Introduction
Tim Alberta's "The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory" offers a compelling and insightful examination of the current state of American evangelicalism. As both a journalist and the son of a pastor, Alberta brings a unique perspective to this exploration of how political concerns have come to dominate and, in his view, distort the faith he grew up with.
The book's title alludes to the conclusion of the Lord's Prayer, emphasizing the contrast between the heavenly kingdom that Jesus spoke of and the earthly power that many evangelicals now seem to pursue. Alberta's work is not just a critique but also a heartfelt appeal for a return to the core principles of Christianity.
The Unexpected Rise of Donald Trump
Alberta's journey into this topic began with the surprising ascent of Donald Trump to the presidency. As a political journalist, he found himself trying to understand how Trump had managed to secure such strong support from evangelical Christians, a group that had traditionally valued moral character in their leaders.
The Evangelical Base
Alberta's reporting took him to communities that reminded him of his own upbringing:
- Predominantly white
- Relatively affluent
- Politically conservative
- Regularly attending evangelical churches
These communities had long been a crucial part of the Republican Party's base. However, their relationship with politics had typically been more about opposing liberal policies than enthusiastically supporting conservative candidates.
Trump's Unlikely Appeal
Trump's candidacy changed this dynamic dramatically. Despite his well-known reputation for:
- Crude behavior
- Mockery of vulnerable individuals
- Casual calls for violence
Evangelical support for Trump not only persisted but grew stronger throughout his campaign.
Rationalizing Support
Alberta found that evangelicals offered several justifications for their support of Trump:
- God often uses imperfect instruments to achieve his purposes
- Democrats were waging a "war on Christianity"
- Trump would act as a shield against liberal policies
Many evangelicals came to see criticism of Trump as a personal attack on their faith. This was starkly illustrated when Alberta returned to his hometown for his father's funeral. Instead of offering condolences, some church members confronted him about his critical book on Trump's rise to power.
The Spread of Conspiracy Theories
Alberta's investigation revealed how conspiracy theories had taken root in many evangelical communities. He tells the story of Chris Winan, a liberal pastor in a conservative Michigan town, to illustrate this trend.
The Pandemic's Impact
When COVID-19 hit, Winan noticed a shift in his congregation's mood:
- Anger at government-mandated shutdowns
- Belief that the virus was a hoax
- Claims that the pandemic was an excuse to close churches
Historical Context
Alberta traces the roots of these conspiratorial ideas:
- During the Cold War, evangelicals saw the Soviet Union as the main threat to Christianity
- After 1991, focus shifted to perceived internal enemies
- Obama's presidency in 2008 amplified fringe theories about threats to Christianity
Trump's Role
Donald Trump embraced and amplified these conspiratorial ideas:
- Claimed Democrats wanted to "hurt God"
- Promised that Christianity would "have power" under his presidency
- Downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic
The 2020 Election and Its Aftermath
The 2020 election further intensified these trends:
- Pressure on pastors to denounce Joe Biden
- Spread of QAnon conspiracy theories in churches
- The January 6th Capitol riot, which featured many Christian symbols
These events led some, like Pastor Winan, to question their faith. When asked what was wrong with American evangelicals, Winan concluded, "America, too many of them worship America."
Biblical Foundations and Modern Misinterpretations
To understand Winan's statement, Alberta delves into the biblical foundations of Christianity and how they relate to modern evangelical beliefs.
The Old Testament Covenant
- God creates Israel as a chosen nation for the Jewish people
- The people sometimes stray from God's laws and face consequences
- After exile, they long to return to their special relationship with God
Jesus and the New Covenant
- Jesus introduces a new concept of God's kingdom
- This kingdom is not of this world but is eternal and open to all who accept Jesus
- The focus shifts from an earthly promised land to a heavenly citizenship
The Separation of Earthly and Heavenly Kingdoms
Jesus emphasizes the distinction between earthly political authority and spiritual matters:
- "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's"
- Christians owe obedience to earthly authorities but ultimate loyalty to God
The Evangelical Misinterpretation
Alberta argues that many evangelicals have strayed from these teachings:
- They see America as a new "promised land" with a special relationship to God
- This belief leads them to conflate political power with spiritual authority
- They focus on earthly battles rather than eternal concerns
As one pastor told Alberta, "You can take up the sword of Caesar or the cross of Jesus. You have to choose." Many evangelicals, in Alberta's view, have chosen the sword.
The Decline of American Christianity
Alberta presents stark statistics showing the decline of Christianity in America:
- In 1991, 90% of Americans identified as Christian
- By 2021, only 63% identified as Christian
- The number of religiously unaffiliated Americans rose from 5% to 29% in the same period
Causes of Decline
Russell Moore, a prominent Southern Baptist theologian, attributes this decline to the politicization of faith:
- Christianity became seen as a means to political ends
- People realized they could achieve those ends without Christianity
- "Evangelical" has become more of a political label than a religious one
Crisis in the Church
The evangelical church faces several challenges:
- Shortage of young pastors
- Political disagreements causing church splits
- Exodus of members to more progressive denominations
The "Exvangelical" Phenomenon
Many former evangelicals cite the movement's political focus as their reason for leaving:
- They see evangelicalism as more about social and political power than faith
- The "evangelical" brand has become toxic for many
- This politicization has become an obstacle to spreading the gospel
The Need for Renewal
Alberta argues that evangelicals need to rediscover the core of their faith to halt this decline:
- Return to Jesus's inclusive approach to salvation
- Move away from the "castle mentality" of exclusion
- Embrace the idea of the church as a "hospital for sinners"
He believes that by abandoning their current political focus and returning to the universal message of the gospel, evangelicals can regain relevance in American life.
The Historical Roots of American Evangelicalism
To fully understand the current state of evangelicalism, Alberta takes readers on a journey through its historical development in America.
The Great Awakenings
The First and Second Great Awakenings in the 18th and 19th centuries played a crucial role in shaping American evangelicalism:
- Emphasized personal conversion experiences
- Promoted revival meetings and emotional preaching
- Contributed to the idea of America as a "Christian nation"
The Fundamentalist-Modernist Controversy
In the early 20th century, a significant split occurred within American Protestantism:
- Modernists embraced new scientific and social ideas
- Fundamentalists insisted on literal interpretations of the Bible
- This divide led to the creation of separate institutions and denominations
The Rise of the Religious Right
The latter half of the 20th century saw evangelicals become increasingly politically engaged:
- Reaction to perceived moral decline in society
- Opposition to Supreme Court decisions on school prayer and abortion
- Formation of organizations like the Moral Majority
The Culture Wars
From the 1980s onward, evangelicals became central figures in America's "culture wars":
- Battles over issues like gay rights, feminism, and evolution in schools
- Increasing alignment with the Republican Party
- Growing perception of Christianity as a conservative political force
The Trump Era and Its Impact
Alberta dedicates significant attention to the profound impact of Donald Trump's presidency on evangelical Christianity.
The Surprising Alliance
Despite Trump's personal history and behavior, he received overwhelming support from evangelical voters:
- 81% of white evangelicals voted for Trump in 2016
- This support remained strong throughout his presidency
Justifications and Rationalizations
Alberta explores the various ways evangelicals justified their support for Trump:
- The "King Cyrus" narrative (comparing Trump to a biblical pagan king who helped the Israelites)
- Focus on policy outcomes (conservative Supreme Court justices, pro-life legislation)
- Belief that Trump was defending Christianity from liberal attacks
The Cost of This Alliance
However, this political alliance came at a significant cost:
- Damage to the church's reputation, especially among younger Americans
- Increased polarization within churches
- Perception of hypocrisy when comparing Trump's behavior to previously stated evangelical values
The Role of Media and Information Bubbles
Alberta's investigation reveals how media consumption patterns have contributed to the current state of evangelicalism.
Conservative Media Ecosystem
Many evangelicals exist in a conservative media bubble:
- Heavy reliance on Fox News, talk radio, and conservative websites
- Distrust of mainstream media sources
- Reinforcement of existing beliefs and conspiracy theories
Social Media's Impact
Social media has amplified these trends:
- Easy spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories
- Creation of echo chambers
- Increased polarization and tribalism
The Challenge for Pastors
This media environment has made the job of pastors increasingly difficult:
- Pressure to address political issues from the pulpit
- Difficulty in countering misinformation believed by congregants
- Risk of losing members if perceived as too liberal or not sufficiently supportive of conservative causes
The Generational Divide
One of the most significant challenges facing evangelical churches is the growing generational divide.
Younger Evangelicals
Alberta finds that many younger evangelicals are uncomfortable with the current state of the movement:
- More likely to support LGBTQ+ rights and racial justice initiatives
- Less likely to view America as a "Christian nation"
- More concerned about climate change and social inequality
The Exodus of Young People
This divide has led to an exodus of young people from evangelical churches:
- Many find the political focus off-putting
- Some feel that the church doesn't address issues they care about
- Others are turned off by perceived intolerance or lack of inclusivity
Attempts at Bridge-Building
Some evangelical leaders are trying to bridge this generational gap:
- Addressing social justice issues from a biblical perspective
- Creating more inclusive environments
- Focusing on discipleship rather than political engagement
The Challenge of Racial Reconciliation
Alberta dedicates a significant portion of his book to exploring the complex relationship between evangelicalism and race in America.
Historical Context
The evangelical movement has a complicated racial history:
- Many white evangelicals opposed the civil rights movement
- Segregation was common in evangelical churches
- The Southern Baptist Convention was founded partly to defend slavery
Current Racial Tensions
Recent events have brought racial issues to the forefront:
- Reactions to the Black Lives Matter movement
- Debates over Critical Race Theory in churches and Christian schools
- Differing perspectives on police brutality and systemic racism
Efforts at Reconciliation
Some evangelical leaders are working towards racial reconciliation:
- Acknowledging past wrongs and current inequalities
- Promoting diversity in church leadership
- Addressing racial justice from a biblical perspective
Pushback and Controversy
However, these efforts have faced significant pushback:
- Claims that focusing on race is divisive or "woke"
- Concerns about mixing politics with faith
- Resistance to changing established church cultures
The Global Perspective
Alberta broadens his focus to consider how American evangelicalism is perceived globally.
International Reactions
Many international Christians express concern about the politicization of American evangelicalism:
- Perception that it's too closely aligned with right-wing politics
- Concern that it doesn't reflect the diversity of global Christianity
- Worry that it's exporting a distorted version of the faith
Missionary Challenges
This perception has created challenges for American missionaries:
- Difficulty separating their message from American politics
- Resistance in some countries due to association with U.S. policies
- Need to adapt to local cultures and perspectives
Learning from Global Christianity
Alberta suggests that American evangelicals could learn from their global counterparts:
- Emphasis on community and relationships over individualism
- Focus on social justice as an integral part of faith
- Less entanglement with national politics
The Way Forward
In the final sections of his book, Alberta offers his thoughts on how evangelicalism might find a way forward.
Rediscovering the Core Message
He argues for a return to the core principles of the faith:
- Focus on Jesus's teachings and example
- Emphasis on love, compassion, and service
- Prioritizing spiritual growth over political power
Separating Faith from Nationalism
Alberta sees a need to disentangle evangelical Christianity from American nationalism:
- Recognizing that God's kingdom transcends national boundaries
- Avoiding the idolatry of putting country before faith
- Embracing a more global and diverse perspective
Addressing Social Issues
He suggests that evangelicals need to engage with social issues in a more nuanced way:
- Approaching topics like poverty, racism, and climate change from a biblical perspective
- Balancing traditional moral concerns with broader social justice issues
- Finding common ground with those of different beliefs
Reforming Church Culture
Alberta proposes several changes to evangelical church culture:
- Creating more inclusive environments
- Encouraging critical thinking and open dialogue
- Focusing on discipleship and spiritual formation rather than political activism
Engaging with the Wider World
Finally, he argues for more positive engagement with the broader culture:
- Building bridges with other faith communities
- Participating in public discourse in a respectful and constructive manner
- Demonstrating the love and compassion at the heart of Christian teaching
Conclusion
Tim Alberta's "The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory" presents a challenging but ultimately hopeful vision for the future of American evangelicalism. By documenting the movement's current struggles and historical context, he illuminates the path that has led to its present crisis.
Alberta argues that by returning to its spiritual roots, separating itself from partisan politics, and engaging more constructively with the wider world, evangelicalism can reclaim its role as a positive force in American society. The book serves as both a warning and a call to action, urging evangelicals to choose between the temporal power of earthly kingdoms and the eternal glory of the kingdom of God.
Ultimately, Alberta's work is a plea for a renewal of faith – one that prioritizes the teachings of Jesus over political power, embraces diversity and inclusion, and seeks to heal rather than divide. It's a vision of Christianity that looks outward with love and compassion, rather than inward with fear and defensiveness.
For evangelicals and non-evangelicals alike, "The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory" offers valuable insights into one of the most significant religious and cultural movements in American history, and a thoughtful consideration of its possible futures.