For weeks now, Phil Williams of Nashville’s Newschannel 5 has made it his mission to personally take down a candidate for mayor in the city of Franklin. Certainly, one could make the argument that he is working to influence the outcome of the election. Nonetheless, this campaign is the gift that keeps on giving and for an investigative journalist with an axe to grind, it’s a gold mine.
But this week, Williams went beyond the pale in attacking this candidate’s faith insinuating that espousing Christian views in the realm of a political campaign is dangerous and suggests that there is a rise in the threat of Christian Nationalism. (see report)
To be clear, this is in no way an endorsement of the candidate. It is also not an endorsement of the particular brand of Christianity or denominational views portrayed in this video.
That said, this entire report, in my opinion, was offensive. I believe it is indicative of the cultural shift we are experiencing and a push toward godlessness where Christians must be silenced, morality rejected, and any expression of a Christian worldview is thought to be threatening and an offense.
Excerpts from the video in the report do show a brand of charismatic Christianity that some might frown upon or find misplaced. For me, the prophetic statements regarding an affirmation of winning an election are out of touch with what I consider Christian orthodoxy. Theologically, I don’t view prophecy as something fit to be personally gratifying. But I do believe that prophecy is active even today. Yet its end is always to glorify God and assure us that His purposes will be fulfilled. Like we pray in churches around the world, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.” That is the ultimate end of prophecy, His glory and His kingdom.
Regardless of any theological differences, attacking a candidate for office based on their Christian worldview, prayer, striving to be obedient, feeling called to run for office, or considering that they are fighting a spiritual battle is absurd, un-American, and contrary to fundamental values that I believe that many Tennesseans consider a standard for living. There are many things that an investigative journalist can find to make a story out of regarding a political candidate. And this one I do believe leaves many questions to be answered and is deserving of scrutiny. But on the basis of their Christian worldview? Hardly.
As you would expect, Williams was able to find a local pastor who agrees with his assessment that Christians should mainly keep their views to themselves, stay out of the political discourse, and also suggests that the LGBT community deserves a place in public life that should be accepted and celebrated. Further, local Williamson County school board member, Eric Welch, mocked the suggestion that demonic forces are at work in our public school system. From his perspective, everything is fine and our schools are being led by wonderful people who have nothing more than the best interests of students at heart.
The push to marginalize Christian perspectives in the political sphere is not only an affront to the principles of free speech and democracy but also a dire misreading of the essential role faith plays in shaping values and providing moral direction. Christian views, much like any other religious or secular views, deserve a seat at the table in public discourse. As the recent events surrounding the mayoral candidate in Franklin demonstrate, there is a concerted effort by some in the media and the wider society to stigmatize and suppress Christian perspectives under the guise of combatting the so-called threat of “Christian Nationalism.”
For far too long, Christians have been told that they must divorce their faith from their public lives, that they must relegate their beliefs to the private sphere, and that they must refrain from allowing their faith to inform their political decisions. This narrative is not only antithetical to the foundational principles of our republic but also robs the public discourse of a rich tapestry of perspectives that can offer solutions to some of our most pressing challenges.
It’s clear that Phil Williams aims to further this very narrative by insinuating that the intertwining of faith and politics is synonymous with extremism. By selectively focusing on and criticizing specific elements of Christianity showcased in his report, Williams not only showcases a fundamental misunderstanding of the diversity of Christian thought but also actively works to delegitimize a worldview shared by millions of Americans.
Christians must not only retain but amplify their engagement in the public square.
The notion that Christian views are somehow dangerous or indicative of a rise in Christian Nationalism is intellectually barren. It is a straw man argument constructed to sideline a significant portion of the American populace from political engagement. Critiques of particular theological interpretations or practices are one thing, but using such critiques as a basis to undermine the broader Christian voice in politics is another.
Furthermore, the insinuation that Christians should primarily keep their views private while other groups, like the LGBT community, should be celebrated in public life is inconsistent and portrays a double standard. Additionally, Welch’s dismissiveness of concerns about the spiritual environment in public schools, only underscores the growing disconnect between certain elites and the wider community.
Christians must not only retain but amplify their engagement in the public square. Protecting religious liberty is of paramount importance, not only for the sake of Christians but for the sake of all who value the rich diversity of thought and belief in our society. The alarm bells being rung about the specter of Christian nationalism are unfounded and seem more rooted in prejudice than in reasoned debate. If we value the principles upon which our nation was founded, we must defend the right of every individual, including Christians, to voice their beliefs and be active participants in the democratic process.
Gary Humble is the founder and executive director of Tennessee Stands, an organization working to secure liberty and hold elected officials accountable to the Constitution through legislation, litigation, and education. Follow Gary @garyhumble and visit www.tennesseestands.org.