Political Power and American Evangelicalism, with Tim Alberta

Listen to the podcast - www.markuswats...
Apple Podcast - podcasts.apple...
Spotify - open.spotify.c...
Here in the U.S. the impact of the election and the campaigns of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are inescapable.
In this episode, Tim Alberta, author of The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism, discusses the unsettling trend of political polarization in the church, the role of pastors in responding to the pressure to reclaim a "Christian America," and the importance of having diverse relationships as we navigate this season of polarization.
THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Tim Alberta shares his story of being criticized for his political views while at his father's funeral.
Tim Alberta expresses concern over the perceived decline of "Christian America."
Alberta warns about the losses incurred when churches self-select into narrow ideological spaces.
Diverse relationships are necessary for spiritual growth and addressing complex issues.
Markus Watson mentions Allen Hilton and Andrew Hanauer’s organizations working to address political polarization. These organizations bring different churches together to facilitate conversations and humanize each other.
Alberta discusses how American Christians often view the U.S. as a nation set apart or a new Israel in covenant with God. This belief leads to a conflation of defending America with defending God.
Some Christians view political opponents as cultural and spiritual adversaries, treating political warfare as spiritual warfare.
There seems to be a fear among evangelicals of losing status, indoctrination of children, and being targeted by the government.
Alberta discusses the shift from a culture sympathetic to Christian ideals to one perceived as hostile, creating a siege mentality.
There seems to be a sense of entitlement within the evangelical community, akin to the belief of the ancient people of Israel..
Tim Alberta highlights the difficulty for Christians to relate to scriptural suffering due to comfort and wealth in America.
Some Christians compromise their virtues to reclaim a "Christian America," engaging in unethical behavior for a perceived greater good.
RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:
Tim Alberta:
www.bytimalber...
The Atlantic - www.theatlanti...
Twitter/X - @TimAlberta - x.com/TimAlberta
Books mentioned:
The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, by Tim Alberta - amzn.to/3B6hDcU
American Carnage, by Tim Alberta - amzn.to/3BbvPRA
Related episodes:
Tackling Toxic Polarization in Your Church, with Allen Hilton and Andrew Hanauer - www.markuswats...
Leading Your Church Through Political Division, with Allen Hilton - www.markuswats...
Grace-Filled Politics, with Aaron Schafer - www.markuswats...

[@BeckyC-mr7co]

Great book. It really gave me a lot of confidence that I wasn't wrong to see that the MAGA movement is as far from Jesus's teaching as one could get.

[@markuswatson-sll]

Yep, you’re definitely not wrong.

[@Anabee3]

I'm looking fwd 2 reading his book. In the meantime, Kinzinger & he have given me the extra confidence that I'm not being deceived by satan in terms of my pov of Trump. Im NOT an N.A.R. nor W.O.F. nor a "progressive Christian" , nor easily swayed ("you do you") type. So I was pretty isolated for a long time until they started speaking publically. It's bn a relief to know I'm not the only GENUINELY CONSERVATIVE Christian who sees Djt for who he is. And frankly , i see him as one of the mini-anti-Christ figures that scripture warns us will manifest before THEEE anti-Christ.
I often think: if they're fooled by djt...imagine when THEEE anti-Christ manifests.
(I've not decided whether I'm pre or post rapture. Doesn't really matter tho, if we are ALWAYS prepared).
TY for reading all this. I dont run into many serious Christians that see djt clear-eyed.

[@IriszPayne]

Thank you so much for this conversation. As a Christian and a democrat, this notion that I don’t love God and my country, makes me so sad.

[@michaelparks5669]

if you claim to be a Democrat you are not a Christian. Thy are not compatible.

[@karenwolz3906]

Same

[@ReadMoreHistory-v9u]

I’m a secular person who nonetheless tries to follow the teachings of Jesus. I can’t recommend Tim’s books enough. He is a true Christian and speaks very eloquently and insightfully about Christianity. In my view, the darkness of MAGA is a serious danger to the Faith.

[@markuswatson-sll]

Thanks for sharing! Yes, Tim’s book is ours and very eye-opening.

[@Anabee3]

Alberta & Kinzinger are the 2best resources for serious, genuine Christians who do not support djt.
Marcus Watson: What a great, respectful host & listener! Very unusual.

[@markuswatson-sll]

I agree! And thank you for your kind words. 😊

[@donnavanmaanen1110]

The problem is the phrase “American Evangelicals.” It’s not biblical evangelical. It has become a form of civil religion that is masquerading as something ‘evangelical.’

[@markuswatson-sll]

Sadly, true…

[@Anabee3]

Well said

[@LifeAmongTheWildflowers]

Great conversation during these stressful and often aggressive times.

[@lisacawyer6896]

I enjoyed the book. But I still have a hard time seeing "the problem" to be caused by seeing America as the new Israel or similar. Maybe that's because my experience on the West Coast growing up in the wake of the Jesus movement, perhaps my experience is not typical. Perhaps it also explains why I'm not a Trumper (although there are plenty of Trumpers out here).
My influences have been Evangelical Quakerism, Campus Crusade ("Cru"), and Baptist (BGC/Converge) with an emphasis on missions and a ministry in Mexico. All of these had a focus on world evangelism. America may have had an important role, but other countries send out missionaries as well, sometimes more successfully without American baggage.
I was also influenced by Dispensationalism in my teens and twenties (Hal Lindsey), but rejected a lot of it after attending seminary and examining Scriptures; I wound up closer to historic pre-millinialism. For the same reason I lean more towards Arminism than Reformed.
Or maybe it's because I do not want to spend the money for a full cable package, so I don't get Fox News.
Or maybe it's just because I cannot swallow a huge bag of garbage just because it has a sprinkling of anti-abortionism on top.

[@Anabee3]

Or maybe it's bc you don't follow a donkey nor an elephant- but rather...
a LAMB.

[@elspeth8476]

Going to a solid church that seems split politically, but politics are not brought up. Pastors are masterful at taking congregation through scripture and encouraging careful thought.Left a church that dwelled on how things were, and one sweet person told me it will bevery violent if Trump does not win, almost like a promise. Hard to see people who can be so kind also be so bitter and angry about the country.

[@hrvojesvetec3058]

Tim is one of my heroes👍..im from Europe trying to understand the evangelical "love" for Trump..its mind boggling really😮😮
But listening to Tim and others like him gives me hope..dont think i will ever understand this kind of "American christianity"..im a christian but must say that "American christian nationalism" is not REAL christianity..sorry but its NOT

[@LifeAmongTheWildflowers]

Our citizenship is in Heaven. That’s our HOME!

[@libbywhitney6846]

God is God and we are not God. Evangelicals shouldn't get ahead of themselves. They seem actually to put aside God and write their own scripture.

[@michaeldunigan1067]

As Christians our standard is no longer deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Yeshua. Now it is the idol of success. So we have mega churches and mega pastors. Televangelists and Christian TV networks. And successful people in the world are seen as celebrities. Such as football players and rich businessman. And these are the people who are our heroes. We no longer venerate the Holy saints and those who care for the poor such as mother Teresa. It's a sad commentary on the current state of the evangelical movement.

[@hrvojesvetec3058]

Politics and religion shouldnt be mixed..we have the evidence,we have seen and still see what a nightmare it becomes when religion takes over the policies,or deeply influences the politics..
Its RIGHT THERE!!.we can SEE IT..its a BAD BAD IDEA!!.

[@MuratGonullu-l3x]

Lewis Christopher Walker Timothy Moore Brian

[@morrispet]

Very very good
I'm gonna read this book 👍🏽
Old(er) Librul Baptist in Alabama 🔵🟥

[@markuswatson-sll]

It’s long, but so fascinating, nfuriating, enlightening, and instructive…

[@kirstituomi5309]

Get audible! A lot of fun to listen to while doing other stuff!

[@Anabee3]

​@@kirstituomi5309great idea😊