Three congressional Republicans joined activist groups that partner with Focus on the Family for a virtual Sunday evening get-out-the-vote prayer call that urged viewers to usher in a nationwide revival by voting for conservative candidates and issues. “This is not…
Burge sees danger in ‘political monoculture’ of evangelicalism
The problem with white evangelicals isn’t their close affiliation with the Republican Party but the homogeneity of their political thinking and culture, sociologist of religion Ryan Burge said during a conference hosted by Denver Seminary. “When a religious movement becomes…
Evangelical groups call for ‘unequivocal’ support for Israel on October 7 anniversary
Since Hamas fighters attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, Israel’s military has responded in force, killing an estimated 40,000 Palestinians and injuring nearly 100,000 more in Gaza while ramping up attacks on…
Evangelicals could kill capital punishment system if they would, speakers declare
The already dying American capital punishment system could be eradicated much sooner if evangelical Christians would stop supporting the practice, a Christian death penalty abolitionist said during a Sept. 10 webinar hosted by Equal Justice USA. “I remember hearing from…
Dear crusading evangelicals, ain’t you tired yet?
Inspired by Mark Wingfield’s recent description of a poignant movie scene, I recently watched the 2011 award-winning film The Help. The movie highlighted a top-tier cast including Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Cisely Tyson, Sissy Spacek, Mary Steenburg, Jessica Chastain…
Politics, faith and mission: A conversation with Nancy French
I’ve known Nancy French for some years now, if by “know” we count social media connection, which I do. I’ve gotten out of the habit of talking about disagreements with people; I look for places of connection and ask whether…
Both Mainline Christians and evangelicals lost relevance by seeking power, podcast emphasizes
White evangelicals have swapped cultural and religious relevance for political power in the hope of creating a society made in their own image, author and historian of religion Randall Balmer said. But faith groups enmeshed in authoritarian causes like Donald…
Trump’s prophets ratchet up attacks against Harris after presidential debate
Some of Donald Trump’s evangelical supporters are ratcheting up their attacks against Kamala Harris in the aftermath of last week’s presidential debate, going so far as to compare her once again to “Jezebel” and calling the Democratic Party “demonic.” The…
‘Confession of Evangelical Conviction’ puts Jesus ahead of politics
A new confession of conviction to counter the politicization of evangelical congregations will generate pushback from Christians convinced their preferred political candidates are chosen by God, faith leaders said during an online briefing about the document. The “Confession of Evangelical…
Trump and Vance ‘willfully antagonized the pro-life movement,’ Tim Alberta says
Donald Trump and JD Vance have “willfully antagonized the pro-life movement” out of fear of losing suburban female voters in key states, political reporter and bestselling author Tim Alberta said at Baylor University Sept. 4. Albert, author of The Kingdom,…
Shepherds for Sale and the evangelical civil war
I thought it was strange. For months prior to the July 30 release of Megan Basham’s bestselling Shepherds for Sale, Christian firebrands on X were counting down the days until the book hit “Big Eva” like a wrecking ball. They…
New film resurrects an old question: What kind of Christian was Reagan?
In an election year in which Ronald Reagan could not be elected by his own Republican Party, some evangelicals have made a movie portraying America’s 40th president as a Christian saint. Prior to the cultic adulation of the Trump era,…