The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory

1. The American evangelical movement is at a crossroads, struggling with its identity and purpose

"Christianity is not genetic."

Identity crisis. The American evangelical movement finds itself at a critical juncture, grappling with fundamental questions about its identity and mission. Once defined primarily by its emphasis on personal salvation and spreading the gospel, evangelicalism has become increasingly entangled with political and cultural issues.

Shifting focus. Many evangelical churches have shifted their focus from spiritual matters to political activism, often aligning closely with conservative causes. This has led to a blurring of lines between religious faith and partisan politics, causing tension and division within congregations.

Key issues dividing evangelicals:

• Role of the church in politics
• Interpretation of biblical teachings on social issues
• Relationship between Christian faith and American nationalism

2. Political extremism has infiltrated many evangelical churches, blurring the line between faith and partisanship

"We're losing the country. We're losing the country."

Partisan pulpits. Many evangelical churches have become hotbeds of political activism, with pastors using their platforms to promote specific candidates and policies. This trend has intensified in recent years, particularly during the Trump administration.

Divisive rhetoric. The language used in some churches has become increasingly combative and partisan, mirroring the rhetoric of political campaigns rather than spiritual teachings. This has led to division within congregations and alienation of those with differing political views.

Examples of political extremism in churches:

• Pastors endorsing candidates from the pulpit
• Conspiracy theories being promoted as truth
• Demonization of political opponents
• Calls for Christians to "take back" the country

3. The fusion of Christianity and nationalism poses a threat to the core teachings of Jesus

"You can't have Christianity without Christ."

Conflating faith and patriotism. Many American evangelicals have merged their religious identity with their national identity, leading to a form of Christian nationalism. This ideology often prioritizes American exceptionalism and political power over the teachings of Jesus.

Distortion of scripture. In an effort to justify political positions, some leaders have twisted or selectively interpreted biblical passages. This has led to a distorted version of Christianity that bears little resemblance to the faith's core principles of love, humility, and service.

Dangers of Christian nationalism:

• Prioritizing national interests over spiritual values
• Exclusion and marginalization of minority groups
• Misuse of religious language to justify political goals
• Erosion of church-state separation

4. Prominent evangelical leaders have compromised their values to support political figures

"When you love somebody, regardless of their politics, it's very difficult for them to hate you. And then you can have a real conversation."

Moral compromises. Many influential evangelical leaders have sacrificed long-held moral principles to align themselves with political figures, particularly Donald Trump. This has led to accusations of hypocrisy and damaged the credibility of these leaders.

Justifications and rationalizations. To reconcile their support for morally questionable politicians, some leaders have developed elaborate justifications, often invoking the idea of an imperfect vessel chosen by God for a greater purpose.

Examples of compromised values:

• Overlooking personal misconduct of political allies
• Downplaying the importance of character in leadership
• Endorsing policies that contradict Christian teachings on compassion and justice

5. The pursuit of power has led many Christians to abandon their spiritual mission

"When you have a special mission from God, then you are not bound by moral norms."

Power over principle. The allure of political influence has led many evangelical leaders and followers to prioritize winning elections and cultural battles over adhering to Christian principles. This shift has fundamentally altered the nature of many churches and organizations.

Means justifying ends. In the quest for power, some Christians have adopted tactics and rhetoric that directly contradict the teachings of Jesus, justifying these actions as necessary to achieve their goals.

Consequences of power pursuit:

• Erosion of Christian witness in society
• Internal division within churches and denominations
• Alienation of younger generations and potential converts
• Compromise of core ethical and moral teachings

6. Conspiracy theories and misinformation have found fertile ground in evangelical circles

"Garbage in, garbage out."

Susceptibility to falsehoods. Many evangelicals have proven particularly vulnerable to conspiracy theories and misinformation, especially those related to politics and cultural issues. This tendency has been exacerbated by social media and partisan news sources.

Undermining truth. The prevalence of conspiracy thinking within evangelical communities has eroded trust in institutions and factual information, making it difficult to have reasoned discussions about important issues.

Common conspiracy theories in evangelical circles:

• QAnon and related child trafficking theories
• Election fraud claims
• COVID-19 misinformation
• Deep state and globalist conspiracy narratives

7. The emphasis on cultural battles has overshadowed the gospel message in many churches

"We're not a sanctified social agency. That's not what I believe the Church is about."

Culture war focus. Many evangelical churches have become fixated on fighting cultural battles, often at the expense of their primary mission of sharing the gospel and ministering to spiritual needs.

Neglected teachings. The emphasis on political and cultural issues has led to a neglect of core Christian teachings, such as love for enemies, care for the poor, and personal spiritual growth.

Overlooked aspects of Christian ministry:

• Compassion for marginalized groups
• Peacemaking and reconciliation
• Personal discipleship and spiritual formation
• Community service and social justice rooted in faith

8. Young evangelicals are increasingly disillusioned with the political focus of their faith tradition

"These kids don't want to be caught up in the 'us versus them' thing."

Generational divide. Many younger evangelicals are growing disillusioned with the political emphasis and cultural warrior mentality of their parents' generation. This has led to a significant exodus of young people from evangelical churches.

Seeking authenticity. Young evangelicals often express a desire for a more authentic and compassionate expression of faith that focuses on living out Jesus' teachings rather than winning political battles.

Reasons for youth disillusionment:

• Perceived hypocrisy of church leaders
• Exclusionary attitudes towards minorities and LGBTQ+ individuals
• Overemphasis on political issues
• Lack of engagement with social justice concerns

9. Some pastors are resisting the trend towards politicization and striving to maintain spiritual focus

"We love America, but that's a separate thing."

Countercultural stance. A number of pastors and church leaders are actively resisting the politicization of their faith, choosing instead to focus on spiritual matters and the core teachings of Christianity.

Balanced approach. These leaders often seek to engage with social and political issues from a biblical perspective while avoiding partisan alignments and maintaining the primacy of the gospel message.

Strategies for maintaining spiritual focus:

• Emphasizing biblical teaching over political commentary
• Encouraging civic engagement without endorsing specific candidates
• Fostering open dialogue on controversial issues
• Prioritizing unity in Christ over political agreement

10. The global perception of American evangelicalism has been tarnished by its political associations

"Evangelicals in Britain and Europe and Australia are very different from evangelicals here."

International concern. The close alignment of American evangelicalism with conservative politics has damaged its reputation globally, particularly among Christians in other countries.

Missionary challenges. The politicization of American evangelicalism has made it more difficult for missionaries and international ministries to operate effectively, as they must often distance themselves from the political associations of their American counterparts.

Global perceptions of American evangelicalism:

• Viewed as more political than spiritual
• Seen as aligned with American nationalism rather than universal Christian values
• Perceived as hypocritical in its selective application of biblical teachings
• Considered a potential threat to democracy in some contexts

11. There is a growing movement to "deconstruct" and re-examine evangelical beliefs and practices

"If change is to come, it will have to come from the margins."

Critical reflection. A growing number of evangelicals are engaging in a process of "deconstruction," critically examining their beliefs and practices in light of biblical teachings and contemporary challenges.

Seeking renewal. This movement aims to strip away cultural and political accretions to rediscover a more authentic and biblically grounded faith that can speak to the needs of the modern world.

Key aspects of evangelical deconstruction:

• Re-examining the relationship between faith and politics
• Questioning traditional interpretations of scripture
• Exploring more inclusive and diverse expressions of faith
• Emphasizing social justice and environmental stewardship as core Christian values

Last updated: October 26, 2024