False Teachers, their Propaganda, and the Degenerate State of American Evangelicalism

https://www.christianpost.com/news/fox-news-hosts-launches-series-to-show-proof-of-heaven.html

This is not really a noteworthy story but it provides an occasion to reflect upon a few things. Because like it or not this is what people are buying into and as long as we're attending mainstream institutional 'conservative' churches, we're going to encounter the folks who are influenced by these people – and even look up to them.

One, the FOX channel continues to build and cultivate its profile as the 'Christian News' channel. It's nothing official but its sponsorship of such books and programmes and the way it promotes them does much to foster this image and make the connection with its viewers – many of whom could be described as cult-like.

Second, it's noteworthy how FOX – the ostensibly 'conservative' channel is playing no small part in promoting women as Christian leaders. Its lipstick-style feminism has found a magic formula among Evangelicals and the Right-wing. The women in the audience like the assertive women leaders they can resonate with (consider also the popularity of someone like Sarah Palin) and the men like to look at women that are in some cases (and by some estimations) attractive and are certainly dolled up and dressed in a provocative manner. It's a non-Christian distortion of femininity and a rejection of Biblical womanhood.

Aside from the fact that she's not an ex-beauty queen, Ainsley Earhardt fits the FOX profile to a tee and the fact that she's twice divorced is no longer a scandal among the Evangelical community. Her profession is most certainly belied by her association with FOX, the bald-faced deceptions she promotes (on the atrocious propaganda show known as Fox & Friends) and not least, her character is exposed by the fact that she has most recently taken up with a sociopathic liar, the nominal Roman Catholic Right-wing figure, Sean Hannity. So much for her Christian faith playing a role in her everyday life. By Christian estimations she is an adulteress and there is suggestion that she is even by secular reckonings as well.

And in terms of sociopathic liars, she has actively promoted Trumpism and the many lies and propaganda points associated with his administration. In terms of journalism and general competency she's a joke if not a disgrace. But her looks and willingness to flaunt herself have facilitated her rise and made her a considerable amount of money.

In other words, no right-thinking Christian would have any interest in what this woman has to say – especially in the realm of Biblical faith and ethics – because with regard to the latter, she has none.

And what do we find, what does she have to say?

We find a programme promoting ideas that are best described as semi-gnostic, a kind of feel good mysticism that reigns in the culture but has little to do with the Kingdom of Christ.  The theology is aberrant and her testimony regarding cheap grace rings hollow, not to mention her claims that God tells her to write these books and do these programmes. The theology of the afterlife-oriented show resonates very well with a kind of generic religion-spirituality liked to American patriotism and Right-wing values (the true religion of FOX Christians) but it provides nothing in terms of apostolic doctrine, spiritual insight, or maturity.

Why is she being elevated as a Christian leader? Because there is a symbiotic relationship between Christian leadership, its celebrity culture and the FOX channel. Indeed the epistemology of many Evangelicals could rightly be described as BibleFox as opposed to Scripture or any kind of historically-rooted faith. The Evangelical leadership and FOX promote each other and literally make merchandise of God's people. It's deceit on a massive scale, in this case perpetuated by the former lobbyist and Right-wing activist Richard Land who is a leading voice at the Christian Post. He wants Christians to find common bonds with celebrities, with the 'movers and shakers' in society and thus they are given an inordinate amount of attention on The Christian Post platform – even those who have no credible profession. Others who need to be rebuked and subjected to Church discipline are instead lauded, promoted, and often placed into de facto positions of authority and leadership. It's a model American Evangelicalism is spreading across the globe.

A few of Paul's final words to Timothy come to mind:

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears. (2 Timothy 4.3)