Across the globe, we are witnessing a concerning rise in authoritarianism and religious nationalism — movements that often co-opt faith to justify domination, exclusion, and violence. As followers of Jesus and peacemakers, we are called not only to resist these distortions but also to live out a more faithful, liberating, and life-giving way in a hurting and divided world.
This opening panel sets the stage for our 12 Days of Peace virtual event series. Our panelists will weave together various global perspectives about the theological and ethical dimensions of authoritarianism and Christian nationalism, offering diverse, grounded perspectives on what it means to follow Jesus faithfully in such times. These speakers will challenge us to see the spiritual, political, and cultural systems we are entangled in—and invite us to imagine resistance rooted in justice, liberation, and deep spiritual formation.
MEET THE PANEL
Omar Haramy
Omar Haramy is a Palestinian Christian and the director of Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem. Rooted in the daily realities of occupation and injustice, Sabeel amplifies the voices of Palestinian Christians while cultivating global solidarity for justice and peace. Through teaching, organizing, and international advocacy, Sabeel works to articulate liberating theologies that speak from the heart of suffering while calling the global church to faithful witness. Sabeel seeks to embody a theology of resilience and resistance—grounded in Jesus’ vision of an inclusive liberation for the oppressed and reconciliation and peace rooted in justice.
Thandi Gamedze
Dr. Thandi Gamedze is a South African educator, theologian, cultural worker, and poet based at the University of the Western Cape’s Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice as a Senior Researcher. Her doctoral research was transdisciplinary, bringing together the worlds of education and theology to better understand the churches’ role in upholding and challenging dominant power relations relating to race, gender, and class. Gamedze’s interests include black theology, liberation theology, social justice, education, and the arts, particularly poetry. She has broad experience working across multiple sites, including churches, universities, high schools, and community organizations.
David Gushee
Dr. David P. Gushee is one of the leading Christian ethicists of our time, known for his courageous engagement with the moral crises facing church and society. He has written or edited over 30 books, including Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies (2023), a call to resist authoritarianism and reclaim Christian witness for justice and human dignity. A past president of both the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Christian Ethics, David has been a prophetic voice in confronting the ways Christian faith has been co-opted by nationalism and exclusionary politics. Today, his work continues to focus on the intersections of Christian ethics, public life, and faithful resistance to authoritarianism around the globe.