Published January 5, 2025
In American politics, social conservatives often feel as though our voices are silenced amid the cultural shifts and policy priorities that favor progressivism. Even though Donald Trump is not someone naturally associated with social conservatism, and there are reasons for disappointment about certain concessions he has made, the reality of a second Trump administration offers a renewed opportunity for the values of social conservatives to be taken seriously as part of the coalition that helped elect him. Social conservatives should resist exiling themselves into irrelevance just because they appear to lack outsized influence in Trump’s orbit. (After all, JD Vance’s Catholicism and incoming OMB director Russ Vought’s Evangelical faith are hardly indifferent to the concerns of social conservatives.) For Christians who view politics not merely as a means to an end but as a platform to advance moral truths, this is a moment rife with potential.
Central to this social conservative vision would be a deep-seated commitment to the sanctity of human life, the priority of the family, the requirements of political freedom, and the rule of law. These principles serve as the foundation not only for Christians but for anyone who recognizes the inherent dignity and purpose of every human being and human community. Government has a moral obligation to promote these pillars as a general disposition toward humane governance.
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EPPC Fellow Andrew T. Walker, Ph.D., researches and writes about the intersection of Christian ethics, public theology, and the moral principles that support civil society and sound government. A sought-after speaker and cultural commentator, Dr. Walker’s academic research interests and areas of expertise include natural law, human dignity, family stability, social conservatism, and church-state studies. The author or editor of more than ten books, he is passionate about helping Christians understand the moral demands of the gospel and their contributions to human flourishing and the common good. His most recent book, out in May 2021 from Brazos Press, is titled Liberty for All: Defending Everyone’s Religious Freedom in a Secular Age.