A New Fissure in the Evangelical Movement as Leaders Gather to Discuss Division Over Trump and Evangelical Identity

About 50 prominent evangelicals are meeting at Wheaton College to discuss the future of evangelicalism, focusing on the movement’s condition and the divide caused by the election of President Donald Trump. The gathering, organized by Doug Birdsall, honorary chair of Lausanne, includes leaders from various denominations and organizations, such as pastors Tim Keller and A.R. Bernard, Dallas Theological Seminary professor Darrell Bock, and representatives from the Wesleyan Church and National Latino Evangelical Coalition.

Bock, who helped organize the event, emphasized the need for evangelicals to return to the core definition of the term: belief in the Bible’s authority, salvation through Jesus’ work, personal conversion, and evangelism. The meeting reflects a broader concern about the movement’s direction and the impact of political affiliations on its moral standing.

A.R. Bernard, a black pastor of the 40,000-member Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, expressed fears that white evangelical support for Trump has jeopardized American Christianity’s reputation. He resigned from an advisory group after Trump blamed “both sides” for violence in Charlottesville. Bernard argues that many white evangelicals have focused too much on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage, neglecting concerns such as economic inequality and police violence.

Tim Keller, founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, warned that religion should not be reduced to politics. He noted that many at the meeting are concerned about religious freedom under Obama but now feel under attack from the right if they support open immigration. Keller stressed that faith, sin, and grace are fundamental human realities, and politics should not overshadow these.

The event highlights a growing tension within evangelical circles, as leaders seek to address both internal divisions and external challenges. With 80 percent of evangelicals supporting Trump in the election, the meeting underscores the need for a renewed focus on core Christian values and the complexities of navigating political landscapes.

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