Stockholm Syndrome Christianity: Why America’s Christian Leaders Are Failing — and What We Can Do About It with John West

Stockholm Syndrome Christianity: Why America’s Christian Leaders Are Failing — and What We Can Do About It with John West

Author: The Christian Research Institute May 1, 2025 Duration: 2:12:56
What if American culture isn’t collapsing because of crusading secularists? What if it’s failing because many leading Christians identify more with secular elites than with their fellow believers? Dr. John West joins Hank Hanegraaff to discuss how he wrote Stockholm Syndrome Christianity as a warning to the body of Christ—a warning not to capitulate to the culture, but to transform the culture.To receive Stockholm Syndrome Christianity: Why America’s Christian Leaders Are Failing — and What We Can Do About It  for your partnering gift, please click here
https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resources-stockholm-syndrome-christianity-why-americas-christian-leaders-are-failing-and-what-we-can-do-about-it/

Topics discussed include: 
  • What is Stockholm Syndrome Christianity? (5:00)
  • Seattle Pacific University as an example of Stockholm Syndrome Christianity (7:45)
  • How can parents be sure of where to send their kids to school?  (11:30)
  • Andy Stanley says that the Old Testament is obsolete—is he right? (15:00)
  • Is it necessary to call out Christian leaders by name? (24:10)
  • The ongoing Battle for the Bible—from Robert Gundry to Mike Licona (26:50)
  • Francis Collins and the problems with secularism influencing scientific inquiry (35:15)
  • Can Neo-Darwinism and Christianity co-exist? (43:45)
  • Is theistic evolution the worst of all possibilities for Christians? (47:30)
  • How the evolutionary paradigm is foundational for many of the other problematic “-isms” (50:50)
  • Sexual suicide—how the devaluation of marriage within churches came before the culture (55:50)
  • Is Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy an example of Stockholm Syndrome Christianity? (1:00:50)
  • The slippery slope for individuals (1:06:00)
  • When is “anti-racism” actually racist? (1:06:30)
  • How did Stockholm Syndrome Christians abandon religious liberty? (1:17:15)
  • The importance of discernment when it comes to the entertainment we consume (1:31:30)
  • The problems with simply “following the science” (1:34:20)
  • The dangers of celebrity culture—even within the church (1:38:15)
  • The problem with trying to please the wrong people (1:43:00)
  • A story of standing for truth (1:46:45)
  • The importance of Christian governance—people must support the mission of Christianity (1:55:50)
  • A call to faithfulness as opposed to worldly success (2:01:25)
  • What is the state of The Discovery Institute and the Intelligent Design movement? (2:05:55)


  • Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.
  • Archived episodes are  on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.
  • You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.



Step into the study of Hank Hanegraaff for a series of discussions that feel more like a thoughtful dialogue among friends than a formal interview. Hank Unplugged: Essential Christian Conversations, from The Christian Research Institute, moves beyond the studio environment to explore a wide range of topics where faith intersects with everyday life. Each episode features Hank in conversation with guests who bring depth, knowledge, and often unexpected perspectives to critical issues. These aren't rushed soundbites, but free-flowing explorations that delve into the nuances of religion, culture, and spirituality, all grounded in a thoughtful Christian worldview. You'll hear from scholars, authors, and thinkers who help unpack complex ideas in an accessible and engaging way. This podcast serves as a resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of how timeless principles apply to modern societal and personal questions. The tone is both informative and reflective, aiming to equip listeners with a clearer framework for their own beliefs and conversations. By focusing on substantive dialogue over production flair, Hank Unplugged creates a space for genuine learning and reflection, making it a distinctive voice in the landscape of faith-based audio content.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Hank Unplugged: Essential Christian Conversations
Podcast Episodes
A Western Guide to Eastern Orthodox Theology with Eve Tibbs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:05
Despite being the second largest Christian communion globally, Eastern Orthodox Theology is unknown or misunderstood for most people living in the West. When Hank Hanegraaff joined the Eastern Orthodox Church, many were…
Should We Fear AI? The Human Advantage with Jay Richards [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:18
Transgenderism is a gateway to transhumanism—both ideologies formed by the materialist myth that our culture has consumed which consequently shapes their hopes and fears for the future. There is no denying that Gender Id…
Humans Will Always Have the Advantage Over AI (Hank Unplugged Short) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:23
Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, has been re-reading Jay Richards’ outstanding book, The Human Advantage: The Future of American Work in an Age of…