Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Why does a self-described “gay, atheistic Jewish guy” argue that America needs more Christianity right now? In our last episode this season, Jonathan Rauch, author, Brookings Institution senior fellow, and newly appointed board member of Heterodox Academy, joins host John Tomasi for an insightful discussion recorded in Washington, D.C.
Jonathan reflects on his new book, Cross Purposes, a contrarian apology for the Christian values that once helped sustain both American self-government and its universities. Drawing from personal narratives, constitutional history, and contemporary social fractures, Rauch argues that the decline of robust, virtue-based Christianity and the politicization of faith have contributed to polarization, anxiety, and a crisis of institutional trust.
Jonathan and John discuss Tocqueville’s analysis of individualism, the “God-shaped hole” now filled by less constructive substitutes, and what both faith and scholarship can contribute to a pluralistic republic. Join us for the conversation and explore practical and philosophical pathways to revive the transformative power of both religious and academic institutions.
In This Episode:
💥 Three core Christian virtues as a civic foundation
💥 The perils of “thin,” “sharp,” and “thick” Christianity
💥 Tocqueville, individualism, and the promise of civil society
💥 The hollowing of purpose and scholarly virtue in higher education
💥 Faith, viewpoint diversity, and restoring vibrant campus culture
💥 Challenges and opportunities for self-reform in academia
Read Jonathan’s latest book, Cross Purposes: https://a.co/d/dRaWsfL
Check out more about the Brookings Institution: https://www.brookings.edu/
About Jonathan:
Jonathan Rauch is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a contributing writer for The Atlantic, renowned for his incisive commentary on public policy, culture, and governance. He has authored several influential books, including The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth (2021), which delves into the challenges of disinformation and the importance of truth in democratic societies. His latest book, Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy (2025), examines the evolving relationship between American Christianity and liberal democracy, arguing that the decline of religious institutions has significant implications for democratic health. Rauch's extensive body of work reflects his commitment to exploring complex societal issues, making him a prominent voice in contemporary discussions on democracy, religion, and public discourse.
In January 2025, Rauch was appointed to the Board of Directors of Heterodox Academy (HxA),
Follow Jonathan on X: https://x.com/jon_rauch
========================
Follow Heterodox Academy on:
X/Twitter: bit.ly/3Fax5Dy
Facebook: bit.ly/3PMYxfw
LinkedIn: bit.ly/48IYeuJ
Instagram: bit.ly/46HKfUg
Substack: bit.ly/48IhjNF
Listen to the podcast on:
Apple - apple.co/3PZzplD
Spotify: spoti.fi/3S51uee
Amazon: amzn.to/3ZXQnFL
i-Heart - bit.ly/3M69qYA
Tune-In - bit.ly/3S5oBVR
Pandora - bit.ly/46AaLze
Find out more about Heterodox Academy: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Jonathan Rauch
01:12 The Role of Christianity in Democracy
10:45 Religion, Liberalism, and Social Cohesion
17:05 Tocqueville, Civil Society, and Meaning
26:23 Thin, Sharp, and Thick Christianity
34:14 Decline of Christian Virtues and Institutions
41:15 Religious Identity and Campus Culture
47:14 The Hollowing Out of University Purpose
53:47 Reform, Backlash, and Future of Higher Ed
58:21 The Enduring Hope for Universities
Why does a self-described “gay, atheistic Jewish guy” argue that America needs more Christianity right now? In our last episode this season, Jonathan Rauch, author, Brookings Institution senior fellow, and newly appointed board member of Heterodox Academy, joins host John Tomasi for an insightful discussion recorded in Washington, D.C.
Jonathan reflects on his new book, Cross Purposes, a contrarian apology for the Christian values that once helped sustain both American self-government and its universities. Drawing from personal narratives, constitutional history, and contemporary social fractures, Rauch argues that the decline of robust, virtue-based Christianity and the politicization of faith have contributed to polarization, anxiety, and a crisis of institutional trust.
Jonathan and John discuss Tocqueville’s analysis of individualism, the “God-shaped hole” now filled by less constructive substitutes, and what both faith and scholarship can contribute to a pluralistic republic. Join us for the conversation and explore practical and philosophical pathways to revive the transformative power of both religious and academic institutions.
In This Episode:
💥 Three core Christian virtues as a civic foundation
💥 The perils of “thin,” “sharp,” and “thick” Christianity
💥 Tocqueville, individualism, and the promise of civil society
💥 The hollowing of purpose and scholarly virtue in higher education
💥 Faith, viewpoint diversity, and restoring vibrant campus culture
💥 Challenges and opportunities for self-reform in academia
Read Jonathan’s latest book, Cross Purposes: https://a.co/d/dRaWsfL
Check out more about the Brookings Institution: https://www.brookings.edu/
About Jonathan:
Jonathan Rauch is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a contributing writer for The Atlantic, renowned for his incisive commentary on public policy, culture, and governance. He has authored several influential books, including The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth (2021), which delves into the challenges of disinformation and the importance of truth in democratic societies. His latest book, Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy (2025), examines the evolving relationship between American Christianity and liberal democracy, arguing that the decline of religious institutions has significant implications for democratic health. Rauch's extensive body of work reflects his commitment to exploring complex societal issues, making him a prominent voice in contemporary discussions on democracy, religion, and public discourse.
In January 2025, Rauch was appointed to the Board of Directors of Heterodox Academy (HxA),
Follow Jonathan on X: https://x.com/jon_rauch
========================
Follow Heterodox Academy on:
X/Twitter: bit.ly/3Fax5Dy
Facebook: bit.ly/3PMYxfw
LinkedIn: bit.ly/48IYeuJ
Instagram: bit.ly/46HKfUg
Substack: bit.ly/48IhjNF
Listen to the podcast on:
Apple - apple.co/3PZzplD
Spotify: spoti.fi/3S51uee
Amazon: amzn.to/3ZXQnFL
i-Heart - bit.ly/3M69qYA
Tune-In - bit.ly/3S5oBVR
Pandora - bit.ly/46AaLze
Find out more about Heterodox Academy: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Jonathan Rauch
01:12 The Role of Christianity in Democracy
10:45 Religion, Liberalism, and Social Cohesion
17:05 Tocqueville, Civil Society, and Meaning
26:23 Thin, Sharp, and Thick Christianity
34:14 Decline of Christian Virtues and Institutions
41:15 Religious Identity and Campus Culture
47:14 The Hollowing Out of University Purpose
53:47 Reform, Backlash, and Future of Higher Ed
58:21 The Enduring Hope for Universities
