66 pages • 2 hours read
Tim AlbertaThe Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2023A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Themes
Evangelism as a Tool of White Nationalism
Evangelism has been an unspoken tool of white nationalism throughout American history, with an exploitation of religious rhetoric to further agendas rooted in racial supremacy. Often couched as “Christian nationalism,” white supremacy is nonetheless essential to the concept. Alberta examines the modern expression of white nationalism through notorious figures like Jerry Falwell, Ralph Reed, Charlie Kirk, and Donald Trump and provides insight into how this phenomenon manifests in contemporary American society.
Jerry Falwell played a significant role in mobilizing conservative Christians around political issues, particularly during the rise of the Religious Right in the 1980s. Falwell’s fusion of Christian theology with right-wing politics laid the groundwork for the entanglement of evangelicalism with nationalist ideologies. By framing political conservatism as fundamentally aligned with Christian values, Falwell galvanized a large segment of white evangelical voters, leveraging their religious identity to promote a predominantly white, conservative agenda.
Ralph Reed furthered Falwell’s efforts by organizing grassroots campaigns to mobilize evangelical voters around conservative candidates and causes. Reed’s strategic use of Christian messages appealed to white evangelical fears and anxieties, particularly around issues such as abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigration. By framing these issues as moral imperatives, Reed effectively weaponized evangelical rhetoric to advance a nationalist agenda that often privileges the interests of white Christians over those of marginalized communities.
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, represents a younger generation of conservative activists who continue to exploit Christian evangelism for political gain. Kirk’s organization promotes right-wing ideology on college campuses, often using Christian language and imagery to appeal to young, white Christians. Kirk’s brand of nationalism is characterized by fervent patriotism, opposition to progressive social movements, and a defense of traditional values—all of which resonate strongly with many white evangelical Christians who perceive their way of life as under threat from demographic and cultural changes.
Donald Trump, perhaps the most prominent example of this phenomenon, capitalized on the fears and grievances of white evangelical Christians to secure their support during his presidential campaigns. Trump’s xenophobic, racist, and Islamophobic rhetoric resonated with segments of the evangelical community who saw him as a defender of their values and interests. Trump’s policies, such as his crackdown on immigration and his appointment of conservative judges, further solidified their support.
Alberta uses these figures to illustrate how Christian values have been co-opted and wielded as a tool of white nationalism in contemporary American politics. By exploiting religious identity and morals, nationalist agendas that privilege the interests of white, conservative Christians at the expense of marginalized communities are advanced.
Politics’ Uneasy Alliance With Religion
Alberta explores the complex relationship between political power and religious influence, which is wrought with tension, manipulation, and compromise. The stories of figures such as Mike Pence, Donald Trump, Robert Jeffress, and Greg Locke provide insight into how this alliance manifests in contemporary American politics.
Mike Pence, as a former Vice President of the United States, exemplifies the intertwining of politics and religion within the conservative Christian movement. Pence’s devout evangelical beliefs have shaped his political career. Throughout his tenure, Pence enjoyed the support of conservative religious groups, positioning himself as a champion of their values and priorities, often distorting scripture to portray America as favored by God. However, Pence’s unwavering loyalty to former President Donald Trump also illustrates the compromises inherent in the alliance between politics and religion. Despite Trump’s personal and political scandals, Pence remained a steadfast defender of the administration, disregarding his religious convictions for political expediency.
Donald Trump also capitalized on the support of evangelical Christians to bolster his electoral success. Trump’s ability to deliver on key issues such as judicial appointments and pro-life policies endeared him to many conservative Christians who otherwise advocate for high moral standards, highlighting the pragmatic hypocrisy of their alliance with Trump.
Jeffress, meanwhile, represents the influential role of religious leaders in shaping political discourse and mobilizing their congregations. Jeffress’s vocal support for Trump and his administration underscored the symbiotic relationship between conservative Christianity and right-wing politics, as he used his platform to promote Trump’s agenda and rally support among evangelical voters. However, Jeffress’s alignment with Trump also exposed the inherent risks of the alliance between politics and religion, as he faced criticism for his perceived endorsement of Trump’s divisive rhetoric and policies.
Greg Locke, a controversial pastor known for his fiery sermons and staunch support of Trump, exemplifies the fusion of religious fundamentalism with right-wing populism. Locke’s inflammatory rhetoric and conspiracy theories have garnered him a large following among conservative Christians who share his anti-establishment sentiment and distrust of mainstream media and political institutions. This opportunistic extremism reflects the growing influence of populist movements within evangelical circles, as he taps into the grievances of his congregation to advance a nationalist agenda rooted in Christian identity.
The instability of the relationship between religion and politics is proven through the wavering support of many of the right-wing figures that Alberta presents. Whether by failing more extremist factions of evangelists through political losses or disappointing more traditional Christians through examples of misbehavior and corruption, leaders lost some or all support, including Jerry Falwell Jr., Pence, and even Trump, for example. These events allude to the inherent inability to truly reconcile the two concepts—Christianity is an ideology with fixed doctrines while politics is a nebulous environment that includes frequent plights from politicians made solely to appeal to current voters.
Evangelism’s Increasing Disconnect From Scripture
The teachings of evangelical Christianity and the principles espoused in the Bible have become notably distant from evangelical culture. Though evangelism, rooted in Protestantism, holds the Bible as the singular source of all divine knowledge, many evangelical leaders “cherry-pick” convenient verses from scripture that seem to promote capitalism, condemn female leadership, or condemn members of the LGBTQ+ community. Through examining the actions and rhetoric of figures such as Ralph Reed, Robert Jeffress, Mike Pence, David Barton, and Chad Connelly, Alberta identifies a growing trend of selective interpretation and manipulation of religious texts for political and personal gain.
Ralph Reed exemplifies the disconnect between evangelism and biblical values. Despite professing to champion Christian principles in the political arena, Reed’s career has been marked by alliances with morally questionable figures and advocacy for policies that contradict core teachings from scripture. Reed’s instrumentalization of religion for partisan purposes highlights the prioritization of power and influence over genuine adherence to biblical teachings.
David Barton, a conservative activist and founder of WallBuilders, promotes a revisionist interpretation of American history that aligns with his political agenda. Barton’s selective use of historical evidence and religious texts to advance a narrative of America as a Christian nation distorts the complexities of history and ignores the principles of justice, equality, and compassion found in the Bible. By conflating patriotism with religious piety, Barton perpetuates a narrative that prioritizes nationalism. His partner Chad Connelly, a Republican strategist and former director of faith engagement for the Republican National Committee, focuses on the instrumentalization of religion for partisan gain. Connelly’s efforts to mobilize evangelical voters for conservative candidates and causes often involve appeals to fear, divisiveness, and tribalism rather than the love, compassion, and reconciliation demonstrated in Christian narratives.
Alberta sheds light on the troubling trend of using religion as a tool for political and personal gain rather than as a guide for moral conduct and spiritual growth. He points out notable exceptions, like Russell Moore and Curtis Chang, but highlights their struggle to counter the power of the hypocritical religious figures allied with the Republican Party. Nevertheless, they are determined to reaffirm the centrality of biblical principles in shaping both personal conduct and public discourse.
