Guest Russell Moore, editor-in-chief of Christianity Today, discusses the politicization and secularization of evangelicalism in America, including the shift towards a more secular approach, challenges within congregations, and the need for evangelicals to reshape their political imagination in a changing landscape. The conversation also explores the intersection of politics and morality in the fight against abortion, the positive aspects of global evangelicalism, and Dr. Moore's book 'Losing Our Religion'.
Evangelicalism facing political challenges requires self-critique and growth for navigating contentious issues.
The diverse history of evangelicalism delves into personal faith, movements towards Christian nationalism, and struggles defining modern evangelicalism.
The secularization of American evangelicalism reflects market influences, political focus, and a loss of transcendent meaning.
Political polarization impacts evangelicalism, revealing strained values and credibility through support for politicians like Donald Trump.
Hope lies in global evangelical growth, emphasizing endurance, character building, and ultimate hope in facing challenges.
Deep dives
Challenging Evangelicalism Political Habits
Reflecting on the history of challenging evangelicalism on its political habits, the discussion delves into the need for self-critique and growth within the tribe to navigate issues such as political speech, the relationship to Donald Trump, and movements towards Christian nationalism.
Evangelicalism's Contested Concept
The debate around the contested concept of evangelicalism over the past 50 years is explored, highlighting the diversity within the movement, the emphasis on personal faith experiences, and the challenges of defining evangelicalism in modern American contexts.
Dr. Moore's Resignation Factors
Dr. Moore's resignation from the Southern Baptist Convention is discussed, focusing on issues involving politics, racial justice, and church sexual abuse as key factors that led to his decision to step down from leadership posts.
Secularization of Evangelicalism
The secularization of evangelicalism in America is examined through the lens of modern trends, emphasizing how evangelical movements have been influenced by a market-driven approach to truth, a focus on political structures, and a loss of transcendent meaning.
Impact of Political Polarization on Evangelicals
The impact of political polarization on evangelicalism is portrayed through the lens of the trade-offs made in support of politicians like Donald Trump, with a focus on how white evangelical support for Trump has strained the movement's values and credibility.
Democratic Party's Secular Shift
The Democratic Party's shift towards secularism and the implications for white evangelicals are discussed, with a reflection on the party's approach to faith communities and the potential consequences of alienating religious voters.
Hope in Evangelicalism's Global Movement
Dr. Moore highlights hope in evangelicalism's global movement, pointing to growth and spiritual vitality in regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America, while emphasizing the need for endurance, character building, and ultimate hope in the face of challenges.
The Role of Institutions in Evangelical Faith
The importance of dissent, institutional critique, and the evolution of evangelical faith through questioning traditional tenets and embracing divergence are explored, highlighting the dynamic nature and resilience of the evangelical movement.
Cultivating Hope Amid Challenges
The podcast concludes with a call for cultivating hope in the face of challenges, emphasizing the transformative power of suffering, endurance, and character building in maintaining faith and resilience within evangelicalism.
What is the political future of American evangelicalism? And what explains the rise of “secular” evangelical politics? Russell Moore is the editor-in-chief of Christianity Today and the author of Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America. Together we discuss the surprising and tragic ways in which evangelicalism has become politicized and secularized through its engagement in American political life.
