In this book, Robert P. Jones explores the significant demographic and cultural changes in the United States, particularly the decline of white Protestant Christians as a dominant force. Jones draws on decades of polling data to explain how this shift has impacted American politics, social values, and cultural norms. He discusses the rise of anxieties among white Christians, their reactions to changes such as same-sex marriage and racial justice, and the implications of these changes for the country's future. The book also forecasts how white Christians might adapt to their new reality and the consequences if they do not[2][4][5].
In this book, Robert P. Jones delivers a groundbreaking analysis of the symbiotic relationship between Christianity and white supremacy in America. Drawing on history, public opinion surveys, and personal experience, Jones argues that white Christians have not just been complacent or complicit but have actively constructed and sustained a project of protecting white supremacy and opposing black equality. The book exposes how deeply racist attitudes have become embedded in white Christian identity and calls for an honest reckoning with the past and work toward repair in the present. Jones emphasizes that this is not just a matter of moral obligation but also essential for the integrity of white Christianity and the future of the American experiment.
In *Erasing History*, Jason Stanley exposes the true danger of the authoritarian right’s attacks on education, identifying their key tactics and funders, and tracing their intellectual roots. He illustrates how fears of a fascist future have become a present reality, with hearts and minds being won in schools and universities. Stanley shows how democratic societies are ill-prepared to defend against these fascist assaults, which aim to erase historical memory and critical inquiry. The book is a global call to action to preserve democracy by understanding and combating these authoritarian efforts.
In this episode, we bring you a deep and reflective conversation from Theology Beer Camp focusing on the interlocking crises of democracy and religion in America. The panel took place on the Theology Nerd stage and was moderated by previous podcast guest, Aaron Stauffer from Wendland-Cook Program in Religion & Justice at Vanderbilt University and features esteemed scholars Robert C. Jones, Diana Butler Bass, and Gary Dorrien. They explore various dimensions of liberal democracy, social democracy, and the historical and present impacts of religion and race on American politics. The discussion delves into personal histories, the influence of the black social gospel, and practical steps for communities and churches to combat current socio-political challenges, particularly emphasizing community organizing and educational initiatives.
If you want to get info, updates, and access to pre-sale tickets for Theology Beer Camp 2025 you can signup here.
For information on Wendland-Cook's Solidarity Circles, a program to build virtual peer-networks for faith leaders, organizers, clergy, and members of the community to build grassroots solidarity, head over here.
Previous Podcast Conversations
Aaron Stauffer is the Director of Online Learning and Associate Director of the Wendland-Cook Program at Vanderbilt University Divinity School. He earned his PhD in social ethics at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York and has organized with the Industrial Areas Foundation in San Antonio, Texas and Religions for Peace. His work has appeared in Tikkun, Sojourners, The Other Journal, Political Theology, and CrossCurrents, as well as other scholarly and popular publications.
Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D., is an award-winning author, popular speaker, inspiring preacher, and one of America’s most trusted commentators on religion and contemporary spirituality.
Gary Dorrien is Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary and Professor of Religion at Columbia University. He is also the author of Anglican Identities: Logos Idealism, Imperial Whiteness, Commonweal Ecumenism, Social Ethics in the Making: Interpreting an American Tradition, American Democratic Socialism and In a Post-Hegelian Spirit: Philosophical Theology as Idealistic Discontent. You won’t want to miss his upcoming theological memoir Over from Union Road My Christian-Left-Intellectual Life.
Robert P. Jones. Is the president and founder of Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and the author of three books best-selling books, The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and the Path to a Shared American Future , White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity, The End of White Christian America .
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This DECEMBER, we will be exploring the 'Theologians of Crisis' in our online Advent class - Breaking into the Broken World. Join us to learn about Karl Barth, Paul Tillich, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Rudolph Bultmann as we explore their thoughts and timely reflections in their Advent/Christmas sermons.
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