Jon Ward: How the Evangelical Movement Failed a Generation
Feb 6, 2024
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Jon Ward recounts his evangelical upbringing and its evolution, exposing the movement's political entanglements. He discusses the appeal of evangelical figures, challenges they face, and navigating beliefs within these communities. Insights into politics from a White House reporter and reflections on Trump's impact.
Evangelical circles often overlook power dynamics, attributing all actions to God without recognizing human power.
Lack of understanding of institutional power within evangelical communities leads to personalized perspectives on actions affecting relationships.
Acknowledging power dynamics in evangelical spaces is crucial for informed faith experiences and balanced community interactions.
Deep dives
Recognizing the Power Dynamics in Evangelical Environments
In the podcast episode, John Ward discusses the tendency within evangelical circles to ignore power dynamics, emphasizing a viewpoint where all actions are attributed to God without acknowledging the presence of human power. He reflects on the challenges of navigating a space where power is hidden or disregarded.
Navigating Institutional Understanding and Power Dynamics
John Ward points out a common issue within evangelical communities of not comprehending how institutions function and how power operates within them. This lack of institutional and power awareness leads to a more personalized view of actions, impacting relationships and interactions within the community.
Reflecting on the Impact of Power Dynamics in Christian Faith
The conversation delves into how the failure to recognize power dynamics can influence faith experiences. John Ward shares personal insights on the consequences of not acknowledging power in evangelical environments and the importance of understanding the role and impact of power dynamics within faith communities.
Connecting the Understanding of Power to Institutional Dynamics
The discussion between John Ward and the hosts uncovers the link between understanding power in evangelical spaces and institutional dynamics. By exploring the connection between power dynamics and institutional functioning, they highlight the significance of acknowledging power dynamics for a more informed and balanced approach to faith and community interactions.
Impact of Power Dynamics on Personal Reflection and Faith Practices
John Ward's reflections on power dynamics in evangelical settings prompt a deeper consideration of the impact on personal beliefs and faith practices. By identifying the influence of power dynamics on individual experiences, the conversation sheds light on the need for a more nuanced understanding of power within religious contexts.
Jon Ward's life is divided in half: two decades inside the evangelical Christian bubble and two decades outside of it.
In his book Testimony: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Failed a Generation, Wardtells the engaging story of his upbringing in, and eventual break from, an influential evangelical church in the 1980s and 1990s. Ward sheds light on the evangelical movement's troubling political and cultural dimensions, tracing the ways in which the Jesus People movement was seduced by materialism and other factors to become politically captive rather than prophetic.
Jon Ward is the chief national correspondent for Yahoo News. He has covered American politics and culture for two decades, including as a white House correspondent traveling aboard Air Force One and as a national affairs correspondent writing about two presidential campaigns. He is the author of Camelot's End: Kennedy vs. Carter and the Fight that Broke the Democratic Party and hosts The Long Game podcast. Ward has written for the Washington Post, the New Republic, Politico, Vanity Fair, HuffPost, and the Washington Times, and lives in D.C.