The general success in creating a favorable impression makes the narcissistic element among Evangelical leadership extremely influential.  They are the most loved preacher of the largest church.  The most commonly quoted author of the best selling books.  It is this characteristic that gives narcissists an inordinate impact on American Evangelicalism.  Narcissists generally put more energy into building their church or advancing their ministries, not because they want to impact the lives of people for Jesus, although that will be their claim, but rather because of their intense need for recognition and celebrity.

There are two dynamics which create a very troubling pattern for how theological debates are conducted.  The first affects us all and arises from the typical threat response people exhibit.  When something we care about deeply is challenged we are quick to feel threatened.  Certainly we should care deeply about our faith and our leaders should be passionate about correct interpretation of Scripture.  Avoiding the feeling of something we value being threatened by not caring so much is not the answer.

However, people who feel threatened tend to exhibit threat response in which the options tend to be seen as more extreme and positions become more rigid.  Once threat rigidity sets in, it is very hard for any of us to see middle ground or reasonable compromises.  When we are highly threatened we can go into a limbic state in which the ability to think clearly is gone.  “I was so mad I couldn’t think straight” has more literal truth to it that most understand.  Threat response is one of the reasons some very unfortunate things get said in debates, which can then lead to long lasting and entrenched divisions.  When threatened it becomes easy to attack our opponent rather than debate the issues.

The other dynamic is more far reaching and insidious: it is the dominant impact of narcissistic Christian leaders on the Evangelical agenda.  Narcissistic personality disorder and the less severe but more common condition of having strongly narcissistic elements in a personality are well understood and a recognized diagnosis in psychology but are generally misunderstood by the general public.  For the purposes of this discuss we might start with the recognition that narcissists are attracted to professions where they get a lot of recognition and are held in high regard.  The ministry is one of the most appealing professions for a narcissist.  Few other professions combine so much personal attention and high regard.  So a lot of narcissists become ministers.

It is widely believed that narcissists are easy to spot because they act in such self-serving ways.  However, just the opposite is true.  True narcissists tend to be very well thought of by the majority of people.  Generally they are highly respected, and among the most loved leaders.  It is very important to narcissists that others view them in ways that are consistent with their inflated self-image.

Generally the true narcissist works hard to win admiration and becomes very good at it.  The dysfunctional elements of narcissism are not seen until you look into their very closest relationships.  Narcissists are unable to build intimate relationships because they demand that everything focus on serving the narcissist.  Instead of relationships that are mutually loving and giving, bringing out the best in both parties, for the narcissist the only priority is that they are being served.

The general success in creating a favorable impression makes the narcissistic element among Evangelical leadership extremely influential.  They are the most loved preacher of the largest church.  The most commonly quoted author of the best selling books.  It is this characteristic that gives narcissists an inordinate impact on American Evangelicalism.  Narcissists generally put more energy into building their church or advancing their ministries, not because they want to impact the lives of people for Jesus, although that will be their claim, but rather because of their intense need for recognition and celebrity.

Two other characteristics of narcissism are particularly important for theological debate.  Narcissists have a strong tendency to see issues in black and white, all or nothing, terms.  Second, when challenged narcissists tend to react with a full and vicious attack.  You either agree with me or not only are you wrong, you aren’t even a Christian!  When narcissists frame a debate there is no middle ground, it is good verses evil, right verses wrong.  Of course, the narcissists always project that they and their followers are on the side that is completely right, good and holy.

People soon learn not to challenge a narcissistic leader because when you do you are very likely to suffer.  Any criticism will be attacked and the attack will typically be both vicious and without limits.  The Evangelical landscape is littered with black marks where a narcissistic leader scorched the earth attacking those who dared to challenge in the slightest way.  Other leaders soon learn not to challenge a narcissist, but it is a failure of leadership to turn the agenda over to them.  Sadly, it is not uncommon to talk to church staff or even seminary professors who live in fear they will fall out of favor and suffer the attack of a narcissistic leader.

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