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The Era of Evangelical America- The Kingdom, The Power, And The Glory

 



TheKingdom, The Power, And The Glory

The Era of Evangelical America

By

Tim Alberta

Reviewed by

  Geoffrey W. Sutton

Looking back, I see that the year 2016 marked the baptism of millions of evangelicals into the Republican faith they had been attending for decades. Massive numbers of white evangelicals voted for the 45th US president. Today, the blended self-identities of faith and politics seem as strong as ever. Tim Alberta’s book, The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory illustrates the widespread wedding of white evangelical Christians and conservative Republican party members.

*****

Tim Alberta, a journalist with deep roots in the evangelical community, provides a nuanced and critical examination of the movement. The book is part memoir, part investigative journalism, and part historical analysis. Alberta’s personal background as the son of a Presbyterian megachurch preacher in Michigan gives him a unique perspective on the subject.

Alberta begins by tracing the historical roots of the evangelical movement, highlighting its evolution from a religious revivalist movement to a significant political force. He discusses the early days of evangelicalism, its rise in the 20th century, and its increasing involvement in politics, particularly through figures like Jerry Falwell Sr. and the Moral Majority. This historical context sets the stage for understanding the current state of the movement.

A significant portion of the book focuses on the 2016 presidential election and the subsequent years, during which many evangelical leaders and followers aligned themselves with Republican candidate Donald Trump. Alberta explores the reasons behind this alignment, including the perceived threats to religious freedom, the desire for political power, and the cultural and social issues that resonated with evangelical voters. He also examines the internal conflicts and moral dilemmas faced by evangelicals who struggled to reconcile their faith with their political choices.

Alberta enriches his narrative with personal stories and interviews with a wide range of individuals within the evangelical community. These include televangelists, small-town preachers, celebrity revivalists, and everyday churchgoers. Through these stories, he paints a vivid picture of a community grappling with its identity and purpose in a rapidly changing world. The interviews reveal a spectrum of opinions and experiences, from staunch supporters of the political status quo to those who feel disillusioned and betrayed.

 

The book also explores the broader cultural and political impact of the evangelical movement. Alberta discusses how the movement’s embrace of right-wing nationalism and its involvement in partisan politics have affected its reputation and influence. He argues that this entanglement has led to a distortion of the movement’s original spiritual mission, turning it into a vehicle for political power and cultural dominance.

Alberta does not shy away from addressing the criticisms and challenges facing the evangelical movement. He discusses issues such as the handling of sexual abuse scandals, the role of women in the church, and the movement’s stance on social justice issues. These topics are explored with a critical eye, highlighting the tensions and contradictions within the community.

 

In the concluding chapters, Alberta reflects on the future of the evangelical movement. He expresses hope for a return to the movement’s spiritual roots and a re-emphasis on the teachings of Jesus Christ. However, he also acknowledges the significant challenges that lie ahead, particularly in overcoming the deep political and cultural divisions that have come to define the movement.

 

As a psychologist, I tuned into the spiritual struggles revealed by the religious leaders, which often focused on issues of morality I have written about elsewhere. In addition, the book illustrates how people can change their key dimensions of their core identity. That is, for many, religion is a core part of their self-identity. Devout Christians identify as Christian and do not view Christianity as just a religion. For millions of conservative Americans, being patriotic means being a Republican. Readers will see these twin aspects of self-identity blended for evangelicals in their church services.

 

Related Posts

Faith After Doubt by Brain D. McLaren

Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez

Still Christian by David Gushee

Fundamentalism - Religious

Self-Concept and Self-Identity

 

 

References

Alberta, T. (2023). The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism. New York: HarperCollins.

Sutton, G. (2024). The Era of Evangelical America: A Review of The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism. Interdisciplinary Book and Film Reviews. Retrieved from https://suttonreviews.suttong.com/2024/07/the-era-of-evangelical-america-kingdom.html


I read the Kindle edition.

Various editions of the book are available on AMAZON.

 


Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is  www.suttong.com

 

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