Kerby Anderson

You might expect a nominee for deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget would be asked about his or her background in economics or experience in government service. Instead Russell Vought was asked about a theological post that defended a decision made by the administration of Wheaton College. Daniel Davis said the questioning turned into “nothing less than theological interrogation, and in the end, excoriation.” David French argued that it showed how “religious ignorance breeds progressive intolerance.” The questioning by Senators Bernie Sanders and Chris Van Hollen had nothing to do with budgetary issues but everything to do with the nominee’s biblical view of salvation that is through Jesus Christ. Senator Sanders concluded that, “this nominee is really not someone who this country is supposed to be about.” Article VI of the Constitution prohibits religious tests for public office, but that no longer seems important in this polarized culture today. But even if you do believe that religious convictions of a government employee are fair game, the questioning shows basic religious ignorance. Orthodox Christians believe in the exclusivity of Christ. But the other religions that trace their heritage back to Abraham (Judaism and Islam) also have exclusive religious claims. Taken to its logical conclusion, the senator’s views would exclude all orthodox followers of the Abrahamic faith. This ignorance also leads to the intolerance we see today. Elites in the media, government, and the university have contempt for Christians in general and evangelicals in particular. They don’t understand Christian theology, and don’t care to learn about it. If you stray even a little bit from the orthodoxy of the secular Left, you will be branded a bigot. This Senate hearing illustrated both the ignorance and the intolerance found in many of our elite institutions today.