The After Party, a new Christian organization founded by political commentators Russell Moore, Curtis Chang, and David French and focusing on recentering Christian values amidst modern partisan politics, recently made its pubic debut on the social media platform X.
Moore, Chang, and French initially introduced the project at the National Press Club in late March of this year at an event hosted by Trinity Forum president Cherie Harder. However, the organization has only recently begun engaging with the public and sharing information about upcoming projects as of this December.
While the After Party is not a third party in the conventional sense, it positions itself as a post-party membership group open to individuals involved with all organizations and predominantly focused on specific fundamental values.
Throughout American history, membership groups have been influential within organized parties and the broader field of electoral politics. For instance, case studies on the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union have found that it significantly bolstered support for the historic Prohibition Party in the late 19th century and influenced their early electoral success. More recently, members of issue-based membership organizations like Moms 4 Liberty have found success for their cause by focusing on fielding candidates in local elections, even though organizations like it are not considered political parties in a traditional sense.
In a series of X posts, the After Party presented itself as an alternative to Republican and Democratic Christians who have grown wary of polarization in modern politics. More specifically, the organization identified itself as a home for individuals who believe their identity as “Christ followers” is “more important than their identity as Republicans or Democrats.”
In particular, the After Party wants to reframe Christian political identity and “radically recenter” modern partisan discourse away from political parties and politicians and around the Biblical figure of Christ.
“Our identity in Christ is far more important than any political party,” the organization states on its website, “But separating our Christian identity from our political one can be challenging. That’s what we’re here to explore together.”
To that end, the organization is currently piloting a small-group curriculum focusing on several subjects related to its overarching mission across Ohio, which it intends to make available to its supporters on social media starting in January next year. Examples of what these webinars entail can be found on the organization’s official site, with several references to replacing ideology with “biblical virtue,” helping Christians overcome the “pernicious effects” of polarization and partisan media, and preparing pastors on how they can guide their congregations through election cycles.
Christian values are a recurring theme in several established political parties in the United States, although Christians can be found in virtually every organization. Members of the Republican Party have been known to openly invoke specific Christian values as being consistent with their partisan principles. However, several third parties have historically made the Christian religion a hallmark of their work. Examples include the American Solidarity Party, the Prohibition Party, and the Constitution Party.
With thanks to Dusty Wilson of the Gadfly Podcast for making Independent Political Report aware of the After Party.
TL/DR? The “After Party” of David French, Russell Moore et al is the Religious Right Lite for Never Trumpers.
If you really wanted New Testament government, I think the American Solidarity Party is closer than anything else in the States.
If you want to “vote biblically” you wouldn’t. There is no mention of voting or anything close in the Bible. Back in the early 20th century there was a push that evangelicals should not vote, then it changed because reasons.