Megan Basham on Exposing 'Dirty Deeds' in the Church with 'Shepherds for Sale'

The Genesis of 'Shepherds for Sale'

• 💡 Megan Basham felt compelled to write 'Shepherds for Sale' after witnessing the infiltration of "wokeness" and progressive politics into evangelical churches around 2019.
• 🎯 A pivotal moment was her church's email to parents about discussing "white privilege" with their children after George Floyd's death.
• 🔑 The book's origin was further fueled by the Southern Baptist Convention's adoption of critical race theory as an analytical tool.

Challenging Evangelical Institutions

• 🚀 Basham transitioned to The Daily Wire to freely report on these issues, initially focusing on Francis Collins's use of influence to coerce vaccine acceptance and church closures.
• 📌 The author discusses the theory that her identity as an attractive, relatable evangelical woman made her critique of "Big Eva" more impactful and harder to dismiss.
• 🧠 She highlights the rise of women like Ali Beth Stucky, Alisa Childers, and Rosaria Butterfield who advocate for a return to scriptural principles rather than pandering to progressive ideals.

Deconstructing "Third Wayism"

• 🧩 "Third Wayism," popularized by Tim Keller and The Gospel Coalition, is defined as seeking a middle ground between political left and right, which Basham argues is a false equivalency.
• ⚠️ Basham contends that true Christian ethics should lean far right, not seek a compromise with what she views as morally bankrupt progressive ideologies.
• 🔍 The discussion critiques the "seeker-sensitive" approach, likening some evangelical institutions to "monasteries" detached from cultural battles.

Financial Incentives and Fear of Man

• 💰 Basham explains that "Shepherds for Sale" implies leaders have "sold out" by accepting money from progressive organizations like George Soros's Open Society Foundations and the Tides Foundation.
• 🗣️ She identifies "fear of man" as a key motivator for leaders avoiding controversial topics to appease progressive congregants.
• 🚫 This leads to a refusal to confront political powers, prioritizing "winning souls" over prophetic denunciation, a stark contrast to biblical figures like John the Baptist.

The Battle for Truth and Accountability

• ⚔️ Basham faced significant pushback, including calls to her publisher and church, and cease and desist letters from the National Immigration Forum.
• ⚖️ She recounts the legal threats and the financial gamble she took, trusting in the evidence she had gathered against organizations receiving funding from left-wing billionaires.
• 📈 The book's success is attributed to readers already sensing the church's drift, with Basham providing the "why" behind these changes.

Personal Journey and Faith Reinforcement

• 🙏 Basham describes her diagnosis with stage three colon cancer as a "roller coaster ride" but maintains trust in God throughout her treatment.
• 🌟 She views the book's success and her health battle as divine orchestration, thwarting those who tried to prevent its publication.
• 🤝 Support from friends, family, and prayer warriors, including an early prayer request from Steve Day, has been crucial during her difficult journey.