Homebrewed Christianity

Transcendence, Immanence, and Why Charlie Kirk is Bad at Theology with Kevin Carnahan & Aaron Simmons

Jul 30, 2025
Kevin Carnahan is a Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Central Methodist University, with expertise in ethics and pragmatism. Aaron Simmons teaches Philosophy at Furman University, focusing on the philosophy of religion. They dive into the intersection of Christian citizenship and democracy, tracing historical links from Jesus to Bonhoeffer. The discussion highlights the need for meaningful engagement in a polarized society and critiques the role of religion in democracy, while navigating the complexities of addressing modern issues like Palestine.
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INSIGHT

Christianity vs. Totalitarianism

  • Christian tradition offers an alternative to totalitarianism rather than endorsing it.
  • Augustine critiques the idolatry of state by separating God's authority from government authority.
INSIGHT

Transcendence vs. Totalitarianism

  • Linking transcendence to imminent realities leads to totalitarianism.
  • Authentic transcendence avoids domesticating God into nationalist or racial ideologies.
INSIGHT

Nihilism and Polarization Risks

  • Active nihilism emerges when transcendent meaning collapses into radical imminence.
  • Fundamentalism fuels polarization when religious reasons dominate democratic discourse without shared grounding.
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