The FOX channel is mistakenly perceived as conservative. It
is certainly Right-wing but conservative is not a term that would apply. And
overarching all the politics of the channel is the ubiquitous presence of tanned,
blond women in tight short dresses – most of whom don't seem to own an outfit
with sleeves. Several of them are former beauty queens and almost all put on
airs of piety and religiosity. It's offensive, but the tactic has worked and
over the past twenty years the entertainment-propaganda channel has played a
profound role in re-shaping Evangelicalism.
Liberty University graduate Shannon Bream takes this a step
further as she is tapping into FOX's 'Christian' audience. FOX has gotten so
big and has such a devoted audience that under Rupert Murdoch's leadership FOX
has dovetailed with the publishing industry producing books on history, current
events – and now Christian works. Given Murdoch's dominance of the Christian
publishing industry it is in some respects surprising that FOX and Harper
Collins are the publishers (as opposed to say Thomas Nelson or Zondervan) but
Bream's appeal certainly extends well beyond the Evangelical market. The former
Miss Virginia has a wide following and FOX wants to 'lock in' its Christian
audience as well as do what it does best – generate profits. Right-wing
politics and Christianity are at times openly conflated on their channel and many
equate its 'news' agenda with the Christian cause. And disappointing as that
might be, many Christians are falling for it. It is a sign of the times and
further evidence of Evangelicalism's descent into functional apostasy.
At one time Christians turned up their noses at beauty
pageant contestants – and certainly the women who promoted themselves as such.
And the idea that a career woman who has pulled herself up the ladder (as it
were) by immodestly utilising her looks and body was something that Christian
conservatives would have found offensive.
But in today's ecclesiastical climate, such women (instead of
being reckoned as the tarts they are), are celebrated and lipstick feminism has
even triumphed to such a degree – now they can become Bible teachers. The fact
that Bream's book is #1 on Amazon's list of Christian Bible Study books and also
topped the New York Times bestseller list is telling. And I'm sure she's also
cashed in – which few today seem to grasp is problematic from the standpoint of
Christian ethics. But then again, New Testament ethics play little to no part
in contemporary Evangelical thought. All their talk of 'values' rings hollow,
something the past five years or so has made abundantly clear.
And make no mistake she is a feminist. She dodges the label
but in interviews (and subtly and not so subtly in the book) she has revealed
her values and it's evident she has drunk deep from the feminist well – a point
only furthered by her career and her deliberate choice not to have children.
Aside from the book being unsound in its assertions and in
much of what Bream teaches, the very notion of what is taking place – that this woman has published this book and that it's endorsed by
Evangelical leaders and a bestseller – marks a revolution in once conservative
Christian circles. But the fact that those same Christian circles have been
transformed into a ratification of Trumpism (and Bream is no exception) then
the time has come for some deep reflection on the part of those who would
faithfully follow the New Testament. Either the previous generations were wrong
or the contemporary Church is being deceived. The seamless narrative that's
being presented regarding conservative Christianity (Evangelical or otherwise) is
simply untrue. The FOX values of today's Evangelicalism mark a shift in mindset
and a change of heart.
FOX has played a huge role in transforming American
Evangelicalism and even Confessionalism. It has spread lies, distorted truth,
and poisoned the thinking, ethics, and very soul of the Christian community. In
Christian terms, it is a wolf in sheep's clothing, a fox in the hen-house. I
cannot take seriously anyone who watches the channel or considers it a valid
news source. The same is true of outlets like CNN but that's beside the point
in this case. Rather than denounce the channel it has been embraced by Christian
leaders. Like pigs to the trough they are eager to appear on its programmes and
promote their books, and for years I have seen the pastors talking on Christian
websites, referencing the fact that they were watching Beck, O'Reilley,
Hannity, or Tucker. It's a case of undiscerning shepherds being shepherded by
charlatans and hucksters.
Such pastors have not shepherded the flock. They have not
taught their congregations discernment. They have allowed the enemy to
infiltrate the Church and have ignored the warnings of the New Testament
concerning Satan's tactics. Blind leaders of the blind, they have led their
congregations into traps. They have poisoned the wells and we are only now
beginning to see something of the rotten harvest, the fruits of the rotten seed
they have sown. It all goes back to mammonism, dominion, and rank idolatry of
the American system and its power. They are about to reap the whirlwind and it
will be terrible to behold.
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