The fundamental problem with this argument is it assumes the Evangelical Church of 1998 was acting in good faith when it was actually cynically wielding political power to advance its policy preferences. https://twitter.com/davidafrench/status/1323322111977492482

Bill Clinton was impeached for perjury. The Republicans were inept at selling that argument so the Church, wanting to advance its policy agenda, created a useful pseudo-theological talking point for them to sell. They broke the commandment and invoked the name of God in vain.

It’s that church - the church of the 80s and 90s - that sold its soul for political power. It redefined masculinity as sin, decency as a righteousness, and sentimentality as the love of God.

They bundled up lies to help Republicans and to encourage mothers to give them money.

American presidents were having affairs long before Bill Clinton - and doing far worse things. National leaders have rarely been nice men - even the ones after God’s own heart. God’s people still supported them when appropriate, right up until it was expedient not to.

Men like David, Jon Piper, and Mitt Romney - good men, all - are stuck defending a cultural Christian (and Mormon) sensibility. But that sensibility is hardly theological truth. It was a cynical play for power when it was invented 25 years ago.

We’ll be paying for it 25 more.