Jen Hatmaker

The Politics of Jen Hatmaker: Influenced More by Leftism than Christianity

on October 26, 2016

The 2016 election cycle has definitely cultivated an interesting and divergent compendium of Christian and evangelical appraisals concerning the respective candidates running for president.

Donald Trump’s unconventional and unexpected campaign that earned him the Republican nomination has forced Evangelicals into a fratricidal conflict that has and will change the context of conservative Christian political witness going forward.

While the friction has at times been exaggerated and pharisaical, generally, it’s a good thing.

The public bickering among Christians has been awkward but the separation and potential divorce between religious conservatives and the GOP is long overdue. This is a necessary step to salvage and redeem the religious and theological character of evangelicalism. This renovation project is indispensible to the moral integrity of Christian socio-political testimony.

The same can’t be said of so-called Christian Progressives.

There is very little internal disagreement about the moral conflict of supporting Hillary Clinton in light of her repeated and predictable tendency of systematic corruption and dishonesty. Many on the Christian Left have simply rationalized and compartmentalized Clinton’s unrestricted character flaws- not so much as the lesser of two evils (though there is some of that)- as a political and moral obligation to support her. By default, they also support other progressive social policies of the Left.

And they’re using every opportunity to say as much.

Christian author, public speaker and reality-TV personality Jen Hatmaker granted a short interview to Religion News Service to discuss her perspective on the 2016 presidential election, her views on homosexuality, abortion, and Black Lives Matter.

In the interview—filled with half-truths and straw man positions— Hatmaker began by addressing and glossing over Hillary Clinton’s wretched character, admitting that she’s still open to voting for Clinton come November.

She then criticized Donald Trump’s behavior as unfit for the presidency; here, I don’t necessarily disagree with her. Donald Trump continues to do and say numerous things undeserving of the Executive Office.

But I think Hatmaker erred in repeating the mistake of oversimplifying who and why people support Donald Trump. There are, to be certain, “deplorable” people backing Trump. Anti-Semitic, ethno-nationalists and white supremacists fit this distinction. But I think it’s a mistake to dismiss and unfairly generalize those, Christians included, who reject this kind of disgraceful racial populism, but still maintain support for Donald Trump.

Hatmaker then discussed her free-thinking views on gay marriage and LGBT community. It’s no surprise what she believes with respect to this issue. She says,

From a civil rights and civil liberties side and from just a human being side, any two adults have the right to choose who they want to love. And they should be afforded the same legal protections as any of us. I would never wish anything less for my gay friendsNot only are these our neighbors and friends, but they are brothers and sisters in Christ. They are adopted into the same family as the rest of us, and the church hasn’t treated the LGBT community like family.

Whether gay neighbors or friends, it’s not about choosing whom to love. That has never been the issue. People are free to choose whom to love without restriction.  It’s about reinventing marriage as a social justice concept.

Moreover, marriage isn’t a “civil right,” or a “liberty,” nor is it found in the Constitution. No one, gay or straight, had the “right” to marry until the Supreme Court created one specifically for gays and lesbians.

And what about the civil rights of Christians who’ve experienced discrimination because of this newfound LGBTQIA “right”?

Mirroring the Supreme Court, Jen Hatmaker wants the church to make special considerations for gay/lesbian Christians that we shouldn’t (and don’t) make for other Christians. Gay Christians may be kinfolk in Christ, but that doesn’t necessitate Christians excusing sin, twisting theology, and upending the divine ordination of man-woman marriage to exhibit religious compassion. Like many other groups the church is defined by orthodoxy, designated by what it believes just as it’s defined by what it doesn’t.

Hatmaker then discusses her expanded understanding of being pro-life when she says,

 …my pro-life ethic has infinitely expanded from just simply being anti-abortion… pro-life includes the life of the struggling single mom who decides to have that kid and they’re poor. It means being pro-refugee. It means being pro-Muslim. My pro-life ethic… has expanded.

There’s something incredibly disingenuous about a Christian community that screams about abortion, but then refuses to support the very programs that are going to stabilize vulnerable, economically fragile families that decide to keep their kids. Some Christians want the baby born, but then don’t want to help the mama raise that baby.

The Christians she refers to are caricatures. Hatmaker uses the artificial talking points of the Left to deliberately malign Christians unfairly, discrediting herself.

This view of what it means to be pro-life, though accurate, is falsely used to marginalize Christian anti-abortionists. The Christians she refers to are caricatures. Hatmaker uses the superficial talking points of the Left to malign and deride fellow religious pro-lifers. It’s inappropriate, especially for a Christian.

Additionally, what pro-lifer/anti-abortion Christian is against helping poor single moms? Or supporting programs to help those in need (rather than grifters who seek personal gain through exploitation)? Jen Hatmaker lied about pro-life anti-abortion Christians presumably because they disagree with an expansive and corrupt welfare state that encourages dependency and compromises human dignity.

What does being “pro-refugee” mean? Sounds good, but it doesn’t mean anything because Hatmaker doesn’t define it in real terms.

Same with her being “pro-Muslim”? What does that mean, exactly? Supporting all Muslims, even the ones who believe it’s Allah’s will to maim and kill nonbelievers and all those who refuse to submit to specific religious convictions?

Hatmaker finishes by highlighting her racial justice cred, saying she supports Black Lives Matter based on “evidence and documented research.” She also voices concern over the potential (inevitable) treatment of her adopted black son by police in the future.

The church is AWOL on racial unity and reconciliation and it has outsourced its moral obligation to lead onto racial and social justice warriors. But no Christian should support Black Lives Matter. Period. It’s a movement methodically based on lies and deliberately diverts attention away from more pressing issues that would actually establish that black lives matter.

As for evidence and research, both completely undermine the foundation Black Lives Matter is built on. And she would know this if she actually looked it up rather than trying to be right on all the right issues.

These positions are intellectually dishonest and intensely foolish. I’m not sure what happened to Jen Hatmaker but this exemplifies the shameful quality of thought on the Religious Left. Religious Progressives should follow the lead of their evangelical brethren and divorce themselves from progressive politics to salvage what’s left of their credibility.

  1. Comment by will grif on October 26, 2016 at 10:03 am

    One must not forget the Benham Brothers and what happened to them with HGTV. I would believe reality TV has suited the Hatmaker’s well and they don’t want to jeopardize their standing.

  2. Comment by Eternity Matters on October 26, 2016 at 11:13 am

    Thanks for exposing another “Christian” Leftist. She’s so predictable with her false Christianity. She obviously loves the world.

  3. Comment by Dan on October 26, 2016 at 11:37 am

    Bullseye Derryck! I strongly recommend reading the following article – https://www.firstthings.com/article/2016/11/the-sentimentality-trap. It crystallized for me my major heartburn with folks like Hatmaker, “compassionate” conservatives, and the traditional bleeding heart liberals. I don’t know if it has been coined yet, but I am terming this group “sentimental secularists.” A closely related species that Hatmaker may more properly be part of is the “therapeutic deists.” You can tell these folks by their desperate support for legislation to address an acute problem currently being trumpeted, so they can feel good about doing something to address the problem. Never mind the unintended consequences, obscene cost or collateral damage. They can look from a distance and feel good about something they supported. A giveaway as to whether someone is part of these groups is to see how they react to the ASPCA commercials on TV that show pathetic puppies in horrible conditions and then ask for a monthly donation (not that I in any way support animal cruelty). If they go “aw, the poor puppies – we need to do something,” stop and ask them about a monthly donation to groups that work to stop abortion and encourage adoption. In many cases you will find that the pitiful puppy is seen as more sentimental and therefore worthy than the fetus being ripped from a mother’s womb.

    Hey, when all you have is sentimentalist propaganda with no eternal truth to fall back on, any heart rending image will push you whichever way the propaganda mongers want you to go.

    Kyrie eleison!

  4. Comment by Linda on November 6, 2016 at 5:47 pm

    The best thing the woman could ever do for her homosexual friends is TELL THEM THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS. Only the truth you Know will set you free.

  5. Comment by Nutstuyu on October 26, 2016 at 3:17 pm

    Donald Trump’s unconventional and unexpected campaign that earned him the Republican nomination has forced Evangelicals into a fratricidal conflict

    If it has, then they were idiots to begin with. I love how all these self-righteous #NeverTrumpers conveniently forget about King David who was a mass-murder, liar, rapist, polygamist, adulterer and (according to some) bisexual. But he’s still the greatest King of Israel ever and Jesus’s ancestor!

  6. Comment by brookspj on October 27, 2016 at 11:59 am

    Well congratulations. I think you just set a new record for amount of bad theology that can fit in one paragraph. First, if you want to assume our current election is as important in the eyes of God as the Israelite Nation in the Old Testament, then you need a big reality check. Secondly, yes David did a lot of terrible things. He also did some pretty good things. He united Israel in ways it hadn’t been under his predecessor, defeated all her enemies, spared the life of the man who sought to have him killed not once but twice, and wrote some of the most beautiful poems and songs in which he not only praised God’s name, but declared his own unending and unwavering need for his Lord. When has Trump ever had any such testaments? When has he ever actually credited God for anything of his success? Trump’s message throughout has been ME, ME, ME unless he’s talking about who thinks is responsible for our current problems in which cause the line is THEM, THEM, THEM. Only when hounded by reporters or suckling up to religious pundits does he say anything about his faith and what he does say actually bewilders Christians. His favorite verse is “an eye for an eye”, he never asks forgiveness or doesn’t see any reason to bring God “into the picture” when he does wrong, and he’s claimed repeatedly he loves getting revenge on people. None of this suggests to me he’s man after God’s heart in the legacy of David.
    Your logic basically amounts to “well, God’s used worst before.” But couldn’t that same argument be applied to argue in favor of any candidate? Even Clinton, God forbid! I mean if God can use anyone then why can’t he being using the Democrats or the Libertarians, or the Green Party, or the Party of Fluffy balloon animals. Why Trump and not any of them?
    You call the #NeverTrumpers self-righteous. I think they’re just republicans with a longer memory than you who realize Trump’s the kind of man and sleazy politician they’ve always claimed Democrats love. I grew up in a Republican household during the Clinton years. I remember. Admit it, if Trump were running for the Democrats (or literally any other party) the GOP would be tearing his campaign to shreds, replaying the tape every five minutes on Fox, and buying his accusers gold watches.

  7. Comment by Linda on November 6, 2016 at 5:53 pm

    Don’t forget God also used a murderer to write most of the NT. There was a harlot in the linage of Jesus. God often uses imperfect people to accomplish His purpose. Of Course JESUS WAS & IS PERFECT. America needs a Divine intervention. It can happen if the Christians humble themselves , turn from their wicked ways, & seek God.

  8. Comment by tompinva on November 7, 2016 at 8:14 am

    Actually, most of the people God used throughout the Bible, were the very type, our mothers warned us about. Our church’s motto is, “Where imperfect people love to attend”

  9. Comment by Linda on November 6, 2016 at 5:44 pm

    Thank you Derryck Green ! The best thing that woman could ever do for her homosexual friends is tell them the Bible says they will go to hell unless they turn from their wicked ways. Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. No I do NOT hate homosexuals. The truth will Not set you free. It is the truth you KNOW that will set you free.

  10. Comment by Cheryl walsh on November 29, 2016 at 3:04 am

    Derryck Green, this is the first time that I have read you. YOU speak the TRUTH. I am deeply grateful to find you and your Christian Light.?
    Stay brave. Stay True.

  11. Comment by Claudette Fulton on November 30, 2016 at 5:46 pm

    I agree; she is Teaching and people are listening.
    I am neither a republican or a democrat; I would like to see equal criticism of the right. There are those on the right that are fine with abortion as long as it is does within a certain time period, or a specific reason, murder is murder; and a senator who recently learned that his son was gay now he is for gay marriage. Where are the “Christians”, I don’t know what that means anymore.

  12. Comment by Scoot Johnston on May 22, 2020 at 10:46 am

    Your willingness to condem your sister Jen Hatmaker and your use of Old Testament theology exposes your selective orthodoxy; David repented. So did Paul. So did I, and I have led church congregations for years.
    Jen is not finished and neither am I. We are on a journey of faith. Stactic faith is not growing faith. Are we expanding or faith by extending more forgiveness in our relationships? Have you listened to what people say of the church today? We are known as the condemers, the lawmakers, the moral police. Where’s the grace? “The law leads sinners to grace”. Pure BS! Love and hope leads people to a God that loves them.
    Your condemnation of Jen and others speaks louder than your unstated conditional love.
    Find who you are in the scriptural love of Christ, ants see who your in alinement with and adjust and go from there.
    Where’s the hope, the love, the promise of forgiveness?

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