American Christian nationalism argues that the American state should be run by Christians and should protect and promote the concerns of Christians over others.

Beliefs:

1. I want all Americans to follow Jesus.

2. Historically, most Americans have identified as Christain.

3. America was founded on Christian values.

4. The government should recognize Christianity as the official religion of America.

5. The American government should oversee and fund the Christian Church.

6. The American government should promote Christian values.

7. The American government should enforce Christian values.

8. The American government should be ruled only by Christians.

9. God has a unique relationship with America, like his relationship with Israel in the Bible.

Leviathans Methods

1. Distorting God’s word.

2. Anxiety and rage

3. Us and them.

4. Demanding Allegiance

5. False promises

Key quotes:

“The pain of the loss of a cultural expression is real… The pain is real, even if what was lost is misremembered. Real pain invites us to real solidarity, regardless of how valid we feel the loss is.” (53)

“Conspiratorial thinking does not necessarily stem from an inability to think critically; it comes from a framework of suspicion that seeks to make sense of a complex and often confusing world… When the world, as we know, it seems to be falling apart, having “secret knowledge” can make us feel powerful and bring comfort to our worried souls, even if the sources are dubious or the ideas contradictory.” (56-57)

“When I love something or someone, but do not give it my ultimate allegiance, I am free to criticize it out of love. Because it is not the ultimate object of my affection, the core of my being is not shaken when I discovered its imperfections and impurities.” (58)

“Once a person is convinced that the American Christian nationalist organization or leader is providing them with safety, belonging, and purpose, they will look for ways to confirm the validity of their belonging. They will fall in line to remain in community. To question the organization or its leadership is to risk their safety, belonging, and purpose. Catherine Heyhoe, notes, “For most of us, the value of belonging, far outweighs the value of attaining new information, especially if publicly accepting that information and speaking up might lead to a negative outcome – an argument, the cold shoulder, or even ostracism from your social group.” (62)

“American Christian nationalism causes to take up the sword, gain more power, and use it to protect and promote our way of life. Jesus causes us to take up our cross and use our power to serve others, especially those who are not like us.” (67)

“This is the perilous road of discovering one’s own convictions. Changing our minds might cost us job offers, accolades, or even community. While they might make us feel safe, borrowed convictions do not satisfy. When the reality of life hits, when we engage Scripture in fresh ways, when a movement of the Spirit leads us to places we did not expect, we often find that beliefs we once held were arrived at second-hand, borrowed from people that we admire and respect. Borrowed convictions rarely stand in the test of time, and certainly do not nurture a deep relationship with Jesus.” (79-80)

Aunt Betty (chapter 5)

“Aunt Betty’s Christian nationalism is not a critically engaged, will fought out political philosophy. She did not wrestle through the Bible and the constitution to discern this conviction. For her, Christian nationalism is a movement that encapsulates her religious and cultural values.” (93)
“We love like Jesus when we refuse to retaliate, assault, or treat aunt Betty as an enemy to defeat. We love like Jesus when we see her and the multitude of others committed to American Christian nationalism as a mission field to reach. They are trapped, held captive by the lies of the evil one. Disentangling them from this ancient evil requires great care, precision, and love… (93-94)

“Aunt Betty is not giving her allegiance to Leviathan because it makes logical sense. She did not reason herself to this position. No, she has given allegiance to Leviathan because it promises, safety, belonging, and purpose.” (95)
“Consider the times when you have changed your mind about something. In what environment did you experience this change? It Maybe that you encountered a person or community that believed differently from you, but was kind, hospitable, and gracious to you and created a safe space that allowed you to re-examine your convictions.” (99)

Cultivating Missional Conversations

1. Start with hospitality.

2. Lead with questions.

3. Connecting on shared values.

4. I am not your enemy: red flags, and shibboleths.

 – Red flags are words to avoid.

– Shibboleths Are important words or phrases that distinguish insiders from outsiders.

5. Honor the good.

6. Humble subversion.

7. Open invitation to future conversation.

Changing Our Posture

“It is also important to recognize that the people of our mission field are also experiencing powerful emotions. American Christian nationalist leaders are skilled at cultivating feelings of anxiety, fear, shame, sadness, grief, and rage within their audiences to manipulate them. We can show love and hospitality by being attentive, both to what we are feeling, and what we perceive them to be feeling when we approach our mission field, we want to do so from a place of health and rest in the Lord, a place of peace and confidence in Jesus.” (126)
“My initial attitude was militant, seeking to destroy the idea, and those who believed it. I hated American Christian nationalism, and frankly, I hated those who gave themselves over to it. This posture stole my joy, increased anxiety, multiplied despair, and ultimately took my eyes off Jesus… We are not saviors. We are not the ones who got it right. SS often been said, we are just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.” (127)