presbyterian Seminary: Exists by God’s grace to educate, inspire, and support generations of bold, faithful servant leaders as they seek actively to participate in God’s mission in the world.
- Community Transformation Center: Through educational opportunities, community conversations, and research initiatives in collaboration with universities and local leaders, PBACTC is at the forefront of integrating spiritual care into holistic community development.
- Creation Justice Ministries: Creation Justice Ministries equips churches to turn conviction into faithful action with Scripture-based resources, worship guides, and community support to pursue environmental justice and care for God’s creation.
- Dawnings: Through prayerful discernment, storytelling, and collaborative visioning, Dawnings helps churches rediscover their calling and imagine their next chapter—guided by trained facilitators and grounded in God’s ongoing story.
- Congregational Ministries Team of CBF Global: Through coaching, resources, and collaborative support, CBF’s Congregational Ministries Team helps churches and ministers cultivate the five traits of thriving—Rooted Relationships, Compelling Clarity, Holy Tenacity, Strategic Agility, and Dynamic Collaboration—for faithful and flourishing ministry.
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Andy Hale is the creator and host of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Podcast. Hale is the Associate Executive Coordinator of CBF North Carolina. He’s also served as CBF’s Church Start Specialist, the founding pastor of Mosaic Church of Clayton, and the senior pastor of University Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. Follow on Twitter @haleandy.