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Zealots at the Gate

Comment
Islam
Christianity
Mormonism
American Politics
Donald Trump
Evangelicalism
Hell
Gaza
Religion and Democracy
Religious Freedom
Pluralism
Christian Nationalism
Democracy
Assassination Attempt
Politics
Salvation
Polygamy
Evangelical Christianity
Political Transformation
Eternal Damnation

How do you disagree with substance, respect, and a spot of laughter? Is it possible for deep difference to be the uncanny glue of a free society, and not the spark for its conflagration? What does good-faith persuasion look like anymore? Zealots at the Gate from Comment explores these questions through the friendship of two men: Muslim political thinker Shadi Hamid and Christian theologian Matthew... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes51Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureReligionReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Zealots at the Gate

Latest Episodes

Leah Libresco Sargeant and Hadia Mubarak join Matt and Shadi to discuss what feminism looks like within their respective commitments to Catholicism and Islam. Libresco, an author and speaker and atheist-to-Catholic convert, argues for the consistency... more

Matt and Shadi's initiative, The Faith and Future of Democracy Initiative, is now housed at the Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University. The two sat down with the center director and Georgetown faculty member Nader... more

What are the lessons of 9/11? What does it mean to "never forget"? Join Matt and Shadi as they reflect on the fact that Muslims and Christians remember 9/11 and its aftermath quite differently. Together, Matt and Shadi share their personal stories fr... more

In the previous episode, Matthew and Shadi sat down with self-described Christian nationalist William Wolfe and gave him substantial room to articulate his account of American history and his vision of Christianity, religious pluralism, and political... more

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Recent Guests

Nader Hashemi
Director of the Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Episode: Can Trump Bomb Iran Into Democracy?
William Wolfe
Founder and executive director of the Center for Baptist Leadership
Center for Baptist Leadership
Episode: What Do Christian Nationalists Actually Want? — With William Wolfe
David Brooks
Long time New York Times columnist, staff writer at The Atlantic, author
The Atlantic / The New York Times
Episode: The Lost Art of Political Moderation, with David Brooks
Robert Nicholson
Former president of the Philos organization, engages positively in Middle East questions related to Israel
The Philos Program
Episode: What Does It Mean to Support Israel?
Lyman Stone
Leading demographer, senior fellow and director of the Pronatalism Initiative at the Institute for Family Studies
Institute for Family Studies
Episode: The Politics of Falling Birthrates
Omar Suleiman
President of Yaqeen Institute, influential American Muslim scholar
Yaqeen Institute
Episode: How to Be a Muslim and an American
Ari Gordon
Director of Muslim-Jewish Relations at the American Jewish Committee (AJC)
American Jewish Committee
Episode: Is There a Path Forward for Muslim-Jewish Conversations?
Rob Schenck
Pastor, activist, Christian thought leader in faith and politics
Pastor, former Christian right figure, author of Costly Grace
Episode: A Christian Nationalist Changes His Mind
Laura Field
Scholar in residence at American University and author of Furious Minds, The Making of the MAGA New Right
American University
Episode: The Minds Behind the New Right

Hosts

Shadi Hamid
Co-host and Georgetown University-affiliated scholar focusing on religion and politics.
Matthew Kaemingk
Host and Georgetown University-affiliated theologian with ties to Comment Magazine and religious freedom discourse.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 92 ratings
  • Great start to a much-needed conversation

    I love this podcast and always look forward to new episodes. That being said, there’s a difference between Shadi’s philosophical approach to religion and Matthew’s, which doesn’t map neatly onto how Muslims and Christians think about their religion. Shadi has a more liberal, almost perennialist attitude to Islam, whereas Matthew is (as marketed) an evangelical Christian. I also see some mismatch between their background expertise on the finer points of theology. As a Muslim listener, I would lov... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    H_A12345
    United States2 years ago
  • THANK YOU

    I have deep rooted ties to Islam, with family and friends who are Muslim. I am deeply protective of them. Listening to this dialogue helps me feel fully seen, the part that worships and loves Jesus, and the part that appreciates and respects my Muslim family and friends. I’m so thankful for this podcast for modeling a way for me to think through complex issues that no one else is talking about, especially not with such thoughtfulness and care. Too often Christians are keen to emphasize their dee... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LawyerCatLady
    United States2 years ago
  • Honor and respect

    I am grateful for their dialogue; not necessarily agreeing, and yet, honoring each other by listening, and when speaking, showing respect for their friend. The guest have been great! Thanks for sharing with us.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PlayMoh
    United States4 years ago
  • Inspiring

    Shadi and Matt’s interfaith dialogue podcast beautifully demonstrates a way of unlocking the power of religious traditions while providing inspiration in all sorts of surprising ways

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Webzum
    United States4 years ago
  • A robust invitation to generous curiosity

    Pluralism in the US is a particularly difficult conversation. As Matt and Shadi model generous curiosity from particular beliefs, they make an argument for imagining a better culture. That kind of imagination is a powerful gift listeners can bring in our individual circles.

    Folks who hold particular beliefs can do better than defensive us/them postures, and these guys are inviting us to—with the same generosity they extend to each other. Fantastic fodder for better conversations.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Carol from Michigan
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests and hosts are valued for offering nuanced perspectives and practical insights.
The show is appreciated for modeling generous curiosity across religious divides.
Listeners praise the civil, thoughtful debates and mutual respect between hosts.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Can Trump Bomb Iran Into Democracy?
Q: How should America approach democracy promotion in Iran given past interventions?
The guests advocate humility and deferment to Iranian democrats on the ground, cautioning against military or coercive strategies and stressing the importance of improving conditions that enable genuine political participation and reform.
What Do Christian Nationalists Actually Want? — With William Wolfe
Q: How do you see the balance between religious identity and immigrant inclusion in the American project?
America is built on ideals that allow immigrants to become American while maintaining religious liberty and public religiosity, and the nation's mission-oriented identity can accommodate diverse backgrounds without erasing a shared civic foundation.
What Do Christian Nationalists Actually Want? — With William Wolfe
Q: What is your view on how Christianity should influence public policy in America?
Christianity should inform moral policy, but not all sins should be criminalized; there should be prudential limits and checks to prevent the abuse of power while upholding religious freedom.
What Do Christian Nationalists Actually Want? — With William Wolfe
Q: How would you define nationalism and Christian nationalism?
Nationalism is defined as the belief in a unique nation with sovereignty and self-determination, while Christian nationalism ties American identity to Christianity and supports state action to preserve that Christian character.
The Politics of Falling Birthrates
Q: What is the predominant factor driving fertility decline, if you had to choose one?
Declining marriage is the biggest, most consistent driver across many contexts, though it unfolds within a complex mix of economic, cultural, and technological changes.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Zealots at the Gate

What is Zealots at the Gate about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on thoughtful, civil dialogues across faith and politics, pairing a Muslim political thinker and a Christian theologian as they unpack contentious topics like Christian nationalism, interfaith relations, democracy, and the role of religion in public life. Across episodes, conversations probe liberal pluralism, democratic norms, and the moral dimensions of public policy, often featuring guests with expertise in religion, politics, and international affairs. Noteworthy is the commitment to generous curiosity, humility, and a willingness to challenge assumptions without sacrificing conviction, which makes it a strong fit for listeners who value nuanced debate over partisan statecraft.

A standout aspect is the recurring emphas... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Zealots at the Gate?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Zealots at the Gate:

1. Trinity Forum Conversations
2. Good Faith
3. Mere Fidelity
4. The Dispatch Podcast
5. The Bulletin

How many episodes of Zealots at the Gate are there?

Zealots at the Gate launched 4 years ago and published 51 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Zealots at the Gate?

Recent guests on Zealots at the Gate include:

1. Nader Hashemi
2. William Wolfe
3. David Brooks
4. Robert Nicholson
5. Lyman Stone
6. Omar Suleiman
7. Ari Gordon
8. Rob Schenck

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