Christian nationalism has gotten a lot of play the last few years, particularly in the rhetoric of its opponents in journalism, academia, and even the White House.
According to its critics, Christian nationalism is a malevolent ideology that has allied itself with Donald Trump to capture conservative politics in America with the aim of bringing about a dystopian Christian theocracy akin to The Handmaid’s Tale.
Mark David Hall argues in his new book, Who’s Afraid of Christian Nationalism?, that such claims are overblown and that Christian nationalism is not the existential threat the critics claim. In fact, Christian nationalism may not even be a helpful phrase to describe the thinking of American Christians when it comes to politics in general.
In this interview, Mark and I chart the rise of the term turned pejorative, explore both journalistic and academic writing on Christian nationalism, evaluate the data connected with that research, and discuss how those (very) few Christians who do seek to make an affirmative case for Christian nationalism aren’t even representative of most Chriastians.
Along the way, Mark provides some helpful historical context on the role of Christianity in American public affairs from his own deep research on Christianity in the American Founding.
This is a wide ranging conversation that sheds helpful light on the role of religion in American politics as well as the dangers posed to public discourse by polarizing rhetoric and biased research.
Conversation starters
For premium subscribers, this question will also be posted on my Substack chat for you to discuss with me. Head on over and join the conversation!
If Christian nationalism is a paper tiger like Dr. Hall argues, then why keep using it? Does it reflect real animosity towards Christians or a general misunderstanding? What is, or ought to be, the relationship between Christians and the nation-state in which they reside?
Digging deeper
From TTP: “The Bloody Shirt of Christian Nationalism”
My essays at Providence Magazine that touch on Christian influences in the American political system:
Mine and a couple of colleagues’ response in Christianity Today to the furor over Christian Nationalism: “American Democracy is in Trouble. No Not Like That.”
The last word
Christian nationalism exists and it is problematic, but it does not pose an “existential threat to American democracy and the Christian church in the United States” as far too many critics claim. Once we grasp this reality, we can hopefully move beyond labeling people and have a more informed and civil debate about the important issues of our day.
Background image by TapTheForwardAssist, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Share this post