Everywhere I go, I meet Christians who are deeply concerned about the trends they’re seeing in their own communities and on the national stage. Plenty of attention has been given to diagnosing the dangers of Christian nationalism and a creeping religious authoritarianism. Many political observers agree that the stakes could not be higher for the next election. And many analysts agree that those best positioned to combat these forces are those located in or adjacent to the communities most susceptible to the allure of Christian nationalism. In other words, people like many of you readers. Christians, churchgoers or former churchgoers, people who take theology seriously, those who are seeing friends and neighbors being drawn into a movement that threatens to undermine our democratic traditions.
Kristin, thank you for your commitment to this big work in the midst of everything else you have on your plate. There's also a very good movement growing here in Nashville amongst the music community (apart from what the Frenchs and Russell are doing). Happy to share more specifics. Hit me up at charliepeacockmusic at icloud dot com Peace to you.
Not sure how it can be accomplished, but would love to see resources that we can easily share to challenge the dangerous marketing of complementarianism/biblical patriarchy gender role theologies to evangelical and Christian nationalist networks/and into political venues. You know so well, its astounding impact on women and girls. This might include egalitarian scholarship/theological resources to counter the "biblical" patriarchal "script" so common in those networks. So grateful for all your tremendous work on all of this, and how you do so with such grace and professionalism.
Tim Alberta just launched his book The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism.
I’ve been listening to it on Audible (he reads it), and it provides a part historical/part journalistic view of what has happened in American churches over the last 8-10 years. He interviews individuals on both sides of the spectrum...like Russell Moore and Greg Locke. It’s fascinating!
I am with a family member who is a victim of the hard right religious groups. There is another aspect going on, that is high pressure fundraising that preys on vulnerable people. It is manipulative and bringing trajedy into people's lives including mental health problems.
Thank you Kristin! Your letter is timely. We just spent time with some inspirational leaders working with the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Freedom. We are supporting a local effort growing here in N. Texas to address Christian Nationalism in our communities... at times it feels an overwhelming, arduous effort, an undoing of sorts. I believe if we are called to anything it is to engage face to face with compassion and open thoughtful engagement. It is my hope that this counters the narrative of fear and scarcity that has lead us to this place. More info here.. with more to come: https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/
I also want to draw attention to a non-partisan effort called March to The Polls, also started here in the DFW area. The focus is to engage & empower young voters, predominantly in underrepresented communities. The student lead voter empowerment chapters (SVEC) are growing and making a difference in their communities!
They are hosting candidate forums, meeting with school boards, and showing up to vote with their peers. I have seen students show up and talk with a particular school board divided by Christian Nationalistic rhetoric. And these students were able to show up and be seen and heard in ways the adults could not. And still there’s ample volunteer opportunity for us to support their voices. https://www.marchtothepolls.org/
I would love to see, and participate, in a venue where faculty gather to grapple with these problems together, sharing our gifts and perspective in the way we do in our individual disciplines. I spent a lot of time learning how to approach complex problems impacting 'the human condition' as a faculty member serving in graduate medical institutions.
There is wisdom gained through hard experiences, that offers some very real insights.
Kristin, thank you for your commitment to this big work in the midst of everything else you have on your plate. There's also a very good movement growing here in Nashville amongst the music community (apart from what the Frenchs and Russell are doing). Happy to share more specifics. Hit me up at charliepeacockmusic at icloud dot com Peace to you.
Not sure how it can be accomplished, but would love to see resources that we can easily share to challenge the dangerous marketing of complementarianism/biblical patriarchy gender role theologies to evangelical and Christian nationalist networks/and into political venues. You know so well, its astounding impact on women and girls. This might include egalitarian scholarship/theological resources to counter the "biblical" patriarchal "script" so common in those networks. So grateful for all your tremendous work on all of this, and how you do so with such grace and professionalism.
Tim Alberta just launched his book The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism.
I’ve been listening to it on Audible (he reads it), and it provides a part historical/part journalistic view of what has happened in American churches over the last 8-10 years. He interviews individuals on both sides of the spectrum...like Russell Moore and Greg Locke. It’s fascinating!
💯 this. Thank you for using your platform to encourage us to act.
I am with a family member who is a victim of the hard right religious groups. There is another aspect going on, that is high pressure fundraising that preys on vulnerable people. It is manipulative and bringing trajedy into people's lives including mental health problems.
Thank you Kristin! Your letter is timely. We just spent time with some inspirational leaders working with the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Freedom. We are supporting a local effort growing here in N. Texas to address Christian Nationalism in our communities... at times it feels an overwhelming, arduous effort, an undoing of sorts. I believe if we are called to anything it is to engage face to face with compassion and open thoughtful engagement. It is my hope that this counters the narrative of fear and scarcity that has lead us to this place. More info here.. with more to come: https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/
I also want to draw attention to a non-partisan effort called March to The Polls, also started here in the DFW area. The focus is to engage & empower young voters, predominantly in underrepresented communities. The student lead voter empowerment chapters (SVEC) are growing and making a difference in their communities!
They are hosting candidate forums, meeting with school boards, and showing up to vote with their peers. I have seen students show up and talk with a particular school board divided by Christian Nationalistic rhetoric. And these students were able to show up and be seen and heard in ways the adults could not. And still there’s ample volunteer opportunity for us to support their voices. https://www.marchtothepolls.org/
It is encouraging to read this!
I would love to see, and participate, in a venue where faculty gather to grapple with these problems together, sharing our gifts and perspective in the way we do in our individual disciplines. I spent a lot of time learning how to approach complex problems impacting 'the human condition' as a faculty member serving in graduate medical institutions.
There is wisdom gained through hard experiences, that offers some very real insights.
Thank you!!
You were in a Rob Riener doc? Sweet.
Thank you!
The New Evangelicals are working on their Project Amplify right now which seeks to to raise our voices and build a better way forward for us all.