Show notes
Longtime political journalist Tim Alberta spent more than three years speaking with pastors and churchgoers across the country in a search for answers about what’s happening in contemporary Evangelicalism. Why were so many congregations becoming more political, and seemingly less invested in traditional Christian values? Why were they so motivated by fear? How could so many Evangelicals support Donald Trump, who doesn’t share their beliefs? And what do all these dramatic changes mean for the future of Evangelicals in the United States, including Alberta's three young sons? On this episode of Paternal, Alberta discusses his life as an Evangelical Christian, the influence of his born-again Christian father, what he learned about Evangelicalism from speaking with today’s church leaders, and why some churchgoers confronted him at his own father’s funeral about politics in the era of Trump. Alberta is a staff writer for The Atlantic and the author of the New York Times bestselling book The Kingdom, The Power and The Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism, which is available now wherever you buy books. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - 05:56 - Introduction and description of The Kingdom, The Power and The Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism05:56 - 13:11 - Background on Tim Alberta’s father, senior pastor Richard Alberta13:11 - 16:56 - On the experience of growing up as a pastor’s kid16:56 - 19:30 - Discussing his father’s funeral and blowback from members of the church congregation21:05 - 27:01 - On Evangelicals, idolatry, and fighting for America as if salvation itself hangs in the balance27:01 - 31:03 - On Evangelicals and fear of a changing society27:01 - 31:03 - On Evangelicals and fear of a changing society 31:03 - 35:27 - Why Evangelicals have rallied around Trump 35:27 - 38:50 - The challenge of inheriting faith from your father 38:50 - 44:32 - On what kind of faith he wants for his kids Read The Transcript For This Episode