“Now I know we have some differences of opinion in the congregation, so I’d like to introduce today’s guest speaker as both the greatest, most honest, and bravest man serving in ministry today, and as a liar, a thief, and a menace to society. Give him a hand!”

TIPS & TRICKS

Are the Shepherds for Sale or Not? New Book Creates Conflict Among Christians

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Megan Basham, a contributor for the Daily Wire and a former contributor to World, released a book last week, which quickly became a whirlwind of controversy. The book, titled Shepherds for Sale: How Evangelical Leaders Traded the Truth for a Leftist Agenda, purports to show widespread corruption among evangelical elites at the hands of ideological capture and, allegedly, bribery.

Conservative Christian influencers have tended to celebrate the book, calling it a much-needed tell-all and a balance against the slew of left-leaning critiques of evangelicalism that have come out in recent years. The book, according to Clear Truth Media, “[chronicles] the growing chasm between many evangelical leaders and those they are supposed to shepherd.” Others, such as Ministry Watch’s Warren Cole Smith, write that Megan Basham has it all wrong. He says, in his review at The Dispatch, “Corrupting money is not on the evangelical left… but on the populist right.”

On X (formerly Twitter), Christian personalities have been arguing incessantly over whether the book is accurate or not. Pro-life activist Seth Gruber writes, “The fight happening over Meg Basham is far more important than anything happening in the GOP right now. Her book explains why we shouldn’t be surprised that a party launched to end slavery has become so weak and stupid. It’s because many [of] our evangelical bettors are hirelings.”

Others, such as Phil Vischer, the creator of Veggie Tales, refer to Megan Basham being called “a bad journalist” and says her book has “a host of factual issues.” Christian investigative journalist Julie Roys has also been highly critical of the book. She says that Megan Basham “knows how to throw red meat to rile up her base. But she does so at the expense of truth.” Roys adds to her comments that objecting to dishonesty does not make her woke.

For her part, Megan Basham says all of the backlash is a circling of the wagons of the corrupt elite that have been able to keep what’s really going on under wraps, until now.

“I have received cease and desist letters from one of the country’s most powerful law firms,” Basham posted on X. “My publisher has received letters from major ministries asking for meetings about their ‘concerns.’ Backroom power brokers have tried to discredit and derail my project. By God’s grace, they’ve all failed.”

Shepherds for Sale hit the top 10 list overall on Amazon last week, reaching as high as #5 as controversy and intrigue drive engagement.

Are her accusations true? Are major evangelical leaders sold out to a leftist agenda, or is it right-wing fear mongering? Is Megan Basham a shoddy, unethical journalist, as some claim, or a brave outsider boldly pulling back the curtain?

It depends on who you ask. And unfortunately, that is increasingly the answer to a slew of questions dividing the American evangelical church.

Quick Hits

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• Sony will no longer seek to acquire Paramount Pictures, according to CNBC.
• Christianity Today highlights the top moments of Paris 2024 where Christian athletes were able to share their faith.
• Disney posted a small profit from streaming and films last quarter, but parks profitability wanes.
• Shopify outperforms Q2 expectations and looks to continue growth.
• A Chik-fil-A in Virginia is now open on Sundays… for church services to accommodate a displaced congregation. They are not, however, serving food, and drinks, or operating the restaurant on Sundays, as the fast food chain remains firmly committed to a six-day workweek.
• Starbucks swaps out its CEO for Chipotle’s top exec, Brian Niccol.