Evangelicalism and Political Violence

Submitted to Program Units
1: Evangelical Studies Unit

This session examines the dangerous intersection of evangelicalism, politics, and violence. Paper topics range from the wedding of evangelicalism with Christian nationalism and organized campaigns of spiritual violence culminating in January 6th to the explorations of the ideational logic of “conspiritualism" and the correlations of atonement theory and gender complementarianism to violence. Drawing on historical, theoretical, and theological resources, these papers promise to deepen our understanding of evangelicalism's power to both foster and restrain violent political engagement.

Papers

Christina Littlefield,

Adian Imbrogno, Pepperdine

Dancing on the Knife’s Edge: Violence in the Christian Nationalist Rhetoric of Turning Point Faith’s Founder Charlie Kirk

Abstract

This paper explores how Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk harnessed Christian Nationalist rhetoric to motivate evangelicals toward reactionary neoliberal political engagement. Analysis of the first 10 Freedom Square nights that Kirk launched in May 2021 out of Dream City Church in Phoenix, Arizona, illustrates how Kirk danced on the knife’s edge of promoting violence. Kirk promoted “spiritual warfare” against the “dehumanizing” and “Satanic” tactics of the “woke left,” public educators, and marginalized identities that he believes threaten American society. He urged attendees to “demand the welfare” of their cities and “reclaim the country for Christ” by proscription and “political extinction.” Contrastingly, Kirk reminded listeners to seek “fruits of the spirit,” proclaim truth, and expose darkness. The freedom nights launched Turning Point Faith to embolden pastors to fight what Kirk called “the great reset,” a conspiracy-and-apocalyptic-laden narrative that COVID-19 was a smokescreen to usher in an authoritarian communist state.
Kenneth Paradis, Wilfrid Laurier University

Evangelical conspiritualism and Jordan Peterson as a bridge to “manosphere” violence.

Abstract

Conservative evangelicals have, through the 20th century, used violent, militarist language, to describe their relation to worldly society. They have, however, understood this language as figural because their warfare was supernaturally oriented: spiritual warfare conducted via prayer and proselytization against “the spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:10-18). This paper explores the way that the ideational logic of conspiratorialism provides a vector for certain forms of the American evangelical imagination to import rhetorics that allow the literalization of its discourses’ figural militancy. It discusses psychologist Jordan Peterson as a bridge figure whose conspiratorialist homiletic rhetorical style, figural schemata, narrative and affect is congruent with the imaginative substructure of this kind of evangelical imagination and allows it to exchange and integrate ideas with other online domains whose concerns he engages, such as the “manosphere,” a corner of the internet devoted to legitimizing (white) male grievance, persecution anxieties and violent revenge fantasies.
Matthew D. Taylor, Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies

From the 10/40 Window to January 6th: How Evangelical Spiritual Warfare Violence Shaped the Capitol Riot

Abstract

Many commentators have noted the markers of evangelical theology and spirituality on display during the violence and chaos of the January 6th Capitol Riot. Rioters and the surrounding crowds prayed, sang evangelical worship songs, did spiritual warfare against demonic entities, and carried flags and wore apparel that signified their loyalty to Jesus, the Bible, and Donald Trump. But what was the relationship between these spiritual practices and the violence that occurred that day? This paper examines how spiritual warfare thought leaders and paradigms that were popularized among American and global evangelicals in the 1990s through the massive 10/40 Window missions prayer campaign became instrumental in the Christian mobilization for and participation in January 6th. Following the trajectory of three of these 1990s leaders, the paper will show how organized campaigns of spiritual violence became increasingly politicized over time and then tipped over into literal violence at the US Capitol.
Kristen Hydinger, Boston University

Steven Sandage, Boston University

Peter Jankowski, Bethel University

Shelly Rambo, Boston University

When Atonement Theology Needs Atoning: Penal Substitution and the (lack of) Concern for Suffering

Abstract

From access to reproductive healthcare to border immigration policies to policies impacting the lives of trans people to opinions on the US involvement in international conflicts, US Christians hold divergent theologically influenced stances. However, for those US evangelicals that adhere to penal substitutionary atonement (PSA) and hold gender complementarianism as sacrosanct, these socio-political leanings may not be that surprising. Findings from an empirical study of evangelicals will be presented with the goal of identifying some of the ways PSA relates to the attitudes and beliefs of its adherents. 225 masters-level students at an Evangelical seminary were asked about their beliefs in PSA, complementarian gender roles, and sense of personal responsibility for reducing the pain and suffering of others. In short, stronger adherence to PSA was significantly associated with lower levels of concern for alleviating others’ suffering, with gender complementarian beliefs mediating the negative association.

Audiovisual Requirements

Resources

LCD Projector and Screen

Podium microphone

Full Papers Available

Program Unit Options

Session Length

2 Hours

You are here

Evangelicalism and Political Violence

Abstract for Online Program Book (maximum 150 words)

Papers

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Resources

Full Papers Available

Session Length

Tags