389. The Future of Christianity in America

The New Evangelicals Podcast

Tim Whitaker

News, Religion & Spirituality, Politics, Christianity

4.6 • 936 Ratings

🗓️ 7 July 2025

⏱️ 64 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In today's episode, Tim engages in a deep conversation with Jonathan Merritt, a prominent thought leader at the intersection of faith and culture. They explore Jonathan's journey from growing up in a conservative evangelical household to navigating his identity as a gay man. Jonathan's Website | Jonathanmerritt.com Highlights 04:01 Jonathan Merritt: A Journey Through Faith and Culture 11:08 Coming Out: The Intersection of Faith and Identity 17:19 The Impact of the Religious Right on LGBTQ+ Lives 29:59 The Role of Media in Shaping Narratives 39:42 The Evolution of Christianity in America 51:35 Hope and Transformation in Charismatic Christianity _______________________________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠you'd like to support our work, you can DONATE here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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. This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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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0:29.7	You're listening to the new evangelicals podcast. Hello, friends.
0:46.9	Happy Monday.
0:48.6	Coming to you with another banger of an interview.
0:51.7	I brought on Jonathan Merritt.
0:53.7	He is one of America's most trusted
0:56.0	thought leaders at the intersection of faith and culture. He currently serves as a vice
1:00.1	president and executive editor for Simon & Schuster, where he oversees the acquisition of books
1:05.0	in the faith and spirituality category, as well as select general market nonfiction, he has spent two decades in
1:12.5	public life. He has written for every major national outlet that you can think of, New York Times,
1:18.3	Washington Post, The Daily Beast, Christianity Today, USA Today. It's his his, his, his, um,
1:25.4	resume is incredible. He's incredibly smart.
1:28.9	His story is unbelievable.
1:30.7	He was actually outed against his will and it was a huge thing when it all happened.
1:35.1	So we talk about that and his story of finding faith as a gay man in America.
1:39.8	And also, of course, I had to pick his brain on just the general temperature of our current cultural
1:47.3	moment, how writing and articles and books are still needed more than ever, all that good stuff.
1:52.5	This is such a fascinating conversation.
	...

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