The American Restoration Tour: Distortion, Fear, and Action

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This chapter explores the American Restoration Tour featuring Chad Connolly and David Barton, who promote a misleading narrative of a Christian nation under siege. They package fear, grievance, resentment, and a call to action, but neglect the importance of political and civic engagement. The hosts discuss strategies to empower the less extreme majority and reflect on the actions of evangelical leaders and the growing belief among some evangelicals that the nation is under threat.

American evangelicalism’s pull towards the far right is felt by anyone that comes into contact with the movement. But how did this happen? Who did the pulling? What were the motivations? What were the pre-conditions that made evangelicals so susceptible? With his latest book, The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism, Tim Alberta has written the definitive book that answers these questions. He and Curtis discuss the key types of individuals, the organizations, the strategies, and especially the hidden incentive structures that lie beneath the headlines.

The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism by Tim Alberta (Harper)