Ep 920 | Russell Moore, David French & the Fake Threat of Christian Nationalism | Guest: John Cooper

Podcast Summary

• A call to action for Christians to stand up for their faith and liberties: Christian apathy and elite utopian ideals without considering consequences threaten Western civilization, Christians must wake up and stand up to protect their liberties

  According to John Cooper, the threat to democracy and Western civilization isn't Christian nationalism as commonly perceived, but rather the apathy and complacency of Christians and the institutional elites who are pushing for utopian ideals without considering the potential negative consequences. Cooper believes that if the church wakes up and stands up for its liberties, things could turn around quickly. However, if the institutional elites continue to drive society towards utopia without considering the potential negative consequences, it could lead to the end of Western civilization. Cooper's book, "Wimpy, Weak, and Woke," is a call to action for Christians to wake up and stand up for their faith and liberties.

• Divide within Christianity over religious gatherings during pandemic: Christianity faced a difficult position during the pandemic with leaders advocating for flexibility vs. biblical command to not neglect meeting together. Some were criticized for prioritizing cultural acceptance over prophetic witness, creating a new form of Christianity.

  The COVID-19 pandemic and related societal issues led to a significant divide within Christianity, with prominent leaders advocating for a more flexible interpretation of religious gatherings and others adhering to the biblical command to not neglect meeting together. This controversy put the church in a difficult position, leading some to question their own beliefs and actions. Furthermore, some Christian leaders were criticized for prioritizing cultural acceptance over prophetic witness, creating a new form of Christianity that aligns more closely with the world's definition of justice, truth, and morality. This shift away from speaking truth to the culture and instead catering to societal expectations is concerning and goes against the biblical call for the church to be a prophetic witness. The pandemic and social unrest highlighted these divisions and the need for Christians to remain steadfast in their faith and commitment to biblical truth.

• The attack on Christianity's moral foundations: Postmodernists, critical theorists, and Marx view Christianity's morality as harmful and adopt social justice ideologies within the church, potentially causing harm to those they aim to help.

  The anti-Christian and anti-Western civilization movements are interconnected, and the attack on Christianity is not about its theological beliefs but rather its moral foundations. The morality of Christianity, as perceived by postmodernists, critical theorists, and Marx, is seen as harmful and ruining people's lives. This has led to the adoption of social justice ideologies within the church, which, despite good intentions, can result in supporting injustices and causing harm to the very people they aim to help. An example of this is the defund the police movement, which has led to increased crime and harm in marginalized communities. It's important to remember that intentions do not always equate to positive outcomes. When making purchasing decisions, consider supporting companies like 7 Weeks Coffee, which align with godly values and support life-saving initiatives.

• Impact of intentions vs outcomes in Christian actions: As Christians, focus on the outcomes of our actions, not just our intentions. Consider the impact on people and challenge utopian ideologies. Stand firm on biblical principles.

  As Christians, we should focus on the outcomes of our actions, not just our intentions. The discussion highlighted the importance of considering the impact of policies and decisions on people, even if the intentions were good. The speaker criticized the infiltration of secular humanist ideas into the Christian church and the failure of Christian leaders to challenge utopian ideologies that can lead to destruction. The speaker also mentioned the mistake of the evangelical church in the 1990s for stopping the teaching of worldview and the importance of understanding the Bible's answers to various aspects of life. Overall, the discussion emphasized the importance of being mindful of the outcomes of our actions and the need for Christians to stand firm on biblical principles.

• Labeling ideologies as root causes oversimplifies societal issues: Avoid labeling ideologies or groups as root causes of societal issues and instead focus on promoting understanding, respect, and dialogue.

  The labeling of certain ideologies or groups as the root cause of societal issues, such as Christian nationalism, is a simplistic and misguided approach to achieving peace and utopia. This perspective overlooks the complexity of human nature and the fact that ideologies, including communism and progressivism, can be against it. The documentary "Christian Nationalism" portrays this group as a threat to democracy and a force of evil, but it's essential to recognize that the term "Christian nationalist" is often used as a catch-all phrase and can mean different things to different people. It's crucial to avoid being swayed by such labels and to focus on promoting understanding, respect, and dialogue instead.

• White evangelical Christianity linked to racism, imperialism, and white supremacy: Some view white evangelical Christianity as interconnected with racism, imperialism, and white supremacy, while the black church is criticized for not affirming LGBTQ+ individuals. The critical theory lens sees the world through an oppressed-oppressor paradigm, blurring lines between Christian beliefs and violent insurrection.

  White evangelical Christianity, as discussed, is seen by some as intertwined with racism, imperialism, colonialism, and white supremacy. This perspective argues that these ideas are deeply ingrained within the institution of the white church. The black church, in this context, is criticized for not being affirming of LGBTQ+ individuals, and thus, exhibiting white evangelical racism. The critical theory lens used here sees the world through a black and brown oppressed, white oppressor paradigm. For those holding this perspective, being Christian means aligning with progressive political views. Ironically, those labeled as Christian nationalists, who advocate for limited government and individual liberties, are accused of being more political than their accusers. The lines between being pro-life or conservative and being a violent insurrectionist are being blurred, and it's crucial to clarify that violence is not condoned by those holding traditional Christian beliefs.

• The Importance of Bringing Personal Beliefs to the Voting Booth: Individuals should not be shamed or silenced for bringing their beliefs, including religious ones, to the voting booth. It is a fundamental aspect of a democratic society for people to vote based on their values.

  It is not only acceptable but necessary for individuals to bring their worldview, including religious beliefs, to the voting booth. The argument that Christian conservatives are not allowed to do this and are labeled as evil or extremist is a flawed perspective. Everyone votes based on their beliefs, and this is a fundamental aspect of a democratic society. It is ironic that those who criticize Christian conservatives for bringing their faith into the public sphere often do the same thing, quoting the Bible and advocating for policies based on their own beliefs. It is essential for individuals to remain true to their values and beliefs when making political decisions. The attempt to silence or shame Christians for doing so is a form of hypocrisy and should be rejected.

• Focusing on minor issues vs. significant impacts: Christian conservatives and progressives often argue over minor issues, but it's essential to address the harmful impacts of progressive policies, such as abortion, on society.

  The debate between Christian conservatives and progressives often focuses on perceived minor issues, such as the actions of a small group of Christians, while ignoring the more significant and harmful impacts of progressive policies. David French argues against boycotting a drag queen story hour, stating that those who do so are being oppressive and damaging democracy. However, many Christian conservatives are concerned about the rampant abortion, gender ideology, and violent outcomes of progressive policies. The Bible verse Ezekiel 9:3-4 highlights the importance of expressing sadness and opposition to detestable practices. The issue of abortion, with its devastating consequences, is a prime example of such a practice. The influence and power of progressive ideology far outweigh that of Christian conservatives, yet the latter group is often the target of criticism. It is crucial to acknowledge and address the destructive outcomes of progressive policies and prioritize efforts towards positive change.

• Understanding 'wimpy, weak, and woke' ideology: Prioritizing empathy over truth can weaken theological and philosophical foundations, leading some to apologize for the Bible and God, while 'wokeness' trades biblical justice for secular social justice and redefines oppression.

  Naturally It's Clean offers effective, hospital-grade cleaning products made with natural plant-based enzymes, free from toxic chemicals and synthetic fragrances. This is a safer option for families. However, the discussion also touched upon the concept of being "wimpy, weak, and woke," which refers to prioritizing tone and empathy over truth. This ideology weakens theological and philosophical foundations, leading some Christians to apologize for the Bible and the character of God. Being woke, on the other hand, involves trading biblical justice for secular social justice and redefining who is oppressed or marginalized. It's essential to understand these distinctions and the potential consequences they may bring.

• The pursuit of utopian ideals can lead to dystopian outcomes: The belief in establishing a perfect world outside of religious or moral frameworks can lead to conflict and tyranny, hindering progress towards a truly just and equitable society. Instead, we should approach moral and ethical issues with nuance and thoughtfulness.

  The pursuit of utopian ideals often leads to dystopian outcomes. This was discussed in relation to Thomas More's "Utopia," which advocated for euthanasia for the common good, and the current debates surrounding abortion and COVID-19 restrictions. The speakers also touched upon the concept of competitive eschatology, where different groups believe they can establish a perfect world outside of religious or moral frameworks. However, this mindset can lead to tyranny and conflict, as seen in the arguments for abortion and military vaccinations. The speakers emphasized that utopia and the kingdom of God are fundamentally different, and the pursuit of utopian ideals can hinder progress towards a truly just and equitable society. Instead, it's important to recognize the complexities and nuances of moral and ethical issues, and to approach them with a nuanced and thoughtful perspective.

• Beliefs about human nature and their societal implications: Understanding beliefs about human nature is essential to navigating societal structures and moral frameworks, as they shape our views on utopian ideals, trade-offs, and societal organization.

  There are differing beliefs about human nature and its implications for society. Those who believe in the unconstrained nature of man may strive for utopian ideals, while those who acknowledge human constraints will recognize the need for trade-offs and the impossibility of achieving perfect equality. The Christian belief, for instance, posits that humans are born with a sinful nature, leading to selfishness and inequality. The idea of unconstrained human nature, such as Rousseau's belief in man being born free, has been a recurring theme throughout history, but can ultimately lead to harmful and godless ideologies. It's crucial to understand these foundational beliefs to navigate the complexities of societal structures and moral frameworks.

• A war against societal structures and values, specifically Christianity: Ideologies like Marxism and critical theory advocate for the removal of religious and moral constraints to create a utopian society, potentially leading to the promotion of perversions and disregard for absolute truth or morality.

  The war against certain societal structures and values, as seen in ideologies like Marxism and critical theory, can be understood as a war against the created order and the constraints of religion, specifically Christianity. These ideologies advocate for the removal of these constraints to achieve a utopian society, often leading to the promotion of perversions and the disregard for absolute truth or morality. The documentary discussed even accused Christian parents of being "evil nationalists" for standing up for their children's safety and well-being. Critical theory, in particular, denies the existence of absolute truth and morality, allowing for the justification of immoral actions in the name of standing up for the "oppressed" and "marginalized."

• Speaking out against injustice and protecting rights: It's important to stand up for what's right, even if it's uncomfortable or unpopular, while maintaining moral integrity and showing compassion for all people.

  The discussion revolves around the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it's unpopular or uncomfortable. The speaker expresses outrage over the reported cover-up of a sexual assault incident in a school bathroom involving a transgender student. He believes that the prioritization of protecting the rights of the transgender community over the safety and wellbeing of women is detestable and against biblical values. The speaker encourages love and compassion for all people, but also emphasizes the importance of speaking out against injustice and fighting for the marginalized, while maintaining moral integrity. He encourages readers to read his book, "The Light Bearer's Lament," available at jonlcooper.com, to better understand the issues at hand and to equip themselves with the knowledge to engage in important conversations with friends and loved ones.