Published on December 15, 2023, 2:39 am

Former National Review reporter, Tim Alberta, has transitioned to The Atlantic — popular among those with a liberal bent. He has made headlines in several leftist networks for leveraging his latest book, ‘The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism,’ as a platform to castigate conservative Christians. His compelling exploration of fissures rocking the American evangelical movement claims evangelical Christians are among today’s most divisive and misunderstood Americans.

Nonetheless, no one seems curious about the cultural polemic incited by liberalism’s autonomy-loving Left – an extreme amplified by leftist media outlets strategically perched at the meeting point of GLAAD Street and Planned Parenthood Avenue.

Alberta’s recounting of an incident that took place at his father’s funeral has notably garnered interest among interviewers. He recalls being rebuked by a church elder for his lukewarm acceptance of Donald Trump as God’s anointed leader. Shifting from bereavement to disbelief, he questioned if this real-life scenario could possibly be true. If he could be viewed as part of a disruptive cabal or considered church enemy number one – how then does society treat those outside its confines?

This poignant story found resonance on “Fresh Air,” NPR’s radio show where host Terry Gross encouraged Alberta to share it alongside his experiences being targeted by Rush Limbaugh for criticizing Trump and polarizing the evangelical community. With negative feedback constantly flowing in via accusation-filled e-mails and harsh commentary from right-wing media outlets questioning his Christian status, Alberta had also to grapple with grief over losing his father during this period.

Gross pointed out that if longtime acquaintances could ostracize him so quickly – their pastor’s son – it was problematic to imagine how they would regard strangers stepping out of line from their strict scriptural interpretations.

Using funerals as battlegrounds doesn’t sit well with most people, which adds fuel to this saga regarding conservative Christians’ portrayal. Alberta ventured into this discourse to depict Trump-supporting Christians as defectors and democratic adversaries – a narrative amplified by PBS, NPR, and several other outlets that have mastered the art of minimalizing conservatives

Alberta’s dissatisfaction with his father’s 2016 vote for Trump raises questions about his Christian identity. Are Christian followers of pro-abortion advocate Hillary Clinton any different? To what extent does this divergence within evangelicalism pose a threat to its very foundation?

Let’s not forget those who spotlight Alberta and turn a blind eye to the cultural context of our era. Events such as the legalization of same-sex marriage, sexually explicit performances by gender-bending performers aimed at children, lewd literature in school libraries, and children receiving ‘gender-affirming care’ do create an atmosphere suggesting certain ideals are fading fast.

Nothing extreme here? And if so, do Alberta’s idealized Christians offer antidotes or opposition to these rapid societal shifts? Such questions were notably absent from the dialogue.

Interpreting real news and trusted news from a Christian worldview often reveals interesting perspectives on breaking news matters like these. It reminds us that each story can be polarising depending on reader perception and beliefs. That reminder stands as a cornerstone in understanding complex social phenomena such as those triggered by Tim Alberta’s controversial book among conservative Christians.