Dr. Paul Froese at Baylor University has done a series of surveys on how Americans experience God. His book on this is called America’s Four Gods. In his remarks to David Beckmann’s class, he shared newly available data on how our images of God affect support for public policies that reduce poverty. People who believe that God is distant or non-existent tend to be less charitable but more supportive of policies to reduce poverty than religious people. Among religious people, those who believe that God is forgiving are more supportive of policies to reduce poverty than those who think God is stern. In the discussion that followed this final presentation to Beckmann’s Union Seminary class, Beckmann noted that Jesus taught that God is forgiving and passionate about social justice. He expressed disappointment that Froese’s findings show that religious people in America tend to be less supportive of policies to reduce poverty than non-religious people. More religious teaching about the importance of public policy is clearly needed. Froese’s findings also suggest a deeper strategy: encouraging faith in the gospel of God’s forgiving love among religious people is important spiritually and would also strengthen religious support for economic justice. ~~~ This video is the last from the guest speakers in Rev. Dr. David Beckmann’s “Poverty, God, Politics” course at Union Theological Seminary. This course has explored seven effective ways to connect faith to the politics of poverty - electoral campaigns (Eli Valentin), organizations of low-income people (Liz Theoharis, Ralph McCloud), digital communication (Eric Sapp), faith and justice work in specific faith communities (Lisa Kimball, Anwar Khan/Jihad Saleh, Walter Kim, Lawrence Reddick/Thomas Brown, John Carr), legislative advocacy and bipartisan work (Dave Miner, Eugene Cho), and the gospel of God’s forgiving love (Paul Froese). Beckmann is Coordinator of the Circle of Protection, the leading religious voice on the Build Back Better legislation in Congress this year. www.davidbeckmann.net

Rev. Eugene Cho, president of Bread for the World, explains that sustained change on poverty issues will require support from within both parties. Bread for the World has always worked in a bipartisan way, but doing so has become increasingly difficult. To help navigate through this time of tumultuous controversy, Rev. Cho has been leading Bread’s staff in the development of a statement of Bread’s values. Bread also continues to work for U.S. leadership against malnutrition around the world, an issue on which broad, bipartisan collaboration is still possible. ~~~ This video is the second to last from the guest speakers in Rev. Dr. David Beckmann’s “Poverty, God, Politics” course at Union Theological Seminary. This course has explored seven effective ways to connect faith to the politics of poverty - electoral campaigns (Eli Valentin), organizations of low-income people (Liz Theoharis, Ralph McCloud), digital communication (Eric Sapp), faith and justice work in specific faith communities (Lisa Kimball, Anwar Khan/Jihad Saleh, Walter Kim, Lawrence Reddick/Thomas Brown, John Carr), legislative advocacy and bipartisan work (Dave Miner, Eugene Cho), and the gospel of God’s forgiving love (Paul Froese). Beckmann is Coordinator of the Circle of Protection, the leading religious voice on the Build Back Better legislation in Congress this year. www.davidbeckmann.net

The Build Back Better Act in the Senate this month (Dec 2021). This 3-minute video explains what's at stake for you, and what you can do about getting it to pass. It's easier than you think to make change happen for all Americans. Contact your senators: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm. Let them know today that you are excited for the Build Back Better Act - for ALL Americans. www.davidbeckmann.net