Standing For Freedom Center

Jon Harris joins Ryan Helfenbein for a wide-ranging conversation about the history of the Religious Right, the fracturing of the conservative coalition, and the growing temptation among some Christians to burn down the political system rather than work within it. Jon explains how evangelicals went from being largely sidelined by the Republican establishment to having a meaningful seat at the political table—and why he believes Christians should be careful before throwing that influence away. They discuss:• How the Religious Right emerged in the 1970s and 1980s• Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Ronald Reagan, and the rise of the Moral Majority• How Donald Trump changed the relationship between evangelicals and the Republican coalition• The growing divide within the conservative movement• The danger of accelerationism and “burn it all down” politics• Why Christians should recognize political gains without compromising personal virtue• Why virtue and religious faith are foundational to a free society• Why politics is the “art of the possible”• The importance of Christians becoming informed, getting involved, and building better institutions• Why Christians should not “throw away the ladder” when there is still an opportunity to climb. Ultimately, this conversation is about more than elections. It is about whether Christians will patiently build, preserve what has been gained, and cultivate the virtue necessary for a free society. Jon Harris is the author of Against the Waves: Christian Order in a Liberal Age and host of Conversations That Matter.