Danny and Derek welcome Lauren Turek, associate professor of history at Trinity University, to discuss the influence of evangelical Christians on US foreign policy throughout the country’s history. They touch on the contentious definition of what an “evangelical” is, prominent thinkers in the evangelical tradition, the gender dynamics of evangelical organizing, the effect on evangelicals on human rights discourse, and more.
Really grateful for this episode. I work at an small international Christian nonprofit (somewhat similar to the World Vision group mentioned in the ep) that staffs hospitals in poor areas. We have many staff members of different faith traditions and political affiliations, including evangelicals. The "freedom of worship" paired with human rights rhetoric is so prevalent among the farther right staff members, while others believe providing healthcare is simply a "Christian duty."
Lauren is totally right. these nonprofits are on a spectrum when it comes to evangelizing. Samaritan's Purse in particular is quite a gross example of an evangelical group trying to "transform" the world in some sort of apocalyptic endgame. Their foreign policy is linked up with a view that Christians may bring about the literal return of Jesus if the right dominoes begin to fall.
Thanks so much for this, guys I’m looking forward to the next interview! Having grown up pseudo fundamentalist evangelical I’ve always had a hard time sussing out how it is that a group of people charged with showing universal love became so hateful and exclusionary... still tracking the roots of that break but this helps!
Many years back I was visiting Kovacica - a Slovak village famous for its Naive Art community. The village is in Serbia (historical migration story involved). Part of the visit included a church tour. I was talking with a friend about the church when a Slovak woman approached me and wanted to tell me about the church and stated that it was an Evangelical Church. Basically I recoiled in horror, rebuffed her efforts, entered the church and she followed us in, then went to the podium and introduced herself as the paster of this church which was actually Lutheran. Europe's different. I was so embarrassed.
Really grateful for this episode. I work at an small international Christian nonprofit (somewhat similar to the World Vision group mentioned in the ep) that staffs hospitals in poor areas. We have many staff members of different faith traditions and political affiliations, including evangelicals. The "freedom of worship" paired with human rights rhetoric is so prevalent among the farther right staff members, while others believe providing healthcare is simply a "Christian duty."
Lauren is totally right. these nonprofits are on a spectrum when it comes to evangelizing. Samaritan's Purse in particular is quite a gross example of an evangelical group trying to "transform" the world in some sort of apocalyptic endgame. Their foreign policy is linked up with a view that Christians may bring about the literal return of Jesus if the right dominoes begin to fall.
Thanks so much for this, guys I’m looking forward to the next interview! Having grown up pseudo fundamentalist evangelical I’ve always had a hard time sussing out how it is that a group of people charged with showing universal love became so hateful and exclusionary... still tracking the roots of that break but this helps!
You boyz are good to us through the winter break. Thanks!
This was another interesting topic. You guys curate the show very well.
Many years back I was visiting Kovacica - a Slovak village famous for its Naive Art community. The village is in Serbia (historical migration story involved). Part of the visit included a church tour. I was talking with a friend about the church when a Slovak woman approached me and wanted to tell me about the church and stated that it was an Evangelical Church. Basically I recoiled in horror, rebuffed her efforts, entered the church and she followed us in, then went to the podium and introduced herself as the paster of this church which was actually Lutheran. Europe's different. I was so embarrassed.