Episode 121: Christian nationalism and the Churches of Christ (Dr. Christina Littlefield)

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What is Christian nationalism and what are its effects on the United States? Christians these days may choose to consume any number of blogs, books, cable news, podcasts, social media and talk radio shows that deal with those questions.

In this episode, however, we address how Christian nationalism may effect the Church of Christ community in the United States. In other words, is it bad or good for the health, integrity and witness of the church and its members?

Dr. Christina Littlefield, co-author with Dr. Richard Hughes, of Christian America and the Kingdom of God (University of Illinois Press) helps us unpack what "Christian nationalism" actually means and how the idea developed and manifested in the United States over 400 years. She answers questions like:

Is Christian nationalism biblical?
Can Christian nationalism be a good thing?
How embedded and engaged should Christians be in the halls of power and in the public square?
How does Christian nationalism affect Christians and congregations who embrace it?
How might the Church of Christ community avoid the sin of political idolatry?

Links to books and podcast episodes that appear in this interview:

Christian America and the Kingdom of God: White Christian Nationalism from the Puritans through January 6, 2021, Updated and Expanded Edition (University of Illinois Press), by Richard T. Hughes and Christina Littlefield

Myths America Lives By: White Supremacy and the Stories that Give Us Meaning, by Richard Hughes

Reviving the Ancient Faith: The Story of Churches of Christ in America, by Richard Hughes

Chosen Nations: Pursuit of the Kingdom of God and its Influence on Democratic Values in Late Nineteenth Century Britain and the United States, by Christina Littlefield

The Christian Chronicle Podcast Episode 5 featuring Richard Hughes on The Grace of Troublesome Questions

The Christian Chronicle Podcast Episode 64 featuring Brad East on why we need to stop talking about Christian nationalism

The Christian Chronicle Podcast Episode 71 featuring Richard Hughes on how the founding of the United States influenced the Restoration Movement

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Freed-Hardeman University graduate degrees in New Testament or Old Testament at fhu.edu/chronicle.

Chapters

1. Introducing Christian Nationalism (00:00:00)

2. Defining Terms and Problems (00:03:11)

3. Christianity vs. Nationalism: Core Distinctions (00:09:44)

4. Church Health vs. Political Focus (00:20:12)

5. Historical Influence Within Churches of Christ (00:29:49)

6. Nostalgia and the 1950s Longing (00:36:25)

7. Building a Biblical Path Forward (00:41:41)

129 episodes

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