Religious Freedom: A Conservative Primer | John D. Wilsey

May 12, 2025

In this episode of the UpWords Podcast, Dan Hummel interviews John Wilsey, a professor and author, about his book, Religious Freedom: A Conservative Primer. They explore the broader themes of conservatism, emphasizing its historical roots, the importance of tradition, and the concept of aspirational conservatism. The conversation delves into key figures in conservative thought, the role of the conservative imagination, and the significance of religious freedom in contemporary society.


John D. Wilsey is professor of church history and chair of the Department of Church History and Historical Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is also a research fellow with the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy. His publications include American Exceptionalism and Civil Religion: Reassessing the History of an Idea, God’s Cold Warrior: The Life and Faith of John Foster Dulles, and Religious Freedom: A Conservative Primer.