Week 3: Christianity Hijacked: The Theological Cost of Nationalism
Week 3: Christianity Hijacked: The Theological Cost of Nationalism
✝️ When Christianity Becomes a Weapon
August 25, 2025
Embedded Files
This Week’s Readings
This Week’s Readings
The Psychology of Christian Nationalism - Chapter 1
How to End Christian Nationalism - Introduction + Chapter 3-4
Hello, Welcome to Week 2 of August's Resistance Book Club!
Hello, Welcome to Week 2 of August's Resistance Book Club!
This month, we will be focusing on Christian Nationalism. It's imperative to understand this ideology, the main driver in today's political climate. As Christians, it'll be our job to dismantle this harmful ideology. In September, we will explore how to be more of an activist. In October, we will study propaganda. In November, we will discuss how our parenting style could influence how we vote, and in December, we will discuss abortion. So be sure to subscribe to the Resistance Book Club.
Join the Resistance Book Club!
Join the Resistance Book Club!
Christian Nationalism is a perversion of the Christian faith and a weaponization of the Bible for political gain. Rather than true Christianity, focused on love, empathy, and acceptance, it focuses on authoritarian principles of control and their ideal vision of what a "true" Christian looks like: a patriarchal family. This ideology is however rooted strongly in white supremacy, xenophobia, and antisemitism. It's control of others through political policy.
“Christian nationalism is a cultural framework - a collection of myths, traditions, symbols, narratives and value systems - that idealizes and advocates a fusion of Christianity with American civic life.”
“Christian nationalism is a cultural framework - a collection of myths, traditions, symbols, narratives and value systems - that idealizes and advocates a fusion of Christianity with American civic life.”
By enforcing conservative white Christian values on others, the fascists who believe in a patriarchal family would therefore not allow LGBTQ+ family rights. We've already seen the possibility of the rollback of Obergefell v. Hodges and marriage equality for LGBTQ+ people. Although, no ruling by the Supreme Court has been made yet, the case has been filed. Some Christian Nationalist will go to great lengths to enact their political ideology on others, even through violent means. We seen this in the January 6th capitol riots.
According to Amanda Tyler in How to End Christian Nationalism:
"One of Christian nationalism's most blatant distortions of the gospel of Jesus is its embrace of violence and use of scripture to justify violent means".
Therefore, as Christians we need to denounce violence: gun, political, rhetorical, or hate. The weaponization of the Christian faith can lead to great atrocities when believers swear that they are on the side of God. Christian Nationalism ideology is being used to push biogeted agenda's in the said "name of God", ultimately harming and oppressing these marginalized communities (like we see in the most recent case of wanting to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges).
We must commit to the separation of Church and State!
We must commit to the separation of Church and State!
With warmth,
Amy
Working Towards Improvement
Reflection
Reflection
Have you noticed fear-based narratives in media, faith communities, or politics- and interrogate their impact?
I would love to hear your insight about this week's readings!
Next Week's Readings: Christianity Hijacked: The Theological Cost of Nationalism
Next Week's Readings: Christianity Hijacked: The Theological Cost of Nationalism
The Psychology of Christian Nationalism - Chapter 2
How to End Christian Nationalism - Chapter 5-6
Reflections to Consider While Reading:
Reflections to Consider While Reading:
Has your church or denomination pushed Christian Nationalism ideology or has been silent and complacent in educating perishoners? If so, what could be your next steps to take action?
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Don't forget to join the community chat!
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