How Biblical Literalism and Politics Created the Marriage of “Fundagelicalism”.
by Gary L Ellis
In 1978, a group of conservative Christian leaders came together to sign the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy. If you don’t know what that is, don’t worry — most people don’t.
But its impact has been massive. That moment was when the American Fundagelical church (a term that mashes fundamentalist and evangelical together, because at this point, who can tell the difference?) took a sharp turn toward something that looks a whole lot more like religious authoritarianism than the way of Jesus.
By signing that document, they locked themselves into a rigid, unyielding commitment to biblical literalism, a commitment that would ultimately drag the church away from faith and into something much darker.
That moment wasn’t just a theological decision — it was a fuse being lit. And here we are, watching the explosion in real-time.
The Problem with Literalism: When Faith Becomes a Prison
At first glance, believing the Bible is “literally true” might sound like a good thing. But in practice, it creates a system that prioritizes control over curiosity, doctrine over discipleship, and power over people. It removes the possibility of spiritual growth because it makes questioning the Bible’s cultural, historical, and literary contexts a sin.
Biblical literalism doesn’t just produce bad theology; it produces bad everything — bad politics, bad ethics, bad relationships, bad education, bad public policy.
Once you decide that every single word in the Bible must be read as direct, unquestionable fact, you lose the ability to say, “Wait a second, maybe Jesus didn’t mean for us to build a nationalist empire in his name.”
Which, by the way, is exactly what happened next.
The Political Deal with the Devil
If the Chicago Statement was the first fatal blow to the American church, the second came with Newt Gingrich and Dick Armey’s Contract with America in the 1990s.
This was when the Republican Party, always eager for a fresh way to consolidate power, realized they had a perfect voting bloc in the Fundagelicals — people already conditioned to accept absolute authority without question.
So a trade was made.
Republicans got votes; Fundagelicals got political influence.
But let’s be clear about what that influence was used for. Not for the poor, not for the marginalized, not for the immigrants, not for the sick, and certainly not for the oppressed — basically, none of the things Jesus actually talked about.
The Christian Political Machine
Instead, the new Christian political machine focused almost exclusively on controlling women and attacking LGBTQ+ people. That became the gospel. Not the Beatitudes, not loving your neighbor, not even basic morality — just a deep, unrelenting fixation on controlling sex and gender.
And just like that, Fundagelical America was no longer a spiritual movement. It became a political entity with a thin religious veneer — a cult, really, but with better branding.
Fundagelical America: The New Mithraic Cult
At this point, calling Fundagelical America a church is like calling McDonald’s a health food chain because they sell salads. The branding says “Christianity,” but what’s actually being sold is raw political power. And if that sounds familiar, it should — it’s happened before.
Back in the days of the Roman Empire, there was a cult called Mithraism that spread among soldiers. It wasn’t a faith in the way we think of religion. It was a ritualistic, hyper-masculine, militaristic belief system designed to give warriors a sense of divine purpose before marching off to war. That’s what Fundagelical America has become — a Mithraic war cult draped in Christian language. Their goal isn’t salvation. It’s domination.
Was Jesus a Nationalist?
The version of Jesus the Fundagelicals are selling is unrecognizable. This Jesus is a nationalist, a capitalist, a military commander, a champion of unregulated markets and corporate greed.
He’s a bizarre fusion of Wall Street banker and war general, whose primary concerns are defending traditional family values (as defined by Fox News) and ensuring Republican victories.
Does this look anything like the Jesus of the Gospels? The Jesus who touched lepers, dined with tax collectors, lifted up the poor, and got executed by the state? No.
Not even close.
Why This Matters (And Why It’s Dangerous)
Some people might say, “Well, okay, but what does it really matter if Fundagelicals are playing political games? Every religious group has political leanings.”
Sure. But this isn’t about leanings. This is about a fundamental redefinition of Christianity into something that serves a specific political agenda.
And that’s dangerous.
Because when you take a religious system that is built on absolute certainty, and you link it to a political movement built on power and control, you get something incredibly volatile.
- You get people who will believe any conspiracy theory,
- follow any authoritarian leader,
- and excuse any atrocity — as long as it’s framed in the right theological language.
That’s how you end up with a church where white nationalism is excused, where cruelty is celebrated as strength, where faith is weaponized, and where Jesus becomes an afterthought. Not a savior. Not a teacher. Not even a moral compass. Just a branding tool.
Is There a Way Out?
Yes, but it’s going to take courage. Because leaving this system means stepping into uncertainty. It means allowing yourself to ask hard questions, to wrestle with doubt, to admit that maybe — just maybe — you’ve been sold something that isn’t actually faith, but fear.
It means reclaiming Jesus not as a mascot, but as a revolutionary figure who calls us to radical love, not political conquest. It means rejecting a system that uses faith to manipulate and control, and instead embracing a faith that is actually free.
It won’t be easy. But then again, the real gospel never is.
If you’re still inside this system and feeling like something is deeply wrong, trust that instinct. It’s the same instinct that made people follow Jesus in the first place — the whisper that says, this isn’t it. There’s something better.
And there is. But first, we have to be willing to challenge the house we’ve been living in and start building something new.
Something that actually looks like Jesus.
- *Fundagelical: The marriage of Fundamentalism and Evangelicalism.
This post was inspired by the excellent thoughts of Tom Gough.
Source:https://medium.com/backyard-theology/the-moment-american-christianity-lost-its-soul-8fc581dba92e
Comments:
Nils von Kalm
Then of course there was Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority, who deliberately and deceitfully used the issue of abortion as a guise for their segregationist agenda.
Gary L Ellis
Anti Abortion wasn’t even a campaign issue until their promoting it.
Dlaverysd
Yes. This happened before Newt Gingrich. Gingrich was the result before he became a cause.
Annaliese Willis
I honestly feel that the name and image of Jesus being used as a manipulative tactic for political gain is why I can never go to a church again. Every church I have ever been to, the Preacher isn’t talking about the teachings of Jesus, but rather talking about anything else. Gender, sexuality, politics, women‘s reproductive rights, literally anything but Jesus‘s word. There is so much hate being spread by people who claim to follow the teachings of Jesus, but Jesus does not judge, he does not command that we attack and hate those who are different from us, and live their lives differently, and who BELIEVE differently. Especially those presiding over „mega churches“.
stephenphillips
The two churches I’ve belonged to over the last 25 years met in school auditoriums or cafeterias. They’re small because they emphasize living Jesus’ teaching, and the people truly love each other and their neighbors. They’re out there, though probably not everywhere.
Mark Tousley
Annaliese, I believe you have come to the correct IDEA/ conclusion HERE. It is sad to witness in real time as in……these (present) end times. The CHURCH in whatever ‘form’ it exists in 2025 is about to get cancelled…..and the (inevitable) Return of the Lord Jesus Christ will result in mankind’s ultimate deliverance to LIFE by way of ‘salvation’ provided ONLY in Christ’s Name.
Caliméro77
I can relate. However the true Church is wonderful. Just praying for each other with a bunch of friends. Living spiritual life. Having inspirational role model we can call elders. Jesus is at work.
Mark Stephenson
Someone said, “When you mix religion and politics, you get … politics.”
Paul Walker
The Republican Party, always eager for a fresh way to consolidate power, realized they had a perfect voting bloc in the Fundagelicals — people already conditioned to accept absolute au…
I hadn’t thought of it this way before – the notion of a compliant block of voters who actually want to be told what to do and think.
It makes perfect sense that the evangelical church are “useful idiots” to Trump’s grand plan , especially when they give him a free pass for his (many) indiscretions
Chris Scot
I have always said that the fall of the US began with Newt Gingrich’s start of hyper-partisanship. I knew nothing about his involvement with the Contract with America. Figures that his name should show up again when talking about the worst of our country.
Celtic Healer
Gary, I use the term imperialist to describe this sad situation. All about greedy hypocrites building their personal kingdoms. The end is coming for them soon. Most churches are in steep decline or only growing by church transfer. They will be a small minority within 10 years. They are loud and obnoxious like dinosaurs 🦕 making noises as they go extinct.
Bob Russell
Another critical flaw is the assumption that America is a Christian nation. This, to fundamentalists, is grounds for grievances and drive to force out all conflicting religions and normalize their Christian perspective on all Americans.
Once they figure out who real Americans are and drive out the rest, then the current blitzkrieg on the US Constitution will be complete.
Robert Vincelette
Notice how professional commercial evangelical leaders become multi-millionaires. That is all the disproof you need.
Le Pingouin Insolent
Christians in the US just looked out and saw how Islam manages to outright run other nations and were like: ‘We need to get in on that!’ More of that we are right, and you aren’t just wrong – you are a degenerate when you don’t worship the way I do. I should be able to ban you from public spaces as your mere presence is a threat to my view of the world’
I grew up when Christianity was in the ‘Good News’ stage, pushing the idea that all peoples could benefit from sharing an inclusive religious experience. Well, that flew out the window real quick – the preachers now run with ‘All you muthafuckers gonna die! And it makes me happy! It makes Jesus happy! And me and Jesus gonna be flying over you all in my 56 million dollar jet and laughing as you and your children perish!’
Andy Chalkley
As does Judaism.
“You shall rule over many nations” Moses.
Frank Sterle Jr
Sadly, some of the best humanitarians I’ve met or heard about were/are atheists or agnostics who, quite ironically, would make better examples of many of Christ’s teachings than too many institutional Christians. Conversely, some of the worst human(e) beings I’ve met or heard about are the most devout believers/preachers of fundamental Biblical theology.
Too many adherents of institutional Christianity — those ‘Christians’ most resistant to Christ’s fundamental teachings of non-violence, compassion and non-wealth — tend to insist upon creating their creator’s nature in their own fallible and often angry, vengeful image. Perhaps most notably, they’ll proclaim at publicized protests that ‘God hates’ such-and-such group of people.
It’s plausible that many followers of such ‘Christianity’ find inconvenient, if not plainly annoying, trying to reconcile the conspicuous inconsistency in the fundamental nature of the New Testament’s Jesus with the wrathful, vengeful and even jealous nature of the Old Testament’s Creator. ….
As for Jesus, he was/is largely meant to show to people that there really was/is hope for the many — especially for young people living in today’s physical, mental and spiritual turmoil — seeing hopelessness in a fire-and-brimstone angry-God-condemnation creator requiring literal pain-filled penance/payment for sinful human behavior.
He fundamentally was about non-violence, genuine compassion, love and non-wealth. His teachings and practices epitomize so much of the primary component of socialism — do not hoard gratuitous wealth in the midst of poverty. He clearly would not tolerate the accumulation of tens of billions of dollars by individual people — especially while so many others go hungry and homeless.
I’m talking about the biblical Jesus, through his teachings and practices — not human-concocted pragmatism, politics or conservative/liberal goals. The same Jesus who would not roll his eyes and sigh: ‘Oh well, I’m against everything the politician stands for, but what can you do when you dislike even more what his political competition stands for?’
Gideon – threshing in a wine press.
Excellent article Gary. Unfortunately it is spreading everywhere and Christianity is being engulfed.
Steve A. Smith
Say NO to bibliolatry!
Kevin J. W. Driscoll
“Fundagelicalism” as a Mithraic war cult with better branding? Gary, you’ve officially coined the most metal (and accurate-sounding) term I’ve heard all week! Forget subtle theological debates; we’re talking spiritual gladiators in the arena of political power, apparently trading in their sandals for… well, probably still sandals, but authoritarian sandals. It’s like someone decided to mash up a Bible study with a WWE match, and the loser gets… less political influence? The whole thing sounds less like following the Prince of Peace and more like drafting recruits for a holy culture war. Pass the popcorn, but maybe hide the good wine – things might get biblically literal and messy.
Dan Holden
Incisive writing, absolutely true. Thank you.
Alan Macpherson
Excellent analysis of selfish, non-Biblical use of the gospel.
Robert
Excellent story. Australia even has Fundagelical churches. One of our Prime Ministers belonged to one. Catholic’s wanting to return to the Tridentine (Traditional) Latin Mass must be associates as they want to exclude liberals, reverse the reforms of Vatican II and make the church “pure again”.
Patrick Longton
Thank you for this dose of realism and for tackling vocabulary that, while challenging, needs to be addressed. Your insightful and thought-provoking understanding illuminates what many Christians have overlooked for centuries. The stark contrast between Jesus’s teachings and lived example versus modern church practice has led me to step away from physical attendance. See, an authentic Christian lives and embodies the church every day, serving those who are sick. Jesus didn’t come to serve the healthy—which is pretty ironic, since those who think they’re spiritually healthy are often the ones who need the most healing.
James Marino
Gary, thank you for an insightful article. Here is something to consider.
The challenge for Christianity is not the belief in inerrancy or literalism but rather the existence of two Christianities: the Christianity ABOUT Jesus, dependent on His death and resurrection (for the sins of the world), and the Christianity OF Jesus, centered on His teachings. The challenge is that these two are opposites and thus cannot both be true.
Another way of looking at these two contrasts is that the Christianity ABOUT Jesus is based on fear and separation, and the Christianity OF Jesus is based on love and oneness. But early on, Christianity ABOUT Jesus became mainstream, and love and oneness were relegated to the back burner. Many Christians are confused by the two, thinking Christianity should be about the teachings of Jesus when, indeed, it is more about His death and resurrection.
Fear and separation are effective tools for establishing a religion and are even more potent politically. After all, love and unity need nothing more than a personal commitment to acknowledge the oneness in all rather than the divisions in the world. Can you envision a politician prioritizing oneness?
Believing the inerrancy and literalism in a book containing opposites seems odd. This indicates a general belief the Christianities ABOUT and OF Jesus can be reconciled. Efforts have been made to do this, but opposites cannot be reconciled. How can fear and separation be reconciled with love and oneness?
Religious people of all persuasions (not just Christians) feel persecuted and always will as long as their religion is based on fear and separation. They believe they are separated from each other and, consequently, God. This imagined separation causes them to think others are stealing God from them when, in fact, they are the source of separation. This creates another reason to unite religion and politics.
Jesus only taught love and oneness. This is best understood by the Apostle John, who said:
If someone says, “I love God,” and yet he hates his brother or sister, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother and sister whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God must also love his brother and sister. (1 John 4:20-21, NASB)
How can this be reconciled with fear and separation? Impossible.
I hope this has been helpful.
