Unwarranted cynicism and a worthwhile warning
Does David French really believe that the friends and colleagues who worked side-by-side with him for decades are all just a bunch of segregationists?
One of the most disappointing aspects of David French's tenure at the New York Times has been his unrelenting criticism of Republicans and especially conservative Christians, fueled by his "Never Trump" convictions. French is in a unique position, especially as a "Never Trump" conservative, to explain conservative and libertarian philosophy to an audience of mostly liberal readers. Instead, he chooses to play to the readership that already shares his disdain for President Trump.
Unfortunately, French has also alienated a lot of conservative Christians who could be persuaded, by explaining when Trump does not follow traditional limited government conservatism. Those people will not be persuaded by French claiming that the birth of the Religious Right was not opposing abortion or pornography, but due to supporting segregation. That is a needlessly cynical take.
While French is right that the Christian right (or at least some of it) has been corrupted by desire for power, he is wrong to be cynical and condemn the movement from the very beginning. These are people who were friends, colleagues and fellow political advocates who worked alongside French for decades. Is he now going to say that it was all a hoax, and that the people who worked side by side with him were all just a bunch of segregationists - or at least hoodwinked by segregationists? This goes beyond taking the "red pill" that shows you the "truth," like Neo did in The Matrix. This is taking the "black pill" that leads to cynicism and despair.
French is distressed that so much of the Christian right has lined up behind President Trump, a man with obvious moral failings and no true conservative convictions. While I understand that perspective - I refused to vote for President Trump in both 2016 and 2024 - French has been needlessly judgmental of tens of millions of faithful Christians who supported Trump for any number of reasons. French sees himself as the lone voice crying in the wilderness for a return to principled conservatism. But when that many brothers and sisters in Christ are supporting Trump, maybe they actually do have a legitimate perspective. Maybe we can hold opposite opinions and still be faithful.
But while French is overly judgmental, conservative Christians should thoughtfully consider his message. It is obviously necessary for Christians to gain some measure of political power in order to implement good policy and stop a bad policy agenda. After all, you cannot implement policy unless you win. But are we truly committed to God and His Word, or are we only concerned with political power? Are we willing to compromise on core matters - like protecting innocent human life - in order to gain political power for its own sake? We all need to examine ourselves and answer this question every day.
Christians are called to be salt and light. This is primarily done through the preaching of the Word in our churches, but many millions of Christians have faithfully served God and been salt and light while advocating for policy or serving as civil magistrates. But the end goal must never be political power for its own sake. The end goal must always be to honor God.