Against: What Does the White Evangelical Want?

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UPDATE: Because of the high number of participants in this series, please note that the location has moved to the downstairs fellowship hall. (It’s easiest to use the south doors next to the playground.)

Also, here is a running list of resources updated each week.

The Academy for Faith & Life at Brentwood Christian Church begins its next series on Wednesday, Jan. 8th at 6:30 p.m. Sessions will be facilitated by Phil and will feature interviews with Tad DeLay, author of the landmark book Against: What Does the White Evangelical Want?

We’ll explore how and why people of faith interpret the Bible (and Christian traditions) so differently, and how such differences directly shape views related to climate change, sexuality, politics, race, abortion, facts/truth, economics, and much more.

We’ll learn why, for example, beliefs about creation science (that reject evolution) surprisingly relate directly to views on the minimum wage (that reject raising it). We’ll discover the roots of biblical literalism (hint: it developed during the North Atlantic slave trade) and why many people still appeal to biblical literalism today (even in the face of contradictions and discrepancies). We’ll look at the true origins of the so-called pro-life movement and discover why most of those who identify as pro-life not only support the death penalty, but also reject providing resources for poor families, including birth control and comprehensive sexual education. As we look at these examples (and many more), we’ll ask, “What holds these views together?” “What’s at stake?”

Participants are encouraged (but not required) to read Against, along with Unsettling Truth by Soong-Chan Rah & Mark Charles and I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown. (A suggested schedule of readings will be provided.)

The purpose of this series is to help participants better understand white evangelicalism in order to build bridges with those who remain committed to it, as well as to reflect on how and why progressives approach the Bible (and Christian traditions) so differently. While it’s easy to demonize those who believe differently, we’ll discover that various beliefs (conservative & progressive) are often rooted in insecurities and anxieties, and when we can come together to help heal insecurities and anxieties, we have the opportunity to build a better world together.

Sessions will run from 6:30-7:30pm on the following Wednesdays in the downstairs fellowship hall at Brentwood:

Jan. 8, 15, 22 & 29

Feb. 5, 12 & 19

March 4 & 11