Christianity Today (CT) Editor in Chief Mark Galli simply can’t contain his outrage over the moral depravity of President Trump. Last Thursday, just weeks before his retirement, Galli unleashed a scathing editorial calling for Trump’s removal.
Labeling Trump’s actions “profoundly immoral,” Galli wrote: “That he should be removed, we believe, is not a matter of partisan loyalties but loyalty to the Creator of the Ten Commandments.” Then, taking aim at fellow evangelicals, Galli added: “Consider what an unbelieving world will say if you continue to brush off Mr. Trump’s immoral words and behavior . . . If we don’t reverse course now, will anyone take anything we say about justice and righteousness with any seriousness for decades to come?”
As someone who’s been pleading with evangelicals for the past two years to speak out against immoral leaders, there was a part of me that was tempted to cheer—not because of Galli’s call for the president to resign. That’s immaterial to my point. If you’ve followed me for long, you know I’ve both criticized and praised this president when either response has been warranted. And I haven’t published anything about the impeachment process because I’ve felt anything I’d say about it would likely prove unhelpful in this extremely politically-charged environment.
But I was tempted to cheer only because an evangelical leader was apparently taking a stand based on conviction, despite knowing it would spark backlash within his own camp. This is almost unheard of in evangelicalism. Yet, considering the source, I was dumbfounded.
Here were Galli and CT—an editor and magazine, which have not only consistently failed to confront corrupt leaders but have actually aided and abetted them—lecturing other evangelicals about supporting Trump. The hypocrisy was so blatant, I stared at my screen with my jaw on my chest as I read Galli’s entire op-ed.
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And as if that weren’t bad enough, there’s the shocking backstory of the op-ed. As we now know, the op-ed came after Ed Stetzer, CT contributing editor and executive director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College, used his influence at CT to arrange a phone call between MacDonald and CT Global Director Jeremy Weber. (That phone call was captured on a “hot mic” recording, which has since been published on YouTube.)
And about a year earlier, MacDonald had given Stetzer a $13,000 classic VW as a gift. Though Stetzer reimbursed Harvest Bible Chapel for the VW after learning that MacDonald had purchased it with the church’s money, taking such a large gift is a serious breach of journalistic ethics.
Yet when called on this glaring breach, Galli’s response was that Stetzer—a CT editor—isn’t a journalist. That’s another jaw-dropper. Whether Stetzer is a journalist or not, Stetzer should be required to adhere to the magazine’s ethical standards. Yet Galli completely brushed off Stetzer’s moral lapse. CT never reported what Stetzer did and Stetzer remained in his position.
But it gets worse.
Galli and CT also apparently didn’t see a story when I revealed that the person on the “hot mic” recording joking with James MacDonald about putting child porn on the computer of former CT CEO Harold Smith was PR guru, Johnnie Moore. Moore also is heard coaching MacDonald on how to manipulate CT into giving MacDonald favorable coverage for his abysmal lawsuit.
Moore sits on the executive committee of the National Association of Evangelicals. He’s also the leader of Trump’s Evangelical Advisory Committee. You would think Galli, who’s so concerned about the witness of his fellow evangelicals, would care that someone as morally compromised as Moore holds such prominent positions within evangelicalism. Yet, CT didn’t publish the shocking revelations about Moore.
Recently, I talked with Moore and he told me that he flew out to Carol Stream last spring to meet face-to-face with the leadership of CT to apologize for his behavior. I live within 10 minutes of CT’s offices, but Moore didn’t bother to apologize to me until several weeks ago when I called Moore and confronted him.
Unlike CT, I can’t do any favors for Johnnie Moore—nor would I. But apparently CT does, and it did.
But CT’s collusion and complicity doesn’t end there. When I published my initial exposé on MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel in WORLD Magazine, CT published an article disputing my exposé. In addition, CT did something almost unheard of in journalism: it published Harvest’s press release in full.
Interestingly, CT had done something similar about a year earlier when famed apologist Ravi Zacharias was caught in a sexting scandal. Like MacDonald, Zacharias pre-emptively sued his accuser before she went public. And then, after the woman had signed a non-disparagement agreement and could not speak, CT published Zacharias’ full statement against her.
At the time, I was more naïve and remember being convinced by the CT article that Zacharias was innocent. I have since read Steve Baughman’s book, Cover-up in the Kingdom, and now realize there’s a lot more to the story than CT reported. I have questions for which I’m continuing to seek answers.
There also was the time CT kicked me out of its studio after I blew the whistle on the Moody Bible Institute and got fired from my job at Moody Radio. Before then, CT had allowed me to use its studio to record podcasts.
But apparently burning a bridge with a friend of CT’s was not allowed, regardless of the veracity of my reporting. Galli later apologized to me for the rude way CT had treated me. But he stood by the decision to rescind our prior agreement.
What’s become abundantly clear is that Galli and CT’s outrage concerning immorality is extremely selective. If one happens to be an evangelical powerbroker, CT will give your indiscretions, and even blatant corruption, a pass. But if you’re Donald Trump—a figure despised by the Left and rejected by a significant minority on the Right—Galli and CT will unload both barrels.
[pullquote]What’s become abundantly clear is that Galli and CT’s outrage concerning immorality is extremely selective. If one happens to be an evangelical powerbroker, CT will give your indiscretions, and even blatant corruption, a pass.[/pullquote]I suspect the reason for this hypocrisy is that CT depends on the evangelical industrial complex to survive. It needs its evangelical advertisers and relationships with top Christian celebrities and thought leaders to remain in business. But CT doesn’t need Trump.The magazine has been building its more progressive base for years. And as Matthew Schmitz, senior editor of First Things, noted in an op-ed in the New York Post, most of the leadership class within evangelicalism is far more liberal than the movement it supposedly represents.
Galli likely knew his op-ed would make him a hero to the people who write the books, sell the books, organize the conferences, and staff Christian colleges. It seems a calculated risk, and one that’s apparently paid off. As Galli told CNBC, three times as many people have subscribed to CT than have unsubscribed since his op-ed went viral.
So I get it. Mark Galli and CT made a brilliant move, which has enlarged their progressive base and will allow the magazine to go precisely where it’s been straining to go the past decade. And Galli’s op-ed will likely launch him beautifully into a “retirement” replete with speaking invitations and opportunities to freelance for secular publications.
But let’s not pretend that this was all about righteous indignation. Galli and CT clearly only care about “justice and righteousness” and preserving the witness of evangelicalism when it suits them. And it’s not just Trump who’s “dumbed down the idea of morality.” Galli and CT have been doing that for years. And they’re the last people who should act as though they have a moral platform from which to pass judgment.
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151 Responses
Well said, Julie!
You have a unique perspective on this beyond the politics. Thanks for posting!
Julie, as always well written though I think the line is perhaps blurred a bit between the selective editorial choice of CT and how they have treated you, which certainly was poorly. What no one seems to be pointing out regardless of their particular political axe grinding is when we elect a President, they are not being elected as First Pastor of America. Is Trump qualified to be a pastor or elder in a church? Absolutely not. But that was not why or for what he was elected. Vocal progressive Christians seem to have muddled thinking in that regard.
Unquestionably the pastoral epistle character standards for leadership apply to churches and should also to any organizations leadership that defines itself as Christian, but I see no such application in Romans 13 to the government. Would I strongly prefer to have a President of outstanding moral character? Of course I would. I think the last man who fit that standard was the only one not elected in the 10th century and that was Gerald Ford. To put it another way, when we evaluate a military general it is by their effectiveness on the battlefield, period. While I find much of Trumps tweets and statements to be juvenile and narcissistic – but then again the prior President’s favorite topic was himself just look at his last speech at a recent funeral – I cannot deny his series of excellent choices on Israel, Federal Judges, the economy, removing IRS pressure on churches, canceling veterans school debt, and tax reform. He has in enacted far greater number actions which are good for our country than any recent President of either party. Isn’t that what a President is supposed to be doing?
Well said…????
I think this is the best piece you have written in 2019. It unfortunately reflects the carnage of 2019. Selective moral finger pointing is right – the depravity is apparently only seen in the other team. Is there no fear of God remaining? Are we so blind to our bling spots? Has group think and yes men become the name of the day? Where are those that speak out against tarnishing the bride? Protect the brand is all I hear and it is despicable. Christ is the brand – protect Christ and his sheep and all else follows from there. There is a winnowing no doubt. I cling to the word and invite others to point to my blind spots less I do the same. Thank you for the piece, Julie. Merry Christmas to you.
I have come to the cynical conclusion that there isn’t anyone in the large evangelical/Pentecostal/charisma-tic industrial complex that isn’t both outraged and compromised. When judgment comes, it will be severe. We marry politics and it corrupts everything it touches.
Good article Julie. I thought Mark Galli’s statement was quite hypocritical given the previous involvement with J. MacDonald. I’m glad you called him out on it. I await his response to your post – though I doubt there will be one coming because I don’t know how he could give a rational, reasoned response.
Thanks Julie for being on the front lines with exposing the control, corruption and co-ercion going on in Christendom… definitely lots of red flags and double standards… seems with the EV industrial complex it’s ok to use your position of power when it benefits themselves and their institution, but heaven forbid an institution uses it’s influence to call out abuses of power in it’s own camp… the signs continue to indicate self preservation, self protection and self promotion… I hope CT proves us wrong… there is a reason the gov’t implemented whistleblower protection laws… those in power will almost always retaliate against those who point out the problems…
I really did appreciate Galli’s editorial in CT. Better late than ever — and it was well done — but I sure wish CT would spoken out earlier. I’m sorry they didn’t. I really respect Julie Roys, and I am sorry Galli and CT were not nearly as courageous in defending her against James MacDonald, MaDonald has shown over and over what kind of man he is, and CT missed a real opportunity with this one. I am so sorry, James MacDonald’s writing should never have been allowed to stand in CT. CT missed in so many ways. And I’m sorry Ed Stetzer was not more forthcoming, too. t’s too bad. Julie’s reporting on MacDonald, especially in WORLD Magazine,was really spot on. Furthermore, I have read Julie’s book on redeeming the feminine soul. She is honest and authenticate.In November, I attended the Restore Chicago conference at Judson University in November, which her ministry sponsored along with Judson University. Her keynote was simply outstanding. … All that said, the evangelicals in the U.S.still are badly fragmented. The younger millennial pastors in particular (who I think appreciated Galli’s editorial),are in a very different place and in a totally different mindset from, say, Franklin Graham, James Dobson and the older baby-boomer evangelicals. Many millennials feel a deep derision toward the older baby-boomer evangelicals.I’ve never seen anything quite like this in my 40 years of ministry. … I’m not at all ready to give up, but i haven’t a clue how the 2 sides will move closer together, except to pray and look for opportunities where the 2 sides can sit down and listen to one another. Got any ideas here, Julie? Keep up the good work. We need what you bring to the table.
Hello, Julie – I think I missed something in the account of Ravi Zacharias about his alleged participation in the sexting scandal. I had not heard about this before your report and did read his statement in CT that you made reference to. Absent any additional information or evidence to show that he acted in a way different from what he said in his statement I don’t know that I would/could conclude that he lied about the encounter. Again, I may have missed important details. Overall, your reporting is important, but with all that is happening in politics, religion and, yes, Christianity, a lot gets past us.
There are a lot of issues and problems l get that through blogging. Let me share the challenge l have. I write critical pieces and articles on the Neo-Calvinist movement and people like those. Then l write about the Christian culture wars and Christian Nationalism. (I.e. Jesus died for a Supreme Court seat) and it angers people. CT has issues l agree and the Harvest scandal revealed that issue. After all what does Mega Church Pastor scream on Twitter about CT? But for many evangelicals Christianity is not a faith system but a political party. And that issue is often ignored. Another issue is the inconsistencies on issues like sexual abuse. In the church it’s evil but then people practice cognitive dissonance and ignore or stay silent about it. For example sex abuse in an evangelical church is wrong and evil but don’t say anything about Trump’s boasting of abuse because some want a Supreme Court seat. Translation…sex abuse in a baptist, non-denom, Sovereign Grace is evil but it’s okay if our man does it because we want our court seat. That is hypocrisy also. There are lots of inconsistencies in the internet world l wrote a post about this recently and you also have narcissists who like to be the center of attention. But it’s important to remember CT stayed silent for three years mostly on Trump. And they did speak out about Nixon and Clinton which shows precedence and consistency in one area. I agree there are problems but l so welcome the CT editorial. For someone who lost many friendships because I wouldn’t worship Trump as my Lord and Savior like a number of evangelicals have…l appreciated this editorial. But l agree there are issues that need to be addressed.
Hello Wondering Eagle: I love your Website !! I have benefitted from reading your good stuff.
My 2 cents is:
I share most of your concerns. I have attended multiple churches across 4 state area, and I have never heard a single Evangelical preacher endorse Trump or GOP from the pulpit. However, I have attended several large Progressive churches on invitation of my co-workers ( because they want to “educate me about the REAL World or so they say with a chuckle ), and I have experienced flagrant, out in the Open, Political endorsement for left-wing Progressive causes.
I attended a co-workers church 2 months ago, and that Pastor was attempting to preach through Book of Nehemiah. I felt the Pastor was doing a Great job and I was learning a lot about Nehemiah. But he stopped abruptly and was startled by something in the audience I guess…..and he stopped halfway through what he was speaking about Nehemiah’s wall of Jerusalem. And he then went off on a 15 minute temper tantrum about how it is racist and immoral for the USA government to have borders and walls.
I wanted to ask the Pastor if he even had doors on his house, because of his lengthy rant that came out of nowhere.
I couldn’t believe the amount of Scripture-twisting he was doing in order to appease his audience !!
I believe Expository preaching should glorify Christ. It should not glorify causes ( or a man ) .
Julie Roys: well said. 150 % agree with you.
The best part is “SELECTIVE outrage”. Galli is now making the talk show rounds, because he is concerned about how immoral and bad Trump is . Galli is kicking a dead horse here. It is too easy to jump on the Lame Stream Media Narrative and go along with everyone else here.
Galli: but what about Ravenous Wolves like James MacDonald who fleece the flock and cause many to Leave the faith?
Silence.
Julie, as a journalist your opEd should be sent to news outlets that would listen. It’s is frustrating to see the hypocrisy in our government but to see it in come from our Christian community is an outrage. CT should not be off the hook for this. Someone from CT needs to speak out against Galli in light of their hypocritical support to corrupt leaders in the church.
When Christian leaders smear anyone or any group as being beyond the pale and the grace of God, I long to ask them: “does the blood of the LORD Jesus not avail for them, too?”
Will you accept the same rationale that the potus is not pastor of the united states when it comes to a pro life liberal potus?
Since that is the standard in which we should choose a potus?
Hello Jamel:
The important “Pro-life” issue is one of the many criteria among several that individual Christians may use in Navigating the difficult and turbulent waters of selecting a Secular POTUS over the non-Christian USA, non-theocracy. We are a constitutional republic, and not a theocracy. We as the Church do call James MacDonald ( and other Ravenous Wolves within the Church ) to repentance because we Expect professing Christians within the Church to act, think, and behave like Christians.
In Secular world, this is Not the same.
Mark, Ideally, I would vote for someone who was committed to Christ, thus lived their lives in that way. However, that ideal hasn’t presented itself in quite some time.
As for Trump, I’d prefer to have a president who speaks off the cuff who is willing to fight to do what I tell him to do than a president who is poised and polished, but couldn’t care less what I want out of him.
We have the former in Trump, and we have the latter out of the current GOP. So yeah, I’m going to pick the man who has proven himself leagues more than any Republican in eons. As for Democrats, they’re not even a viable party anymore, so they don’t really make a comparison in this.
This is ok but it cuts both ways…the same people who says Galli should leave Trump alone have selective outrage of their own…leading them to condone every ungodly action of this potus while point out the faults in others. This article is just another political hit piece against a guy who dare call Trump to account for his immorality.
Hello Jamel:
My humble 2 cents is that you are mistaken. The author of the Article has already communicated her disdain and her dis-respect for Trump in the past and present. The author ( Julie ) is no Trump fan.
If you know the history here, then I think you would readily agree that Galli is a self-promoting, Opportunistic person who saw a way to score Affectionate points with the Lame Stream Media and their backers. For Galli to even talk about the need for Integrity with his shady background involving a Ravenous Wolf named James MacDonald is very telling and reflective of his true colors.
Galli has NO business talking about Trump and Integrity, considering his past conduct with James MacDonald.
if a christian magazine can’t call a president to godly standards then to heck with the Bible, our Faith, everything..let it just be a free for all..so long as Israel is taken care of. Its silly season in the church.
Hello Jamel:
I do not think you are aware of the history here.
A blogger ( Julie Roys ) and many, many others have already communicated their disdain for Trump in the past and present.
The present issue right now is the glaring hypocrisy of Galli and his love for Ravenous Wolves masquerading as “Shepherds of the flock”.
“Consider what an unbelieving world will say if we brush off Trump’s immoral “ words and actions. That’s pretty funny when you think about it, which I’m guessing Mr. Galli hasn’t done. They’ll say what they always say, even when we DON’T brush off someone’s immorality. They’ll say that we’re a bunch of crackpots who believe in some nonsense. They’ll also say we should either do what (they think) Jesus would have us do, or to get that Jesus stuff away from them and mind our own business. So, who cares what an unbelieving world will say? The Bible says the world thinks we’re fools. The last laugh is on them, though.
Matthew Anthony, I don’t think it will be a “last laugh.” I think it’ll be more like a deep sadness to which Christ will wipe our tears and show us that the old things have passed away, and that now it is time to move on to what Christ has prepared for those who remained faithful.
An insightful post………………
http://thirtypiecesofsilver.org/2019/12/23/is-christianity-today-demise-due-to-paul-singers-influence/
Classic Case of “Good Ol/Old Boy Network”. Also, contact James Lloyd of Christian Media Network and truth on CT Magazine and Billy Graham and Family and talk about calling the kettle black! Read “Billy Graham and Friends” by Dr. Catherine Burns, explain ALL that and exposures by Dave Hunt or Tex Marrs on Billy Graham? What IF Potus repented and asked forgiveness of sins and Mark G. is saying the completed redemptive WORK of the Cross and repentance is null and void because Mark G. is a “God Player” sitting in self-righteous pride as who originally founded and funded their Magazine? Satanic, luciferian, mason’s=masonic organizations funding Christian Organizations and did they take money and or involved in WHY DON’T YOU RESEARCH THAT ONE? Occult hides sin, live in darkness, sweeps sin under the carpet and DOESN’T live in TRUTH!
P.S. Note: Did NOT vote for Trump but his fruit is his FAMILY! As people are telling me and asking me where have the Democrats made America great again?
Don’t visit Christianity today web site – don’t help their click/visitor totals that allows them to charge higher ad rates.
I agree that your article (above) is incredibly well written. I can’t believe CT still has the MacDonald article on line!
So you would choose a man with no honor, dignity, decency or moral character to be your president. You think his words are juvenile and narcissistic, which then allows you excuse all his immoral actions, deeds and policies.Congratulations. How very Christ like of you.
Only, Trump has actually been doing everything we voted him into office to do. Rational people tend to put much heavier weight on actions rather than words. The morons who believe literally anything some late night comedian tells them too about Trump put almost no weight on action, and all of the weight on words.
Every time I hear about some man or woman, but most particularly man, condone the removal of Trump on these entirely factless opinion and hyperbole based grounds, I can’t help but to think of Epstein’s murder and all of those people in high positions out there that we’ll never know were his clients.
I’d vote for an actual pro-life liberal democrat over a pro-abortion, fiscally conservative republican. Find me a pro-life liberal democrat. Casey was the last.
Danny:
Trump’s actions have been questionable too. But even so, words matter. There are many verses that speak on how we are to use our words (pun intended). And you can justify ignoring or downplaying words by saying things like “rational people tend to put much heavier weight on words.” Well, to berate, curse, belittle, and bully others (all of which Trump has done), is not just speaking poorly, it is acting poorly.
And I don’t need to be told this by a late night talk show host. I only need to watch Trump give interviews, press conferences, or read his tweets with my own eyes. They are VERY open.
I applaud Galli for showing conviction, as he likely knew he’d get dragged by his own fellow Christians for daring to think that not everything a Republican says or does is from Jesus Himself. I knew many fellow Christians would start changing the subject, or playing “what about” games in response, all to avoid answering one simple question: I
“Is Galli right?” I have repeatedly asked this when hearing Christians berate Galli or twist themselves into pretzels to defend Trump’s bad behavior. Their response? Silence.
And that says it all. We know in our gut we have watched Trump behave poorly. Why are we so afraid to bluntly say it? Why are we so ready to eat our own for daring to do so?
Yes. Actions matter.?Words Matter too. Trump has acted blustery and poorly.
He has been rude.
I think there’s evidence of that on the side of the dems too.
It is good Galli called out Trump, but…
Where was he when James acted wicked and proud?
Julie is right, that’s hypocrisy
Christians fall into the selective outrage here, and so do the secular, liberal and conservative alike?
What is behind all the selective outrage is pride. The log in the eye.
We’ve all had that pride. Pray we all walk in humility. Amen.