Ryan Walters is Oklahoma’s state superintendent of public instruction. He is calling for a “complete overhaul” of the Oklahoma social studies curriculum to emphasize Christianity and American exceptionalism. David Barton is a conservative activist who uses the past to promote his political agenda. Steve Deace is a conservative radio host who endorsed Ron DeSantis during the GOP primaries. Barton and Deace are part of Walters’s “A-List Executive Review Committee” in Oklahoma, the team of activists who will rewrite the state’s curriculum.
These three men are calling for evangelicals to line-up behind Donald Trump in an op-ed published today at The Washington Times. They believe that “the fundamental struggle for the soul of America” is “deeply rooted in spiritual warfare.” Here is a taste:
As conservative evangelicals, we stand at a critical juncture in our nation’s history, confronted by an aggressive push from secular, “woke” ideologies championed by President Biden and his administration. This battle is not just cultural; it’s a fundamental struggle for the soul of America, deeply rooted in spiritual warfare.
The election ahead is more than a political contest; it is our opportunity to affirm our commitment to our nation’s Judeo-Christian values.
Under former President Donald Trump’s administration, his dedication to these values was unmistakably demonstrated through his appointment of conservative judges to the federal bench. While their record has not been perfect, it has clearly been superior to that of any previous era of GOP judicial appointments.
For example, we have seen Mr. Trump’s Supreme Court picks fulfill his 2016 campaign promise to overturn Roe v. Wade and do more to unravel the swamp and its administrative state of faceless bureaucrats than anything else Republicans have attempted in a generation. We also just saw the reworked 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, which was notoriously liberal for decades until Mr. Trump overhauled its roster of judges with his appointments, striking the mightiest blow yet against continuing to shield Pfizer from accountability for its failed toxic genetic serum...
As we mobilize for the upcoming elections, our strategy must be clear and assertive. Churches and community groups must transform into centers of evangelical activism, educating and equipping members to take a stand in this cultural and spiritual battle. Voter registration drives, engagement in school boards and advocacy for educational reform must be pursued with vigor and strategic planning. The same spirit of liberty that inspired the Pligrims to hop aboard the Mayflower for a dangerous trip across the sea, and 13 colonies that each had ties to some vestige of the Christian church to pledge their lives, fortunes and honor must be renewed again if we are to preserve this last, best hope for humanity east of Eden.
Mr. Trump’s track record of appointing strong, conservative judicial candidates underscores his alignment with evangelical values. His vision to “make America great again” is not just a political slogan but a call to restore America’s Christian heritage since its greatness came from the Christian faith that inspired her. He will end diversity, equity and inclusion policies. He will make sure that we put America first. He will end atheism as a state-run religion. He will protect those who still believe in faith, family and freedom. For evangelicals, his administration stands as the only viable option for those of us who value religious freedom and the sanctity of life.
Read the entire piece here. For an alternative approach to the “Christian heritage” view of American history, written by a confessing evangelical Christian, check out my Was America Founded as a Christian Nation: A Historical Introduction. For an alternative evangelical response to Donald Trump check out my Believe Me: The Evangelical Road to Donald Trump. For an alternative evangelical response to the uses of history see my Why Study History?: Reflecting on the Importance of the Past.