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The New Evangelicals Podcast

294. TNE TALKS: Introducing the Ministers of Propaganda

The New Evangelicals Podcast

Tim Whitaker

News, Religion & Spirituality, Politics, Christianity

4.7 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 12 August 2024

⏱️ 63 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode, Tim sits down with Scott M. Coley, author of the book,  Ministers of Propaganda, and they discuss the concept of legitimizing narratives that are used to justify social arrangements that benefit white evangelicals. Takeaways Legitimizing narratives are stories that justify social arrangements and hierarchies. White evangelicals have used the Bible as a source of legitimizing narratives to justify social arrangements that benefit them. The curse of Ham is an example of a legitimizing narrative used to justify race-based chattel slavery and racial segregation. The hermeneutics of legitimization is an approach to biblical interpretation that consistently produces readings of the text that justify the reader's preferred social arrangements. Understanding and challenging these narratives is important for promoting justice and equality. Legitimizing narratives are used to justify and perpetuate harmful ideologies. The defense of slavery and gender hierarchy are examples of self-defeating narratives that appropriate the very ideals they undermine. There is a tension between conservative ideals of family values and fiscal policies. Propaganda plays a significant role in shaping public opinion and can be used to manipulate and control narratives. It is important to critically examine the narratives we encounter and strive for a more just and inclusive approach to interpreting scripture and engaging in politics. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Announcement 04:07 Introduction to Scott M. Coley and His Book 'Ministers of Propaganda' 10:21 How White Evangelicals Justify Social Arrangements 26:43 The Curse of Ham: A Historical Example of a Legitimizing Narrative 29:38 The Hermeneutics of Legitimization 31:05 Challenging Legitimizing Narratives 31:35 Unpacking Legitimizing Narratives and Harmful Ideologies 39:35 The Tension Between Conservative Family Values and Fiscal Policies 55:22 The Role of Propaganda in Shaping Public Opinion 01:00:43 The Need for Critical Examination of Narratives 01:02:11 Striving for a Just and Inclusive Approach to Scripture and Politics Scott's Book | Ministers of Propaganda: Truth, Power, and the Ideology of the Religious Right Scott's Instagram | @scott_m_coley Scott's X | @scott_m_coley ______________ Come to the LIVE EVENT in Austin, TX | Democracy at Risk REGISTER TO VOTE If you'd like to support our work, you can DONATE here! Get Tickets to Beer Camp (PROMO: TNEHOBBIT) Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals The New Evangelicals exists to support those who are tired of how evangelical church has been done before and want to see an authentic faith lived out with Jesus at the center. We are committed to building a caring community that emulates the ways of Jesus by reclaiming the evangelical tradition and embracing values that build a better way forward. If you’ve been marginalized by your faith, you are welcome here. We’ve built an empathetic and inclusive space that encourages authentic conversations, connections and faith. Whether you consider yourself a Christian, an exvangelical, someone who's questioning your faith, or someone who's left the faith entirely, you are welcome here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

You're listening to the new Evangelicals Podcast.

0:03.2

Welcome to the new evangelicals talks. I'm Tim the host of this segment.

0:18.8

Join us every Monday as we talk to all different kinds of people at the

0:22.3

intersection of theology, politics,

0:24.8

and culture helping you navigate a better path forward in your faith.

0:28.8

Friends, what's up, how are we doing? Happy Monday. I have a really big announcement to share with you. I have been holding this in for months. Let me do my intro and then hang tight because

0:44.5

this is a game changer, especially if you're in the Texas area. So check this out.

0:49.6

First off, today's guest, wow, really powerful conversation.

0:53.8

I interviewed Scott M. Coley, he wrote the book Ministers of Propaganda.

0:58.1

Let me be real straight with you.

1:00.2

I get a lot of books at this point in my blooming podcast career and I can't read all of them.

1:07.1

This book I cannot put down.

1:09.1

It is so good.

1:10.6

It is so helpful to make sense of the white evangelicalism that so many of us have come out of and how it actually functions and this conversation is all about that.

1:21.0

Terms like legitimizing narratives come into play, things I've never heard of before

1:25.2

that have helped me fill in the gaps to understand so much better what's actually going on.

1:32.1

So I think you're going to love this interview.

1:34.3

Scott, thank you for coming on, by his book. It is coming out. I think it's out now actually.

1:38.1

Let's see, oh yeah, it came out in June. So make sure you pick it up. Okay, here's my big of my big

1:44.0

big announcement. We are doing one of our very rare and really first ever in-person

1:51.4

podcast recordings.

1:53.4

Here's the details.

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