Truce - History of the Christian Church

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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:


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?

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President Jimmy Carter's presidency (1977–1981) faced several major challenges, both domestically and internationally. One of the biggest domestic issues was the struggling U.S. economy. Carter inherited high inflation and unemployment, problems that worsened during his term. The country experienced "stagflation" — a combination of stagnant economic growth and high inflation. The energy crisis, marked by oil shortages and skyrocketing gas prices, further fueled economic instability. Though Carter promoted energy conservation and alternative energy development, many Americans viewed his efforts as inadequate or overly pessimistic.

Internationally, Carter faced major challenges in foreign policy. One of the most significant was the Iran Hostage Crisis, which began in November 1979 when 52 American diplomats and citizens were taken hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. The crisis lasted 444 days and was a major blow to Carter’s administration, especially after a failed rescue attempt. It deeply affected U.S. relations with Iran and damaged public confidence in Carter’s leadership. Though Carter did achieve a major diplomatic success with the Camp David Accords — a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel — the Iran Hostage Crisis ultimately overshadowed much of his foreign policy work.

Another major issue during Carter’s presidency was a perceived lack of effective leadership. Carter, known for his integrity and moral outlook, struggled to build strong relationships with Congress and the media. He often took a technocratic, detail-oriented approach to governing, which alienated many political allies. Critics saw his administration as indecisive and overly focused on long-term goals rather than immediate results. These perceptions contributed to a loss of public confidence and were a key factor in his defeat by Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential election.

The special guest for this episode is historian and author Rick Perlstein.

Sources:

Phyllis Schlafly's debate with Buckley


Reaganland by Rick Perlstein


Slate story on Chisholm


Video showing Carter's opposition to integrated busing


Reagan by Bob Spitz


The Invisible Bridge by Rick Perlstein


These Truths by Jill Lepore


Crash Course by Paul Ingrassia


C-SPAN clip of Carter's malaise speech


Who is Government? by Michael Lewis

Discussion Questions:

What do you find appealing about Carter?

How do voters sometimes use issues that are beyond a politician's control to judge them?

Why would Carter and his predecessors choose to give the Panama Canal to Panama?

How would an event like the hostage crisis impact an election?

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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?

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Tim LaHaye wrote different kinds of books. Books on marriage, sexuality, the end times, and those involved in social and political movements. In his young years, Tim LaHaye taught for the John Birch Society. His conspiratorial view of the world carried over into his theology, evidenced by the Left Behind series, as well as the topic of the show today, The Battle for the Mind. Published in 1980, this little book takes a negative view of humanism. He defines humanism as, essentially, everything that has gone with society in the last 2,000 years. It's a very broad, almost useless definition.

Humanism is actually a movement that started in Northern Italy around the 1200s, which tries to lift up the value of the human person. That takes a lot of different shapes, from secular or atheistic humanism to Christian humanism. In fact, as we argue in the episode, LaHaye's view misses the positive ways that humanism has shaped the United States and evangelicalism.

My guest today is Dr. Darrell Bock. He is the author or editor of over 45
books, including commentaries on Luke and Acts. He is the Executive
Director of Cultural Engagement and Senior Research Professor of New
Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He's also a host of
DTS' podcast The Table.

Sources:


The Battle for the Mind by Tim LaHaye (1980)


Listen, America! by Jerry Falwell

The Oxford English Dictionary

Encyclopedia Britannica


Francis Schaeffer and the Shaping of Evangelical America by Barry Hankins

Fact-checking Chris on the Prohibition thing? Start here.

Discussion Questions:

Have you read anything by Tim LaHaye? What was it?

Are Christian books like this useful? Not useful? Why?

What is "humanism"? (it may be helpful to look it up outside the book)

Why is it important that LaHaye mischaracterized humanism?

What were LaHaye's ideas about education?

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Tim and Beverly LaHaye were a prominent American evangelical Christian couple known for their influential work in ministry, literature, and conservative activism. Tim LaHaye, born in 1926 in Detroit, Michigan, was a pastor, author, and speaker who gained national recognition through his work in Christian fiction and prophecy interpretation. He served as a pastor for over 25 years before turning to full-time writing and speaking, often focusing on end-times theology and family values. Beverly LaHaye, born in 1929, was a vocal advocate for conservative Christian values and women’s roles in society, founding the organization Concerned Women for America in 1979.

Tim LaHaye is perhaps best known as the co-author of the Left Behind series, a best-selling collection of apocalyptic novels written with Jerry B. Jenkins. The series dramatizes a fictionalized version of the Rapture and subsequent tribulation, based on Tim’s interpretation of Biblical prophecy. These books sold over 80 million copies worldwide and sparked renewed interest in eschatology within evangelical circles. In addition to fiction, he wrote numerous nonfiction books addressing topics such as marriage, politics, and spirituality, always with a conservative Christian perspective.

Together, Tim and Beverly LaHaye were a formidable force in American evangelicalism, combining their talents in writing, activism, and public speaking to influence both Christian thought and conservative politics. Married for over 60 years until Tim's death in 2016, they left behind a legacy of fervent advocacy for their faith and values. While supporters praised their dedication to scripture and family, critics often challenged their political and theological positions. Regardless, their impact on late 20th and early 21st-century evangelicalism remains significant.

Sources:

Dreyfuss, R. (2004, Feb). "Reverend Doomsday". Rolling Stone, pp. 46-49.

White, G. (2001, Jul 07). "Evangelical power couple authors Tim and Beverly LaHaye, with scores of books between them, rank as four-star generals to many conservative Christians." [home edition]. The Atlanta Journal The Atlanta Constitution


God's Own Party by Daniel K Williams

PBS article on Comstock Laws

"The men from CLEAN". (1966, Sep 05). Newsweek, 68, 23-24.


Before the Storm by Rick Perlstein


How to Be Happy Though Married by Tim LaHaye


Divided We Stand by Marjorie Spruill


The Unhappy Gays by Tim LaHaye


For a Christian America by Ruth Murray Brown

Carlin v. Board of Education


Listen, America! by Jerry Falwell


With God on Our Side by William C Martin


Christianity Today article about Carter's presence at NRB

“Tim LaHaye--Waging War Against Humanism” Skelton, Nancy Los Angeles Times (1923-1995); Feb 22, 1981

BATTIATA, M. (1987, Oct 03). "Beverly LaHaye leads a powerful force from the right": [CITY edition]. St.Petersburg Times

Hacker, K. (1988, Mar 06). "A WOMAN OF ACTION: FUNDAMENTALIST BEVERLY LAHAYE IS BUSY RALLYING HER 'KITCHEN-TABLE LOBBYISTS' TO ALL SORTS OF POLITICAL CAUSES". Philadelphia Inquirer

NPR article about Moonies


The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald

McMahon, M. (1999, Dec). Come, all ye faithful. The Spectator, 283, 18-19


The United States of Paranoia by Jesse Walker

Discussion Questions:

How have the LaHaye's impacted you?

Does it matter that Tim had so many fears?

He went on to help found the Council for National Policy, the far-right Christian dark money organization. Why does that feel ironic?

How was Tim tied to the battle over segregated academies?

How did LaHaye's background with the John Birch Society fit with his other beliefs?

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