Below is a letter I sent to Dr. Matthew J. Hall, the new provost and senior vice president at Biola University. I attended Biola for three degrees in the late 1960s to late 1970s. This is a response to remarks of his at his installation earlier this year. Beyond my points here, I have numerous theological departures from my days at Biola, but wanted to keep a primary focus and limit the length of the letter. I also here use more Christian lingo than I typically use, and in ways Dr. Hall would probably mean a little differently than I do.

The letter, after minor edits:

Dear Dr. Hall,

I just read the adaptation of your installation address in the Biola Magazine. Interesting to read!

I’m a triple alum – Biola, Talbot, Biola, MA-MFCC (1967-1978). I’ve been “all around” in the Christian world, and fond of higher education, so recognize the wisdom of your approach on many points.

I’m now involved in transpartisan efforts for deep electoral reform and some additional structures to enable a truly “deliberative democracy” which will allow God’s Spirit to be expressed through much broader and more conviction-led representation than we now have.

Even with the diminished percentage of self-labeled Christians in the US (now about 63%, “devoted” ones much fewer of course), lowered church attendance, etc., Christian influence both culturally and politically is still very strong. It could be stronger if democracy is more pervasive. “Kingdom” influence, that of Jesus, will be far weaker if autocratic trends continue and prevail.

Sadly, although I push for transpartisan means and ends, I must thoughtfully charge the Republican Party with fanning the far more serious threat in this regard than does the Democratic Party. And that will likely continue, even if Trump ends up convicted, imprisoned and out of his currently still “controlling” position in the party.

So I appreciate your subtle critique, “… both the political right and left seem to be gripped with their own fevers du jour.” I’d liken the “right’s” fever to an autoimmune reaction of runaway inflammation which would not purge the virus, but kill the host.

Key point of evidence is the 81% (or so) of white Evangelical votes for Trump in 2016. The excess over the close-to-even Catholic split (around 50/50 I believe) and the edge (over 2 million) for Clinton in the nationwide vote probably tipped the presidency to Trump in the electoral college.

One could argue that many or most Evangelicals didn’t yet know Trump for what he is was/is, particularly in his faux religion and his outward disagreement with Jesus on forgiveness, honesty, mutual respect and grace, etc., etc. However, I’m sure they DID know about his sexual immorality, his cruelty, and general bad character.

But then, in 2020, Evangelicals voted very nearly as strongly for Trump as in 2016, despite the numerous, continual revelations of the things touched on above and much more, such as administrative incompetence and support for cruel and godless dictators.

NOW… to the present, the Evangelical loyalty to Trump still is largely unshaken, in the aftermath of his clear defying of the will of God (as expressed via our electoral and judicial systems, based on “rule of law” – powers “ordained by God” … cf. Romans, etc., as you are aware).

There are a number of reasons why, as you say, “…historic Christian orthodoxy is less welcome in our public square than it was a decade ago.” Some of them lie squarely on “orthodox” Christians themselves. (I remain identified as Christian myself, but admittedly no longer orthodox by most definitions.) Some of them relate to what I’ve just covered; some to the matter of posture toward various gender and sexuality issues you also briefly refer to. In that, my point is not to “side” with secular culture (or “modern paganism”) but to note that the over-reaction by many Christians as seen in “purity culture” programs for youth, does go to an opposite (and counterproductive) extreme. That turns off many sensible people who may not join in with “modern paganism”.

My personal plea to you would be to become assertive, in your role with Biola, in helping students, staff and constituency to be far less politically partisan. Rather, be more committed to the clear guidance and example of Jesus toward Kingdom ethics – the creation of conditions as well as personal behavior that cares for “the least of these”. Charity and the “private sector” alone cannot accomplish this in a society like ours… it takes that plus good civil governance.