Architects of Ruin

How a Little-Known Institute Is Facilitating the "War on Woke"

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Have you heard the name Christopher Rufo?

He’s the guy who turned “Critical Race Theory” into a household bogeyman—redefining it, attacking it, and using it to ignite a nationwide backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion.

What you may not know is that Rufo didn’t rise to influence on his own.

He was chosen.

Back in 2017, Rufo was selected as a Lincoln Fellow by the Claremont Institute, a far-right think tank with a mission to “restore the principles of the American Founding.”

To put it plainly, they want to repackage a whitewashed, mythic Christian nationalist history to justify an authoritarian regime.

Claremont’s aims are far-reaching.

They’re shaping the future of law, education, media—even church leadership in a nefarious strategy to roll back the clock on freedom and equality.

Their Sheriff’s Fellowship trains law enforcement. Their Speechwriters Fellowship crafts talking points. And their Christian Nationalist alumni are whispering into the ears of pastors who now preach “wokeness” as the church’s biggest threat.

It’s no accident.

If churches don’t see through this manipulation, they’ll become super-spreaders centers for white Christian nationalism instead of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

That’s why you need to watch episode two of Roadmap to Ruin: The Architects of Ruin.

Episode two is a chilling exposé of the people and institutions designing a step-by-step plan to dismantle democracy and replace it with a system of permanent minority rule.

Much of the content in this video is based on Katherine Stewart’s latest book, Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy—absolutely essential reading for this crisis in the republic.

In many ways, I believe this episode is the heart of the four-part series because it is about revealing the hidden forces that are tearing down the pillars of democracy.

If the church can grasp the central message of this episode, then we may be able to respond with the urgency this moment requires.

Watch Episode 2:

Join the Live, Online Video Study

And we’re going deeper tomorrow night in our live video study group—Tuesday, April 15 at 7pm ET.

• You’ll hear directly from Katherine Stewart in an interview I did with her on my podcast.

• You’ll hear further thoughts and reflections from me.

• You’ll get a chance to process with others and collaborate in solutions.

• You’ll gain a sense of community and solidarity as you gather with like-minded people of faith who want to resist the dismantling of democracy.

Join the conversation tomorrow (4/15) at 7 pm ET on Zoom.

What’s one institution or individual you think more people should know about? Let us know in the comments!

Right now democracy is down. But it is out? How do you keep going when it looks like you’re not winning? That’s what this book answers. Grab your copy today!