Oklahoma Methodist pastor Jeffrey Rickman interviewed me with this intro:
Mark Tooley has been the President of the Institute for Religion and Democracy for some time. The IRD is a think tank and activist coordination entity that has been operational in Methodism for some time. Mark has been a thought leader and source of information for faithful Methodists for many decades, educating and supporting evangelical Methodism consistently. In this conversation, Mark and I talk Wesleyan political theory and try to share an understanding of how contemporary institutions work. Mark explains his political framework of choice, Whiggery, alongside other models of more reactionary conservatism (which I generally adopt). It is a robust discourse, in which a final hope for the Global Methodist Church is offered. I hope this conversation is a blessing to you in the way that it was to me.
Comment by Dan W on May 15, 2024 at 6:04 am
Mark was an interesting guest, and Pastor Rickman has become a good interviewer.
Comment by Ted h on May 15, 2024 at 1:53 pm
I think there has been a decline in the emphasis on denominations and within our little UMC, there has been no real interest in the recent Conference and the prevailing view is that we can go our own way and we will not be affected by the changes. I think that is wishful thinking.
Comment by Corvus Corax on May 15, 2024 at 5:53 pm
Regardless of the merits of the underlying ideas, I would not recommend using the term “whiggery” unless absolutely necessary. lol
Comment by Gary Bebop on May 16, 2024 at 6:12 pm
Excellent dialogue freely expostulating on Methodism in historic transition. Rickman’s informal but probing questioning allowed the audience to think alongside the conversation and to ponder very real implications for individuals and local churches. The end of IRD’s investigative work with United Methodist was a surprising note. It signals the end of the UMC’s significance as leaven in American culture and politics.