In “Christians Against Christianity” by Dr. Obery Hendricks Jr. (2021), well within your time frame, he details how the rise of Christian Nationalism was embedded in social movements that were framed by originators as Christian movements but were not always understood as such by the general population. The power was gained by a small statistical minority promoting their values as Christian to gain power to effect change.
My contention with your article is while Christian Nationalism may now be better understood and verbally rejected by larger swaths than before, the top-down power of the movement has only increased in that time frame and we are well on our way to it becoming a reality.
I agree - the decrease in support/adherence is taking place while power and influence are increasing. We're now in the "wounded animal" stage, perhaps, where the pushback and decline will *energize* those who remain in the movement, especially since it's part of their ethos to see themselves as the faithful remnant that is remaining true to God.
I agree with you. A movement—which Christian Nationalism has become— does not have to garner the support of a majority to dominate local, state and national affairs. The movement just has to mobilize more active participation by its supporters in voting and putting pressure on elected officials. This survey lacks data on the political participation of those surveyed, which would be an indicator of how likely they are to act to achieve realization of their beliefs.
This seems to simply argue against his research. The fears about "Christian Nationalism" are highly overblown by some who see the strong movement against the Left as bigger than it is.
Is it possible that Christian Nationalism is increasing in prominence and influence despite its decline amongst the population because political extremism has resulted in an increase in Christian nationalistic sentiments expressed amongst members of Congress and the judiciary? Is there data to test this hypothesis (mentions/sound bites, legislation)?
Is this potentially an issue similar to abortion, where despite public opinion increasingly supporting choice, we see increasing attacks on the rights of women to make their own decisions?
Since Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Parker handed down an opinion based on the "Seven Mountains Mandate" it is obvious that Christian Nationalism is alive and well in certain places of power in our country.
It is sad to say that science can place a lunar module back on the moon after 50 years, and that there are persons affecting the lives of millions believing that a fully formed human is in the head of each sperm cell.
As others have noted, the issue isn't the number, it's the radicalization. In fact, I would argue that's part of the reason it's become such a large part of the national conversation. It's partly because Christian nationalists are becoming more radicalized because they feel their power and influence fading. And of course, certain politicians stoke those fears and demand a return to the "good ole days."
(i see people in the threads here are debating if Christian nationalism is a thing. The easiest way is to ask yourself "do you think American was or should be a Christian nation?" If you say yes to this, you're in the Christian nationalist camp. For example, people who love Barton's Original Intent would fall into this category. I find it helpful to have a simple metric like this, though of course nuances can get extensive if one chooses)
Sometimes, surface data does not tell the story. I am stunned that there are comments here that deny that Christian Nationalism is a growing and frightening trend.
From Heather Cox Richardson, TODAY: "The Alabama Supreme Court on February 16, 2024, decided that cells awaiting implantation for in vitro fertilization are children and that the accidental destruction of such an embryo falls under the state’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. In an opinion concurring with the ruling, Chief Justice Tom Parker declared that the people of Alabama have adopted the “theologically based view of the sanctity of life” and said that “human life cannot be wrongfully destroyed without incurring the wrath of a holy God.”
We just watched the highlights of CPAC, which has devolved from an important meeting of conservatives into a Christian Nationalist free for all, with noted speakers calling for theocracy.
Views like yours are why Democrats will retain the White House this year and flip the House of Reps, and by a lot. Christofascism has been on the rise since Trump emboldened them.
To say that because fewer people do not openly admit to it does not change the assault on the 14th Amendment, specifically and the rights of women generally.
The selected data ignores what is happening with the rogue court and the openly Christian Nationalist presently failing to lead the House.
The only thing that's new is the open attacks on Democracy.
well written and cogent email (not that my review matters). I agreed with a lot of the arguments until you get to the idea that old white men can force women to be birthing vessels. I believe that pro-life views are legitimate, much like i believe religious beliefs are legitimate. I also believe that your beliefs about either entitle you to impact anyone else. you should have the right to belong to the satanist church of spaghetti and you should have the right to not get an abortion. but you got me, I will never accept someone infringing upon the most basic healthcare decisions for others.
I have not read your link, but i will. thanks for the share.
I’m currently writing a Master’s thesis in theology on (broadly taken) the last question, tracing the idea of America (and before that England) as an “elect nation” through sermons, literature, etc… and documenting how its failure has changed the moral structure of the American evangelical movement over the last decade.
So here’s my shot-from-the-hip answer to the uptick in the confidence of responders in 2021:
The rapid changes in social/cultural mores over the last 10 years (the Obergefell decision, radical gender theory, the decline in religious attendence, etc…) has scrambled the brains of many (primarily evangelicals) who respond “what is happening to us? This is a Christian country, these things can’t happen!” Therefore there has a been a kind of doubling down on the belief in the providential nature of the United States, although in a more aggressive, political form than the historic evangelical response to cultural change: concentrated programs of evangelism (both in word and deed).
I'd stretch the fade back a lot longer. In the '60s and '70s, school prayer was a top-drawer issue, and mainstream politicians often used American exceptionalism as a wedge. Now the politicians who weaponize culture are focusing on Woke stuff instead, which isn't specifically religious.
I think Bush broke the exceptionalism stuff by using it as a pretext for 30 years of endless losing wars.
The same thing happened in 1920 after Wilson had used exceptionalism to justify our entrance in WW1. The war left a strong distaste, and the god who sponsored the war shared in the distaste.
It is similar to other 'Fear Movements" about Satanism and Global Warming. We can write a series of books linking Christian Fundamentalists to Racism and Slavery and every TV Channel with do repeated interviews with the authors.
I think to answer the oddity of that last question we have to realize that there are other factors at play in interpreting the question. I believe there is a rose in evangelicals in believing in the sovereignty of God over everything. Therefore, if the United States has been successful, then it must have been a part of God's plan. The question would do better to be reworded to indicate a future success yet unseen.
I wonder how much of the change in results is due to the change in the composition of different categories. Previous Substack posts suggest this, such as the near extinction of the Christian Democrat. If you hold views favorable to CN and were in a mainline denomination in 2007, there's a good chance you might have left it by now.
Not on this list but I would recommend Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes du Mez. She’s a historian and professor at Calvin University.
Of the list Ryan provided, the only one I’ve read is Preparing for War. It’s not bad but I didn’t really enjoy his writing style. His perspective is interesting since he used to believe some of the Christian Nationalist views, but has since left that brand of Christianity.
I've read du Mez's book, and would recommend it. But the book I'm most curious to read (just came out in 2023 and it's still pretty expensive) is "The Full Armor of God" by Djupe, Lewis, and Sokhey.
I recognize Djupe from Religion in Public, where he's posted about the importance of prophecy belief as an accelerant to antinomian politics:
I get the impression this kind of prophecy belief is fringe, but also very mobilizing. As far as I can tell, it is antinomian, creating a permission structure for followers to release themselves from moral obligations orthodox Christians ought to feel regarding keeping the peace and loving their neighbor. I'd think even most red-county Evangelicals would find it hecka weird, but it may punch above its weight in certain political circles.
I agree the survey questions could use some work. I totally see how this question could get a “yes” answer from your average Christian who simply believes everything is part of God’s plan - which is far from a Christian Nationalist viewpoint.
Likewise, I think the question about prayer in school is similarly poorly worded. There are different types of prayer in school - individual prayer should be allowed (and has never been illegal) but government sponsored is likely where the debate is. Depending on how it is read, people with the same views on the issue might answer the question differently.
I also think having all the questions except for the separation of church and state question being worded where a “yes” leads towards a Christian Nationalist viewpoint is confusing as well.
This is an interesting observation and it strikes me as true. I would question the assumption though that the displaying of a flag is synonymous with patriotism. Patriotism can come in many ways. I would submit that flying a flag is only a superficial display of a complex and multi-faceted abstract idea such as patriotism. As such, flag flying is probably not a good proxy for patriotism in my view. I suspect patriotism exists and is alive and well in younger generations but manifests itself in ways less visible.
In “Christians Against Christianity” by Dr. Obery Hendricks Jr. (2021), well within your time frame, he details how the rise of Christian Nationalism was embedded in social movements that were framed by originators as Christian movements but were not always understood as such by the general population. The power was gained by a small statistical minority promoting their values as Christian to gain power to effect change.
My contention with your article is while Christian Nationalism may now be better understood and verbally rejected by larger swaths than before, the top-down power of the movement has only increased in that time frame and we are well on our way to it becoming a reality.
I agree - the decrease in support/adherence is taking place while power and influence are increasing. We're now in the "wounded animal" stage, perhaps, where the pushback and decline will *energize* those who remain in the movement, especially since it's part of their ethos to see themselves as the faithful remnant that is remaining true to God.
I agree with you. A movement—which Christian Nationalism has become— does not have to garner the support of a majority to dominate local, state and national affairs. The movement just has to mobilize more active participation by its supporters in voting and putting pressure on elected officials. This survey lacks data on the political participation of those surveyed, which would be an indicator of how likely they are to act to achieve realization of their beliefs.
This seems to simply argue against his research. The fears about "Christian Nationalism" are highly overblown by some who see the strong movement against the Left as bigger than it is.
Ryan, I value your work and love digging into these trends. Thank you!
Is it possible that Christian Nationalism is increasing in prominence and influence despite its decline amongst the population because political extremism has resulted in an increase in Christian nationalistic sentiments expressed amongst members of Congress and the judiciary? Is there data to test this hypothesis (mentions/sound bites, legislation)?
Is this potentially an issue similar to abortion, where despite public opinion increasingly supporting choice, we see increasing attacks on the rights of women to make their own decisions?
Since Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Parker handed down an opinion based on the "Seven Mountains Mandate" it is obvious that Christian Nationalism is alive and well in certain places of power in our country.
It is sad to say that science can place a lunar module back on the moon after 50 years, and that there are persons affecting the lives of millions believing that a fully formed human is in the head of each sperm cell.
21st century v., 16th century....YIKES!!!
Try rereading my comment and see that it is the Christian Nationalists who are the ones hanging onto 16th century "science."
I'm not.
As others have noted, the issue isn't the number, it's the radicalization. In fact, I would argue that's part of the reason it's become such a large part of the national conversation. It's partly because Christian nationalists are becoming more radicalized because they feel their power and influence fading. And of course, certain politicians stoke those fears and demand a return to the "good ole days."
(i see people in the threads here are debating if Christian nationalism is a thing. The easiest way is to ask yourself "do you think American was or should be a Christian nation?" If you say yes to this, you're in the Christian nationalist camp. For example, people who love Barton's Original Intent would fall into this category. I find it helpful to have a simple metric like this, though of course nuances can get extensive if one chooses)
Sometimes, surface data does not tell the story. I am stunned that there are comments here that deny that Christian Nationalism is a growing and frightening trend.
From Heather Cox Richardson, TODAY: "The Alabama Supreme Court on February 16, 2024, decided that cells awaiting implantation for in vitro fertilization are children and that the accidental destruction of such an embryo falls under the state’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. In an opinion concurring with the ruling, Chief Justice Tom Parker declared that the people of Alabama have adopted the “theologically based view of the sanctity of life” and said that “human life cannot be wrongfully destroyed without incurring the wrath of a holy God.”
We just watched the highlights of CPAC, which has devolved from an important meeting of conservatives into a Christian Nationalist free for all, with noted speakers calling for theocracy.
Survey data is no substitute for the real world.
Views like yours are why Democrats will retain the White House this year and flip the House of Reps, and by a lot. Christofascism has been on the rise since Trump emboldened them.
To say that because fewer people do not openly admit to it does not change the assault on the 14th Amendment, specifically and the rights of women generally.
The selected data ignores what is happening with the rogue court and the openly Christian Nationalist presently failing to lead the House.
The only thing that's new is the open attacks on Democracy.
well written and cogent email (not that my review matters). I agreed with a lot of the arguments until you get to the idea that old white men can force women to be birthing vessels. I believe that pro-life views are legitimate, much like i believe religious beliefs are legitimate. I also believe that your beliefs about either entitle you to impact anyone else. you should have the right to belong to the satanist church of spaghetti and you should have the right to not get an abortion. but you got me, I will never accept someone infringing upon the most basic healthcare decisions for others.
I have not read your link, but i will. thanks for the share.
I’m currently writing a Master’s thesis in theology on (broadly taken) the last question, tracing the idea of America (and before that England) as an “elect nation” through sermons, literature, etc… and documenting how its failure has changed the moral structure of the American evangelical movement over the last decade.
So here’s my shot-from-the-hip answer to the uptick in the confidence of responders in 2021:
The rapid changes in social/cultural mores over the last 10 years (the Obergefell decision, radical gender theory, the decline in religious attendence, etc…) has scrambled the brains of many (primarily evangelicals) who respond “what is happening to us? This is a Christian country, these things can’t happen!” Therefore there has a been a kind of doubling down on the belief in the providential nature of the United States, although in a more aggressive, political form than the historic evangelical response to cultural change: concentrated programs of evangelism (both in word and deed).
I'd stretch the fade back a lot longer. In the '60s and '70s, school prayer was a top-drawer issue, and mainstream politicians often used American exceptionalism as a wedge. Now the politicians who weaponize culture are focusing on Woke stuff instead, which isn't specifically religious.
I think Bush broke the exceptionalism stuff by using it as a pretext for 30 years of endless losing wars.
The same thing happened in 1920 after Wilson had used exceptionalism to justify our entrance in WW1. The war left a strong distaste, and the god who sponsored the war shared in the distaste.
It is similar to other 'Fear Movements" about Satanism and Global Warming. We can write a series of books linking Christian Fundamentalists to Racism and Slavery and every TV Channel with do repeated interviews with the authors.
It's interesting in retrospect to see how some of these comments and conjectures have aged.
Great work!
I think to answer the oddity of that last question we have to realize that there are other factors at play in interpreting the question. I believe there is a rose in evangelicals in believing in the sovereignty of God over everything. Therefore, if the United States has been successful, then it must have been a part of God's plan. The question would do better to be reworded to indicate a future success yet unseen.
I wonder how much of the change in results is due to the change in the composition of different categories. Previous Substack posts suggest this, such as the near extinction of the Christian Democrat. If you hold views favorable to CN and were in a mainline denomination in 2007, there's a good chance you might have left it by now.
Insightful (and I gotta add reassuring) data and commentary. Much thanks for those graphs!!!!!
Whitehead's book bridges the divide between pure academic scholarship and being more accessible. That's where I would start.
Not on this list but I would recommend Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes du Mez. She’s a historian and professor at Calvin University.
Of the list Ryan provided, the only one I’ve read is Preparing for War. It’s not bad but I didn’t really enjoy his writing style. His perspective is interesting since he used to believe some of the Christian Nationalist views, but has since left that brand of Christianity.
Yes...a great book and Dr. Kobes du Mez is a great interview.
I've read du Mez's book, and would recommend it. But the book I'm most curious to read (just came out in 2023 and it's still pretty expensive) is "The Full Armor of God" by Djupe, Lewis, and Sokhey.
I recognize Djupe from Religion in Public, where he's posted about the importance of prophecy belief as an accelerant to antinomian politics:
https://religioninpublic.blog/2022/01/20/the-accelerant-of-american-extreme-politics-prophecy-belief/
I get the impression this kind of prophecy belief is fringe, but also very mobilizing. As far as I can tell, it is antinomian, creating a permission structure for followers to release themselves from moral obligations orthodox Christians ought to feel regarding keeping the peace and loving their neighbor. I'd think even most red-county Evangelicals would find it hecka weird, but it may punch above its weight in certain political circles.
I agree the survey questions could use some work. I totally see how this question could get a “yes” answer from your average Christian who simply believes everything is part of God’s plan - which is far from a Christian Nationalist viewpoint.
Likewise, I think the question about prayer in school is similarly poorly worded. There are different types of prayer in school - individual prayer should be allowed (and has never been illegal) but government sponsored is likely where the debate is. Depending on how it is read, people with the same views on the issue might answer the question differently.
I also think having all the questions except for the separation of church and state question being worded where a “yes” leads towards a Christian Nationalist viewpoint is confusing as well.
This is an interesting observation and it strikes me as true. I would question the assumption though that the displaying of a flag is synonymous with patriotism. Patriotism can come in many ways. I would submit that flying a flag is only a superficial display of a complex and multi-faceted abstract idea such as patriotism. As such, flag flying is probably not a good proxy for patriotism in my view. I suspect patriotism exists and is alive and well in younger generations but manifests itself in ways less visible.