by Chris Staron | Oct 22, 2024 | Episodes
Who was Frances Schaeffer?
Frances Schaeffer is one of the most important theological thinkers of the 20th century. He urged fundamentalists and evangelicals to think outside of their separatism and consider how they could reach the world and expand their worldview. He began his career as a preacher in the United States, but a foreign missions board asked him to assess the state of fundamentalism in Europe after WWII. While there he saw great works of art and met fascinating people. Eventually, Schaeffer moved to Switzerland to start L’Abri, a chalet community where wanderers could come, live, and discuss the gospel.
Frances Schaeffer and the Shaping of Christian Nationalism
That’s where the story may have ended. But his lectures were turned into audio cassettes and books. Then, from this small mountain village, Schaeffer became one of the best-known evangelicals in the world. Once he returned to the United States, his books took on a Christian nationalist tone which sticks with us today.
Historian Barry Hankins on Frances Schaeffer
Our guest for this episode is Barry Hankins. He’s the author of Frances Schaeffer and the Shaping of Evangelical America. He is a professor of history at Baylor University.
Sources:
- Francis Schaeffer and the Shaping of Evangelical America by Barry Hankins
- The Evangelicals by Frances Fitgerald
- Reaganland by Rick Perlstein
- A helpful article about the Renaissance
- A helpful article about the Enlightenment
- Schaeffer’s film How Should We Then Live?
- Gospel Coalition article about secular humanism
- A Christian Manifesto by Frances Schaeffer
Discussion Questions:
- Have you read any of Schaeffer’s work?
- What is your “worldview”? How did you get it? How did you become aware of that concept?
- Should all Christians have an idea of their worldview? Should it look a certain way?
- What do you think about the middle part of Schaeffer’s ministry when he was preaching in L’Abri? How does it differ from the last third of his ministry?
- How have you seen Christian nationalism? What parts of the Bible do people use to justify it?
by Chris Staron | Jun 8, 2021 | Episodes
How the myth of the cowboy encouraged Christians to vote for Donald Trump and changed Christian masculinity
What do you think of when you picture a cowboy? A rugged, handsome individual? A lover? Someone who doesn’t need the government’s help? Evangelicalism has long pushed this as the ideal model for the Christian man. What is the impact of that set of ideas?
John Wayne and Ronald Reagan have both become popular figures in American men’s ministries. Their names come up often, they both played cowboys in Hollywood. But they are unlikely heroes. Both men were divorced. Wayne wasn’t an evangelical, and Reagan had once been a democrat. But both men were instrumental in whipping up anti-communist sentiment in the US, building credibility with a religion focused on individualism.
You can draw a line from them straight to former president Donald J. Trump. All three had questionable public morals but were seen as strong, uncompromising figures. They are seen in many men’s books as the epitome of masculinity. That idea, though, comes in contrast with Jesus’ own words about turning the other cheek, forgiving our enemies, and loving our enemies.
In this episode, Chris talks with Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of “Jesus and John Wayne: How Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation“.
Discussion Questions
- What do you think of when you picture a cowboy?
- How have you heard cowboys, soldiers, and fighters discussed in evangelical circles?
- What books have you read that stressed the importance of tough men?
- What do you picture when you think of a Christian man? How has that been shaped?
- What do you picture when you think of a Christian woman? How has that been shaped?
- What is your idea of Jesus like? Is He a warrior, a gentle savior, or both?
- Can you see the link between the cowboy image and Donald Trump?
by Chris Staron | Mar 17, 2020 | Episodes
In Russia during the Soviet era, hundred of posters and magazine covers were printed to encourage people to abandon their faith. They were state-sponsored and designed to be interpreted even by people who could not read. This propaganda clearly tied anti-Christian sentiment to the United States.
In his new book, Godless Utopia, Roland Elliott Brown collected a number of these images and provided commentary on their meaning.
What does it mean that we call the United States a Christian nation? What does it mean when presidents like Ronald Reagan merge their faith with the US? How does that impact our witness? These are questions we’ll continue exploring throughout this series.
Helpful links:
- You can view images from the book here. Please note that some of these images may not be appropriate for all eyes.
- Watch the whole “evil empire” speech here.
- Article about Ruth Snyder, the first woman to be sent to the electric chair
- Rolland’s article about Soviet propaganda (see page 18)
- Mobituaries podcast episode about lynching and D.W. Griffith’s film “Birth of a Nation”
Topics covered:
- What did Soviet propaganda look like?
- How did Stalin use the Orthodox church to fight in WWII?
- What was Ronald Reagan’s “evil empire” speech?
- Is it okay for US Presidents to speak at Christian events?
