Making Sense with Sam Harris #443 — What Is Christian Nationalism?
205 snips
Nov 10, 2025 
Douglas Wilson, a pastor and theologian, dives deep into the heart of Christian nationalism, challenging the narrative around secularism's failures. He differentiates his views on biblical absolutism and young-earth creationism, while embracing postmillennial optimism. The conversation touches on the importance of a moral foundation rooted in faith, the complexities of church-state separation, and the historical context of religious tests in governance. Expect thought-provoking insights into evangelicals' role in shaping public life and a rejection of extremism in faith.
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Roots Of A Conservative Evangelical
- Douglas Wilson grew up evangelical with missionary and Navy parents, shaping his conservative Christian outlook.
- He describes evangelicalism's retreat into alternative institutions and later cultural re-engagement in the 1970s and beyond.
Biblical Absolutism Vs Literalism
- Wilson calls himself a 'biblical absolutist' who takes Scripture by genre rather than purely literalism.
- He interprets texts according to their literary form, e.g., psalms as poetry and Luke as sober history.
Young‑Earth Position Explained
- Wilson identifies as a young-earth creationist and rejects macroevolution, dating the world at about 6,000 years.
- He defends this via biblical genealogies and accepts variation within kinds but not species transformation.
