Episode 435: Baptizing America - How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism

Published: May 12, 2024, 11 a.m.

Brian Kaylor\xa0and\xa0Beau Underwood\xa0join the pod to discuss their new book, Baptizing America - How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism.

From the publisher:
In the face of a rising threat to both church and democracy,\xa0Baptizing America\xa0provides an urgent examination and an enlightening critique exposing the dangerous undercurrents of Christian Nationalism. How can Mainline Protestants spot such practices in their own activities? A crucial call to reckon with influences before it's too late.
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Christian Nationalism presents an existential threat to both Christ\u2019s church and American democracy. Now is the time \u2014 before it is too late \u2014 to reckon with all the places its pernicious influence arises. On full display in recent elections, Christian Nationalism also exists in sanctuaries where an American flag has been displayed for decades, when we pledge allegiance to one nation \u201cUnder God,\u201d or when the U.S. is called a Christian nation. Baptizing America critiques the concept of civil religion, arguing that such expressions are far more dangerous than we realize. Mainline Protestant congregations will likely recognize themselves in the overlooked expressions of Christian Nationalism that pop up in the activities of both church and state.

Coauthor of\xa0Unsettling Lent: A Devotional,\xa0Word&Way\xa0Editor & President since 2016, Brian Kaylor is an award-winning writer and sought-after expert on issues of religion, politics, and communication.\xa0He also hosts the award-winning podcast \u201cBaptist Without An Adjective.\u201d

Beau T. Underwood\xa0has served as Senior Pastor of Allisonville Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis, Indiana since January of 2023. Besides pastoring congregations, he has led the advocacy efforts of faith-based organizations in Washington, DC, helped steer an award-winning journalistic ministry, staffed congressional campaigns, served as a community organizer, and worked as a hospital chaplain.

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