Tim Alberta's new book portrays a tug of war for the soul of American Christianity
Dec 1, 2023
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Tim Alberta's new book explores the influence of politics on American Christianity and the rise of Christian Trumpism. It discusses efforts to unite and organize members of the church who do not blindly follow a political leader. The podcast also covers topics such as the impact of political power on Christianity, the author's personal experience with idolatry within American Christianity, the influence of Charles Simpson and the abortion debate, the complexities of abortion laws, the construction of a permission structure for Evangelicals to support Trump, identitarian conflict and religious rhetoric, and a gracious exchange between the host and guest.
American Evangelicals have allowed political imperatives to take over their identity.
Efforts are being made to unite and organize members of the American church who do not worship a political leader.
The dangers of Christian nationalism, fear, and hatred within the evangelical movement are being challenged.
Deep dives
Examining the Clash Between Evangelical Culture and American Politics
The podcast episode delves into the experiences of two authors who grew up in evangelical, non-denominational churches and later became political journalists. They discuss their books that challenge the evangelical culture and its connection to American national politics. The episode explores the concept of challenging one's upbringing with one's upbringing and the importance of critically examining the teachings and actions of the evangelical culture. It highlights the tension between religious identity and national identity, particularly within the conservative movement and the Republican Party. The impact of civil religion and the potential consequences of equating Christianity with partisan politics are also examined. Overall, the episode offers insights into the state of American evangelicals in an age of extremism and the ongoing battle for the soul of the faith.
The Power and Influence of Civil Religion
The podcast episode delves into the concept of civil religion and its potential effects on society and individuals. It discusses how faith can sometimes become a tribal identity or ethnic identifier rather than a personal commitment to a set of beliefs and principles. The episode explores historical examples, such as the Balkan Wars and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, where civil religion played a role in justifying violence and conflict. The conversation emphasizes the danger of attaching religious fervor to political and cultural ideologies, leading to a distorted version of faith and the potential for violence. It raises concerns about the rising intersection of civil religion and nationalism in the American context.
Challenging Christian Nationalism and the Worship of Power
The podcast episode focuses on the rise of Christian nationalism and the dangers it poses. It highlights the work of authors, scholars, and pastors who are pushing back against the marriage of conservative Christianity and Republican politics. The episode explores the role of Christian nationalism in perpetuating fear, hatred, and inaccurate historical narratives. It sheds light on efforts to combat the worship of power and political allegiance within the evangelical movement. The conversation emphasizes the need for Christians to prioritize their faith over national identity and to engage in introspection about their own beliefs and actions.
Navigating the Complexities of Abortion and Pro-Life Advocacy
The podcast episode addresses the complex issue of abortion and its implications for evangelical Christians. It discusses the trap of reducing the abortion issue to a political identity and the dangers of neglecting the broader spiritual and moral dimensions. The episode explores how some Christians have focused more on political solutions rather than engaging in persuasive and compassionate efforts rooted in their faith. It challenges the idea that political power is the ultimate solution to reducing abortion rates and emphasizes the importance of embodying Christian values and teachings in tackling this issue.
The Optimistic Outlook for a Reckoning and Change in the Evangelical Movement
The podcast episode concludes with a sense of optimism for the future of the evangelical movement. It highlights the generational shift among younger evangelicals, who are increasingly rejecting Christian nationalism and prioritizing their faith over partisan politics. The episode discusses how this shift is evident in educational institutions like Liberty University and among conservative students who are pushing back against the political and cultural alliances within evangelicalism. Although challenges remain, such as fragmented opposition to Christian nationalism, the episode offers hope for a reckoning and positive change within the movement.
Tim Alberta's new book: The Kingdom, The Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals In An Age of Extremism, is a sobering look at the results in history when a religious movement morphs into a political movement, and allows its identity to be taken over by political imperatives and goals.
Alberta's book documents the spread of Christian Trumpism, aided and abetted by conflict profiteers who have made "fear and hatred a growth strategy" inside the evangelical subculture for decades.
But Alberta also writes that, to his surprise, he found evidence that the doomsday industrial complex has been "floundering" more recently and that "somewhere along the line their momentum had stalled."
Alberta details the way that Russell Moore, Curtis Chang, David and Nancy French and others have begun to try to unite, connect and organize the many disparate and isolated members of the American church who do not worship a political leader or give blind allegiance to a political party.
Time will tell if this is accurate and durable. But Alberta's book is a remarkable work of journalism. Tim also tells his own story of loss, heartbreak, and trying to come to grips with the moment in which we find ourselves.
