The Spirit of Our Politics 

This session will explore the state of American politics today, including the deep polarization driving individuals and institutions apart, and what religious Americans-and citizens generally-can do about it. Does religion drive our polarization or provide a solution to it? Both speakers will consider themes from Michael Wear’s recent book, The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life, which argues that our politics will only get better if we get better. Jon Ward’s 2023 book, Testimony, considers some of these same themes-and in some sense, both books argue that the best way to transcend our polarized political morass is to deepen and revitalize our own spiritual formation, through renewed commitment.