American Christian Nationalism: Origins and Impact

Introduction

Freedom Sunday at First Baptist Dallas
- A patriotic service blending piety and politics.
- Example of merging religious fervor with national pride.
- Pastor Robert Jeffris: “America is a Christian Nation” sermon.

Ideology: US intended to be a Christian nation.
Pew Research Center stats:
- 60% of Americans believe founders intended the US to be Christian.
- 45% believe it should be one today.
- More than half of the 45% believe Bible should influence US law.
Christian nationalism diagnosed as a key component in Trump’s 2016 victory and January 6th.
Prominent Republicans identifying as Christian nationalists.

Not simply conservative Christianity or small church beliefs.
Book Reference: Taking America Back for God by Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry.
- Gallup's 2017 Baylor Religion Study used to gauge orientation towards Christian nationalism.
- Four categories of beliefs: Rejecters, Resisters, Accommodators, Ambassadors.
Demographics:
- Accommodators and Ambassadors skew older, white, Republican, Bible Belt/Midwest, less college-educated.
- Diverse composition: Includes Democrats and minorities.

Elevated status of America intertwined with Christian identity.
American exceptionalism with a religious twist.
Historical Examples:
- 1493 Papal Bull granting Spain the Divine Right over non-Christian lands.
- Post-WWII era: Red Scare, Christian Nationalist Party, John Birch Society.

Christian nationalism spikes during times of cultural, political, and economic unrest.
Examples:
- 20th-century reaction to communism and socialism.
- 21st-century economic uncertainties and societal discontent.
- Trump’s appeal: Leveraging the fear of the ‘other’ (immigrants, LGBT community).

Not primarily a religious movement but a socio-political one.
Statistics: Commitment to Christian nationalism often inversely related to genuine religious practice.
Notable Figures and Movements Against Christian Nationalism:
- Russell Moore, Timothy Keller, Gospel Coalition writers.

Evangelicals criticizing Christian nationalism for conflicting with biblical teachings.
Key examples from the Bible that oppose Christian nationalism:
- Acts 15: Inclusivity in early church, accepting Gentiles without adopting Jewish law.
- Philippians: Christian citizenship in heaven.
- Book of Acts: God's universality and impartiality.
Arguments from AJ, a preacher in Atlanta:
- Encourages looking at scripture for genuine guidance vs. nationalist interpretations.