Politicology ENCORE: Testimony—Part 2
Jan 1, 2026
Jon Ward, a seasoned political journalist and author of Testimony: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Failed a Generation, opens up about his upbringing in the Evangelical Church. He discusses how Sarah Palin's style resonated with many Christians and examines the impact of fear over faith among evangelicals in 2016. Jon shares insights on how evangelical communities enabled Trump's distortions and explores ways to engage constructively with Evangelicals for reform. His journey reflects a shift from defensiveness towards curiosity, underscoring the need for difficult conversations.
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Anti‑Intellectual Roots In Evangelicalism
- Anti‑intellectualism in American evangelicalism has deep historical roots tied to frontier revivals and class dynamics.
- Works like Fitzgerald and Mark Noll document a long tradition of skepticism toward elite institutions and expertise.
Palin As Catalyst For Populist Evangelicalism
- Sarah Palin amplified evangelical populism by speaking the same charismatic language as many non‑denominational Christians.
- Her outsider appeal and rhetorical style accelerated anti‑intellectual and nativist instincts on the right.
Internet Broke Ordered Epistemology
- Distrust of experts among evangelicals intensified with the internet's breakdown of an ordered information environment.
- That epistemic fragmentation accelerated the spread of DIY expertise and conspiracy.