New Creation Conversations 097 - Dr. Andrew Whitehead on Christian Nationalism and the Idols of the American Church
Oct 2, 2023
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Dr. Andrew Whitehead, an expert on Christian nationalism, discusses his book 'American Idolatry' which highlights the problems and idolatries of power, fear, and violence within the American Church. They explore engaging in politics to support the marginalized, the importance of addressing social injustices, and seeking hope in a complex world.
Christian nationalism is driven by a desire for power and control, shaping the world to its liking through self-interest, defining national identity along racial and religious lines, and utilizing coercion and force.
Fear is a powerful tool in Christian nationalism, fueling the sense of potential loss and justifying actions taken to protect privileges, resulting in the neglect of love and empathy. Opposing Christian nationalism requires true patriotism rooted in truth-telling, well-being advocacy, and empathy.
Violence becomes an idol within Christian nationalism as a means to defend privilege and power, manifested through personal or collective acts. Challenging this idol involves recognizing violence's role in maintaining oppressive hierarchies and promoting non-violent ways of pursuing justice.
Deep dives
Christian nationalism as an idol of power
Christian nationalism is driven by a desire for power and control, as it seeks to maintain privilege and access to resources. This idol exists to ensure that the group it represents can shape the world to its liking, regardless of resistance from others. It manifests in various ways, including a focus on self-interest, the defining of national identity along racial and religious lines, and a willingness to use coercion and force to defend boundaries and maintain power. True patriotism, in contrast, involves telling the truth about one's country, advocating for the well-being of all citizens, and leveraging privilege to empower marginalized groups.
The role of fear in Christian nationalism
Fear plays a central role in Christian nationalism, acting as a powerful tool to rally support and motivate action. It is fueled by a sense of potential loss, where groups fear losing their power and access to resources. Fear is utilized as an influential force to draw clear boundaries between 'us' and 'them,' heightening the notion of threat and justifying actions taken to protect one's privileges. This idol of fear leads to an inverted 'golden rule' of treating others based on perceived threats rather than embracing love and empathy. Opposing Christian nationalism requires practicing true patriotism, which entails telling the truth, embracing the well-being of fellow citizens, and acting in empathy rather than fear.
The idol of violence within Christian nationalism
Violence becomes an idol within Christian nationalism, stemming from the pursuit of power and the fear of losing it. Christian nationalists often resort to violence, either individually or collectively, to defend their privileged access to resources and maintain their perceived threat of power. Violence can manifest in various forms, such as personal acts of aggression or collective acts like supporting the death penalty or engaging in wars influenced by religious beliefs. Recognizing and challenging this idol involves acknowledging the role violence plays in maintaining oppressive hierarchies and working towards non-violent ways of pursuing justice and equality.
Differentiating patriotism from Christian nationalism
Opposing Christian nationalism does not mean rejecting patriotism. True patriotism encompasses a genuine love for one's country and its people, understanding and acknowledging both its strengths and weaknesses. It involves telling the truth about the country and working towards making it a better place for all its citizens. Patriotism does not seek to limit who can identify as a true American but instead embraces inclusivity and works towards the well-being of marginalized and oppressed groups. By embodying true patriotism, Christians can challenge and dismantle Christian nationalism while fostering a spirit of unity and justice.
Engaging in the public square without falling into culture wars
Participating in the public square requires broadening perspectives and actively listening to diverse voices. It involves learning from those whose experiences differ from our own and striving to understand their perspectives. By practicing empathy, Christians can extend love and support to marginalized groups and work towards systemic changes that benefit the larger community. Engaging in politics should not involve blindly supporting a specific political party or agenda but rather advocating for policies that promote justice, equality, and the well-being of all citizens. A healthy engagement in the public square is rooted in a deep commitment to love our neighbors and work towards the flourishing of society as a whole.
Welcome to episode ninety-seven of New Creation Conversations. This week’s conversation is with Dr. Andrew Whitehead. Andrew is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of the Association of Religion Data Archives at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at IUPUI (Indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis). He is a graduate of Purdue University and got his PhD in sociology from Baylor University. He is one of the foremost scholars of Christian nationalism in the United States. He’s written 50+ peer reviewed articles and has been featured across several national outlets including The New York Times, NPR, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, CNN, The Today Show, The Economist, Rolling Stone, and The Guardian.
His first book, Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States (published by Oxford and co-written with Sam Perry), won the 2021 Distinguished Book Award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. We spend our time discussing his most recent book, American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church (Brazos). In the book, Andrew not only describes the history and problems related to Christian nationalism, but he also takes on its three great idolatries: power, fear, and violence.
There has been a lot of healthy conversation in the US church on this issue over the last few years, and Andrew’s book brings a lot of the issues into a clearer light. The book is timely, especially as we get ready to head into another potentially divisive presidential election season. One of the things I like most about the book is that Andrew doesn’t just analyze the problem but gives examples of churches and communities of faith that are working for the good of our world without being absorbed into its idolatries. It’s an important book and a rich conversation.
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