Today’s episode is a conversation with Amar Peterman, a scholar, writer, and theologian living in Milwaukee and currently working for Interfaith America. Through his newsletter This Common Life, Amar reflects on the Christian call into the public square, and his forthcoming book of the same title, is an effort to name a uniquely Christian conception of the common good. Amar’s experience navigating the predominately white spaces in the Evangelical church as an Indian-American adoptee has given him a healthy skepticism about simplistic definitions of the common good. Left unexamined, the common good can become one more tool of marginalization, especially when defined by what majority culture decides is both common and good.
Amar’s careful analysis and studied theological thought make him an incredible and principled leader in the world of public theology and the place-based church. We talk about what we mean by both the words common and good, the qualities of authentic Christian community, and the centrality of Jesus Christ in our work towards the many common goods. Amar is an amazing writer, a brilliant theologian, and a good friend who always challenges me to examine my own theological commitments and exercise some precision when talking about God’s work in the commons. I hope you enjoy this conversation with my good friend, Amar Peterman.
Amar D. Peterman (amarpeterman.com)
This Common Life | Amar D. Peterman | Substack
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