Ten years ago, when theonomists argued for fidelity to God’s Word in the public square, contra both the Republicans and Democrats, the last thing we were called was pietists.
Four years ago, when they critiqued Trump’s Operation Warp Speed or Fauci and his antics, we never heard the phrase “purity spiraling.”
But time changes all things. Now, critiques of any of Donald Trump’s proposed plans for the coming Golden Age are liable to elicit reproach by those who just want to keep “winning.” Those of us who are not over the moon about the recent election results, or want to push for fidelity to God’s Law-Word in the public realm, are likely to be accused of pietism or “purity spiraling.”
For example, after discussing the homosexual Scott Pressler’s efforts to register Republican voters in Pennsylvania, Eric Conn said on a recent episode of The King’s Hall, “And yet we see a lot…of Christians who are like, ‘I’m sitting this one out, nobody’s perfect enough for me.’ There’s some purity spiraling going on.” The idea is that those who did not vote for Trump have unrealistic standards and are unwilling to get their hands (or consciences) dirty by voting for Trump.
Conn also noted, “The pietism is not going to hold the barbarians off.” It is a catchy slogan, but it lacks substance. In the end, based on the entire podcast, the conclusion one must draw is that pietists don’t vote for Trump, and, furthermore, voting for Trump is the means to hold the barbarians off. Adding to that, Brian Sauvé said, “It is not even a question on whether or not you should have voted” for Trump. He admitted it is lawful to refrain from voting, but it “was unwise and an unforced strategic plunder” to not vote for Trump. In other words, get out and vote Republican — that is how you fight off the barbarians. And that is one thing that has not changed from the Republican camp: whatever else, as long as you end up voting Republican, you will have done your part to help the Republic.
I fundamentally reject the claim that…
Reformed Hope 