Christian Nationalism: Threat or Faith? A Deep Dive

In one of a number of special episodes focused on the state and direction of the US as it approaches its 250^th anniversary, this week, we explore the rise and influence of Christian Nationalism in US politics and religious life — what it is, its theological roots, and how the ideology is shaping politics, society, and even democracy itself, both in the US and beyond. We reflect upon the social consequences of the ideology for education, civil rights, and attitudes toward "the other," contrasting the movement's beliefs with the positions taken by other Christians, and their effects for minority communities, women, immigrants and many millions of Americans. As always, we consider where we might focus our intentions and prayers. Disclosure: We do take an editorial position in this episode.

Intentions and prayers begin at 37 minutes 27 seconds.

Suggested Intention Focus for this week

This week, as the United States approaches its 250^th anniversary amid a time of deep difference over its future course, we suggest holding as our main intention:

We will that all Americans will have the grace to see that those with whom they may disagree are not enemies but are human beings made in God's image or have an equal right to be heard, be safe, and be free.

Please join us in holding this.

Mentioned in this episode:

‘The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy’ by Matthew D. Taylor. On Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Violent-Take-Force-Christian-Threatening/dp/1506497780/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0

‘The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism’ by Tim Alberta. On Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Power-Glory-Evangelicals-Extremism/dp/006322688X/ref=sr_1_1

A prayer for America Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/aprayerforamericanow.

Labyrinth Around America. https://www.clivejohnsonministry.com/laa/index.html

Related episodes of Impact!

Men Behaving Badly: Leaders Who Play The Religious Card, https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-s4zbu-18e6f49

Spain on Edge: Inside a Nation Deeply Polarized, https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-p2wbg-1947f34

Chapter markers:

00:00:00                                 Introduction

00:01:00                                 Understanding Christian Nationalism

00:02:55                                 Ideology and Influence

00:05:18                                 Patterns and Demographics

00:08:08                                 Political Violence and Extremism

00:09:00                                 Global Perspectives

00:12:04                                 Theological Foundations of Christian Nationalism

00:15:36                                 Historical Context

00:21:24                                 Critiques and Concerns

00:25:55                                 Social and Political Effects

00:32:46                                 Education and Christian Nationalism

00:33:06                                 Immigration Policies

00:34:46                                 Emotional and Psychological Impacts

00:36:25                                 The Role of Social Media

00:37:27                                 Intentions and Prayers

Sources referenced in this episode:

https://thinktheology.co.uk/blog/article/what_is_christian_nationalism

https://www.missioalliance.org/christian-nationalism-what-defines-it/

https://news.wfsu.org/all-npr-news/2024-02-28/christian-nationalisms-support-is-strongest-in-rural-conservative-states

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/10/27/global-far-right-christian-nationalists-00063400

‘The Religion of American Greatness: What’s Wrong with Christian Nationalism,’ Paul D. Miller, 2022, InterVarsity Press.

https://www.premierchristianity.com/features/why-the-rise-of-christian-nationalism-around-the-world-is-deeply-concerning/14740.article

https://canopyforum.org/2024/11/06/the-rise-of-the-christian-right-in-europe/

https://midamerica.edu/articles/41/doug-wilson-christian-nationalism-and-the-theonomic-debate

https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-seven-mountains-mandate-and-how-is-it-linked-to-political-extremism-in-the-us-260034

https://www.freedomforum.org/what-is-christian-nationalism/

https://religionnews.com/2022/02/09/new-report-details-the-influence-of-christian-nationalism-on-the-insurrection/

https://www.psephizo.com/life-ministry/is-christian-nationalism-a-contradiction-in-terms/

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/losing-our-religion/

https://www.ncronline.org/news/major-christian-leaders-asked-jan-6-committee-investigate-christian-nationalism

https://kettering.org/how-christian-nationalism-weakens-democracy-and-what-can-be-done-about-it/

https://www.au.org/the-latest/church-and-state/articles/origin-story-the-history-of-christian-nationalism-is-littered-with-hate-and-extremism/

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/charlie-kirk-turning-point-donald-trump-christian-nationalism-rcna156565

https://openandaffirming.org/christian-nationalism/

https://interfaithalliance.org/post/how-project-2025-threatens-religious-freedom-amp-democracy-2f854

https://openjournals.ugent.be/snm/article/id/90195/download/pdf/

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/10/2/97/pdf?version=1550484453

https://theconversation.com/christian-nationalism-in-the-u-s-is-eerily-reminiscent-of-dominionist-reformers-in-history-250600

https://vcresearch.berkeley.edu/news/crisis-faith-christian-nationalism-and-threat-us-democracy

https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2025/01/28/comparing-levels-of-religious-nationalism-around-the-world/

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/christian-nationalism-is-single-biggest-threat-to-americas-religious-freedom/

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/8/4/68/pdf?version=1492442199

https://religionunplugged.com/news/2024/2/19/what-god-and-country-gets-wrong-about-christian-nationalism

https://spectrummagazine.org/culture/books-film/the-seven-mountains-mandate-christian-dominionisms-playbook/

https://www.seenandunseen.com/christian-nationalism-uncontrollable-ideological-fusion

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/8/1/6/pdf?version=1483706332

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/01419870.2024.2328334?needAccess=true

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/2/95/pdf

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/14687968231207980

https://www.au.org/the-latest/articles/christian-nationalism-in-america-and-in-our-political-education-threatens-the-pursuit-of-justice/

https://prri.org/research/a-christian-nation-understanding-the-threat-of-christian-nationalism-to-american-democracy-and-culture/

https://religiondispatches.org/new-report-on-white-christian-nationalism-and-the-j6-insurrection-shows-just-how-dire-the-threat-is/

https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2024/03/15/christianitys-place-in-politics-and-christian-nationalism/

https://www.salon.com/2020/01/20/religious-wars-with-the-christian-right-on-the-offensive-activists-are-fighting-back/

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/11/10/497/pdf

https://christoverall.com/article/concise/how-many-americans-are-christian-nationalists/

https://contendingmodernities.nd.edu/global-currents/religion-politics-and-trumps-christian-nationalism/

https://www.au.org/the-latest/church-and-state/articles/trump-nationalism-and-the-culture-war/

https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/01/evangelicals-criticize-evangelicalism-russell-moore/

https://time.com/6309657/us-christian-nationalism-columbus-essay/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6707544/

https://providencemag.com/2021/01/gods-transcendence-antidote-polarization-america-politics/

https://e-journal.unair.ac.id/JGS/article/download/61767/31685/375964

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/christians-have-a-role-to-play-in-defending-u-s-democracy/

Join us in person for intention holding: 

https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/events-1 Labyrinth Activist Network Zoom calls  

https://insighttimer.com/cliverj Daily intention holding with Clive on Insight Timer.  

Our websites:   

www.heartfulimpact.com/   Our show website.  

https://globalhealingresponse.com/ Global Healing Response ~ Offers a wealth of prayers, suggested practices and prompts in response to environmental catastrophe, conflict, and other world events.  

https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/ Legacy Labyrinth Project ~ Creating global energetic connections through the labyrinth; inspiring active intention sending using the labyrinth via labyrinth activism.  

https://www.clivejohnsonministry.com/ Clive Johnson Ministry ~ Events and offerings aimed at building beloved community, including weekly energy holding vigils and Power of Eight group.  

https://insighttimer.com/cliverj ~ Daily intention holding.  

Impact! Is presented by Ellen Bintz and Clive Johnson. It is produced by Impact Productions.  

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