From Billy Graham to Sarah Palin: Evangelicals and the Betrayal of American Conservatism

by D.G. Hart

This book provides a fresh, lively, iconoclastic history of evangelical Christians' involvement with American politics. Examining key evangelical political figures -- from Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson to Billy Graham and Chuck Colson to Tony Campolo and Jim Wallis -- D. G. Hart argues that American evangelicalism, from the right as much as the left, is (and always has been) a bad fit with classic political conservatism and its insistence on the limited role of government. Whenever evangelicals have pushed for government solutions to moral or social problems or for crusading military and foreign policy ventures abroad, Hart argues, their religious and moral idealism has trumped the sober realism of classic conservatism and a careful understanding of the virtues of the American political system. Further, Hart predicts that, with such a tenuous relationship to the core principles of conservatism, evangelicals on the right are unlikely to remain politically conservative unless they finally accept -- really accept -- the limited uses of politics to effect lasting social change. Readers of From Billy Graham to Sarah Palin are sure to find Hart's voice timely and compelling.

Genres: Politics, History, Religion, Church History, Nonfiction, American History, Christian

245 pages, Paperback

First published July 7, 2011

About the author

Darryl G. Hart (Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University) directs the honors programs and faculty development at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute and serves Westminster Seminary California as adjunct professor of church history. He has written or edited more than fifteen books, including Defending the Faith, a biography of J. Gresham Machen. He is coeditor of the American Reformed Biographies series.

Reviews

[Dane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hart's account is a good blow to the idea that evangelicalism implies anything like a political program, given the wide range of evangelicals shacking up with both conservative and liberal politics, and how they pronounce their politics with equal vigor. One could quibble that Hart's definition of "conservatism" is too narrow (limited to Burkean, traditionalist conservatives), but he at least recognizes the many strains of conservatism enough to settle on one definition for his purposes. But overall, the book musters enough doubts about the too-easily-assumed relationship between evangelical religion with conservative politics with solid historical research.

[Ryan Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

D.G. Hart spends most of this book showing how historically evangelicals have given into ideologies (both left and right wing varieties) instead of embracing traditionalist conservatism (i.e. the non-ideological conservatism of Edmund Burke, Russell Kirk, and Roger Scruton). Hart ends with a chapter encouraging evangelicals to consider traditional conservativism. Well worth reading.

[Kenny Cranford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really excited about this book but it didn't live up to all my expectations. Written very scholarly with too many citations, Hart does an admirable job of summing up Christian political interactions in the 20th century. Not much quotable but it introduced me to a group of left-leaning evangelicals I hadn't heard of and added a few more books for me to read. Despite the sensationalist title Hart takes a pretty balanced approach and isn't too hard on either side.

[Pete Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thought-provoking survey of the relationship between evangelicalism and conservative politics that I think is useful given the discussions that have come out of the recent presidential election. Not the easiest book to get through nor does it offer solutions that one might expect, but Hart - as he usually does - will make you think.

[Bobbettylou · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not sure why I wasted so much time on this book. It is confused and confusing, not very engaging even if you are interested in conservatism or evangelicalism, which I am not. To my shame, I suppose "Sarah Palin" caught my eye. I'm not interested in her either.

[Miles Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

essential reading for any Evangelical who (most likely fallaciously) believes themselves to be a conservative

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son Nigel recommended this book to me. It was hard going at first, because I felt completely adrift in what the author was saying. Am I used to being led by the nose in my reading? I don't think so, yet it was tough to figure out where to stand as he demonstrated problems with various figures--Peter Marshall's version of history was suspect, perhaps, but Francis Schaeffer?! I must admit, I felt a bit defensive. Yet I was also painfully aware of how easy it is to live saturated in one's own times, missing out on the trends that sweep through and influence a generation (or more).

I am glad that I've read enough Russell Kirk to understand his overarching argument about how evangelicals really don't fit with classical conservatism, with their desire to turn America into a theocracy. It was a good reminder that this world is not my home, so while I'm not quite ready to join the smirking "'Murica" camp, I do need to evaluate some unrealized expectations and loyalties that may have been engendered as part of being a child at the Bicentennial and a homeschooling mom in the 90s. :)

[Duffey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful book which analyzes late 20th century evangelical conservatism, and offers pushback with traditionalist conservative principles. In this volume, Hart will help you think critically about the legacy (with the good, bad, and ugly) of American evangelical conservatism since the 1950s.

[Patience · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. Interesting and very well researched. He was a little off on his summaries of Augustine's and Kuyper's political thought, and I can't say I fully agree with his conclusion.

[J.A.A. Purves · Rating 4 out of 5]

In spite of it’s title, one of the best things about Hart’s book is his tone - calm, academic and temperate. He’s not throwing around accusations against anyone. Instead, he slowly and objectively takes a look at both conservative and liberal evangelicals, and then deduces (with restraint) to the natural conclusion that most evangelicals are progressive, rather than conservative, at heart and at the base of their worldview.

This book takes a look at the beginnings, emergence and recent decline of the religious right – from Carl F.H. Henry to Francis Schaeffer to Chuck Colson, and then also to Peter Marshall Jr., Tim LaHaye, Jerry Falwell, James Dobson, Ralph Reed, Marvin Olasky, George W. Bush, Michael Gerson and Sarah Palin. Hart then introduces the reader to the influence of the religious left, including Jim Wallis, Randall Balmer, Tony Compolo, Ronald J. Sider and (arguably) Rick Warren.

Hart then explains why political progressivism does not have to be the conclusion of Christianity, and does so from a strong traditionalist conservative viewpoint. This is a refreshingly intelligent book.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book Hart explores the historical relationship between evangelicals and political conservatism in America since World War 2. Hart shows the arguments that evangelicals have used about Americas political and social health. Using their own words much of the time Hart shows the inconsistency with with many of these arguements have been advanced and how many of these arguements have contributed to the more liberal views among many evangelicals today.

I found this to be a facinating read and very helpful in thinking through Christians relationship to conservatism and the arguements we should use when in the public arena.

[Paul Heidebrecht · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you read Daryl Hart's latest book, you might start to like Ron Paul. He makes a clear distinction between the Religious Right and a true conservative philosophy. The latter is not necessarily biblical but it's what's good for America, says Daryl, and evangelicals should get behind it since they have so many common interests. The book is actually a rebuke of the Christian Right (and Left) and a history of evangelical political blundering since the Reagan era. I think I would prefer that more evangelicals would stay out of politics. We've been embarrassed enough.

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting thesis that is ably executed. Hart brings enough evidence to cast doubt on the idea that evangelicalism is necessarily a conservative phenomenon, especially given its idealistic roots, both pietistic and within the Social Gospel. Hart also gives a nod to the wide breadth of conservatism, although focusing primarily on Russell Kirk and Burkean-style conservatism, while advocating a potential path for evangelicals to adopt more traditional conservative trappings. Very good historical research combined with trenchant observations.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good. A must-read for all American Christians interested in politics.

Rather than writing a new review, I'd refer interested readers to the reviews at Books and Culture (http://www.booksandculture.com/articl...) and First Things (http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firs...).

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on the uneasy marriage of "born again" Protestant evangelicalism and political conservatism.

[Jon Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book. Nice surveys of the time period and important books and figures. Solutions leave a little to be desired, but localism is a good start.