Live from Wheaton: Catherine Brekus

Last October, Things Not Seen Radio went on-location to Wheaton College to speak to participants in their conference on the Bible and Democracy in America, co-sponsored by the American Bible Society. Our guest this week is University of Chicago professor, historian Catherine Brekus.

Also on the show, Katy Scrogin discusses Martha C. Nussbaum’s book, Political Emotions: Why Love Matters for Justice.

What makes the American experience of religious life so unique? Part of it is our rich and diverse religious history, which runs deep through both our concept of representative democracy, as well as our founding documents.

Catherine Brekus is the author of several books, including most recently Sarah Osborn's World: The Rise of Evangelical Christianity in Early America. Her research traces the rise of women's movements in America, particularly within (and at times in opposition to) religious communities.

Also on the Show

Katy Scrogin discusses Martha C. Nussbaum’s book, Political Emotions: Why Love Matters for Justice.

From the publisher's website:

"How can we achieve and sustain a 'decent' liberal society, one that aspires to justice and equal opportunity for all and inspires individuals to sacrifice for the common good? In this book, a continuation of her explorations of emotions and the nature of social justice, Martha Nussbaum makes the case for love. Amid the fears, resentments, and competitive concerns that are endemic even to good societies, public emotions rooted in love—in intense attachments to things outside our control—can foster commitment to shared goals and keep at bay the forces of disgust and envy."