On November 4, the Center for Applied Christian Ethics (CACE) hosted Matthew D. Taylor from the Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies to discuss “The Changing Landscape of Evangelism and U.S. Politics.”
Taylor began by contrasting prayer settings in official photos from George W. Bush’s and Donald Trump’s administrations, prompting observations from students about differences in the iconography and participants involved. He then highlighted the historical changes in the religious landscape, especially the rise of charismatic, nondenominational churches, which he noted have outpaced traditional denominations like the Southern Baptists.
He identified significant movements, including the latter rain revival and the word of faith movement, that have shaped this tradition. Taylor pointed out a notable increase in charismatic Christianity since 2015, linking it to three factors contributing to evangelical support for Trump: the rediscovery of an “Appeal to Heaven” flag post-Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage, the involvement of megachurch pastor Paula White-Cain as Trump’s spiritual advisor, and Lance Wallnau’s prophecy regarding Trump as a secular messiah.
Taylor noted that many charismatic leaders were involved in the January 6 riots, viewing it as a spiritual battle. He expressed concern over the rise of global populist movements intertwined with religious nationalism, including Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic forms.
Attendees, including Wheaton graduates, reflected on Taylor’s analysis, with some expressing worries over the intersection of charismatic faith and politics, particularly related to Christian nationalism and its potential to undermine democracy. Taylor concluded that such movements could be exploited by authoritarian leaders, emphasizing the shift in the type of individuals associated with the Trump administration compared to those in Bush’s.
