When historian Diana Butler Bass looks at mainline Protestant congregations today, she sees a lot of people holding onto a “nostalgic patriotism.” It’s a sentiment that isn’t ideologically on par with the Christian Nationalism of Trumpian White Evangelicals.
I have only two chapters until finishing "Baptizing America" and have found it informative and at times an uncomfortable read. How easy it is to fall into that "nostalgic patriotism" without thinking about how that morphs into exclusion of others and endangers our democracy. Several years ago in a discussion about church history, the statement was made that Emperor Constantine making Christianity the state religion was one of the worse things that happened to the church. And I think history would bear out that when the state and church comingles, the church comes out the worse. I use to wonder why some branches of the church refuse to participate in the pledge to the flag; I understand now. And my question is to those who want to mingle Christianity with the secular government, which Christianity? I fear that not only those who do not profess Christianity would be relegated to second-class status but also other Christians. I wish every thinking Christian would read this book.
Thank you for the interview! Very helpful perspectives! I’m getting the book today!
The June 3 book launch went very well. Good conversation.
Thanks for joining the event!
-Brian
I have only two chapters until finishing "Baptizing America" and have found it informative and at times an uncomfortable read. How easy it is to fall into that "nostalgic patriotism" without thinking about how that morphs into exclusion of others and endangers our democracy. Several years ago in a discussion about church history, the statement was made that Emperor Constantine making Christianity the state religion was one of the worse things that happened to the church. And I think history would bear out that when the state and church comingles, the church comes out the worse. I use to wonder why some branches of the church refuse to participate in the pledge to the flag; I understand now. And my question is to those who want to mingle Christianity with the secular government, which Christianity? I fear that not only those who do not profess Christianity would be relegated to second-class status but also other Christians. I wish every thinking Christian would read this book.
Thanks!
-Brian