33 WOMEN, LEADERSHIP, AND THE POWER OF THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT “shining city” to describe his vision for America. Reagan envisioned an America that was a bulwark of strength, hospitality, and character to a world that needed her righteous character.13 The Second Great Awakening also influenced the growth of the Christian Right, which helped shape the southern American states into a Christian stronghold.14 The revivalists preached that Jesus would soon return to earth, resulting in a wave of evangelical fervor. As the postmillennial view of the end times spread throughout America, the Awakening orchestrated a movement in which evangelical pastors and laity became involved in America's social, cultural, and political spaces.15 However, two ideas emerged in the nineteenth and twentieth century, threatening evangelical Christians’ influence over society. The first was Darwin’s theory of evolution, and the second was a theological framework known as historical criticism of the Bible.16 Fundamentalists believed Darwinism significantly undermined the authority of scripture, which caused Christian leaders to double down on dismissing secular ideologies.17 Instead of intellectually engaging these ideas, religious leaders dismissed them as harmful and heretical.18 Eventually, this mentality led to the founding of fundamentalist churches, Bible colleges, and seminaries, focusing on presenting and promoting a pure, Christian orthodox view of science and scripture.19 With an educational and ecclesiastical foundation, fundamentalists could now focus on gaining political influence. After facing disgrace during the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial, fundamentalists faded into the political and social background.20 After nearly twenty years in retreat, in 1942, fundamentalist leaders formed the National Association of Evangelicals to help bring together a broader alliance of Christians dedicated to bringing change to America.21 They also needed a just cause and a dynamic personality to bolster their return. They found their answer in a young Billy Graham.22 During the post-World War II years, Graham emerged as one of America’s greatest evangelists, able to draw thousands to hear the gospel. During the infamous Los Angeles Revival of 1949, he furthered his fame by capitalizing on Russia’s successful atomic bomb testing.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODc4ODgx