Megan Basham’s Shepherds for Sale doesn’t tiptoe around the uncomfortable truth: there’s a growing infiltration of leftist ideology in the church. If you think the church is a sanctuary from political warfare, you’re mistaken. This book isn’t just a warning—it’s a call to action. The stakes are high, and the fight for the soul of the church is on. Let’s break down the key takeaways from Basham’s hard-hitting analysis.

Spoiler Warning – While this article covers key points from the book – so be warned. However, it is by no means a replacement for the depth of content and context offered in this book. Basham names names and the book is well sourced and cited. I highly recommend it to both Christians and non Christians, as it is a critical study in subversive tactics as well.

1. Woke Theology: The Trojan Horse of the Left

Let’s get straight to it. Woke theology isn’t just another theological trend—it’s a Trojan Horse. Basham argues that progressive ideologies are sneaking into the church under the guise of compassion and social justice. But here’s the rub: these ideas often twist biblical principles to fit a secular, leftist agenda. This isn’t about helping the poor or marginalized; it’s about reshaping the church to mirror a politically correct worldview. When social justice becomes more important than the gospel, the church’s foundation starts to crumble.

2. The Subversion of Biblical Authority

One of the most dangerous impacts of leftist ideology infiltrating the church is the erosion of biblical authority. Basham makes it clear that when pastors and leaders start interpreting scripture through a political lens, the message gets warped. Suddenly, the Bible isn’t the ultimate authority; it’s just another tool to push a political agenda. This shift is subtle but deadly. It starts with minor reinterpretations and ends with a complete overhaul of Christian doctrine. The Bible becomes secondary to cultural relevance, and that’s a slippery slope toward apostasy.

3. Social Justice Gospel: The New Marxist Manifesto

Basham doesn’t mince words: the Social Justice Gospel is just Marxism dressed up in Christian clothing. The language of equity, systemic oppression, and privilege has found its way into sermons and church teachings. But let’s be honest—this isn’t about biblical justice; it’s about enforcing a leftist political ideology that divides people into oppressors and oppressed. The church is supposed to unite believers under the banner of Christ, not fracture them along lines of race, class, and gender. When the Social Justice Gospel takes center stage, the true gospel is pushed to the fringes.

4. The LGBTQ+ Agenda: Redefining Sin

The push to normalize LGBTQ+ lifestyles within the church is one of the most blatant examples of leftist ideology infiltrating Christian teaching. Basham exposes how some church leaders are now more concerned with being inclusive than with upholding biblical truth. The redefinition of sin isn’t just a doctrinal issue—it’s a full-scale assault on the moral authority of the Bible. When the church starts affirming what God calls sin, it’s not just compromising; it’s capitulating to the culture. This isn’t about love or acceptance; it’s about conforming to the demands of a secular society.

5. Critical Race Theory: The Poison in the Pew

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is more than just an academic concept; it’s a divisive ideology that’s poisoning the church. Basham highlights how CRT has crept into Christian teaching, leading to sermons that focus more on race and identity politics than on the gospel. This ideology encourages believers to view each other through the lens of race, perpetuating division rather than promoting unity in Christ. When the church starts preaching CRT, it’s not just preaching a different message—it’s preaching a different gospel. The church is called to be a beacon of reconciliation, not a promoter of racial division.

6. The Weaponization of Compassion: Guilt as a Tool

Basham reveals how the left has weaponized compassion to manipulate Christians. The constant emphasis on privilege and systemic injustice has created a culture of guilt within the church. Christians are made to feel guilty for their race, their success, and even their faith. This guilt is then used to push a leftist agenda, encouraging believers to support causes and policies that may not align with biblical principles. True compassion isn’t about guilt—it’s about love and truth. When compassion is used as a weapon, it ceases to be compassion at all.

7. Hijacking the Pulpit: Pastors as Political Activists

Pastors are supposed to shepherd their flock, not lead political crusades. But as Basham points out, more and more pastors are using their pulpits to push leftist ideologies. Whether it’s advocating for open borders, endorsing political candidates, or preaching about climate change, these pastors are turning the church into a political platform. The result? The spiritual mission of the church gets sidelined in favor of political activism. The pulpit is for proclaiming the gospel, not for promoting a political agenda.

8. The Rise of Progressive Christian Media

The influence of progressive Christian media cannot be underestimated. Basham exposes how left-leaning Christian publications and platforms are shaping the beliefs of millions of Christians. These outlets often present themselves as the voice of modern Christianity, but their content is heavily influenced by secular, progressive values. They downplay or even dismiss traditional Christian teachings on issues like marriage, gender, and sexuality, instead promoting a version of Christianity that is more palatable to the secular world. This isn’t about engaging culture; it’s about conforming to it.

9. Ecumenical Compromise: Unity at What Cost?

The push for ecumenical unity is often framed as a noble goal, but Basham warns that it can lead to dangerous compromises. In the name of unity, some churches are willing to overlook significant theological differences and partner with organizations that promote leftist ideologies. This kind of unity isn’t biblical—it’s a watering down of the faith. True unity in the church should be based on shared beliefs, not on a lowest-common-denominator approach that sacrifices truth for the sake of getting along.

10. The Silence of the Shepherds: Where Are the Bold Leaders?

Perhaps the most concerning trend Basham identifies is the silence of church leaders in the face of this leftist infiltration. Many pastors and leaders are afraid to speak out, either because they fear backlash or because they’ve bought into the progressive agenda themselves. This silence is deafening—and dangerous. When leaders fail to address these issues head-on, they leave their congregations vulnerable to deception. The church needs bold leaders who aren’t afraid to stand up for biblical truth, even when it’s unpopular.

11. The Gospel of Accommodation: Preaching to Please

Basham takes a hard look at how some pastors have adopted a “gospel of accommodation,” where the message is tailored to avoid offending anyone. This approach often involves downplaying or completely ignoring biblical teachings that conflict with progressive ideologies. The result is a diluted gospel that lacks the power to convict or transform. The church isn’t called to preach what people want to hear—it’s called to preach the truth, in season and out of season. When the message is compromised to accommodate cultural trends, it loses its potency.

12. The Feminization of the Church: Subverting Masculine Leadership

Another key point Basham addresses is the feminization of the church, where traditional masculine leadership is being replaced with a softer, more passive approach. This trend is closely tied to leftist ideologies that reject traditional gender roles and promote gender fluidity. Basham argues that this shift undermines the biblical model of leadership, where men are called to be strong, courageous leaders in both the home and the church. When the church adopts a more feminized approach, it risks losing the strength and clarity that comes from godly masculine leadership.

13. The Rebranding of Sin: When Everything Goes

One of the most insidious aspects of leftist ideology in the church is the rebranding of sin. Basham points out how behaviors that were once universally recognized as sinful are now being celebrated in some Christian circles. This isn’t about extending grace—it’s about redefining morality to fit a progressive agenda. When the church starts calling evil good and good evil, it’s not just compromising; it’s rebelling against God’s Word. The church is supposed to be a light in the darkness, not a reflection of the world’s moral confusion.

14. The Politicization of Worship: When Songs Become Slogans

Worship is supposed to be about glorifying God, but Basham notes how it’s increasingly being used to push political messages. Songs that once focused on God’s majesty and grace are now infused with themes of social justice and activism. This shift is subtle but significant. When worship becomes a vehicle for political messaging, it ceases to be about God and becomes about us. The church needs to reclaim worship as a sacred act of adoration, not a tool for promoting earthly agendas.

15. Churches as Political Safe Spaces

Basham highlights the growing trend of churches positioning themselves as “safe spaces” where progressive ideologies can flourish without challenge. These churches often avoid any mention of sin, judgment, or hell, focusing instead on a feel-good message that aligns with leftist values. But the church isn’t supposed to be a safe space—it’s supposed to be a place of transformation. When churches prioritize comfort over conviction, they fail to fulfill their mission.

16. The Seduction of Relevance: Chasing Cultural Trends

The desire to be relevant has led many churches down a dangerous path. Basham explains how the pursuit of relevance often results in the church adopting secular values and practices. Whether it’s embracing the latest social movements or adopting the language of the culture, these efforts to stay relevant can lead to a compromise of biblical truth. The church is called to be counter-cultural, not culturally relevant. When relevance becomes the

goal, truth becomes the casualty.

17. The Social Media Echo Chamber: Reinforcing Leftist Narratives

Social media has become a powerful tool for spreading leftist ideologies within the church. Basham discusses how platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook are being used to promote progressive Christian voices while marginalizing more conservative perspectives. The result is an echo chamber where only one side of the story is heard. This doesn’t just shape opinions—it shapes theology. When social media dictates the narrative, the church’s message gets lost in the noise.

18. The Denial of Absolute Truth: Relativism in the Pulpit

Relativism has no place in the church, but as Basham points out, it’s increasingly finding its way into the pulpit. The idea that truth is subjective and can be molded to fit individual preferences is antithetical to the Christian faith. Yet, some pastors are embracing this mindset, preaching a message that accommodates multiple truths. This isn’t just a theological issue—it’s a direct challenge to the authority of God’s Word. The church must stand firm on the belief that there is one truth, and it’s found in the Bible.

19. The Marginalization of Traditional Values

Traditional Christian values, such as the sanctity of marriage, the importance of family, and the value of life, are being pushed to the margins by leftist ideologies. Basham argues that these values are being replaced with a more progressive set of beliefs that align with secular culture. This shift isn’t just happening in society at large—it’s happening within the church. When traditional values are sidelined, the church loses its moral compass and its ability to speak truth to a culture in need.

20. The Call to Action: Reclaiming the Church

Basham’s final takeaway is a call to action. The infiltration of leftist ideology in the church isn’t just a problem—it’s a crisis. But it’s not too late to turn the tide. Basham urges Christians to stand up for biblical truth, to hold their leaders accountable, and to reject the influence of progressive ideologies that undermine the gospel. The church is at a crossroads, and the choice is clear: either stand firm in the faith or be swept away by the cultural currents. The time to act is now.

Conclusion: The Battle for the Church

Shepherds for Sale isn’t just a book—it’s a battle cry. Basham exposes the ways in which leftist ideologies are infiltrating the church and calls on believers to resist this encroachment. The stakes couldn’t be higher. The church is supposed to be a beacon of truth in a world of lies, but it’s under siege from within. It’s time for Christians to wake up, stand up, and fight for the soul of the church. This isn’t just about preserving tradition—it’s about defending the gospel itself.