Timothy Goeglein encourages young Christians to speak out about their beliefs

Conservative Christian scholar Tim Goeglein signs copies of his latest book after his presentation “Faith in the Halls of Power: Why Faith and Public Life Go Together in the American Experience” on Oct. 1

Photo credit: Nora Betts

By Nora Betts

Managing Editor

Conservative Christian scholar Timothy Goeglein encouraged young Christians to speak out about their religious beliefs in the face of growing secularism and self-censorship in America during his presentation at Concordia this week entitled “Faith in the Halls of Power: Why Faith and Public Life Go Together in the American Experience.”

“More than anything, I think it is very important in this generation of young Christians that young men and women project faith in the public square,” Goeglein said. “I think that it’s good for the country, I think it’s good for our culture, and I think it’s important that young men and women of faith feel comfortable standing up and speaking out and engaging as never before.”

Goeglein called himself an optimist and told young Christians to step up and speak out against the current “aggressive secularization” of America that no other generation has faced.

“I think your [college-aged] generation has lived through a lot of brokenness and chaos, and I think you want something better,” he said. “But for young men and women, you are going to have to project confidence and be willing to step up and be counted for your faith in ways that every single generation of Americans before you did not have to do.”

Goeglein has visited colleges across the country covering all areas of the political spectrum. He said he generally sees young conservatives self-censoring their speech while young progressives openly express their beliefs. To that, he told young Christians to make their voices heard even when it is daunting because “democracy is not a spectator sport.”

Goeglein said the First Amendment of the Constitution was intended to protect religious people but is now being used as a weapon against them. He said the term “wall between church and state” came from a letter from Thomas Jefferson to a Baptist pastor and was meant to “protect people of faith from an intrusive government,” not protect the government from the church.

He said the push for secular domination in government erases America’s Christian history.

“I believe that it’s impossible to understand the United States of America and our history apart from religion and faith,” Goeglein said. “I’ll make an even bigger assertion. I will argue that we are not only a constitutional republic, but that we are a religious republic.”

He said a “religious republic” encourages moral living rooted in faith, citing the Christian beliefs of American Founders, presidents, and public figures.

“The other side of liberty is moral excellence,” he said. “George Washington said, if you want liberty and freedom over time, you had better nurture moral excellence in the people and in the leaders because, he said, they go together.”

Goeglein pointed to former President and longtime House of Representatives member John Quincy Adams, who introduced legislation to abolish slavery 17 times over his career even though the rest of the House refused to support it. Goeglein said Quincy Adams’ determination reflected his Christian duty to share the truth.

“Duty is ours– results are God’s,” Goegelin said, quoting Quincy Adams. “That’s faith in public life, by the way.”

During the Q&A portion of his presentation, Goeglein emphasized the importance of building relationships while still standing up for one’s moral convictions.

“I am categorically in opposition to putting my proverbial knuckle in someone’s chest and to tell them what they should think,” he said.” I think persuasion never works that way. We have to establish a relationship or a friendship, earn someone’s trust, and it is at that point that we look to persuade.”

Junior Emma VanTol said she related Goeglein’s presentation to her work as the president of Bulldogs for Life, Concordia’s pro-life club that addresses and educates on life issues including abortion. In the same way that Christians should build relationships to effectively share the truth, she said she encourages Bulldogs for Life members to build common ground with people who disagree in order to share the Gospel-motivated, pro-life message.

“For example, if someone is abortion-minded or just had an abortion or is just really pro-choice, you need to know where they’re coming from and find common ground where you can,” VanTol said. “To talk with them and bring the Gospel to them, you need to know what issues they’re dealing with.”

Goeglein said that professing biblical truth in public life is a form of good manners, citing the examples of Esther, Paul, and Peter who were recorded speaking the truth about God in the Old and New Testaments.

Goeglein called upon Christians to be outspoken about their beliefs and to profess them virtuously.

“As biblical Christians in the public square, we need to engage with confidence, with magnanimity, with grace, with stability, but we need to engage as never before.”

Freshman Noah Neiderklein said he enjoyed Goeglein’s “vast knowledge of American history and politics” and appreciated his friendly, conversational tone.

“Goeglein is very personable, has a genuine interest in getting to know his audience, and knows how to hold a conversation,” said Neiderklein. “I’m looking forward to reading his book, which he took time to sign after the event for those who were interested.”

Goeglein is the Vice President for External and Government Relations at Focus on the Family, a Christian ministry organization based in Washington D.C. From 2001 to 2008, he worked as Special Assistant to President George W. Bush as the Deputy Director of the White House Office of Public Liaison. He has written three books, including the book he signed after the event, titled “Toward a More Perfect Union: The Moral and Cultural Case for Teaching the Great American Story.”