A Conversation With Diana Butler Bass

Diana Butler Bass, award‑winning author and former evangelical professor, shares how a sudden cultural shift in the 1990s—marked by Ronald Reagan’s rise and the religious right—led to her dismissal from an evangelical college. The loss of her position forced her into mainline denominations, where she found community among Episcopal leaders who helped rebuild her faith. Bass’s personal narrative illustrates the deep identity ties between employment, belief, and belonging, and sets the stage for her broader analysis of American Christianity’s recent turbulence.

Drawing on her PhD in American religious history, Bass applies William McLaughlin’s cycle theory—periods of democratic expansion followed by contraction—to explain today’s Christian nationalist surge. She argues that the post‑Obama era represents the contraction phase of a fourth Great Awakening, where political leaders attempt to roll back immigrant rights and youth activism. By linking the MAGA movement to historic backlash patterns, she shows how fear of demographic change fuels legislation targeting Hispanic communities and undermines the inclusive gains of previous awakenings.

Even within progressive denominations, Bass observes persistent misogyny and patriarchal habits, noting that women often confront subtle bias from both men and other women. She praises Episcopal structures for offering greater accountability and avenues to address discrimination, yet cautions that no space is immune to power imbalances. For leaders seeking to navigate this volatile landscape, Bass recommends leveraging institutional self‑correction mechanisms and fostering inclusive dialogue. Her insights urge churches, businesses, and policymakers to recognize historical cycles, protect hard‑won civil rights, and proactively shape a more equitable public sphere.