by Chris Staron | Feb 24, 2026 | Economics and Faith, Episodes, Season 6 - Rise of the Religious Right
How Dark Money has Influenced Evangelicalism
Dark money is a problem in American politics and religion. What is it? Untraceable money that often comes from big donors, which is channelled through non-profits to hide the identity of the donor. This money is then able to back causes that may or may not be positive.
What is the Council for National Policy?
The Council for National Policy is an organization in the pipeline for Christian dark money. It finances groups such as the Heritage Foundation, Focus on the Family, pro-life organizations, Turning Point USA, and others. They also coordinate language around denial of climate change, COVID, and election results. Their first president was Tim LaHaye, but he is just the tip of the iceberg.
Shadow Network by Anne Nelson
Our guide through this story is Anne Nelson, author of Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right. It is an excellent resource that is critical for anyone interested in how some evangelicals tied themselves to the Republican Party.
Sources:
- Biographical video from Turning Point USA about Foster Friess
- Shadow Network by Anne Nelson
- Christian Reconstruction: RJ Rushdoony and American Religious Conservatism by Michael McVicar
- 100 Things to See in the Night Sky Expanded Edition. By Dean Regas
- Christianity and Oil in US History
- Article on Nelson Bunker Hunt
- Birchers by Matthew Dallek
- The Road to Serfdom (comic version) adapted from Hayek
- Reaganland and Before the Storm by Rick Perlstein
- “Information Sheet, Council for National Policy,” May 1984
- Dark Money by Jane Mayer
- article on Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education
- Ponzinomics by Robert Fitzpatrick
- Justice Department article about Blackwater/ Prince
- Adams, D. C., Robles, F., & Mazzetti, M. (2025). A Desperate Haiti Turns to Erik Prince, Trump Ally, In Fight Against Gangs. New York: New York Times Company.
- Census data on Wyoming
- Pat Robertson: A Life and Legacy by David Edwin Harrell Jr.
- Leadership Institute website (accessed 8/8/25)
- Email blast from National Religious Broadcasters titled: “NRB President & CEO to Advocate on Capitol Hill for AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act” released July 14, 2025
- Salem Media website
- NRB Article about Bott Radio
- PRwatch.org article and video about CNP
- Jackson Hole News and Guide article about Donald Trump Jr.’s visit to Jackson in 2016
- New York Times article on Foster Friess
- Tax documents from Turning Point USA, courtesy of Pro Publica
- 2017 Jane Mayer profile of Turning Point USA
- ProPublica article on the Kochs
- Time article on the Koch’s and i360
- Article on how many people didn’t vote in 2024
- New York Times article about Trump’s call to the Georgia election rep
- The Guardian article about Kirk’s busing of people to the January 6, 2021, riot
- EPA article about its origins
Discussion Questions:
- What is dark money? Should Christians participate in it?
- What are the functions of groups like the Council for National Policy?
- Who was Foster Friess?
- Why is it important to include a discussion of dark money when talking about things like Turning Point USA?
- What is the connection between evangelicalism and oil?
by Chris Staron | Jan 27, 2026 | Episodes, Season 6 - Rise of the Religious Right
Tim LaHaye was, perhaps, the most influential evangelical of the late 20th century
Tim and Beverly LaHaye were a prominent American evangelical Christian couple known for their influential work in ministry, literature, and conservative activism. Tim LaHaye, born in 1926 in Detroit, Michigan, was a pastor, author, and speaker who gained national recognition through his work in Christian fiction and prophecy interpretation. He served as a pastor for over 25 years before turning to full-time writing and speaking, often focusing on end-times theology and family values. Beverly LaHaye, born in 1929, was a vocal advocate for conservative Christian values and women’s roles in society, founding the organization Concerned Women for America in 1979.
“Left Behind”
Tim LaHaye is perhaps best known as the co-author of the Left Behind series, a best-selling collection of apocalyptic novels written with Jerry B. Jenkins. The series dramatizes a fictionalized version of the Rapture and subsequent tribulation, based on Tim’s interpretation of Biblical prophecy. These books sold over 80 million copies worldwide and sparked renewed interest in eschatology within evangelical circles. In addition to fiction, he wrote numerous nonfiction books addressing topics such as marriage, politics, and spirituality, always with a conservative Christian perspective.
Tim LaHaye’s lasting impact
Together, Tim and Beverly LaHaye were a formidable force in American evangelicalism, combining their talents in writing, activism, and public speaking to influence both Christian thought and conservative politics. Married for over 60 years until Tim’s death in 2016, they left behind a legacy of fervent advocacy for their faith and values. While supporters praised their dedication to scripture and family, critics often challenged their political and theological positions. He was a founding member and the first president of the secretive Council for National Policy. Regardless, their impact on late 20th and early 21st-century evangelicalism remains significant.
Sources:
- Dreyfuss, R. (2004, Feb). “Reverend Doomsday”. Rolling Stone, pp. 46-49.
- White, G. (2001, Jul 07). “Evangelical power couple authors Tim and Beverly LaHaye, with scores of books between them, rank as four-star generals to many conservative Christians.” [home edition]. The Atlanta Journal The Atlanta Constitution
- God’s Own Party by Daniel K Williams
- PBS article on Comstock Laws
- “The men from CLEAN”. (1966, Sep 05). Newsweek, 68, 23-24.
- Before the Storm by Rick Perlstein
- How to Be Happy Though Married by Tim LaHaye
- Divided We Stand by Marjorie Spruill
- The Unhappy Gays by Tim LaHaye
- For a Christian America by Ruth Murray Brown
- Carlin v. Board of Education
- Listen, America! by Jerry Falwell
- With God on Our Side by William C Martin
- Christianity Today article about Carter’s presence at NRB
- “Tim LaHaye–Waging War Against Humanism” Skelton, Nancy Los Angeles Times (1923-1995); Feb 22, 1981
- BATTIATA, M. (1987, Oct 03). “Beverly LaHaye leads a powerful force from the right”: [CITY edition]. St.Petersburg Times
- Hacker, K. (1988, Mar 06). “A WOMAN OF ACTION: FUNDAMENTALIST BEVERLY LAHAYE IS BUSY RALLYING HER ‘KITCHEN-TABLE LOBBYISTS’ TO ALL SORTS OF POLITICAL CAUSES”. Philadelphia Inquirer
- NPR article about Moonies
- The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald
- McMahon, M. (1999, Dec). Come, all ye faithful. The Spectator, 283, 18-19
- The United States of Paranoia by Jesse Walker
Discussion Questions:
- How have the LaHaye’s impacted you?
- Does it matter that Tim had so many fears?
- He went on to help found the Council for National Policy, the far-right Christian dark money organization. Why does that feel ironic?
- How was Tim tied to the battle over segregated academies?
- How did LaHaye’s background with the John Birch Society fit with his other beliefs?
