Within the culture of conservative Evangelicalism, there is a strong tendency to be highly critical of the doctrine and theology of churches and denominations which don't hold similar views. Many of them go so far as to claim that Catholics are not genuine Christians because of their theology, and they criticize most mainline Protestants for their "liberal theology." Even within their own branch of American Christianity, there are sharp lines separating the "Free Will" churches from the "Reformed Calvinists" and separating fundamentalists from Pentecostals and Charismatics. There's usually no shortage of pastors and church leaders happy to comment on why others are wrong, and point to the public statements of other pastors, church leaders and politicians who don't line up in lock step with their own views.
There are some "discernment blogs" operating which abandon the principles of the Christian gospel to criticize those they don't like or agree with, especially other conservatives who don't buy into their own perspective. They are so caustic and so bad that it is difficult to take their claims of being "Christian" seriously, since they exhibit exactly none of the values and virtues of the Christian gospel.
But they can be completely silent when they want to be.
As Christian Nationalism, which is a pseudo-Christian perspective that denies the Christian gospel, becomes the theme for some Republican politicians, there is only a little criticism from a few pastors and church leaders in American Evangelicalism. Maybe there's more being said in individual churches, but there are few leaders willing to speak out publicly against this dangerous, heretical ideology.
As groups like Charlie Kirk's "Turning Point" gatherings attack the Christian gospel directly, claiming that teachings of Jesus like turning the other cheek, loving enemies and demonstrating a spirit of humility or meekness hasn't gotten those who practice them anywhere in this world, there should be outcries at least as loud as some of the discernment bloggers are shrieking at a nebulous "wokeness." But it seems that they are willing to let the gospel be subverted, undermined and attacked, so they can create the kind of division among people on which they thrive, also a perspective that is diametrically opposed to genuine Christian faith and practice.
There's been some muted criticism of Trump's dinner table endorsement of "Ye's" anti-Semitism, and the presence of holocaust denier and anti-Semite Eric Fuentes, both of whom have lost all of their integrity with their attention-getting causes and tactics. But it's nothing like I expected to hear from those who thought that Trump moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem was the greatest thing that's happened to this country from a religious perspective since the Second Great Awakening. I've even heard some attempts at defending him, claims that who he invites to dinner is his business and just because he invites them doesn't mean he agrees with them.
From the Worst of The Worst, Complete Silence
I don't want to generate any traffic in the direction of some of the more despicable critics among the fundamentalist brethren in particular. Looking at one of their sites today, there's the usual bashing of Christians they consider "woke," An article entitled, "The Worst Christians of 2022," and left-over criticism of the state of California still going after churches for being open and defiance of state instructions during the pandemic. No mention at all of the now infamous dinner at Mar-a-Lago, though there are pieces critical of pastors and church leaders who have spoken out against it.
The mainstream media put some effort into getting statements from Evangelicals who usually have something to say about everything and everyone else. They got a small sampling of general statements, some comments that anti-Semitism is wrong, but I didn't see anything of substance, nor did I see anyone who actually came out and said they're no longer supporting Trump because of this latest ugly incident, on top of the lies, insurrection, fraud, adultery and sexual abuse.
It's a Huge Credibility Problem
Blind to the image they've created, many Evangelicals just can't seem to see why their churches are dying, people are leaving and they aren't able to win converts with the exception of some of the children of those who still attend their churches. They fight against the philosophical perspective which says that human intellect is capable, when educated, of solving the world's problems, but they fail to see that they have become completely dependent on human politics to solve them. It is inconsistent to believe in an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present God whose spiritual power is capable of solving all of humanity's problems, and then turn to political power and political leaders. most of whom don't believe in any god, and who exhibit nothing that resembles Christian principles, and expect results consistent with Christian faith.
It's inconsistent to claim that the Bible is without error and infallible, and yet support politicians who are divisive, turn opposition into mortal enemies and dehumanize anyone who disagrees with their politics. Jesus interpreted the commandment not to commit murder to mean that even hatred is murder. Marjorie Taylor Greene wishes she had organized January 6th, because she'd have brought guns. That's a definitive statement on her part if I've ever heard one. For people who are so adamant about protecting the life of the unborn, they are casually flippant and threatening when it comes to all other human beings. That's not even pseudo-Christian, it's anti-Christian.
How to Interpret the Silence
Complicity.
That is the only way to interpret the failure to speak out and defend the values of the Christian gospel. Real Christian conviction, through the Holy Spirit of God, doesn't look like this at all. It bears the marks of grace, wisdom, love and peace, and it seeks to bring people together, not drive them apart. So what we are seeing here is a group of intruders with no grace, no wisdom, no love and no peace and they are pushing their way into the churches to subvert their mission and purpose and use their influence for political gain that has little to do with Christianity.
"These are grumblers and malcontents," said the Apostle Jude.
"They indulge their own lusts, they are bombastic in speech, flattering people to their own advantage," he says.
Their silence calls them out.
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