The LGBTQ Movement Is Still Infiltrating Christianity

In this episode of The Andrew Klavan Show, host Andrew Klavan interviews Megan Basham, culture reporter for The Daily Wire and author of Shepherds for Sale, about the growing influence of secular leftist ideologies within evangelical Christianity. Basham details how organizations like the Arcus Foundation and the Reformation Project are funding and training programs to subtly infiltrate conservative churches, promoting LGBTQ+ affirming theology under the guise of compassion. She warns that this effort, which includes initiatives like 'Pastors in Process,' aims to quietly reshape doctrine on marriage, gender, and sexuality, often by exploiting guilt over past mistreatment of LGBTQ+ individuals. Klavan and Basham discuss the theological dangers of such infiltration, including the absurd claim by Texas Senate candidate James Tallarico that God required Mary’s consent in the Annunciation as proof of divine approval for abortion—a notion Basham calls both illogical and heretical. They also reflect on the broader cultural consequences, such as the erosion of traditional family structures and the rise of surrogacy and transgender identity politics, which Basham argues are rooted in a rejection of biological reality. Despite the challenges, Basham expresses cautious optimism, noting that her book has helped spark real change in denominations like the Southern Baptist Convention, which has severed ties with left-leaning groups like the Evangelical Immigration Table. She sees signs of a growing conservative resurgence, particularly among younger Christians reacting against the excesses of the LGBTQ+ movement, and believes the church is beginning to reclaim its doctrinal clarity. The episode concludes with a reflection on the deeper spiritual battle at play: the war for imagination and truth. Klavan emphasizes that the church’s failure to clearly articulate its beliefs has allowed cultural decay to take root, while Basham insists that faithfulness to Scripture—especially on matters of sex, gender, and marriage—is not bigotry but a necessary defense of creation’s design. They agree that the current moment is one of reckoning, where the church must choose between cultural accommodation and faithful witness. The conversation underscores a growing tension between ideological purity and political pragmatism, with both hosts expressing hope that a new generation of believers will rise to defend biblical truth with courage and clarity.