Booklist: Democracy and Christian Nationalism
This past week allowed me the opportunity to lead a congregational workshop on faith, democracy, and Christian Nationalism. The group was very engaged and asked great questions about how they learn more about our political reality and how they could get involved. I offered a short list of books good for individual or small group engagement. I thought it might be helpful to share this list, hoping that other congregations will be willing to dive into this important conversation together.
Thou Shall Not Be A Jerk by Eugene Cho
Published in 2020, Cho’s book is an accessible read on topics that are still relevant today. This book is a great read for those who are just starting to think about the intersection of faith and politics. His tongue-in-cheek title offers insight into his approach, but the chapters are filled with conversation starters that remind us not to dehumanize those who are unlike us.
A former congregation used Cho’s book for a sermon series and a small group discussion. It provided space for robust conversation among members who didn’t always agree but shared a common commitment to treating each other with grace and respect.
Du Mez’s book dives into Christian nationalism, examining the pop culture influences that have shaped our understanding of God, Christ, and Scripture. She dives into how Christ has come to be associated with hyper masculinity, and how this image influences the Evangelical approach to public policy issues, and how we treat one another.
This book was a great small-group read for congregation members who had started conversations around these topics, and Du Mez’s book helped guide them as they wrestled with deeper questions. It was also a good read for those who had deconstructed or were deconstructing their faith.
White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America by Anthea Butler
Updated in 2024, Butler’s unpacking of the tie to white evangelicals and our current political climate is an insightful read into the issues we are facing today. Butler takes us into the world of Christian nationalism, evangelicalism, and their political backing of whiteness. This book would be a great read for congregations that have already done some work discussing racism and are willing to wrestle with the difficult truths of the current political climate.
While I haven’t used Butler’s book in a congregational setting, I have recommended it to church friends to further our conversations. Butler’s writing calls us to confront aspects others may wish to erase from history books and offers insights that continue to demand our attention.
Starting with the events on January 6th, 2021, Gorski and Perry unpack the Christian nationalism trends that led up to the violence of that day. The book provides insights into how democracy is threatened by the actions of those supporting Christian nationalism, and how this framework contributes to authoritarianism.
Gorski and Perry’s book is one I return to often as I engage in conversations about the anti-democratic behavior we are witnessing today. Though I have not used it in a congregational setting, it is a good conversation starter for those asking questions.
In his book, Tisby calls the white church to task for our complacency in the promotion of racist violence and policies. He engages readers by peeling back the interwoven history of the church and the United States, and he uses sociological insights to help us understand how the past continues to shape our present.
Tisby creates space for small groups to process how these compromises by white Christians have caused harm, and how we can use Scripture to reclaim our call to love and justice. Tisby allows us to unpack the connections between our political world and ecclesial practices while calling for a church committed to following the ways of Christ.
Have any others to add to this list? Drop a comment below! Happy reading.
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