S-10 PEOPLE-FILES
- Carol Swain - Richard Swanson - Barbara Swee - Danté Stewart - Leonard Sweet - Frank Switzer - Miklos Szantho - Barb Szyszkiewicz -
==carol m swain======
Trump's Bible endorsement draws mixed reactions from Christians: 'Syncretistic expression'
Carol M. Swain, a conservative Christian retired political science and law professor at Vanderbilt University, echoed Starnes' comment. "Why should anyone get bent out of shape because Trump endorses Lee Greenwood's USA Bible?" she asked on X. "America would be better off if more people read the Bible and the founding documents. Putting them together in one volume makes it easier for people to be educated about our nation and its roots." According to its website, the Trump campaign is not making money from the Bible. It is "not owned, managed or controlled by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization, CIC Ventures LLC or any of their respective principals or affiliates." (Christian Post 3/30/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Carol M. Swain, a conservative Christian retired political science and law professor at Vanderbilt University, echoed Starnes' comment. "Why should anyone get bent out of shape because Trump endorses Lee Greenwood's USA Bible?" she asked on X. "America would be better off if more people read the Bible and the founding documents. Putting them together in one volume makes it easier for people to be educated about our nation and its roots." According to its website, the Trump campaign is not making money from the Bible. It is "not owned, managed or controlled by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization, CIC Ventures LLC or any of their respective principals or affiliates." (Christian Post 3/30/24) READ MORE>>>>>
==richard swanson======
Bart Pfankuch
Richard Swanson, a religion professor at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, the reduced interest in religion and church attendance in America could have the long-term effect of making individuals and communities more callous to the pain and suffering of others and less willing to help.
“I get up believing that in the universe, it is expected that little kids would not go to bed hungry, or that other basic problems must be solved,” he said. “To me, losing a religious community would take away the place where I would learn social responsibility. --Bart Pfankuch; Aberdeen News: Churches in South Dakota, nationwide dealing with lower attendance, affiliation numbers 7.19.22
“I get up believing that in the universe, it is expected that little kids would not go to bed hungry, or that other basic problems must be solved,” he said. “To me, losing a religious community would take away the place where I would learn social responsibility. --Bart Pfankuch; Aberdeen News: Churches in South Dakota, nationwide dealing with lower attendance, affiliation numbers 7.19.22
==barbara swee======
Barbara A. Swee is Associate Pastor at Northland Christian Assembly in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Abigail Kessler
After hearing over three hours of public comment on the topic, Flagstaff City Council approved a resolution supporting abortion access in the city at its meeting Tuesday...........Many commenters who spoke against the resolution cited religion, specifically Christianity, as their reason for opposing abortion, quoting Bible verses and prayers and using religious language.
The group included a few local pastors: Joshua Walker, teaching elder of Church of the Resurrection (though he said he was here as a “concerned citizen” rather than a pastor), David Berry, senior pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship, Barbara Swee, associate pastor of Northland Christian Assembly, and Jim Dorman, founding pastor (now retired) of Christ’s Church of Flagstaff. “I’m here today on behalf of myself and the nearly 300 people of my church,” Berry said. “ ... Together we are all in vehement opposition to the proposed resolution 2023-12. The mission of Flagstaff as we’ve been reminded is to protect and enhance the quality of life for all. That certainly includes the most vulnerable among us who cannot defend and speak for themselves, people in the womb.”
Some of those who supported the resolution mentioned the separation of church and state in their comments, saying that to act based on the religious beliefs of other commenters would go against it.
Northern Arizona University professor of comparative cultural studies Diana Coleman also noted that these beliefs were from a subset of one religion.
“We have not heard the religious side, as I’ve heard people say; we’ve heard from a thin, select fringe of conservative Christianity that doesn’t represent all of Christianity,” she said. “ ... We do have separation of church and state, we have the establishment clause. This religious-inflected dialogue is inappropriate to be forced on and also very disingenuous.”..........Matthews said the religious views should be heard, however, as they were community members’ perspectives.
“I don’t think that it was about well, this is a religious thing or a God thing, so you need to be shamed into making a decision,” she said. “ ... This is their belief and they are part of the community.”
In his part of the discussion, McCarthy said the question was about who was making decisions.
“Someone [tonight] said there are differing opinions on the issue. Well, that’s obvious. But one side, who would say ‘pro-choice,’ they’re saying, ‘I’m not going to make that decision for you.’ The other side is saying, ‘I want to make that decision for you.’” --Abigail Kessler; Arizona Daily Sun; Flagstaff City Council adopts resolution supporting abortion access 3.11.23
The group included a few local pastors: Joshua Walker, teaching elder of Church of the Resurrection (though he said he was here as a “concerned citizen” rather than a pastor), David Berry, senior pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship, Barbara Swee, associate pastor of Northland Christian Assembly, and Jim Dorman, founding pastor (now retired) of Christ’s Church of Flagstaff. “I’m here today on behalf of myself and the nearly 300 people of my church,” Berry said. “ ... Together we are all in vehement opposition to the proposed resolution 2023-12. The mission of Flagstaff as we’ve been reminded is to protect and enhance the quality of life for all. That certainly includes the most vulnerable among us who cannot defend and speak for themselves, people in the womb.”
Some of those who supported the resolution mentioned the separation of church and state in their comments, saying that to act based on the religious beliefs of other commenters would go against it.
Northern Arizona University professor of comparative cultural studies Diana Coleman also noted that these beliefs were from a subset of one religion.
“We have not heard the religious side, as I’ve heard people say; we’ve heard from a thin, select fringe of conservative Christianity that doesn’t represent all of Christianity,” she said. “ ... We do have separation of church and state, we have the establishment clause. This religious-inflected dialogue is inappropriate to be forced on and also very disingenuous.”..........Matthews said the religious views should be heard, however, as they were community members’ perspectives.
“I don’t think that it was about well, this is a religious thing or a God thing, so you need to be shamed into making a decision,” she said. “ ... This is their belief and they are part of the community.”
In his part of the discussion, McCarthy said the question was about who was making decisions.
“Someone [tonight] said there are differing opinions on the issue. Well, that’s obvious. But one side, who would say ‘pro-choice,’ they’re saying, ‘I’m not going to make that decision for you.’ The other side is saying, ‘I want to make that decision for you.’” --Abigail Kessler; Arizona Daily Sun; Flagstaff City Council adopts resolution supporting abortion access 3.11.23
==dante stewart======
Danté Stewart on fighting the rise of Christian nationalism
Danté Stewart is an American writer, minister and theologian. After right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10, Stewart wrote a piece on his Substack about his difficulty mourning Kirk, a man “obsessed with hatred,” and about the American right’s weaponization of Christianity. Broadview contributor Rev. Christopher White interviewed Stewart live on Broadview’s Instagram on Sept. 19. Here are excerpts from their conversation. You can also watch the whole interview here.
(Broadviewl 10/15/25) READMORE>>>>
Danté Stewart is an American writer, minister and theologian. After right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10, Stewart wrote a piece on his Substack about his difficulty mourning Kirk, a man “obsessed with hatred,” and about the American right’s weaponization of Christianity. Broadview contributor Rev. Christopher White interviewed Stewart live on Broadview’s Instagram on Sept. 19. Here are excerpts from their conversation. You can also watch the whole interview here.
(Broadviewl 10/15/25) READMORE>>>>
For many Christians in that tradition, which I was part of for about six or seven years while attending an evangelical church, the belief is often that America is a Christian nation. While they may not explicitly identify as Christian nationalists, they commonly assert that the nation should be guided by the principles of the Bible. Now, the problem with that is, is that in the Bible, there is no quote, unquote mandate that a nation should be a Christian nation. It’s my view that we’re not called to desire a Christian nation, but we should be people who are, in whatever country or nation state that we are in, trying to better that place and make it more loving, make it more just, make it more equal.
And I think for many people who are on the American right, religion is an ultimate thing, right? It’s their whole identity — there’s no place in which faith should not go. So if you think about bad actors in history, they have understood that if you can infuse churches and schools and areas like that with bad religion and bad theology, then you can control a mass of people who would think that these bad ideas and bad actions are a part of their devotion to God. That type of demographic is very vulnerable, because in some sense, their idea of faith, there really isn’t any openness to the possibility of being wrong. --Dante Stewart 10/15/25
And I think for many people who are on the American right, religion is an ultimate thing, right? It’s their whole identity — there’s no place in which faith should not go. So if you think about bad actors in history, they have understood that if you can infuse churches and schools and areas like that with bad religion and bad theology, then you can control a mass of people who would think that these bad ideas and bad actions are a part of their devotion to God. That type of demographic is very vulnerable, because in some sense, their idea of faith, there really isn’t any openness to the possibility of being wrong. --Dante Stewart 10/15/25
==leonard sweet======
Leonard I. Sweet is an American theologian, semiotician, church historian, pastor, and author. Sweet currently serves as the E. Stanley Jones Professor Emeritus at Drew Theological School at Drew University, in Madison, New Jersey; Charles Wesley Distinguished Professor of Doctoral Studies at Evangelical Seminary; Distinguished Visiting Professor at Tabor College; and Visiting Distinguished Professor at George Fox University in Portland, Oregon. Sweet is ordained in the United Methodist Church. Before his current seminary positions, Sweet had been E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Dean of the Theological School at Drew from 1995 to 2015. Prior to his appointments at Drew University, he served as President and Professor of Church History at United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. His first academic administration position was as Provost and Associate Professor of Church History at Colgate Rochester Divinity School/Bexley Hall/Crozer Theological Seminary.
Leonard Sweet
Good luck with saying in the past 500 years “I’m sorry, I don’t do books.” Good luck with saying in the next 30 years, “I’m sorry I don’t do Internet.” As the book was the delivery system for learning and faith development, the Internet will be the delivery system for learning and faith development…..........What’s the first thing a missionary does? Learn the language. This is the language of the world we live. I’m sorry if you don’t like it. You could go “okay, I don’t like Swahili.” Well, if God has called us to be ministry now in this kind of a world, so you don’t get to choose: you have to learn a new language...........The Devil is an evangelist. The Devil is learning their language. The Devil is learning how to speak on the Internet real well. So, are we going to leave him with the field? Or are we going to get in there in the struggle of good and evil. -Dr Leonard Sweet
March 24, 2023: Religion Unplugged: On The Front Lines: In War-Torn Kherson, Church Is A Symbol Of Hope And Resilience
“We didn’t plan to live like this, but after waking up to the war, we started evacuating people from our city. The volunteer work continues since then,” says Stanislav Syniy, while driving a van to his native Kherson in the south of Ukraine.
“We didn’t plan to live like this, but after waking up to the war, we started evacuating people from our city. The volunteer work continues since then,” says Stanislav Syniy, while driving a van to his native Kherson in the south of Ukraine.
==frank switzer======
What Christian pastors in Arizona are preaching after Charlie Kirk's death
Pastor Frank Switzer of Redemption Arcadia said he perhaps had seen an increase of 5-6%. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix did not respond to The Republic's questions about changes in attendance. Catholics make up the largest share of Christians in Arizona, at 21%, according to Pew Research Center.
(AZ Central 10/25/25) READMORE>>>>
Pastor Frank Switzer of Redemption Arcadia said he perhaps had seen an increase of 5-6%. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix did not respond to The Republic's questions about changes in attendance. Catholics make up the largest share of Christians in Arizona, at 21%, according to Pew Research Center.
(AZ Central 10/25/25) READMORE>>>>
==miklos szantho======
Christian Leaders Celebrate Israel Amid Warnings Of Waning Support
The list’s breadth speaks to the diversity of Israel’s Christian supporters. Among this year’s honorees: Rev. Johnnie Moore, director of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation; world boxing champion Floyd Mayweather, lauded for funding emergency aid after the October 7 attacks; Daystar Television founder Joni Lamb; Pastor Jentezen Franklin, recognized for leading humanitarian relief for Israeli communities; Fox News host Sean Hannity; Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy; CPAC Hungary Director Miklós Szánthó; actor and producer Kelsey Grammer; and Family Research Council President Tony Perkins. Each, the IAF says, has played a crucial role in “mobilizing global support for Israel, especially in the face of rising antisemitism and international criticism.” “This year’s list reflects the extraordinary commitment of Christian leaders who have stood with Israel, particularly during the challenges of the past two years,” IAF President Josh Reinstein told Breitbart News. “Their support is a testament to the enduring bond between the Christian and Jewish communities, rooted in shared Judeo-Christian values.” (Grand Pinnacle Tribune 10/6/25) READMORE>>>>
The list’s breadth speaks to the diversity of Israel’s Christian supporters. Among this year’s honorees: Rev. Johnnie Moore, director of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation; world boxing champion Floyd Mayweather, lauded for funding emergency aid after the October 7 attacks; Daystar Television founder Joni Lamb; Pastor Jentezen Franklin, recognized for leading humanitarian relief for Israeli communities; Fox News host Sean Hannity; Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy; CPAC Hungary Director Miklós Szánthó; actor and producer Kelsey Grammer; and Family Research Council President Tony Perkins. Each, the IAF says, has played a crucial role in “mobilizing global support for Israel, especially in the face of rising antisemitism and international criticism.” “This year’s list reflects the extraordinary commitment of Christian leaders who have stood with Israel, particularly during the challenges of the past two years,” IAF President Josh Reinstein told Breitbart News. “Their support is a testament to the enduring bond between the Christian and Jewish communities, rooted in shared Judeo-Christian values.” (Grand Pinnacle Tribune 10/6/25) READMORE>>>>
==barb szyszkiewicz======
Barb Szyszkiewicz, editor at CatholicMom.com, is a wife, mom of 3 young adults, and a Secular Franciscan. Barb enjoys writing, cooking, and reading, and is a music minister at her parish. Find her blog at FranciscanMom and her family’s favorite recipes with nutrition information at Cook and Count. Barb is the author of The Handy Little Guide to Prayer and The Handy Little Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours, available from Our Sunday Visitor.
At the end of the Book of Job, Eliphaz the Temanite was seeking God’s forgiveness and was directed by God to seek Job’s prayers as intercession. “Go to my servant Job, and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves, and let my servant Job pray for you. To him I will show favor and not punish your folly for you have not spoken rightly concerning me, as has my servant Job” (Job 42:8). We, too, can become “prayer warriors” for our family and friends: people who can be counted on to pray for their needs immediately and consistently.
In the story of Job, we see that intercessory prayer is not only effective, but it can benefit the one who does the praying. Job, who prayed for others despite his personal trials, grew in humility and selflessness and was ultimately rewarded when the Lord restored his fortunes (Job 42:10). When we ask God to have mercy on someone else, we too can develop greater mercy and humility.
--Barb Szyszkiewicz; Simply Catholic; Prayer as Intercession
In the story of Job, we see that intercessory prayer is not only effective, but it can benefit the one who does the praying. Job, who prayed for others despite his personal trials, grew in humility and selflessness and was ultimately rewarded when the Lord restored his fortunes (Job 42:10). When we ask God to have mercy on someone else, we too can develop greater mercy and humility.
--Barb Szyszkiewicz; Simply Catholic; Prayer as Intercession