Why Culture Hates Evangelicals

Host Kerby Anderson opens the conversation by noting that, unlike groups such as the Amish or Heaven’s Gate, evangelical Christians are singled out for hostility. Crane points to a survey of Meiji University professors that listed evangelicals as the greatest threat to America, echoing Jesus’ warning that the world will hate His followers.

What Does “Culture” Really Mean?

Crane distinguishes the everyday sense of culture—dress, customs, language—from the broader sense she uses in her book: the prevailing values that most people accept and celebrate. She explains that this collective worldview shapes public opinion and policy, and that it is the arena in which cultural hostility plays out.

When Tolerance Turns to Persecution

She describes postmodernism’s claim of tolerance—“I have a view, you have a view”—and how the moment a view is presented as good for both the individual and society, tolerance can shift to opposition. This shift, she argues, is a key factor in the hostility that evangelicals experience.

Is Christianity Truly About the Common Good?

Crane challenges the idea that Christians merely impose their ideas on others. She says Christianity is a worldview that claims to correspond with objective truth, so its ideas about what is good for society are rooted in divine authority rather than personal preference. The discussion invites listeners to consider whether the Christian perspective truly aligns with the common good or is misunderstood.

To hear how these ideas unfold and to discover practical ways to persevere in a hostile public square, listen to the full episode on Point of View.