Jon talks about the deal cut between evangelical elites and the Republican establishment in the 1990s and how that arrangement has been undercut by Trump. This may provide evangelicals with an opportunity though.
Thanks, Jon. for bringing clarity to all the whining. It's been very frustrating for me. As I argue in my book, I have never been this encouraged about political things since I realized I was a conservative when Reagan was elected. There has been a progression among conservatives and Evangelicals that didn't exist before Trump. Reading Up from Conservatism now, and that indicates there has been a huge change on the right. Evangelicals on the right also seem to be wising up as you indicate, and I trust your generation is going build on that in a huge way. My encouragement continues:) Thanks!
You’re video explains a lot. We lived in Lynchburg, Va., from 1984 until 2013. I served for a couple of years on the state level for a pro life organization. My one frustration was that we would endorse the pro life candidate but what an abortion is was never mentioned by the candidate. Our local chapter would use medical models of fetal development to educate the public. The Junior League got us banned from a local family event they sponsored and had participated in for years. Their excuse was that it was not age appropriate for what was taught in school🤦♀️
Figuratively speaking, can "clay" get any stronger than what was seen at the RNC the other night? (Dan 2). Is the Republican Party trending toward something that can protect our families or is a mud wall the most our kids can hope for? One wonders.
People are starting to notice that the contents in the bowl actually stinks pretty bad. I guess in a way, people noticing is a good thing. I still wonder if they will ever find the wherewithal to know what to do next.
Jon, this is a good recap of the past 30-40 years. In some ways it goes back to Reagan; during his administration Evangelicals were useful idiots whose deepest concerns were not necessarily addressed in policy but the Moral Majority and Christian Coalition did help get him elected. (Nancy Reagan may have said, “I don’t give a d##n about the right-to-lifers;” the accuracy of this quote is disputed.) With Bush 41 it was worse; Bush 43 did give some respect and now Evangelicals might have a small seat, or a seat at the kids’ table.
The problem in the Reagan years was the lack of the votes needed. The Republicans did not control the House of Representatives for even a single year of his administration. In fact they were out of power there for 40 solid years till 1994. Reagan did not possess a magic wand that could have made the Democrats vote for the things that the Christian Right wanted.
Hey Jon, thanks much brother for your clarity and assessment. You are great at pulling these threads together, as you often do, to show us the top side of the rug. I have a question perhaps you could help untangle? Should Christians even desire or want to be at the political/Republican table you spoke about? Are we trying to hold onto an idea, say Christendom, or as Piper would say, an over- realized eschatology, so that we might cling to our consumeristic ease (Bar stool Christianity)? Do I want good men over me in political leadership? Yes. Do I want my natural rights to remain secure? I do. Should Christians spend their efforts to get to this table and play the game? Doesn't Psalm 2 tell us who rules and laughs at men's scheming? Doug Wilson says he trust a Christian leader with his rights more than a secular Marxist with his right. I get his point. It is very good. Yet, the Scripture doesn't command or confine us to these political endeavors or be insistent on our rights, right (Philippians 2)? The principles of justice, loving neighbor, etc...are all there in the Word and love by the Spirit who governs us how we individually and corporately express them. Wisdom dictates, not imperative, how these principles are supposed to be lived out as God directs. If Christians are moving towards a second moral majority of sorts, it seems to be a missional fork in the road or a By-Path Meadow, as Bunyan talks about, away from the Celestial City. By Path Meadow leads us all to Doubting Castle where the Giant of Despair lives, which is often how I see the political charade, where nothing is permanent and faith in Christ is dim. How can Christians avoid a new monasticism (go off grid), stay engaged, and wisely navigate our primary purposes of Gospelizing and Discipleship and the clear commands of Scripture without succumbing to secondary endeavors, aka acquiring a seat at the table or for heaven on earth now? Im trying not to be an either/or thinker on this. Book recommendations to help?
10:03 It would have been very difficult for the Christian conservative movement in 1991-2 to come down firmly on the side of Pat Buchanan in the primaries because Buchanan in reality had zero chance of unseating the incumbent George HW Bush in those primaries. I liked Buchanan but he had certain weaknesses, self-undermining tendencies, and he did not have anything comparable in the way of strengths to bring to the table like Trump would have later on. Buchanan was in reality running a protest candidacy, stronger than RFK Jr.'s effort against Biden, but nowhere near viable. I'm pretty sure Ralph Reed, Falwell, Robertson, and Dobson did not make an endorsement in the primaries; it does seem to me like Phyllis Schlafly endorsed Buchanan. At that time National Review was a different creature than today, was drastically more conservative, and was openly displeased with the elder Bush, felt that he had squandered Reagan's legacy, but I don't think they made much of a push for Buchanan. The elder Bush administration was the high tide for Republican moderates, who felt that they had some sort of a natural right to be in charge in the Republican Party although being in the minority within it. Conservatives were given the short end of the stick in terms of staffing of the administration. Everything I have heard leads me to indicate that things were much different and much better in terms of the staffing ratios in the two subsequent Republican administrations.
I think we need to remember the role of the Unification church in the 80s, 90s and probably the late 70s. I will never forget Sun Myung Moon being crowned a messiah in one of the buildings in the capital. Many so called religious right bowed down to his widow and called her "Mother Moon". and that was recently. Sean Moon, one of the sons, runs Rod of Iron Ministries and is very very militant. He stands for ALL the conservative stuff but he thinks his Father was the second advent Jesus, and preaches as such. He had several dozen people at the January 6th event and they were not peaceful. His beliefs in taking over the United States isn't all that different than the Dominionists who surrounded Trump when he served his first term. So I think we need to be careful about all of this.
The: Fuller Theological Seminary, TEDS, Gordon-Conwell Theo. SEMINARY WERE moderate up until 2010 when the came under the sway of Womanist and Gender Justice movements.
The new Religious Right is the one where Waheguru and Yhvh are considered to be one and the same, unless we put to death the space which allows for the notion that a revival is not necessary to Christianize a people. We cannot guarantee our own success, but we can guarantee our own failure, by not trusting in God. God's wrath is on us. Do not delay ourselves to the sackcloth and ashes. Scripture has been sufficient, and we have been without excuse. I love my brothers and sisters. I trust in Lord Jesus Christ. Lord, help my distrust. Let us fear. The Church is not led astray. Let us each be found in agreement with Christ's Church.
John, Please ask Dr James Dobson on your show. In his original book Dare to Discipline he spells out what is going on now. From the schools to the government, he wrote it in 1972!! let me know if you need to know and I will send you copies of the pages. IF you buy it make sure you get the original version.
I will be voting for Donald Trump. I don’t believe he is Christian but I am praying for him. He is the only candidate I have ever known that makes pledges and then keeping his promises. Everyone of them.
Jon's comments about evangelicals desiring others to like them is a natural for the Arminian mindset. Also, to expect America to become an abortion free zone or one will not vote Republican is foolhardy. We are to be salt and light to those in our community/city via witness, prayer and so forth. Simply do not see the Apostle Paul ranting on how we need to get abortion made illegal in Galatia et al.
I'm not sure this is a Calvinism/Arminian issue. The desire to be liked and the fear of man for Christians is common across denominational lines. There seems to be a worldly spirit though, that desires peace at all costs. When men are fearful to take stands, they capitulate on those things in which they are supposed to hold the line. Men must take stands where God has clearly drawn the line. Yet, there is a hierarchy issue going on in leadership. Men do not want to lead at home, in the church, or in the governing sphere. Men are products of the overarching culture of passivity, a cosmic problem since the Garden of Eden with Adam.@@conceptualclarity
@@maxstrange7606 You make some great points and my comments on Arminians was just an observation for me, personally. The breakdown of true manhood, even with all of it's warts (i.e. David, etc)that come with it is the real crux of why we are in the position we are in right now in America.
Trump is a business man. “The Art of the Deal.” When he makes a deal, he means to keep it. There’s something to be appreciated about that especially in comparison to politicians who make empty promises.
I will certainly continue to pray for Trump and his heart. But I disagree with you thinking Trump isn't behind the platform changes...don't forget the role of Lara Trump.
Backing Trump for the time being is fine. But like the Tea Party was after Bush left office, the grassroots (incl. the evangelicals) should be prepared to band together to hold Trump accountable when he deviates towards an unacceptable extreme.
