Truce - History of the Christian Church

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Pat Robertson’s bid for the 1988 Republican presidential nomination (often discussed in 1989 contexts because of its aftermath) marked a notable moment in American politics, as a prominent televangelist moved out of religious broadcasting and directly into the national political arena. After building a large following through his Christian Broadcasting Network and The 700 Club, Robertson formally entered the Republican primary race in late 1987, having first set an unusual condition for his candidacy: he would run only if three million Americans pledged support through petitions to pray, work and contribute to his campaign—an effort that succeeded and gave him a built-in grassroots base. His platform blended standard conservative Republican positions—such as lower taxes and strong defense—with a strong emphasis on social and moral issues informed by his evangelical Christian worldview.

During the 1988 primary season, Robertson surprised many political observers by finishing second in the Iowa caucuses, ahead of Vice President George H.W. Bush and indicating the mobilizing power of evangelical voters in early nominating contests. However, he struggled to maintain momentum as voting moved to later states: his support weakened in more diverse primary electorates, and he did not win a competitive share of delegates nationwide. Ultimately, Robertson suspended his campaign in 1988, later endorsing Bush, who went on to win the nomination and presidency. In the aftermath of his presidential run, Robertson organized the Christian Coalition in 1989, which became a significant force in mobilizing conservative Christian voters and shaping Republican politics in the 1990s and beyond.

His campaign was plagued by the public falls of other televangelists like Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. Our special guest for this episode is John Wigger.

Sources


PTL: The Rise and Fall of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker’s Evangelical Empire by John Wigger


Pat Robertson: A Life and Legacy by David Edwin Harrell Jr.


God's Own Party by Daniel K Williams

"Clean Up Radio Everywhere" (Season 3, Episode 22) WKRP in Cincinnati


Prime Time Preachers by Jeffrey K. Hadden and Charles E. Swann.

Fager, C. (1982, May 05). Falwell and co.--on the skids... or speeding up? In these Times


Interview with Frances Fitzgerald on the Gospel Coalition


The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald


Reaganland by Rick Perlstein

“CBN'S Pat Robertson: White House Next?” Saturday Evening Post, March 1985. by Cory SerVaas M D. and Maynard Good Stoddard.

ABC News story on the Bakkers

Interview with Falwell on the Bakker scandal

Discussion Questions

A lot of evangelicals with large followings are super into entrepreneurship. Why is that? How does it change evangelicalism?

Why would it be risky for Robertson to have extraction interests in poor countries?

How did the public falls of televangelists impact Robertson?

What is there to be learned from the Tim and Tammy Faye Bakker scandals?

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Several months ago, Chris informed the audience that he was thinking about moving to Europe. Now, he's back to update everyone!

Chris went to Seville, Spain, for several weeks to take Spanish-language classes and see if he'd like to live there. It is an exciting, vibrant, clean city with a lot of fun attractions. He got to see Ferria and Semana Santa, as well as Cordoba, Granada, Cadiz, and more. The result is that he does not think he's quite ready to move to Europe. But he came back to the US with a lot of inspiration for future episodes!
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The Iran-Contra Affair was a major political scandal in the United States during the second term of President Ronald Reagan in the mid-1980s. At its core, the affair involved the secret sale of arms to Iran—despite an arms embargo—in the hopes of securing the release of American hostages held by Hezbollah in Lebanon. These sales were initiated covertly by members of the U.S. government, who believed they could foster better relations with moderate elements in Iran while also achieving humanitarian aims. The operation violated official U.S. policy and Congressional restrictions, particularly the Boland Amendment, which explicitly prohibited aid to the Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

The second part of the scandal involved diverting profits from the Iranian arms sales to fund the Contras, a right-wing rebel group fighting the leftist Sandinista government in Nicaragua. The Reagan administration had viewed the Contras as essential to stopping the spread of communism in Central America. However, Congress had explicitly forbidden further military aid to the Contras, making the diversion of funds both illegal and secretive. Key figures in the affair included Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North of the National Security Council, who helped coordinate the operation, as well as senior officials like National Security Advisor John Poindexter.

When the operation was exposed in 1986, it triggered a political firestorm and led to multiple investigations by Congress and an independent counsel. While President Reagan claimed he had no knowledge of the diversion of funds, the scandal significantly damaged his administration’s credibility. Several officials were convicted of crimes related to the affair, though many were later pardoned by President George H. W. Bush. The Iran-Contra Affair remains a powerful example of executive overreach and the risks of conducting foreign policy outside the bounds of democratic oversight.

Sources:


Nixonland by Rick Perlstein


Vietnam Ken Burns documentary, especially episodes 2 and 7


Time article about the credibility gap

Reagan's 1981 inaugural address on C-SPAN


Reagan: An American Journey by Bob Spitz

fun video about the video game Contra

Brief article about the Boland Amendment

PBS article about Iran-Contra


Way Out There In the Blue by Frances Fitzgerald


article about North's time as NRA head

article about Oliver North

Fox News website about Oliver North

Los Angeles Times article “Religious Right Drums Up Support for North” September 3, 1988


The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald


Shadow Network by Anne Nelson

Battiata, M. (1987, Sep 26). "Beverly LaHaye and the hymn of the right; leading her women in support of Reagan, bork, and SDI: The
Washington Post (Pre-1997 Fulltext)"


article about Robert Bork

Discussion Questions:

What was the Iran-Contra scandal about?

Why did the US support the overthrow of Nicaragua?

Should politicians be held accountable for their lies? How?

What crimes/ actions are enough to make you stop supporting a politician?

What happens when we tie our Christian faith to politicians? Political movements?

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A bunch of evangelicals like Tim LaHaye, Pat Robertson, and Jerry Falwell pushed many in the evangelical movement to support Ronald Reagan for president. The New Right tied them to the Republican Party. But... what did they get for their efforts?

In this mini-episode, Chris lays out some of the few things they got. And some of the things that Reagan did that upset these evangelicals with large followings.

One thing they didn't like was the appointment of Sandra Day O'Connor as the first female Supreme Court judge. But Reagan did dedicate a day of prayer and offered an amendment to protect prayer in schools (though it was never going to pass).

It's possible that what Reagan really left these evangelicals with large followings was not legislation, but permission to use deeply flawed individuals to achieve their goals.

Sources:


God's Own Party by Daniel K Williams


The Invisible Bridge, Nixonland, and Reaganland by Rick Perlstein


Proclamation 4999. National Family Week 1982


Reagan: An American Journey by Bob Spitz


The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald


New York Times article about the O'Connor opposition


Christianity Today article about O'Connor's opposition


New York Times Article “Reagan Proposes School Prayer Amendment, May 18, 1982.


Bill Bright and Campus Crusade for Christ by John G Turner


Article on National Ice Cream Day


Letter from Gary North to Paul Weyrick


Article on the US overthrow of Grenada


Revive Us Again by Joel Carpenter

Discussion Questions:

What did evangelicals get from Reagan?

How did these evangelicals with large followings continue after Reagan?

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Ronald Reagan’s economic policies, often referred to as “Reaganomics,” were based on supply-side economics. His administration focused on reducing the role of government in the economy by cutting taxes, especially for corporations and high-income individuals, with the belief that this would stimulate investment, job creation, and overall economic growth. The Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 was a cornerstone of this approach, slashing income tax rates across the board. Reagan also prioritized deregulation, aiming to reduce government oversight in industries such as banking, energy, and transportation, under the idea that less regulation would foster greater business efficiency and innovation.

At the same time, Reagan significantly increased defense spending while aiming to cut domestic programs, which contributed to a substantial rise in the federal budget deficit. While the economy experienced a period of strong growth and declining inflation during his presidency—especially after the early 1980s recession—critics argue that the benefits were unevenly distributed. Income inequality widened, and the national debt tripled by the end of his two terms. So... was it worth it? Who benefited from his programs? And what does that say about us as a nation?

Sources:


Article about Reagan's radio program


The Invisible Bridge and Reaganland by Rick Perlstein


The story of Tom Smith, the bread manufacturer


Reagan: His Life and Legend by Max Boot


Way Out There in the Blue by Frances Fitzgerald


Reagan: An American Journey by Bob Spitz


A bio of Bob Taft

A helpful article about the savings and loan crisis

Discussion Questions:

What does the term "Reaganomics" mean?

Why is trickle-down economics helpful to the rich and not the poor?

Do you think that Americans favor the rich? Why?

How have your opinions about the rich and the poor shaped your faith?

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