Unity

The place of faith in public life has been hotly debated as promising and perilous since our nation's founding, and the relationship of church and state remains contentious to this day—and for good reason. Too often, Christians end up shaping their faith to fit their politics rather than forming their politics to their faith. They seem to forget their calling is to be used by God in service of others rather than to use God to reach their own desires and ends. Faith can be a redemptive, healing presence in the public square—as it must be, if our nation is to flourish. Read More

Thank you for viewing the May 25 book launch of Faithful Presence: The Promise and the Peril of Faith in the Public Square, now available wherever books are sold.  Read or listen to an exclusive excerpt from Faithful Presence, selected by Gov. Haslam for the Vanderbilt Project… Read More

The Constitution requires a president to deliver an annual message to Congress, but it does not impose any specifications. As the history of this paramount speech has evolved over 200 years, the presidents’ words matter, but increasingly theatrics and Congress’ response influence the American people’s perception of leadership.  Unlike the oath of office, which remains unaltered since its drafting by the founders, the style, substance and schedule of this annual tradition continues to evolve.  As Biden prepares to address Congress, visual cues from attendees may provide more clues than the speech’s text about the trajectory of the Biden Administration’s relationship with Congress. Read More

On the new Super Soul interview series on discovery+, Oprah Winfrey sat down with Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham, co-chair of The Vanderbilt Project on Unity & American Democracy and Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Chair in American Presidency at Vanderbilt. View the clip… Read More