1. Ryan Burge argues that evangelical leaders have little influence on the political beliefs of the masses of evangelicals. I disagree. But evangelical leaders have generally not spoken out about politics, which has led to a vacuum that Fox News filled.
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2. I love the work of Ryan Burge but I am not convinced that evangelical leaders do not influence the rank and file.
3. From the 2004-2020 exit polls, about 16-24% of white evangelicals voted for the Democratic presidential candidate. 74-81% voted for the Republican.
4. Some leaders of some evangelical organizations voted for the Democrat.
5. It does not follow that these evangelical leaders who voted for the Democrat are not influential on the politics of the white evangelicals who voted Republican.
6. There is a correlation. (1/4 voted Democrat, 3/4 voted Republican). But that does not mean there is a causation. (The 3/4 are not affected by the 1/4).
7. I have been thinking about the saying about how 20% do all the work in most volunteer organizations. We wouldn't say the 20% are not influential.
8. There are always ignorant people that wise people are trying to have an influence on.
9. The influence of evangelical leaders is how we got here with 3/4 of white evangelicals voting Republican. Since 1980, the Religious Right (Jerry Falwell, James Dobson, Albert Mohler) have tried to persuade evangelicals that they should always vote for Republicans.
10. But persuading 24% of white evangelicals to vote for the Democrat may have made the difference for Obama and Biden. Biden won by 65,009 votes.
11. Jim Wallis, Ron Sider, Tony Campolo, John Perkins, Brian McLaren, Shane Claiborne, and Rachel Held Evans have been influential.
12. We know from history and psychology that individuals influence others. Claims that a person in a leadership position has no or little influence are usually wrong.
13. Christians also believe that what we do matters and what we say matters.
14. But I agree that white evangelical leaders have not been as wise with regard to partisan politics as they should be because they have generally not seen involvement in partisan politics as part of their responsibility.
15. Leaders of predominantly white evangelical organizations (pastors, professors, presidents of non-profits) have traditionally avoided talking about partisan politics because they wanted to reach Democrats and Republicans, and as a 501(c)(3), it is illegal to act partisan.
16. Generally white evangelicals have also stayed out of partisan politics because they prioritize "saving souls for heaven" and running their own benevolent organizations (rather than supporting government initiatives to help those who are addicted, poor, sick, or hungry).
17. Because the leaders of predominantly white evangelical organizations have avoided addressing partisan politics from the pulpit, classroom or in public, the vacuum has been filled with politically right wing: radio, TV, Facebook, Voter Guides, and direct mail.
18. Evangelical leaders sometimes have a deficit of knowledge because
– they grew up not thinking politics matters, and if it does, it is just abortion; and
– they do not have a solid liberal arts education (history, political science, global knowledge, science, math).
19. Evangelical leaders are constantly thinking about "offending the donors" (to the church, school, or non-profit organization they lead). Getting people to like you and your organization is the business model so saying anything partisan is a big risk.
20. Like the Republican Senators and Cabinet members who spoke out forcefully about Trump after leaving office, so retired leaders of Christian churches and organizations spoke up about him (Mark Galli, John Piper, Richard Mouw, John Perkins, Richard Foster, Ron Sider).
21. Though I was appalled in 2016, in 2020 I am encouraged that more evangelical Christian leaders have become more knowledgeable about politics and have seen the need for courage to speak out about what is blatantly wrong. I think that will trickle down.
22. And I think Trump's pocket fundamentalists, go-to flatterers, reliable religious spinners, and delusional religious blowhards have shown everyone who they are.
23. The white evangelical church has much to learn from the theology and the courage of Black Christians in America with regard to speaking up about politics.
24. I mostly feel good about the biblical preaching that most evangelicals are hearing in their churches and the great education evangelicals receive at CCCU schools. But well-educated evangelicals need to teach people on Facebook, radio, TV, YouTube, TikTok, films, and podcasts.
Originally tweeted by Andy Rowell (@AndyRowell) on December 16, 2020.
