Thread by @NateAFischer

David French relentlessly urges Christians to shrink from practical political engagement. Focusing on the flaws and contradictions inevitable in any politician or party, he pushes us to avoid party politics.

Whatever his intent, his impact is to reduce Christian influence. 1/7

https://twitter.com/davidafrench/status/1317842612569710600

Echoing @timkellernyc, he glosses over sharp differences with asides like “(Never mind that their ranks are also full of millions of Christian believers.)”

The same was true of the WWII battle lines. Would French have called for Christians to “remain homeless” in that fight? 2/7

When someone is so committed to undermining practical political engagement—rather than simply reminding us of our ultimate loyalty to Christ—it’s worth considering whose interests he is advancing. 3/7

https://twitter.com/nateafischer/status/1308080155605315584?s=21

By remaining “liberated” from worldly politics, French can maintain the moral purity of one who looks down in judgment without dirtying his hands in messy real-world decisions and tradeoffs (and the “uncomfortable and destructive associations and arguments” of this space). 4/7

French, like Keller, idealistically talks of working with both sides on chosen issues. But this ignores the reality of our two-party system and the overarching importance of working through one party in today’s political landscape. 5/7

(Contrary to French’s claim, libertarian influence comes primarily from the powerful sway a few wealthy libertarians have gained in the GOP and the “fiscally conservative and socially liberal” bias of elites on both sides, not some shrewd bipartisan strategizing.) 6/7

Despite this pretense of purity and pragmatism, French’s call to shrink from the biggest cultural and political battles of our time actually means an abdication of Christian leadership and a refusal to steward our cultural and political inheritance. 7/7

https://twitter.com/nateafischer/status/1306009046500159489?s=21