Podcast Summary

Live Free with Josh Howerton

Episode: Megachurch Pastor Reacts to Rhett McLaughlin GASLIGHTING Christians
Date: January 29, 2026
Host: Pastor Josh Howerton
Produced by: Lakepointe Church

Episode Overview

In this “react” episode, Pastor Josh Howerton responds to comments made by Rhett McLaughlin (of the YouTube duo Rhett & Link) regarding Christian engagement in politics. Josh critiques what he perceives as Rhett’s use of scripture to discourage Christians from political involvement, accusing him of “gaslighting” believers into passivity. Drawing from biblical, theological, and cultural frameworks, Josh argues for active Christian participation in governance, warning against secular narratives that, he claims, seek to keep faithful Christians out of positions of societal influence.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Posture Toward Doubt vs. Apostasy

[01:26–03:02]

• Josh distinguishes between “refugees from the world” (people wrestling with doubt on sincere faith journeys) and “apostles of the world” (those, like Rhett, who have left Christianity and, in Josh’s view, now actively promote unbelief).
  • “We should have compassion and tenderness towards a doubter. Really, we should be a lot more forceful with people who are trying to get other people to doubt.” —Josh [02:35]

2. Reaction to Rhett’s Interpretation of the Temptation of Christ

[03:17–04:20]

• Rhett references Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, claiming Jesus' refusal of “all the kingdoms of the world” illustrates the rejection of political power.
• Josh argues this narrative is frequently used by secular voices to pressure Christians into abstaining from politics.
  • “You got a guy who…says he hates Christianity, doesn't believe a single word of the Bible, but he's really going to make sure that you obey his interpretation of it.” —Josh [03:45]

3. Saul Alinsky and ‘Rules for Radicals’

[04:25–05:30]

• Josh introduces Saul Alinsky’s “make the enemy live up to his own book of rules” tactic, suggesting secular critics weaponize selective biblical interpretations to silence Christians in the public square.

4. Biblical Examples of Political Engagement

[05:47–07:00]

• Josh points to biblical figures (Daniel, Esther, Joseph, Moses, Nehemiah, John the Baptist, and especially Jesus as “King of Kings”) to justify Christian involvement in governance.
  • “There’s no way to read about all those things and then think that it’s wrong…for Christians to touch anything political.” —Josh [05:53]

5. Explaining the ‘Government as God’ Phenomenon

[07:06–08:36]

• Josh claims that when people leave faith in God, “the government becomes God,” and politics becomes their new religion.
  • “Then politics becomes religion, candidates become saviors, rallies become worship services, and campaigning becomes evangelism.” —Josh [07:23]
• He frames the secular push to keep Christians out of politics as a spiritual struggle for ultimate authority in society.

6. Refuting Common Scriptural Arguments Against Political Engagement

[08:49–11:40]

• Josh addresses three popular passages used, in his view, to “gaslight” Christians into political inaction:

  1. “My kingdom is not of this world.”
     • Josh: It means the kingdom’s origin is heavenly, not that it shouldn’t influence the world—including politics.
  2. “Render unto Caesar.”
     • Josh: Jesus’ meaning is deeper—if people bear God’s likeness, even kings must submit to God.
  3. Temptation Narrative:
     • Josh: The sin is not in seeking influence, but in acquiring it through sinful means.
  • “Owning an Escalade isn’t a sin. Doing OnlyFans to get money for an Escalade is a sin.” —Josh [12:29]

7. Theology of Dominion and Spiritual Warfare

[11:41–16:58]

• Josh walks through “theology of dominion”: authority passed from God to Adam and Eve, lost in the Fall to Satan, and restored by Jesus. Christ’s mission was to reclaim worldly realms from satanic control and empower his followers.
• He argues the path to societal lordship is through conversion and the Word—not “compromise with the devil.”

8. Responding to Fears Around Christian Political Influence

[17:27–18:03]

• When Rhett warns against “infiltrating and taking over” government, Josh critiques the “scary language,” contending that someone’s worldview will inevitably guide nations.
  • “It's not whether, but which. The question is not whether some worldview is going to guide our nation. The question is, which worldview.” —Josh (citing Doug Wilson) [18:27]

9. Three Realms: Family, Church, and State

[19:03–21:40]

• Josh posits that God created three spheres of authority: family, church, and state. Satan, he warns, seeks to usurp all three when godly leadership is absent.

  • “If godly people won’t engage in the political, cultural, societal realm, godless people will.” —Josh [21:28]

10. Addressing Accusations of Christians Acting “Un-Christlike” in Politics

[24:33–25:35]

• Rhett’s critique: Increased Christian political activity looks less like Jesus and more like the devil.
• Josh pushes back, calling this argument “gaslighting,” and reframes voting as a pragmatic, not sacramental, duty:
  • “Voting is simply choosing the best available option to you…You are not ‘embracing the character’ in every action of what political leader you voted for. You're voting for policies, not personalities…” —Josh [26:19]

11. The Three Types of Leaders: Josiah, Jezebel, and Jehu

[25:53–28:33]

• Using Old Testament archetypes, Josh distinguishes between:

  1. Josiah: Righteous, moral leader.
  2. Jezebel: Unrighteous, promotes evil.
  3. Jehu: Flawed, but achieves some good.

• Christians should not expect only Josiahs but must often settle for the “Jehu” who does net good over clear evil.

  • “If the choice is between a Jezebel and a Jehu, that should be pretty dang obvious for every Christian.” —Josh [27:56]

12. The Church Is Not Getting More Political, Politics Is Getting More Theological

[28:55–End]

• Josh argues that as government increasingly legislates on moral and spiritual matters (marriage, gender, abortion), the arena has become inherently spiritual, necessitating Christian engagement.

  • “The church didn’t move. Politics did.” —Josh [29:38]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We should have compassion and tenderness towards a doubter. Really, we should be a lot more forceful with people who are trying to get other people to doubt.” —Josh [02:35]
• “You got a guy who…says he hates Christianity, doesn't believe a single word of the Bible, but he's really going to make sure that you obey his interpretation of it.” —Josh [03:45]
• “Then politics becomes religion, candidates become saviors, rallies become worship services, and campaigning becomes evangelism.” —Josh [07:23]
• “Owning an Escalade isn’t a sin. Doing OnlyFans to get money for an Escalade is a sin.” —Josh [12:29]
• “It’s not whether, but which. The question is not whether some worldview is going to guide our nation. The question is, which worldview…The question is not whether morality is going to be imposed through government. The question is, whose morality is going to get imposed?” —Josh [18:19]
• “If godly people won’t engage in the political, cultural, societal realm, godless people will.” —Josh [21:28]
• “If the choice is between a Jezebel and a Jehu, that should be pretty dang obvious for every Christian.” —Josh [27:56]
• “The church didn’t move. Politics did.” —Josh [29:38]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:26: Differentiating compassion for doubters vs. forcefulness with apostates
• 03:45: Josh calls out selective scriptural argumentation by ex-Christians
• 07:06: The idea that “government becomes God” in secular worldviews
• 11:41: Dominion theology: authority, the Fall, satanic rule, and Christ’s reclamation
• 17:27: “Infiltrating” government—who owns the moral narrative?
• 19:03: God’s three institutions, and how Satan targets each
• 24:33: The “gaslighting” of Christians—the politics of voting
• 25:53: Three archetypes of leaders: Josiah, Jezebel, Jehu
• 28:55: How shifting political emphasis is forcing church engagement

Summary

Pastor Josh Howerton forcefully pushes back on Rhett McLaughlin’s assertion that pursuing political influence is un-Christian, framing such arguments as secular “gaslighting” meant to keep Christians out of power. Drawing on scripture, theology, and culture, Josh advocates for proactive Christian involvement in every realm of society—including politics—to establish justice and preserve society from decay. He repeatedly warns listeners not to be manipulated into passivity and urges them to participate in the coming elections as a matter of faithfulness, not just civic duty.