Author Tim Alberta joins Krystal and Saagar to discuss his book on American Evangelicals in an age of extremism. They delve into the increasing politicization of the Evangelical Church, the potential for extremism within religious identity, and the transactional relationship between evangelicals and Trump.
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Quick takeaways
American evangelicals have become increasingly politically engaged and radicalized, compromising the mission of the church.
The term 'evangelical' has shifted from a spiritual signifier to a cultural identifier, aligning with conservative white Republicans and damaging the credibility of Christianity.
Deep dives
The Radicalization of American Evangelicals
The podcast episode explores the increasing radicalization of American evangelicals and the intersection of religion and politics. The author, who has personal experience with the evangelical church, discusses how the church has become more politically engaged and radicalized in recent years. He emphasizes that this trend is not limited to the evangelical right wing, but can also be seen in the progressive left wing church. The author raises concerns about the church losing sight of its true purpose and mission due to its growing involvement in political ideologies and the prioritization of political litmus tests over spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Transformation of the Term 'Evangelical'
The podcast delves into the evolving meaning of the term 'evangelical' and its shift from a spiritual signifier to a cultural identifier. The author discusses how the term has come to represent conservative white Republicans rather than a specific theological doctrine. He points out that this shift in meaning has damaged the credibility and witness of Jesus Christ, as it aligns evangelicalism more with partisan political identification rather than the teachings of Jesus. The author acknowledges that evangelicalism has always had political involvement to some extent, but warns against the toxic combination of conspiracy theories and evangelizing, as it compromises the integrity and message of Christianity.
The Role of Fear and the 'Barbarians at the Gates' Mentality
The podcast explores the fear and sense of impending loss among evangelicals, which has driven their support for figures like Donald Trump. The author explains that many evangelicals view America as being under threat from a secular culture and believe that they need someone like Trump, who is not bound by their norms, to protect their interests. This fear has led to an unhealthy approach, where political identification and the perceived protection of Christian America have overshadowed the core teachings of Christianity. The author urges Christians to be discerning and reminds them that the teachings of Jesus should prioritize love, grace, and forgiveness rather than fear and dominance.
The Battle Over Abortion and Evangelical Support for Trump
The podcast discusses the deep-rooted issue of abortion as the key cultural signifier for many evangelicals and its influence on their support for Donald Trump. The author acknowledges that for pro-life voters, abortion is not merely a political or cultural issue, but a moral and spiritual one rooted in the belief that life is made in the image of God. He highlights the transactional relationship between Trump and evangelicals in the 2016 election and the fear-driven narrative that the barbarians are at the gates, which has led many to support Trump despite their moral reservations about his personal life. The author raises the possibility of some single-issue pro-life voters withholding their support for Trump in the future due to his distancing from the pro-life movement and the changing dynamics post-Roe v. Wade.
Krystal and Saagar are joined by author Tim Alberta to talk about his new book The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism.