Live Interview on EA Truth Radio
Betraying the Faith? John West on How Christian Leaders Embrace Secular Elites
Dr. John G. West, a distinguished scholar, author, and Vice President of the Discovery Institute, has spent decades dissecting the intersection of faith, science, and culture.
His latest book, Stockholm Syndrome Christianity: Why America’s Christian Leaders Are Failing — and What We Can Do About It, has sparked intense conversation for its unflinching critique of evangelical leaders who, in West’s view, have aligned themselves more closely with secular elites than with biblical truth. On July 11, 2025, at 5 PM Central, West will join Curtis Ray Bizelli, producer and host of EA Truth Radio, for a live YouTube stream that promises to unpack these provocative ideas with clarity and urgency. This interview, hosted by Eternal Affairs Media, is set to be a pivotal moment for Christians seeking to navigate a culture increasingly hostile to their faith.
Who Is John West?
Dr. John G. West is no stranger to tackling tough questions. As a political scientist, historian, and senior fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture, which he co-founded with Stephen Meyer in 1996, West has built a reputation for rigorous scholarship and fearless engagement with controversial topics. His work spans the cultural implications of Darwinian evolution, the legacy of C.S. Lewis, and the erosion of biblical authority in modern Christianity. With over 700 footnotes in Stockholm Syndrome Christianity, West brings meticulous research to bear on what he sees as a crisis within the evangelical church: the tendency of its leaders to adopt the values of their cultural “captors” rather than stand firm on scriptural principles.
West’s critique is rooted in the concept of Stockholm syndrome, where hostages develop a psychological bond with their captors. In his book, he applies this framework to describe how some Christian leaders, immersed in a secular culture hostile to biblical norms, have begun to sympathize with and even adopt the worldviews of those who oppose historic Christianity. From compromising on biblical inerrancy to endorsing evolutionary theories like theistic evolution, West argues that these leaders are undermining the very foundations they claim to uphold. His book doesn’t just diagnose the problem—it offers practical strategies for families, churches, and communities to resist cultural capitulation and stand for truth.
West’s credentials lend weight to his arguments. As an award-winning author and documentary filmmaker, he has explored the cultural impact of ideas through works like The Magician’s Twin: C.S. Lewis on Science, Scientism, and Society and Darwin’s Heretic, a documentary about Alfred Russel Wallace. His ability to connect scholarly insight with accessible prose makes him a compelling voice for both academics and laypeople. Reviewers have praised Stockholm Syndrome Christianity for its clarity and courage, with one calling it “a much-needed gift to the 21st-century American church” from someone who combines “the mind of a scholar, the engagement of a public intellectual, and the heart of a local church elder.”
The Crisis of Stockholm Syndrome Christianity
At the heart of West’s book is a provocative question: What if the collapse of American culture isn’t primarily due to secular crusaders, but because Christian leaders are failing their flocks? West argues that many evangelical elites—pastors, theologians, and scholars—have prioritized acceptance from secular institutions over fidelity to biblical truth. This “Stockholm syndrome” manifests in their reluctance to affirm core doctrines like biblical inerrancy, the historicity of the Bible, or traditional teachings on marriage and sexuality. Instead, they adopt revisionist interpretations or align with secular ideologies on issues like race, science, and religious liberty, often dismissing pushback from faithful Christians as “unloving” or “divisive.”
This phenomenon isn’t limited to science. West documents how some Christian leaders have softened their stance on moral issues, from sexuality to religious liberty, to align with secular elites. He cites the example of evangelical historian Mark Noll, who suggested that “biblicism” (reliance on the Bible as ultimate authority) hinders evangelical scholarship—a stance West sees as emblematic of the problem. Such compromises, he argues, erode the church’s ability to transform culture, leaving it vulnerable to secular ideologies.
Yet West’s book is not merely a critique. It’s a call to action. He provides a “how-to guide” for Christians to resist cultural pressures, offering practical tips like improving media consumption habits, fostering doctrinal clarity in churches, and equipping families to stand firm. Reviewers have lauded its accessibility and hope-filled tone, with one noting, “West ends with hope for the road ahead,” making it a vital resource for believers seeking to navigate these challenges.
