<a href="http://www.trucepodcast.com/donate">Give</a> to help Chris make Truce
Kristin Kobes Du Mez is best known for her book Jesus and John Wayne, which looked at masculinity in American evangelicalism. Her new book, out now, does the same for femininity and positivity. Women today are often told to "live, laugh, love" and focus on the positive. They are to put mind over matter, even though that concept is not explicitly stated in the Bible. This attitude can make women susceptible to abusive relationships, scams, and multi-level marketing schemes. 
The book covers a wide swath of history, from Love Comes Softly to The Total Woman and the Little House books. Kristin and I had a lot of fun geeking out over history. I'm excited for you to hear it!
 
Discussion Questions:
<ul>
 <li>What are some of the messages that women get in your type of Christianity?</li>
 <li>How do they differ from what men hear?</li>
 <li>What is Keswick Holiness? How did it inform the Pentecostal movement?</li>
 <li>What is New Thought?</li>
 <li>How do these ideas push people toward free-market capitalism? What about multi-level marketing?</li>
</ul> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Give to help Chris make Truce Kristin Kobes Du Mez is best known for her book Jesus and John Wayne, which looked at masculinity in American evangelicalism. Her new book, out now, does the same for femininity and positivity. Women today are often told to "live, laugh, love" and focus on the positive. They are to put mind over matter, even though that concept is not explicitly stated in the Bible. This attitude can make women susceptible to abusive relationships, scams, and multi-level marketing schemes. The book covers a wide swath of history, from Love Comes Softly to The Total Woman and the Little House books. Kristin and I had a lot of fun geeking out over history. I'm excited for you to hear it! Discussion Questions: What are some of the messages that women get in your type of Christianity? How do they differ from what men hear? What is Keswick Holiness? How did it inform the Pentecostal movement? What is New Thought? How do these ideas push people toward free-market capitalism? What about multi-level marketing? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

<a href="http://www.trucepodcast.com/donate" rel="noopener noreferrer">Give</a> to help Chris make Truce
Kristin Kobes Du Mez is best known for her book Jesus and John Wayne, which looked at masculinity in American evangelicalism. Her new book, out now, does the same for femininity and positivity. Women today are often told to "live, laugh, love" and focus on the positive. They are to put mind over matter, even though that concept is not explicitly stated in the Bible. This attitude can make women susceptible to abusive relationships, scams, and multi-level marketing schemes. 
The book covers a wide swath of history, from Love Comes Softly to The Total Woman and the Little House books. Kristin and I had a lot of fun geeking out over history. I'm excited for you to hear it!
 
Discussion Questions:
<ul>
 <li>What are some of the messages that women get in your type of Christianity?</li>
 <li>How do they differ from what men hear?</li>
 <li>What is Keswick Holiness? How did it inform the Pentecostal movement?</li>
 <li>What is New Thought?</li>
 <li>How do these ideas push people toward free-market capitalism? What about multi-level marketing?</li>
</ul> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Kristin Kobes Du Mez: "Live, Laugh, Love"

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How do we interpret the Constitution? It seems like an easy question, right? It turns out, it's quite difficult. As we wrap up season 6 of Truce, we're exploring some of the things that conservative evangelicals got out of their partnership with the GOP. One of the things they got was constitutional originalism. 
Constitutional originalism is a theory of interpretation that holds the Constitution should be understood according to its original public meaning at the time it was adopted. Originalists argue that this approach anchors constitutional law in objective historical meaning, rather than in the personal values or policy preferences of modern judges. By tying interpretation to the text as it was originally understood, originalism aims to preserve democratic legitimacy: changes in constitutional meaning should come from amendments passed by the people, not from judicial reinterpretation. Supporters also claim that originalism promotes stability and predictability in the law by constraining judicial discretion.
Critics of originalism counter that the Constitution was written in broad, open-ended language precisely to allow adaptation to changing social and technological conditions. They argue that strict adherence to historical meanings can freeze outdated norms into modern law and fail to address contemporary realities the framers could not have foreseen. In practice, critics also contend that historical evidence is often ambiguous, allowing judges to selectively invoke history to reach preferred outcomes. As a result, the debate over originalism reflects a deeper tension between constitutional stability and constitutional flexibility in a living society.
Our special guest is<a href="https://www.clemson.edu/cah/about/facultybio.html?id=30781"> Austin Steelman</a>, historian at Clemson University.
Sources:
<ul>
 <li>
These Truths by Jill LePore</li>
 <li>
Reagan by Bob Spitz</li>
 <li><a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1964/496">Griswold v. Conn. from Oyez.org</a></li>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-H-Bork">Article </a>about Robert Bork</li>
 <li>Robert Kennedy's <a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?45973-1/robert-borks-america%20">speech </a>about Bork on C-SPAN (about 27 minutes in)</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2017/feb/02/originalism-constitution-supreme-court-neil-gorsuch">Article</a> about Gorsuch and originalism</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/08/09/kanavaugh-originalist-why-you-shouldnt-care-219344/">Article</a> about Kavanaugh </li>
 <li>
<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-amy-coney-barrett-us-supreme-court-courts-antonin-scalia-038ec1d4de30d1bd97a0ce3823903f0c">AP story</a> about Barrett's philosophy</li>
</ul>
Discussion:
<ul>
 <li>What is constitutional originalism?</li>
 <li>Why might some people like it? Dislike it?</li>
 <li>Are there questions in US law that are not addressed by the Constitution? What are some examples?</li>
 <li>How should those be addressed in an originalist worldview? In a worldview that sees it as a living document?</li>
</ul>
 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Give to help Chris make Truce How do we interpret the Constitution? It seems like an easy question, right? It turns out, it's quite difficult. As we wrap up season 6 of Truce, we're exploring some of the things that conservative evangelicals got out of their partnership with the GOP. One of the things they got was constitutional originalism. Constitutional originalism is a theory of interpretation that holds the Constitution should be understood according to its original public meaning at the time it was adopted. Originalists argue that this approach anchors constitutional law in objective historical meaning, rather than in the personal values or policy preferences of modern judges. By tying interpretation to the text as it was originally understood, originalism aims to preserve democratic legitimacy: changes in constitutional meaning should come from amendments passed by the people, not from judicial reinterpretation. Supporters also claim that originalism promotes stability and predictability in the law by constraining judicial discretion. Critics of originalism counter that the Constitution was written in broad, open-ended language precisely to allow adaptation to changing social and technological conditions. They argue that strict adherence to historical meanings can freeze outdated norms into modern law and fail to address contemporary realities the framers could not have foreseen. In practice, critics also contend that historical evidence is often ambiguous, allowing judges to selectively invoke history to reach preferred outcomes. As a result, the debate over originalism reflects a deeper tension between constitutional stability and constitutional flexibility in a living society. Our special guest is Austin Steelman, historian at Clemson University. Sources: These Truths by Jill LePore Reagan by Bob Spitz Griswold v. Conn. from Oyez.org Article about Robert Bork Robert Kennedy's speech about Bork on C-SPAN (about 27 minutes in) Article about Gorsuch and originalism Article about Kavanaugh AP story about Barrett's philosophy Discussion: What is constitutional originalism? Why might some people like it? Dislike it? Are there questions in US law that are not addressed by the Constitution? What are some examples? How should those be addressed in an originalist worldview? In a worldview that sees it as a living document? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

<a href="http://www.trucepodcast.com/donate" rel="noopener noreferrer">Give </a>to help Chris make Truce 
 
How do we interpret the Constitution? It seems like an easy question, right? It turns out, it's quite difficult. As we wrap up season 6 of Truce, we're exploring some of the things that conservative evangelicals got out of their partnership with the GOP. One of the things they got was constitutional originalism. 
Constitutional originalism is a theory of interpretation that holds the Constitution should be understood according to its original public meaning at the time it was adopted. Originalists argue that this approach anchors constitutional law in objective historical meaning, rather than in the personal values or policy preferences of modern judges. By tying interpretation to the text as it was originally understood, originalism aims to preserve democratic legitimacy: changes in constitutional meaning should come from amendments passed by the people, not from judicial reinterpretation. Supporters also claim that originalism promotes stability and predictability in the law by constraining judicial discretion.
Critics of originalism counter that the Constitution was written in broad, open-ended language precisely to allow adaptation to changing social and technological conditions. They argue that strict adherence to historical meanings can freeze outdated norms into modern law and fail to address contemporary realities the framers could not have foreseen. In practice, critics also contend that historical evidence is often ambiguous, allowing judges to selectively invoke history to reach preferred outcomes. As a result, the debate over originalism reflects a deeper tension between constitutional stability and constitutional flexibility in a living society.
Our special guest is<a href="https://www.clemson.edu/cah/about/facultybio.html?id=30781" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Austin Steelman</a>, historian at Clemson University.
Sources:
<ul>
 <li>
These Truths by Jill LePore</li>
 <li>
Reagan by Bob Spitz</li>
 <li><a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1964/496" rel="noopener noreferrer">Griswold v. Conn. from Oyez.org</a></li>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-H-Bork" rel="noopener noreferrer">Article </a>about Robert Bork</li>
 <li>Robert Kennedy's <a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?45973-1/robert-borks-america%20" rel="noopener noreferrer">speech </a>about Bork on C-SPAN (about 27 minutes in)</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2017/feb/02/originalism-constitution-supreme-court-neil-gorsuch" rel="noopener noreferrer">Article</a> about Gorsuch and originalism</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/08/09/kanavaugh-originalist-why-you-shouldnt-care-219344/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Article</a> about Kavanaugh </li>
 <li>
<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-amy-coney-barrett-us-supreme-court-courts-antonin-scalia-038ec1d4de30d1bd97a0ce3823903f0c" rel="noopener noreferrer">AP story</a> about Barrett's philosophy</li>
</ul>
Discussion:
<ul>
 <li>What is constitutional originalism?</li>
 <li>Why might some people like it? Dislike it?</li>
 <li>Are there questions in US law that are not addressed by the Constitution? What are some examples?</li>
 <li>How should those be addressed in an originalist worldview? In a worldview that sees it as a living document?</li>
</ul>
 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Republicans and Evangelicals I Constitutional Originalism

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Jimmy Swaggart was caught in a major controversy in the late 1980s. It involved the famous American televangelist, who was a leading figure in Pentecostal Christianity. In 1988, Swaggart publicly admitted to “moral failure” after reports surfaced that he had been involved with a prostitute, behavior that directly contradicted the strict moral standards he preached. The revelation led to his suspension by the Assemblies of God, his church denomination, and caused significant damage to his reputation and ministry. Swaggart delivered a widely televised, tearful confession, which became one of the most memorable moments in religious broadcasting, symbolizing broader concerns at the time about hypocrisy, accountability, and power among high-profile televangelists. 
This proved to be a problem for Pat Robertson, who was running for president. Just as he needed his conservative brothers and sisters on his side... they disappeared or chose another politician. 
When he lost the race, he continued his streak of being shelved by politicians. He and other evangelicals with large followings placed their hope in politicians to save them. Only to find disappointment.
 
Sources:
<ul>
 <li>
The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald</li>
 <li>
Reaganland by Rick Perlstein</li>
 <li>
Pat Robertson: A Life and Legacy by David Edwin Harrell Jr.</li>
 <li>Andrews, T. M. (2017). The Rev. Marvin Gorman, who prompted Jimmy Swaggart's downfall in the '80s, dies at 83
</li>
 <li>Art Harris, W. P. (1988, Feb 26). Jimmy Swaggart's secret life in the world of no-tell motels 'shouting, weeping' Preacher was just another man on prowl. Toronto Star </li>
 <li>RNC National Convention speeches 1988, around 2:35:00</li>
 <li>
God's Own Party by Daniel K Williams </li>
 <li>PETER STEINFELS (1989, Jun 12). Moral majority to dissolve; says mission
accomplished. New York Times </li>
 <li>Rolling Stone Magazine <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trump-lawyer-super-rich-right-wing-crusades-1234939528/">article</a> on Jay Sekulow. By Andrew Perez, January 3, 2024</li>
 <li>Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2023/06/08/televangelist-pat-robertson-dies/">article </a>about Robertson's death</li>
</ul>
Discussion Questions
<ul>
 <li>How did success become a problem for the Moral Majority and Christian Coalition?</li>
 <li>Why is it a problem that we keep being marketed to with fear?</li>
 <li>How could conservative evangelicals argue both that they were the majority AND a persecuted minority? Why does it matter?
</li>
</ul> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Give to help Chris make Truce Jimmy Swaggart was caught in a major controversy in the late 1980s. It involved the famous American televangelist, who was a leading figure in Pentecostal Christianity. In 1988, Swaggart publicly admitted to “moral failure” after reports surfaced that he had been involved with a prostitute, behavior that directly contradicted the strict moral standards he preached. The revelation led to his suspension by the Assemblies of God, his church denomination, and caused significant damage to his reputation and ministry. Swaggart delivered a widely televised, tearful confession, which became one of the most memorable moments in religious broadcasting, symbolizing broader concerns at the time about hypocrisy, accountability, and power among high-profile televangelists. This proved to be a problem for Pat Robertson, who was running for president. Just as he needed his conservative brothers and sisters on his side... they disappeared or chose another politician. When he lost the race, he continued his streak of being shelved by politicians. He and other evangelicals with large followings placed their hope in politicians to save them. Only to find disappointment. Sources: The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald Reaganland by Rick Perlstein Pat Robertson: A Life and Legacy by David Edwin Harrell Jr. Andrews, T. M. (2017). The Rev. Marvin Gorman, who prompted Jimmy Swaggart's downfall in the '80s, dies at 83 Art Harris, W. P. (1988, Feb 26). Jimmy Swaggart's secret life in the world of no-tell motels 'shouting, weeping' Preacher was just another man on prowl. Toronto Star RNC National Convention speeches 1988, around 2:35:00 God's Own Party by Daniel K Williams PETER STEINFELS (1989, Jun 12). Moral majority to dissolve; says mission accomplished. New York Times Rolling Stone Magazine article on Jay Sekulow. By Andrew Perez, January 3, 2024 Washington Post article about Robertson's death Discussion Questions How did success become a problem for the Moral Majority and Christian Coalition? Why is it a problem that we keep being marketed to with fear? How could conservative evangelicals argue both that they were the majority AND a persecuted minority? Why does it matter? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

<a href="http://www.trucepodcast.com/donate" rel="noopener noreferrer">Give</a> to help Chris make Truce
Jimmy Swaggart was caught in a major controversy in the late 1980s. It involved the famous American televangelist, who was a leading figure in Pentecostal Christianity. In 1988, Swaggart publicly admitted to “moral failure” after reports surfaced that he had been involved with a prostitute, behavior that directly contradicted the strict moral standards he preached. The revelation led to his suspension by the Assemblies of God, his church denomination, and caused significant damage to his reputation and ministry. Swaggart delivered a widely televised, tearful confession, which became one of the most memorable moments in religious broadcasting, symbolizing broader concerns at the time about hypocrisy, accountability, and power among high-profile televangelists. 
This proved to be a problem for Pat Robertson, who was running for president. Just as he needed his conservative brothers and sisters on his side... they disappeared or chose another politician. 
When he lost the race, he continued his streak of being shelved by politicians. He and other evangelicals with large followings placed their hope in politicians to save them. Only to find disappointment.
 
Sources:
<ul>
 <li>
The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald</li>
 <li>
Reaganland by Rick Perlstein</li>
 <li>
Pat Robertson: A Life and Legacy by David Edwin Harrell Jr.</li>
 <li>Andrews, T. M. (2017). The Rev. Marvin Gorman, who prompted Jimmy Swaggart's downfall in the '80s, dies at 83
</li>
 <li>Art Harris, W. P. (1988, Feb 26). Jimmy Swaggart's secret life in the world of no-tell motels 'shouting, weeping' Preacher was just another man on prowl. Toronto Star </li>
 <li>RNC National Convention speeches 1988, around 2:35:00</li>
 <li>
God's Own Party by Daniel K Williams </li>
 <li>PETER STEINFELS (1989, Jun 12). Moral majority to dissolve; says mission
accomplished. New York Times </li>
 <li>Rolling Stone Magazine <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trump-lawyer-super-rich-right-wing-crusades-1234939528/" rel="noopener noreferrer">article</a> on Jay Sekulow. By Andrew Perez, January 3, 2024</li>
 <li>Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2023/06/08/televangelist-pat-robertson-dies/" rel="noopener noreferrer">article </a>about Robertson's death</li>
</ul>
Discussion Questions
<ul>
 <li>How did success become a problem for the Moral Majority and Christian Coalition?</li>
 <li>Why is it a problem that we keep being marketed to with fear?</li>
 <li>How could conservative evangelicals argue both that they were the majority AND a persecuted minority? Why does it matter?
</li>
</ul> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Republicans and Evangelicals | Where the Gang Ended Up part 2

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Boy, the Religious Right did not like Carter, at least by 1980. Some of them, like Pat Robertson, had high hopes for him at the start. But they quickly grew to distrust the man from Georgia.
Why? In this episode, Chris goes through some of the top issues that evangelicals had with Jimmy Carter. They include his article in Playboy Magazine that mentions his struggles with sex (but also featured a strong gospel message), his support of the ERA, and his lackluster responses to their questions about abortion. 
But... It's not as if Ronald Reagan was significantly better. Reagan was not a regular churchgoer like Carter. He consulted a medium for his decisions. He was a divorced former actor in a time when evangelicals didn't like Hollywood. So... how bad was this Carter guy that they didn't vote for him?
Our special guest for this episode is historian and author Rick Perlstein.
Sources:
<ul>
 <li>
Today <a href="https://www.today.com/news/essay/jimmy-carter-maranatha-baptist-church-rcna186656">story</a> on Carter's church</li>
 <li>
Tampa Bay Times<a href="https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2024/12/31/day-i-went-jimmy-carters-bible-study-plains-ga-column/"> story</a> on Carter's church</li>
 <li>
Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-plains-georgia-maranatha-sunday-school-a1a692079be175cf2e882176fc343344">story</a> on Carter's church</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/10/the-evangelicalism-of-jimmy-carter-100th-birthday/">Christianity Today article</a> on Carter's 100th birthday</li>
 <li>
Reaganland by Rick Perlstein</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/interview-with-leaders-national-religious-broadcasters-and-world-religious-news%20">Document </a>the interview the Religious Right guys did</li>
 <li>Criswell <a href="https://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1976/criswell">ad</a>
</li>
 <li>Strom Thurmond <a href="https://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1976/strom-thurmond">ad</a>
</li>
 <li>
Playboy Magazine, November 1976</li>
 <li>
Reagan: An American Journey by Bob Spitz</li>
 <li>
White House Conference on Families: Listening to America's Families.
Pamphlet </li>
 <li>
God's Own Party by Daniel K Williams</li>
 <li>
The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald</li>
 <li>
The Surprising Work of God by Garth Rosell</li>
 <li>Jimmy Carter Library <a href="https://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/pdf_documents/assets/documents/oral_histories/exit_interviews/Maddox.pdf%20%20">interview</a> with Robert Maddox</li>
 <li>Carter's <a href="https://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/pdf_documents/digital_library/sso/148878/147/SSO_148878_147_06.pdf">speech</a> to NAE (courtesy of Jimmy Carter Presidential Library)</li>
</ul>
Discussion Questions:
<ul>
 <li>Why did some evangelicals so strongly oppose the ERA?</li>
 <li>What did you see in the Playboy article that might be construed as unappealing to Christians?</li>
 <li>If Reagan engaged in fortunetelling, why did some evangelicals follow him and not Carter?</li>
 <li>Why have evangelicals become enamored of leaders? What has that done to our witness?</li>
</ul> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Give to help Chris make Truce Boy, the Religious Right did not like Carter, at least by 1980. Some of them, like Pat Robertson, had high hopes for him at the start. But they quickly grew to distrust the man from Georgia. Why? In this episode, Chris goes through some of the top issues that evangelicals had with Jimmy Carter. They include his article in Playboy Magazine that mentions his struggles with sex (but also featured a strong gospel message), his support of the ERA, and his lackluster responses to their questions about abortion. But... It's not as if Ronald Reagan was significantly better. Reagan was not a regular churchgoer like Carter. He consulted a medium for his decisions. He was a divorced former actor in a time when evangelicals didn't like Hollywood. So... how bad was this Carter guy that they didn't vote for him? Our special guest for this episode is historian and author Rick Perlstein. Sources: Today story on Carter's church Tampa Bay Times story on Carter's church Associated Press story on Carter's church Christianity Today article on Carter's 100th birthday Reaganland by Rick Perlstein Document the interview the Religious Right guys did Criswell ad Strom Thurmond ad Playboy Magazine, November 1976 Reagan: An American Journey by Bob Spitz White House Conference on Families: Listening to America's Families. Pamphlet God's Own Party by Daniel K Williams The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald The Surprising Work of God by Garth Rosell Jimmy Carter Library interview with Robert Maddox Carter's speech to NAE (courtesy of Jimmy Carter Presidential Library) Discussion Questions: Why did some evangelicals so strongly oppose the ERA? What did you see in the Playboy article that might be construed as unappealing to Christians? If Reagan engaged in fortunetelling, why did some evangelicals follow him and not Carter? Why have evangelicals become enamored of leaders? What has that done to our witness? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

<a href="http://www.trucepodcast.com/donate" rel="noopener noreferrer">Give </a>to help Chris make Truce
Boy, the Religious Right did not like Carter, at least by 1980. Some of them, like Pat Robertson, had high hopes for him at the start. But they quickly grew to distrust the man from Georgia.
Why? In this episode, Chris goes through some of the top issues that evangelicals had with Jimmy Carter. They include his article in Playboy Magazine that mentions his struggles with sex (but also featured a strong gospel message), his support of the ERA, and his lackluster responses to their questions about abortion. 
But... It's not as if Ronald Reagan was significantly better. Reagan was not a regular churchgoer like Carter. He consulted a medium for his decisions. He was a divorced former actor in a time when evangelicals didn't like Hollywood. So... how bad was this Carter guy that they didn't vote for him?
Our special guest for this episode is historian and author Rick Perlstein.
Sources:
<ul>
 <li>
Today <a href="https://www.today.com/news/essay/jimmy-carter-maranatha-baptist-church-rcna186656" rel="noopener noreferrer">story</a> on Carter's church</li>
 <li>
Tampa Bay Times<a href="https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2024/12/31/day-i-went-jimmy-carters-bible-study-plains-ga-column/" rel="noopener noreferrer"> story</a> on Carter's church</li>
 <li>
Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-plains-georgia-maranatha-sunday-school-a1a692079be175cf2e882176fc343344" rel="noopener noreferrer">story</a> on Carter's church</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/10/the-evangelicalism-of-jimmy-carter-100th-birthday/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Christianity Today article</a> on Carter's 100th birthday</li>
 <li>
Reaganland by Rick Perlstein</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/interview-with-leaders-national-religious-broadcasters-and-world-religious-news%20" rel="noopener noreferrer">Document </a>the interview the Religious Right guys did</li>
 <li>Criswell <a href="https://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1976/criswell" rel="noopener noreferrer">ad</a>
</li>
 <li>Strom Thurmond <a href="https://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1976/strom-thurmond" rel="noopener noreferrer">ad</a>
</li>
 <li>
Playboy Magazine, November 1976</li>
 <li>
Reagan: An American Journey by Bob Spitz</li>
 <li>
White House Conference on Families: Listening to America's Families.
Pamphlet </li>
 <li>
God's Own Party by Daniel K Williams</li>
 <li>
The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald</li>
 <li>
The Surprising Work of God by Garth Rosell</li>
 <li>Jimmy Carter Library <a href="https://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/pdf_documents/assets/documents/oral_histories/exit_interviews/Maddox.pdf%20%20" rel="noopener noreferrer">interview</a> with Robert Maddox</li>
 <li>Carter's <a href="https://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/pdf_documents/digital_library/sso/148878/147/SSO_148878_147_06.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">speech</a> to NAE (courtesy of Jimmy Carter Presidential Library)</li>
</ul>
Discussion Questions:
<ul>
 <li>Why did some evangelicals so strongly oppose the ERA?</li>
 <li>What did you see in the Playboy article that might be construed as unappealing to Christians?</li>
 <li>If Reagan engaged in fortunetelling, why did some evangelicals follow him and not Carter?</li>
 <li>Why have evangelicals become enamored of leaders? What has that done to our witness?</li>
</ul> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Republicans and Evangelicals | Why Christians Didn't Vote for Carter

<a href="http://www.trucepodcast.com/donate">Give</a> to help Chris make Truce
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.
The Council for National Policy is an organization in the pipeline for Christian dark money. It finances groups like the Heritage Foundation, Focus on the Family, pro-life groups, Turning Point USA, and more. 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. 
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:
<ul>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9YIzR4TJx8">Biographical video</a> from Turning Point USA about Foster Friess</li>
 <li>
Shadow Network by Anne Nelson</li>
 <li>
Christian Reconstruction: RJ Rushdoony and American Religious Conservatism by Michael McVicar</li>
 <li>
100 Things to See in the Night Sky Expanded Edition. By Dean Regas</li>
 <li><a href="https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/religion-context/case-studies/environmental-crisis/christianity-and-oil-us-history">Christianity and Oil in US History</a></li>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/former-world-s-richest-man-nelson-bunker-hunt-dies-in-modest-circumstances-in-us-after-losing-his-fortune-9809932.html">Article</a> on Nelson Bunker Hunt</li>
 <li>
Birchers by Matthew Dallek</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://cdn.mises.org/Road%20to%20Serfdom%20in%20Cartoons.pdf">The Road to Serfdom</a> (comic version) adapted from Hayek</li>
 <li>
Reaganland and Before the Storm by Rick Perlstein</li>
 <li>"Information Sheet, Council for National Policy," May 1984</li>
 <li>
Dark Money by Jane Mayer</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-organization/leadership-directory/biographies-of-former-senior-officials/betsy-devos-secretary-of-education--biography">article</a> on Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education</li>
 <li>
Ponzinomics by Robert Fitzpatrick</li>
 <li>Justice Department <a href="https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/four-former-blackwater-employees-found-guilty-charges-fatal-nisur-square-shooting-iraq">article</a> about Blackwater/ Prince</li>
 <li>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. </li>
 <li>Census <a href="https://data.census.gov/profile/Wyoming?g=040XX00US56">data</a> on Wyoming</li>
 <li>
Pat Robertson: A Life and Legacy by David Edwin Harrell Jr.</li>
 <li>Leadership Institute <a href="https://leadershipinstitute.org/training/campaigns/">website </a>(accessed 8/8/25)</li>
 <li>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</li>
 <li>Salem Media <a href="https://salemmedia.com/on-air/">website</a>
</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://nrb.org/decades-on-bott-radio-network-delivers-the-word-of-god-to-the-people-of-god/#:~:text=Decades%20On%2C%20Bott%20Radio%20Network%20Delivers%20the,the%20purchase%20of%20a%20pop%20music%20station.">NRB Article</a> about Bott Radio</li>
 <li>PRwatch.org <a href="https://www.prwatch.org/news/2021/01/13679/alec%E2%80%99s-numerous-ties-capitol-insurrection-and-big-lie">article and video</a> about CNP</li>
 <li>
Jackson Hole News and Guide <a href="https://www.jhnewsandguide.com/jackson_hole_daily/local/trump-jr-attends-friess-fundraiser-in-jackson/article_fe27de95-1e1a-5507-b6a9-e10fee2a7b65.html">article</a> about Donald Trump Jr.'s visit to Jackson in 2016</li>
 <li>
New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/17/us/17iht-letter17.html?searchResultPosition=1">article</a> on Foster Friess</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/800835023%20">Tax documents </a>from Turning Point USA, courtesy of Pro Publica</li>
 <li>2017 Jane Mayer <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/a-conservative-nonprofit-that-seeks-to-transform-college-campuses-faces-allegations-of-racial-bias-and-illegal-campaign-activity">profile </a>of Turning Point USA</li>
 <li>ProPublica <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/koch-brothers-rnc-113359%20%20and%20https://time.com/4432432/koch-brothers-voter-data/%20">article</a> on the Kochs</li>
 <li>
Time <a href="https://time.com/4432432/koch-brothers-voter-data/%20%20">article </a>on the Koch's and i360</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2024-11-15/how-many-people-didnt-vote-in-the-2024-election#:~:text=And%20while%20votes%20are%20still%20being%20counted%2C,not%20vote%20in%20the%202024%20general%20election.">Article </a>on how many people didn't vote in 2024</li>
 <li>
New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/03/us/politics/trump-raffensperger-call-georgia.html%20%20">article </a>about Trump's call to the Georgia election rep</li>
 <li>
The Guardian <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2024/jun/25/charlie-kirk-turning-point-usa-chase-the-vote-trump%20">article </a>about Kirk's busing of people to the January 6, 2021, riot</li>
 <li>EPA <a href="https://www.epa.gov/history/origins-epa">article </a>about its origins</li>
</ul>
 
Discussion Questions:
<ul>
 <li>What is dark money? Should Christians participate in it?</li>
 <li>What are the functions of groups like the Council for National Policy?</li>
 <li>Who was Foster Friess?</li>
 <li>Why is it important to include a discussion of dark money when talking about things like Turning Point USA?</li>
 <li>What is the connection between evangelicalism and oil?</li>
</ul> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Give to help Chris make Truce 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. The Council for National Policy is an organization in the pipeline for Christian dark money. It finances groups like the Heritage Foundation, Focus on the Family, pro-life groups, Turning Point USA, and more. 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. 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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

<a href="http://www.trucepodcast.com/donate" rel="noopener noreferrer">Give</a> to help Chris make Truce
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.
The Council for National Policy is an organization in the pipeline for Christian dark money. It finances groups like the Heritage Foundation, Focus on the Family, pro-life groups, Turning Point USA, and more. 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. 
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:
<ul>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9YIzR4TJx8" rel="noopener noreferrer">Biographical video</a> from Turning Point USA about Foster Friess</li>
 <li>
Shadow Network by Anne Nelson</li>
 <li>
Christian Reconstruction: RJ Rushdoony and American Religious Conservatism by Michael McVicar</li>
 <li>
100 Things to See in the Night Sky Expanded Edition. By Dean Regas</li>
 <li><a href="https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/religion-context/case-studies/environmental-crisis/christianity-and-oil-us-history" rel="noopener noreferrer">Christianity and Oil in US History</a></li>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/former-world-s-richest-man-nelson-bunker-hunt-dies-in-modest-circumstances-in-us-after-losing-his-fortune-9809932.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Article</a> on Nelson Bunker Hunt</li>
 <li>
Birchers by Matthew Dallek</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://cdn.mises.org/Road%20to%20Serfdom%20in%20Cartoons.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Road to Serfdom</a> (comic version) adapted from Hayek</li>
 <li>
Reaganland and Before the Storm by Rick Perlstein</li>
 <li>"Information Sheet, Council for National Policy," May 1984</li>
 <li>
Dark Money by Jane Mayer</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-organization/leadership-directory/biographies-of-former-senior-officials/betsy-devos-secretary-of-education--biography" rel="noopener noreferrer">article</a> on Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education</li>
 <li>
Ponzinomics by Robert Fitzpatrick</li>
 <li>Justice Department <a href="https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/four-former-blackwater-employees-found-guilty-charges-fatal-nisur-square-shooting-iraq" rel="noopener noreferrer">article</a> about Blackwater/ Prince</li>
 <li>Adams, D. C., Robles, F., &amp; Mazzetti, M. (2025). A Desperate Haiti Turns to Erik Prince, Trump Ally, In Fight Against Gangs. New York: New York Times Company. </li>
 <li>Census <a href="https://data.census.gov/profile/Wyoming?g=040XX00US56" rel="noopener noreferrer">data</a> on Wyoming</li>
 <li>
Pat Robertson: A Life and Legacy by David Edwin Harrell Jr.</li>
 <li>Leadership Institute <a href="https://leadershipinstitute.org/training/campaigns/" rel="noopener noreferrer">website </a>(accessed 8/8/25)</li>
 <li>Email blast from National Religious Broadcasters titled: “NRB President &amp; CEO to Advocate on Capitol Hill for AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act” released July 14, 2025</li>
 <li>Salem Media <a href="https://salemmedia.com/on-air/" rel="noopener noreferrer">website</a>
</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://nrb.org/decades-on-bott-radio-network-delivers-the-word-of-god-to-the-people-of-god/#:~:text=Decades%20On%2C%20Bott%20Radio%20Network%20Delivers%20the,the%20purchase%20of%20a%20pop%20music%20station." rel="noopener noreferrer">NRB Article</a> about Bott Radio</li>
 <li>PRwatch.org <a href="https://www.prwatch.org/news/2021/01/13679/alec%E2%80%99s-numerous-ties-capitol-insurrection-and-big-lie" rel="noopener noreferrer">article and video</a> about CNP</li>
 <li>
Jackson Hole News and Guide <a href="https://www.jhnewsandguide.com/jackson_hole_daily/local/trump-jr-attends-friess-fundraiser-in-jackson/article_fe27de95-1e1a-5507-b6a9-e10fee2a7b65.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">article</a> about Donald Trump Jr.'s visit to Jackson in 2016</li>
 <li>
New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/17/us/17iht-letter17.html?searchResultPosition=1" rel="noopener noreferrer">article</a> on Foster Friess</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/800835023%20" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tax documents </a>from Turning Point USA, courtesy of Pro Publica</li>
 <li>2017 Jane Mayer <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/a-conservative-nonprofit-that-seeks-to-transform-college-campuses-faces-allegations-of-racial-bias-and-illegal-campaign-activity" rel="noopener noreferrer">profile </a>of Turning Point USA</li>
 <li>ProPublica <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/koch-brothers-rnc-113359%20%20and%20https://time.com/4432432/koch-brothers-voter-data/%20" rel="noopener noreferrer">article</a> on the Kochs</li>
 <li>
Time <a href="https://time.com/4432432/koch-brothers-voter-data/%20%20" rel="noopener noreferrer">article </a>on the Koch's and i360</li>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2024-11-15/how-many-people-didnt-vote-in-the-2024-election#:~:text=And%20while%20votes%20are%20still%20being%20counted%2C,not%20vote%20in%20the%202024%20general%20election." rel="noopener noreferrer">Article </a>on how many people didn't vote in 2024</li>
 <li>
New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/03/us/politics/trump-raffensperger-call-georgia.html%20%20" rel="noopener noreferrer">article </a>about Trump's call to the Georgia election rep</li>
 <li>
The Guardian <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2024/jun/25/charlie-kirk-turning-point-usa-chase-the-vote-trump%20" rel="noopener noreferrer">article </a>about Kirk's busing of people to the January 6, 2021, riot</li>
 <li>EPA <a href="https://www.epa.gov/history/origins-epa" rel="noopener noreferrer">article </a>about its origins</li>
</ul>
 
Discussion Questions:
<ul>
 <li>What is dark money? Should Christians participate in it?</li>
 <li>What are the functions of groups like the Council for National Policy?</li>
 <li>Who was Foster Friess?</li>
 <li>Why is it important to include a discussion of dark money when talking about things like Turning Point USA?</li>
 <li>What is the connection between evangelicalism and oil?</li>
</ul> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Republicans and Evangelicals | The Council for National Policy: Dark Money in the Church

Truce is a show about the Church. What makes evangelical Christians tick? How do we impact the culture, and how does the culture shape us? Using journalistic tools we will journey together into one of the most powerful forces in world history: the gospel. Truce is a new podcast from the creator of the film "Bringing up Bobby" and the novel "Cradle Robber". Visit <a href="http://www.trucepodcast.com">www.trucepodcast.com</a> for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Truce is a show about the Church. What makes evangelical Christians tick? How do we impact the culture, and how does the culture shape us? Using journalistic tools we will journey together into one of the most powerful forces in world history: the gospel. Truce is a new podcast from the creator of the film "Bringing up Bobby" and the novel "Cradle Robber". Visit www.trucepodcast.com for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Truce is a show about the Church. What makes evangelical Christians tick? How do we impact the culture, and how does the culture shape us? Using journalistic tools we will journey together into one of the most powerful forces in world history: the gospel. Truce is a new podcast from the creator of the film "Bringing up Bobby" and the novel "Cradle Robber". Visit <a href="http://www.trucepodcast.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.trucepodcast.com</a> for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Season One Trailer

Truce explores the history of the evangelical church in America, from fundamentalism to pyramid schemes to political campaigns. Host Chris Staron uses journalistic tools to investigate how the church got here and how it can do better.
The current season&nbsp;follows the rise of the Religious Right, examining the link between evangelicals and the Republican Party. Featuring special guests like Rick Perlstein, Frances Fitzgerald, Jesse Eisinger, Daniel K. Williams, and more.

Religion & Spirituality

Christianity

History

Religion

Truce explores the history of the evangelical church in America, from fundamentalism to pyramid schemes to political campaigns. Host Chris Staron uses journalistic tools to investigate how the church got here and how it can do better. The current season follows the rise of the Religious Right, examining the link between evangelicals and the Republican Party. Featuring special guests like Rick Perlstein, Frances Fitzgerald, Jesse Eisinger, Daniel K. Williams, and more.

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