Has evangelicalism become so entangled with politics, scandal, and culture wars that we've lost sight of what's good about it?
For many Christians, evangelicalism has become a label associated more with political identity than with faith. But does the public perception of evangelicalism accurately reflect the millions of ordinary Christians who belong to evangelical churches? And is it possible to acknowledge the failures of a religious tradition without dismissing everything it has to offer?
Journalist and author Bonnie Kristian joins Loren Richmond Jr. to discuss her new book, In Defense of Evangelicalism: A Response to Its Cultured Despisers. Drawing on her experiences growing up in evangelical churches, embracing Anabaptist theology, and reporting on religion and politics, Bonnie makes the case that evangelicalism is neither perfect nor beyond criticism—but that it remains a tradition with genuine strengths worth preserving.
Coming from a mainline Protestant perspective, Loren presses Bonnie on some of the tensions surrounding evangelical identity, including Christian nationalism, religious influence in public life, and the increasing tendency to treat political engagement as the ultimate expression of Christian faithfulness. They explore the difference between repentance and embarrassment, why criticism of evangelicalism sometimes reflects social and cultural prejudices, and how Christians can participate in political life without expecting the government to enforce their religious convictions.
Together they explore:
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Why Bonnie believes evangelicalism is imperfect but fundamentally good
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How political and media narratives differ from the experiences of ordinary evangelical Christians
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The difference between legitimate criticism, repentance, and embarrassment
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How class and cultural assumptions influence perceptions of evangelicalism
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Whether Christians should be comfortable expressing religious convictions in public life
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What evangelical and mainline Christians can learn from one another's strengths and weaknesses
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Why churches need to consider the theological consequences of innovation, not simply whether something works
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Whether a less polarized, more cooperative Christianity is possible
Bonnie Kristian is an experienced journalist skilled in compelling opinion writing, concise news delivery, and meticulous editing. Her most recent book is In Defense of Evangelicalism: A Response to Its Cultured Despisers. She's also the author of Untrustworthy: The Knowledge Crisis Breaking Our Brains, Polluting Our Politics, and Corrupting Christian Community (2022) and A Flexible Faith: Rethinking What It Means to Follow Jesus Today (2018). Her writing on religion, foreign policy, the modern American right, civil liberties, electoral politics, and more has been published at outlets including The New York Times, The Week, USA Today, CNN, Politico, The New Atlantis, Reason, and The Daily Beast. A graduate of Bethel Seminary, she lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and three children.
Mentioned Resources:
📖 Her Book: In Defense of Evangelicalism
🌐 Her Website: bonniekristian.com
📱 Socials: @bonnie.kristian
🟧 Her Substack: Bonnie Kristian
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Michelle Van Loon
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Chuck DeGroat
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Lovett Weems
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Katherine Willis Pershey
Connect with Future Christian:
📱 Future Christian Instagram: futurechristianpod
📱 Martha's Instagram: martha_tatarnic
📱 Loren's Instagram: lorenrichmondjr
🟧 Future Christian Substack: https://futurechristian.substack.com/
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Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Dennis Sanders – Producer
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