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The False White Gospel: Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith, and Refounding Democracy
"Everyone who claims to be 'Christian' or else claims to be upset by 'Christianity' needs to read this book, especially politicians using people's supposed faith for their own ends." —Margaret E. AtwoodA major new work by the New York Times bestselling author, arguing that the answer to bad religion is true faith that will help re-found democracy It is time says Jim Wallis, to call out genuine faith—specifically the “Christian” in White Christian Nationalism—inviting all who can be persuaded to reject and help dismantle a false gospel that propagates white supremacy and autocracy. We need–to raise up the faith of all of us, and help those who are oblivious, stuck, and captive to the ideology and idolatry of White Christian Nationalism that is leading us to such great danger. Wallis turns our attention to six iconic texts at the heart of what genuine biblical faith means and what Jesus, in the gospels, has called us to do. It is time to ask do we believe these teachings or not?This book isn’t only for Christians but for all faith traditions, and even those with no faith at all. When we see a civic promotion of fear, hate, and violence for the trajectory of our politics, we need a civic faith of love, healing, and hope to defeat it. And that must involve all of us–religious or not. Learning to practice a politics of neighbor love will be central to the future of democracy in America. And more than ever, the words of Jesus ring, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2024
557 people are currently reading
3824 people want to read
About the author
Jim Wallis
96 books206 followersJIM WALLIS is a globally respected writer, teacher, preacher, justice advocate, regular international commentator on ethics and public life, and mentor for a new generation. He is a New York Times bestselling author of twelve books, including Christ in Crisis, America's Original Sin, God's Politics and The Great Awakening. Wallis is the Founder of Sojourners. He served on President Obama's White House Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships and has taught faith and public life courses at Harvard and Georgetown University. "Coach Jim" also served for 22 seasons as a Little League coach for his two baseball playing sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
April 21, 2024
* A *MUST-READ* for those who have left the evangelical church and have struggled with that and the responses they have gotten from others about it [the notes at the end of the book will help one form answers to give to those people who judge people for leaving].
* Shows how "christian nationalism" has taken over the church, removed Christ from their services, ignores the Bible and what it *REALLY* teaches and has since embraced worshiping a golden calf instead of God [for me, who grew up and for a long time LOVED my church, this was some of the hardest parts to read because it was 1. part of the reason I walked away from the church, and 2. was something I was seeing long before it became as extreme as it is now. It breaks my heart that people I have known since I was a very young girl have thrown away all they knew to embrace something so wrong and extreme; I will forever struggle with that].
* The author is able to back everything that he teaches up with excellent research, personal experience, Biblical knowledge [the book is filled with Biblical verses and commentary on them - the author spends much of his time in the book of Matthew and it was lovely to revisit verses and parables that I have loved since I was a child], and what he has learned from other Faith leaders [I just love how much he he loved and admired Archbishop Desmond Tutu and how he talks about how much the Archbishop helped him in his own faith practice - those parts of the book were just so encouraging] and authors [there are shout-outs to many authors that are currently writing about this very subject and how brave they are] who are also fighting the fight against the very evil of christian nationalism.
* Throughout this whole book, I never, ever, felt I was being preached at [taught yes, but never preached AT], judged or taken to account for leaving the church [much like I do with some other books I have read and from many of the people I still encounter from the churches I have left]. I, for the first time in a long time [outside of the friends who have also left the church], felt like I was supported and encouraged because I took umbridge with what I was being "taught" and chose to leave. I know that when the book was done, I wished that I could hear this man speak in person and then thank him for this book. It really has helped me in so many ways and I hope it reaches so many people who are, or have been, where I am and that they too are encouraged by this and realize that leaving the church doesn't mean you have to leave your belief system and that it IS okay [and not only just okay, it is needed].
Thank you to NetGalley, Jim Wallis, and St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Essentials for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
* Shows how "christian nationalism" has taken over the church, removed Christ from their services, ignores the Bible and what it *REALLY* teaches and has since embraced worshiping a golden calf instead of God [for me, who grew up and for a long time LOVED my church, this was some of the hardest parts to read because it was 1. part of the reason I walked away from the church, and 2. was something I was seeing long before it became as extreme as it is now. It breaks my heart that people I have known since I was a very young girl have thrown away all they knew to embrace something so wrong and extreme; I will forever struggle with that].
* The author is able to back everything that he teaches up with excellent research, personal experience, Biblical knowledge [the book is filled with Biblical verses and commentary on them - the author spends much of his time in the book of Matthew and it was lovely to revisit verses and parables that I have loved since I was a child], and what he has learned from other Faith leaders [I just love how much he he loved and admired Archbishop Desmond Tutu and how he talks about how much the Archbishop helped him in his own faith practice - those parts of the book were just so encouraging] and authors [there are shout-outs to many authors that are currently writing about this very subject and how brave they are] who are also fighting the fight against the very evil of christian nationalism.
* Throughout this whole book, I never, ever, felt I was being preached at [taught yes, but never preached AT], judged or taken to account for leaving the church [much like I do with some other books I have read and from many of the people I still encounter from the churches I have left]. I, for the first time in a long time [outside of the friends who have also left the church], felt like I was supported and encouraged because I took umbridge with what I was being "taught" and chose to leave. I know that when the book was done, I wished that I could hear this man speak in person and then thank him for this book. It really has helped me in so many ways and I hope it reaches so many people who are, or have been, where I am and that they too are encouraged by this and realize that leaving the church doesn't mean you have to leave your belief system and that it IS okay [and not only just okay, it is needed].
Thank you to NetGalley, Jim Wallis, and St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Essentials for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2024
An excellent guide to understanding how in White Christian Nationalism the Bible is turned upside down, and it is not a part of the Christian religion.
It also offers following the gospel of Matthew in finding common ground and unity in our current times. Well worth reading.
It also offers following the gospel of Matthew in finding common ground and unity in our current times. Well worth reading.
March 19, 2024
I don’t agree with everything in this book, but the author makes some great points and supports them with quotes and information from history, from people such as Martin Luther King jr., Bryan Stevenson, pastor and theologian Brad Braxton, and democracy scholars Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. I like the overall message of the book and the practical application suggestions it provides. It is a polarizing and thought-provoking book, sometimes a bit too biased and patronizing for my liking, but overall a book I’d recommend to trigger constructive and meaningful discussion (even though I also believe that it would turn into heated discussions; there is nothing wrong with heated discussions as long as everyone remains respectful and takes the time to listen without interruption and bias). I also have to warn you: Some parts of the book are a bit too generalized, stereotyping while accusing others of stereotyping.
For a more detailed review, including quotes, see my blog post here.
Thank you, St. Martin and Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book! The opinions in this review are entirely my own.
For a more detailed review, including quotes, see my blog post here.
Thank you, St. Martin and Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book! The opinions in this review are entirely my own.
February 2, 2025
The False White Gospel: Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith, and Refounding Democracy by Jim Wallis
“The False White Gospel” makes the compelling case that white Christian nationalism is a false religion that has been politicized with the goal of white fascism. Director of Center of Faith and Justice at Georgetown University, Jim Wallis provides a path to reclaiming a true faith that will set us free from fear, hate, racism and violence. This 296-page book includes the following eight chapters: 1. The False White Gospel, 2. Your Neighbors Doesn’t Live Next Door, 3. Man in God’s Image – Or Not?, 4. Lies That Demand Our Loyalty, 5. Jesus Final Test of Discipleship, 6. Peacemakers, Not Conflict Makers, 7. Our Community, Is Not a Tribe, and 8. A Remnant Church.
Positives:
1. A well-written and engaging book.
2. Jim Wallis writes with passion and achieves the goal of making a compelling plea to a multicultural democracy based on a true faith devoid of hate and racism. “My hope in writing this book is that it will help spark some of the deeper conversations and action that we crucially need right now and going forward. It is, finally, only the truth that can set us free, as Jesus indeed taught us. Together let us seek the truth for times like this.”
3. An excellent topic, exposing the false white gospel and its pursuit of white Christian nationalism.
4. A strong Introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the book. “Today’s racism is the resurgence of the old ideology combined with the return of an old heresy. That is the false gospel of white Christian nationalism. Its very name spells its heresy—“white” instead of the diverse human calling the message of the gospel makes; “Christian” but implying domination instead of service; and “nationalism,” which is contrary to Jesus’ Great Commission, where he tells his followers to go into all the world and make disciples in every nation.”
5. Describes the impact of white Christian nationalism. “White Christian nationalism doesn’t cross lines, it creates them. It seeks to divide us, leading this country down a path that starts with fear, that turns to hate, and ultimately leads to violence. White Christian nationalism defies what Jesus says about loving our neighbor, and even our enemies.”
6. Defines the biggest threat to our democracy. “I believe that white Christian nationalism is the single greatest threat to democracy in America and to the integrity of the Christian witness.” “The fact is, Christian nationalist ideology—particularly when it is held by white Americans—is fundamentally anti-democratic because its goal isn’t “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” Its goal is power.”
7. Defines white Christian nationalism. “White Christian nationalists are white first and Christians second, and today right-wing Republicans first and Christians second. Selective theology has always provided the justification for upholding racial and political power—from chattel slavery to the continuing evolution of white supremacy.”
8. Trump and his threat to democracy. “Trump eroded trust in the expertise of scientists at the Centers for Disease Control, offering flippant advice that contradicted evidence-based practice. Masses of COVID deaths can be laid at Trump’s feet, lives lost because of his incompetence, narcissism, and political calculations.”
9. Examines the politicization of Christianity. “It is important to understand how the religious right, which has now morphed into white Christian nationalism, did not come about from theological discernment or religious conferences, but from a political takeover by right-wing operatives in the Republican Party.”
10. Wallis makes use of six biblical texts that informs the bulk of the book. He provides the biblical text and explains quite compellingly the importance of each text.
11. Describes the parable of the Good Samaritan and how loving God with all your heart extends to your neighbors and how that is in complete contrast to the anti-immigrant sentiment spewed by Christian nationalists. “But here, Jesus says no, it’s not just about loving God. Faith begins with our relationship to God, but it extends to our neighbor, so “love your neighbor as yourself” is the outcome of loving God.”
12. Describes how voter suppression is part of the core ideology of white Christian nationalism. “If we believe that we are all of us made in the image of God –imago dei- then denying someone the right to vote is virtually silencing their God-given voice.”
13. Examines how lies are at the heart of fascism. “A scheme like the one attempted by Trump, along with the incessant pathological propagation of falsehoods during his presidency (30,573 lies over four years for anyone who’s counting) and suppression of truth that preceded it, are part and parcel of the fascist playbook---a reality that even many of those on the liberal political side against Trump still do not seem to fully comprehend.”
14. Describes how lies lead to violence and provides examples of it. “He called on his vice president to decertify the election, unconstitutionally, which Pence finally decided not to do, but the president’s subsequent text led his followers to scream, “Hang Mike Pence,” and even erected gallows with a criminal noose right outside of Congress.”
15. Describes the whitewashing of history. “The trend of “whitewashing” American history took its inspiration from a September letter published by Donald Trump ordering federal agencies to cease diversity training and the discussion of topics like critical race theory (which is seldom taught before college but makes a great rhetorical scapegoat) and, of course, any conversations about white privilege.”
16. White Christian nationalism and its apathy toward social justice. “White Christian nationalism has cut out of their Bibles all of the Scriptures that lead faith to justice.” “White Christian nationalism has nothing good to say about the poor, and poverty is often described as a character flaw.”
17. Peacemakers over conflict makers. “Jesus told his disciples that God’s blessing are reserved for the peacemakers those work to overcome conflict.”
18. Describes how the path to a multicultural society is to seek unity and equity. “Galatians 3:28 calls Christians to seek unity and equity here and now.”
19. Provides a new path moving forward. “A new civic discipleship will express itself in loving our neighbors, finding the truth that can set us free, acknowledging the image of God in every member of humanity, accepting practices of conflict resolution, reversing the structures of our dramatic inequities, and including all of our tribes in a genuine multiracial democracy.”
20. Provides useful supplementary materials: has an excellent book club strategy section, an Additional Resources section and a formal Bibliography.
Negatives:
1. If you follow Wallis on his podcast there is nothing really new here.
2. Of course, the MAGA cult will not like this book.
In summary, Jim Wallis and I are concerned about white Christian nationalism. In this urgent call to take back Christianity from the fascists, Wallis inspires us to expose the false white gospel and seek another path that seeks to preserve a pluralist democratic society. Wallis provides six iconic biblical texts that debunk white Christian nationalism. He examines each biblical text and why it’s important to seek a path based on a Christianity that espouses unity and love. This atheist, honestly enjoyed this book, I recommend it.
Further recommendations: “White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America” by Anthea D. Butler “Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States” by Andrew L. Whitehead and Samuel L. Perry, “The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism” by Katherine Stewart, “The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy” by Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry, “One Nation Under God” by Kevin Kruse, “Founding Myth” by Andrew Seidel, “Why the Religious Right Is Wrong about Separation of Church and State” by Robert Boston, “The End of White Christian America” by Robert Jones.
“The False White Gospel” makes the compelling case that white Christian nationalism is a false religion that has been politicized with the goal of white fascism. Director of Center of Faith and Justice at Georgetown University, Jim Wallis provides a path to reclaiming a true faith that will set us free from fear, hate, racism and violence. This 296-page book includes the following eight chapters: 1. The False White Gospel, 2. Your Neighbors Doesn’t Live Next Door, 3. Man in God’s Image – Or Not?, 4. Lies That Demand Our Loyalty, 5. Jesus Final Test of Discipleship, 6. Peacemakers, Not Conflict Makers, 7. Our Community, Is Not a Tribe, and 8. A Remnant Church.
Positives:
1. A well-written and engaging book.
2. Jim Wallis writes with passion and achieves the goal of making a compelling plea to a multicultural democracy based on a true faith devoid of hate and racism. “My hope in writing this book is that it will help spark some of the deeper conversations and action that we crucially need right now and going forward. It is, finally, only the truth that can set us free, as Jesus indeed taught us. Together let us seek the truth for times like this.”
3. An excellent topic, exposing the false white gospel and its pursuit of white Christian nationalism.
4. A strong Introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the book. “Today’s racism is the resurgence of the old ideology combined with the return of an old heresy. That is the false gospel of white Christian nationalism. Its very name spells its heresy—“white” instead of the diverse human calling the message of the gospel makes; “Christian” but implying domination instead of service; and “nationalism,” which is contrary to Jesus’ Great Commission, where he tells his followers to go into all the world and make disciples in every nation.”
5. Describes the impact of white Christian nationalism. “White Christian nationalism doesn’t cross lines, it creates them. It seeks to divide us, leading this country down a path that starts with fear, that turns to hate, and ultimately leads to violence. White Christian nationalism defies what Jesus says about loving our neighbor, and even our enemies.”
6. Defines the biggest threat to our democracy. “I believe that white Christian nationalism is the single greatest threat to democracy in America and to the integrity of the Christian witness.” “The fact is, Christian nationalist ideology—particularly when it is held by white Americans—is fundamentally anti-democratic because its goal isn’t “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” Its goal is power.”
7. Defines white Christian nationalism. “White Christian nationalists are white first and Christians second, and today right-wing Republicans first and Christians second. Selective theology has always provided the justification for upholding racial and political power—from chattel slavery to the continuing evolution of white supremacy.”
8. Trump and his threat to democracy. “Trump eroded trust in the expertise of scientists at the Centers for Disease Control, offering flippant advice that contradicted evidence-based practice. Masses of COVID deaths can be laid at Trump’s feet, lives lost because of his incompetence, narcissism, and political calculations.”
9. Examines the politicization of Christianity. “It is important to understand how the religious right, which has now morphed into white Christian nationalism, did not come about from theological discernment or religious conferences, but from a political takeover by right-wing operatives in the Republican Party.”
10. Wallis makes use of six biblical texts that informs the bulk of the book. He provides the biblical text and explains quite compellingly the importance of each text.
11. Describes the parable of the Good Samaritan and how loving God with all your heart extends to your neighbors and how that is in complete contrast to the anti-immigrant sentiment spewed by Christian nationalists. “But here, Jesus says no, it’s not just about loving God. Faith begins with our relationship to God, but it extends to our neighbor, so “love your neighbor as yourself” is the outcome of loving God.”
12. Describes how voter suppression is part of the core ideology of white Christian nationalism. “If we believe that we are all of us made in the image of God –imago dei- then denying someone the right to vote is virtually silencing their God-given voice.”
13. Examines how lies are at the heart of fascism. “A scheme like the one attempted by Trump, along with the incessant pathological propagation of falsehoods during his presidency (30,573 lies over four years for anyone who’s counting) and suppression of truth that preceded it, are part and parcel of the fascist playbook---a reality that even many of those on the liberal political side against Trump still do not seem to fully comprehend.”
14. Describes how lies lead to violence and provides examples of it. “He called on his vice president to decertify the election, unconstitutionally, which Pence finally decided not to do, but the president’s subsequent text led his followers to scream, “Hang Mike Pence,” and even erected gallows with a criminal noose right outside of Congress.”
15. Describes the whitewashing of history. “The trend of “whitewashing” American history took its inspiration from a September letter published by Donald Trump ordering federal agencies to cease diversity training and the discussion of topics like critical race theory (which is seldom taught before college but makes a great rhetorical scapegoat) and, of course, any conversations about white privilege.”
16. White Christian nationalism and its apathy toward social justice. “White Christian nationalism has cut out of their Bibles all of the Scriptures that lead faith to justice.” “White Christian nationalism has nothing good to say about the poor, and poverty is often described as a character flaw.”
17. Peacemakers over conflict makers. “Jesus told his disciples that God’s blessing are reserved for the peacemakers those work to overcome conflict.”
18. Describes how the path to a multicultural society is to seek unity and equity. “Galatians 3:28 calls Christians to seek unity and equity here and now.”
19. Provides a new path moving forward. “A new civic discipleship will express itself in loving our neighbors, finding the truth that can set us free, acknowledging the image of God in every member of humanity, accepting practices of conflict resolution, reversing the structures of our dramatic inequities, and including all of our tribes in a genuine multiracial democracy.”
20. Provides useful supplementary materials: has an excellent book club strategy section, an Additional Resources section and a formal Bibliography.
Negatives:
1. If you follow Wallis on his podcast there is nothing really new here.
2. Of course, the MAGA cult will not like this book.
In summary, Jim Wallis and I are concerned about white Christian nationalism. In this urgent call to take back Christianity from the fascists, Wallis inspires us to expose the false white gospel and seek another path that seeks to preserve a pluralist democratic society. Wallis provides six iconic biblical texts that debunk white Christian nationalism. He examines each biblical text and why it’s important to seek a path based on a Christianity that espouses unity and love. This atheist, honestly enjoyed this book, I recommend it.
Further recommendations: “White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America” by Anthea D. Butler “Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States” by Andrew L. Whitehead and Samuel L. Perry, “The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism” by Katherine Stewart, “The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy” by Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry, “One Nation Under God” by Kevin Kruse, “Founding Myth” by Andrew Seidel, “Why the Religious Right Is Wrong about Separation of Church and State” by Robert Boston, “The End of White Christian America” by Robert Jones.
April 15, 2024
A healthy challenge to the failing white church in North America.
April 3, 2024
"The False White Gospel" by Jim Wallis
5🌟/5🌟
This book is going to be very controversial. Even the title is begging for discussion and disagreement. It's political, it's theological, and it asks some hard, thoughtful questions! That said, I loved it.
White American evangelicalism likes to say faith is personal as if that absolves us from Jesus's command to love neighbor as ourselves, advocate for the oppressed, and seek justice for the refugee, orphan and widow. This book takes that command seriously and asks the reader to consider how American white evangelicalism has historically responded to this command by examining the politics, policies, and leaders of the evangelical movement.
Jim Wallis is a well-known and well-respected writer and theologian, and I think readers need to give this book a chance. I really enjoyed it and I learned a lot. In the book, he explains the Christian nationalist movement and how it relates to Amecian white evangelicalism and white supremacy. Acknowledging some very challenging truths and becoming more informed about evangelicalism in America isn't easy, but it is needed for the American church to live out the great commandments of Jesus.
Ultimately, this book is one of hope, challenging the reader to follow Jesus boldly, living a live of peacemaking and loving your neighbor better than you love yourself.
These are my favorite quotes in the book:
"Peacemaking is never passive. It's an active pursuit that requires courage, conviction, and sacrifice. Facing conflict is the charge, the calling, and the distinguishing feature of the peacemakers."
"Those brutal inconsistencies go to the heart of the problem of this kind of white Christianity --then and now-- which is the privatizing of religion; that is the great heresy of American religion, and evangelical Christianity in particular. You can focus on your own relationship with God, to the point where your religion has no relationship to the people around you , especially people of color. It is all about "you and the Lord."
"I believe that white Christian nationalism is the single greatest threat to democracy in America and to the integrity of the Christian witness..."
#thefalsewhitegospel #evangelical #exvangelical #newevangelical #christiannonfiction #christianbookreview #christianbookstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookreview #nonfiction #readersofinstagram #theologymatters
5🌟/5🌟
This book is going to be very controversial. Even the title is begging for discussion and disagreement. It's political, it's theological, and it asks some hard, thoughtful questions! That said, I loved it.
White American evangelicalism likes to say faith is personal as if that absolves us from Jesus's command to love neighbor as ourselves, advocate for the oppressed, and seek justice for the refugee, orphan and widow. This book takes that command seriously and asks the reader to consider how American white evangelicalism has historically responded to this command by examining the politics, policies, and leaders of the evangelical movement.
Jim Wallis is a well-known and well-respected writer and theologian, and I think readers need to give this book a chance. I really enjoyed it and I learned a lot. In the book, he explains the Christian nationalist movement and how it relates to Amecian white evangelicalism and white supremacy. Acknowledging some very challenging truths and becoming more informed about evangelicalism in America isn't easy, but it is needed for the American church to live out the great commandments of Jesus.
Ultimately, this book is one of hope, challenging the reader to follow Jesus boldly, living a live of peacemaking and loving your neighbor better than you love yourself.
These are my favorite quotes in the book:
"Peacemaking is never passive. It's an active pursuit that requires courage, conviction, and sacrifice. Facing conflict is the charge, the calling, and the distinguishing feature of the peacemakers."
"Those brutal inconsistencies go to the heart of the problem of this kind of white Christianity --then and now-- which is the privatizing of religion; that is the great heresy of American religion, and evangelical Christianity in particular. You can focus on your own relationship with God, to the point where your religion has no relationship to the people around you , especially people of color. It is all about "you and the Lord."
"I believe that white Christian nationalism is the single greatest threat to democracy in America and to the integrity of the Christian witness..."
#thefalsewhitegospel #evangelical #exvangelical #newevangelical #christiannonfiction #christianbookreview #christianbookstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookreview #nonfiction #readersofinstagram #theologymatters
December 13, 2024
The friend who recommend me this book asked me my thoughts. This is what I texted him:
And
"It’s hard to tell if he’s alarmist, or if we’ll all be wishing we’d all been ringing a louder bell…"
Maybe it's that I'm already there that I'm only giving 3 stars. Fatigue? But also, I can't see a book like this appealing to the people I think we need it to appeal to. And it felt like an appeal to keep the former president out of office, but the election is over, so it's like the echo of the screams into the abyss rather than the screams themselves.
Finally, it was a bit repetitive.
But I understand the message, agree with it, and hope to do my part.
Without showing my hand too far, I’m already pretty squarely where he’s at. I did my best to be engaged in my small corner of community - joining the movement to protest the [redacted] County Immigration Detention Center a few years back - which ultimately stopped it from going in. Being [redacted]’s liaison for Teach [redacted] County, etc… etc…
I’m nervous of the rise and appeal of authoritarianism, but have good friends who are good people who embrace it. So, I just try to be patient and listen without letting bitterness creep in, but I can’t say I’m 100% successful, there.
And
"It’s hard to tell if he’s alarmist, or if we’ll all be wishing we’d all been ringing a louder bell…"
Maybe it's that I'm already there that I'm only giving 3 stars. Fatigue? But also, I can't see a book like this appealing to the people I think we need it to appeal to. And it felt like an appeal to keep the former president out of office, but the election is over, so it's like the echo of the screams into the abyss rather than the screams themselves.
Finally, it was a bit repetitive.
But I understand the message, agree with it, and hope to do my part.
May 8, 2025
I read this book to try and make sense of the current times as a Christian and get some perspective. I think the most concerning part is watching that some of his warnings at the time of writing this book are playing out today. He also ties a lot of history into the book, showing how historical patterns repeat themselves and shares a lot of cool personal stories advocating in the whitehouse and elsewhere. There were a couple time when it was difficult to tell wether his interpretation of scripture was biblical or opinion driven.
As a whole I found the book somewhat disorganized and hard to follow. Maybe that’s because I listened to it? And a lot of his action steps at the end were just “read this book, share this book, start a book club with this book” and that kinda drove me crazy.
As a whole I found the book somewhat disorganized and hard to follow. Maybe that’s because I listened to it? And a lot of his action steps at the end were just “read this book, share this book, start a book club with this book” and that kinda drove me crazy.
May 24, 2024
I am concerned about what I perceive is the growth of nationalism in some Christian communities. I read this book in order to gain a perspective that would help me navigate this topic in formative conversations. While the book addresses problems that demand to be remedied, I was left feeling like the solutions offered were predominantly political rather than spiritual. Is the true faith to be reclaimed by adhering to one particular partisan agenda over another? I plan to read other sources. Recommendations are welcome.
April 12, 2024
4.5/ This is a very well written and thought provoking book. Mr. Wallis clearly “walked the walk” on the front lines of spiritual and racial freedom all over the world for over 5 decades. He inspired the State of the Union addresses for presidents on both sides of the aisle. He adheres to a 1st-Century vision of Christianity, and supports his position with a number of important New- and Old-Testament passages. His message is synonymous with Jesus and other major prophets: follow the Golden Rule. I respect the feedback of those who felt the obvious Trump-bashing was patronizing to supporters, or detracted from the otherwise very positive underlying message of the book. His discussions about the relationship between religion and politics are important to consider. Similar to the opening of Malcolm Gladwell’s “David and Goliath” (where he depicts David as an ancient sniper-equivalent and thus Goliath had no chance in open, long-range combat), his review of the Good Samaritan passages really stood out in my mind. That discussion alone is worth the price of the book. I expect a number of what I call “subject-matter-1s” will drag down the overall rating by people who have not read the book. For those who don’t agree with many of his positions, you cannot deny the quality of his logic or depth of his devotion to the topic.
May 19, 2024
Jim Wallis has long been a devout Christian and committed social activist. He has been on the ground in a number of situations were he was put in very difficult situations. I admire his work and his commitment to justice.
The False White Gospel explores the dangers of white Christian Nationalism and its devastating effect on the United States as well as the church at large. While a bit sermonically prescriptive at times (e.g., we should, we need, we must), he offers ways that pastors and other leaders can address these concerns and pour energy into the causes that reflect Christ rather than racism and authoritarianism. It's an important message and one that needs to be spoken. I applaud Jim Wallis for taking the risk to write this book. And he's right: we should, we need, we must.
It could be, however, that many who read this book (like me) will already agree with Wallis' assessments and call to action. Those who should (there's me being sermonically prescriptive) very likely won't. Pastors who took the COVID-19 pandemic seriously and enacted safety protocols often watched as outraged congregants left to find churches that didn't mind putting people at risk (I experienced this while serving as an interim pastor during the pandemic). These leaders know that there's a lot at stake when they really speak out about the way of the Jesus versus the way of nationalism.
We would hope that authentically reflecting on the words of Jesus in a congregational setting would cause people to naturally connect the dots and see the contrast between Jesus and racist authoritarianism. But people usually need help with that. It takes great skill and compassion for leaders to do that effectively.
I hope that many will. And I recommend reading this book.
The False White Gospel explores the dangers of white Christian Nationalism and its devastating effect on the United States as well as the church at large. While a bit sermonically prescriptive at times (e.g., we should, we need, we must), he offers ways that pastors and other leaders can address these concerns and pour energy into the causes that reflect Christ rather than racism and authoritarianism. It's an important message and one that needs to be spoken. I applaud Jim Wallis for taking the risk to write this book. And he's right: we should, we need, we must.
It could be, however, that many who read this book (like me) will already agree with Wallis' assessments and call to action. Those who should (there's me being sermonically prescriptive) very likely won't. Pastors who took the COVID-19 pandemic seriously and enacted safety protocols often watched as outraged congregants left to find churches that didn't mind putting people at risk (I experienced this while serving as an interim pastor during the pandemic). These leaders know that there's a lot at stake when they really speak out about the way of the Jesus versus the way of nationalism.
We would hope that authentically reflecting on the words of Jesus in a congregational setting would cause people to naturally connect the dots and see the contrast between Jesus and racist authoritarianism. But people usually need help with that. It takes great skill and compassion for leaders to do that effectively.
I hope that many will. And I recommend reading this book.
August 14, 2024
Excellent! So encouraging and hopeful! We can be the change! We can be the roar, one voice at a time!
May 16, 2024
What an encouraging read during these troubling times. Amazing book! I can’t wait to read more of Jim Wallis’ books.
January 15, 2026
One of the strongest books on Christian Nationalism I've read, and I've read quite a few. And this is particularly true for Christians as his biblical justification for calling out and standing against CN is on point and woven throughout the book. If you care about the identity change white Christian Nationalists have forced upon Jesus to make him fit their ideology, read the book.
"An old ideology is making a religious comeback in support of Donald Trump. It’s called Christian nationalism, which puts one nation ahead of all others, Christians over other people of faith and those of no religion in America, and has had white supremacy embedded into it since the founding of the nation with a racial hierarchy of who belongs in this country and who doesn’t.
That is a false religion and can biblically be called an idolatry and a heresy. It should be subject to a debate between Christians and among churches who would claim to have Jesus at their core. This is a conversation about both religion and politics. And it is a debate about faith that we need to have.
A bishop recently told me of a minister in their church who was angrily attacked for the Scripture he had chosen for a Sunday service. The church member claimed it implied criticism of a particular presidential candidate. The sermon didn’t name either candidate or the election or even politics per se. But the church member felt it was meant as a direct critique of Donald Trump. The Scripture the minister used? The Beatitudes.
I have heard similar things from other clergy around the country about attacks they have received because they raised particular Scriptures and issues of truth, or compassion, or justice, or loving our neighbors in public life. Some clergy have even received hate mail and threats against them by anonymous members of their congregations or wider communities.
I was talking to a pastor of a liberal congregation in a key battleground state and asked whether she was in conversation with more conservative clergy in this volatile campaign season, and she simply said “no.” I then asked if many of them would call themselves “Christian nationalist” churches, and she replied “yes.” I believe it is time to reach out to one another, in clergy groups and congregational meetings about what faith means to us at this critical moment of national crisis.
How can we find ways to have conversations together about the values of faith that should be shaping our political participation and even our voting in the most important election in our lives and perhaps since the civil war?
“The Way” was the earliest name used by the followers of Jesus.
It’s time to go back to Jesus- something that is always important to do in a time of crisis-both personal and public. He said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” What does truth telling mean right now when so many people are captive to lies about elections, or minority groups, or political opponents?
In the beatitudes, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Doesn’t that mean we need conflict resolvers, not conflict makers in a time when the political trajectory has become fear, that leads to hate, that results in violence?
Jesus' final test of discipleship is in Matthew 25 when he spoke of the poor and most vulnerable and said, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these, who are members of my family, you did it to me.” How does this economics of Jesus overturn our national politics where the people at the bottom are not the priority?
He particularly instructs us to welcome the “stranger” and the Greek word in the text literally means “immigrant” or “refugee” who are now the subject of such abuse, lies, and threats of massive deportation and are now central to this political campaign.
The Good Samaritan parable shows Jesus answering “Who is my neighbor?,” perhaps the most important question for democracy, by naming the example of one who was “othered” by his society, helping one wounded by the side of the road who was “other” to him.
These are not just political issues but religious ones, and instead of religion being a partisan chaplain, how can it be a faithful interrogator of candidates and policies in this election? What do the teachings of Jesus mean in this polarized political moment?
People who feel left out, left behind, and disrespected can be easily drawn to authoritarianism as can white evangelicals who believe the same about themselves. But one way to turn people away from political extremism is to respect their faith and even try to help bring them back to it. And if they are Christians, that always means a return to the way of Jesus. An honest, respectful, and deep debate about faith could challenge both political authoritarianism and the false white gospel of Christian nationalism."
Jim Wallis on why he wrote this book.
"An old ideology is making a religious comeback in support of Donald Trump. It’s called Christian nationalism, which puts one nation ahead of all others, Christians over other people of faith and those of no religion in America, and has had white supremacy embedded into it since the founding of the nation with a racial hierarchy of who belongs in this country and who doesn’t.
That is a false religion and can biblically be called an idolatry and a heresy. It should be subject to a debate between Christians and among churches who would claim to have Jesus at their core. This is a conversation about both religion and politics. And it is a debate about faith that we need to have.
A bishop recently told me of a minister in their church who was angrily attacked for the Scripture he had chosen for a Sunday service. The church member claimed it implied criticism of a particular presidential candidate. The sermon didn’t name either candidate or the election or even politics per se. But the church member felt it was meant as a direct critique of Donald Trump. The Scripture the minister used? The Beatitudes.
I have heard similar things from other clergy around the country about attacks they have received because they raised particular Scriptures and issues of truth, or compassion, or justice, or loving our neighbors in public life. Some clergy have even received hate mail and threats against them by anonymous members of their congregations or wider communities.
I was talking to a pastor of a liberal congregation in a key battleground state and asked whether she was in conversation with more conservative clergy in this volatile campaign season, and she simply said “no.” I then asked if many of them would call themselves “Christian nationalist” churches, and she replied “yes.” I believe it is time to reach out to one another, in clergy groups and congregational meetings about what faith means to us at this critical moment of national crisis.
How can we find ways to have conversations together about the values of faith that should be shaping our political participation and even our voting in the most important election in our lives and perhaps since the civil war?
“The Way” was the earliest name used by the followers of Jesus.
It’s time to go back to Jesus- something that is always important to do in a time of crisis-both personal and public. He said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” What does truth telling mean right now when so many people are captive to lies about elections, or minority groups, or political opponents?
In the beatitudes, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Doesn’t that mean we need conflict resolvers, not conflict makers in a time when the political trajectory has become fear, that leads to hate, that results in violence?
Jesus' final test of discipleship is in Matthew 25 when he spoke of the poor and most vulnerable and said, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these, who are members of my family, you did it to me.” How does this economics of Jesus overturn our national politics where the people at the bottom are not the priority?
He particularly instructs us to welcome the “stranger” and the Greek word in the text literally means “immigrant” or “refugee” who are now the subject of such abuse, lies, and threats of massive deportation and are now central to this political campaign.
The Good Samaritan parable shows Jesus answering “Who is my neighbor?,” perhaps the most important question for democracy, by naming the example of one who was “othered” by his society, helping one wounded by the side of the road who was “other” to him.
These are not just political issues but religious ones, and instead of religion being a partisan chaplain, how can it be a faithful interrogator of candidates and policies in this election? What do the teachings of Jesus mean in this polarized political moment?
People who feel left out, left behind, and disrespected can be easily drawn to authoritarianism as can white evangelicals who believe the same about themselves. But one way to turn people away from political extremism is to respect their faith and even try to help bring them back to it. And if they are Christians, that always means a return to the way of Jesus. An honest, respectful, and deep debate about faith could challenge both political authoritarianism and the false white gospel of Christian nationalism."
Jim Wallis on why he wrote this book.
June 17, 2025
This would be an excellent book for small group study and discussion, touching on MAGA, Christian nationalism, the climate crisis, patriarchy, and more, while also maintaining loving inclusivity even to those Wallis critiques.
October 18, 2025
Probably 3.5 stars. The author really knows what he is talking about, and comes from a very specific perspective. I agreed with majority of what he had to say. Conversations about these topics are not easy, but are necessary.
August 28, 2024
I wish every Christian would read this book.
January 23, 2025
An absolutely fantastic book! I would recommend to anybody and everybody and I will also be picking up more books by Mr. Wallis!
January 14, 2026
A compelling reminder that we have the power (and the duty) to create change.
June 24, 2024
A ‘CALL TO ACTION’ FROM A WELL-KNOWN PROGRESSIVE EVANGELICAL
Author Jim Wallis wrote in the Introduction to this 2024 book, “it is increasingly clear that voting rights, racial equality, civic justice, and democracy itself are now at serious risk in America… This is a time of testing---BOTH for the future of democracy and for the integrity of our faith communities. We are literally in a battle now between false religion and true faith and between racial fascism and multicultural democracy. That fight stems from fear, the motivator of hate, and the threat of violence. Helping to set us free from that fear, hate, racism and violence is the purpose of this book.” (Pg. 4-5)
He suggests, “Faith communities have a key role to play here. If we as people of faith can help a divided and polarized nation cross that color line to democracy, we will be the peacemakers, whom Jesus calls the children of God. And that role must be played alongside people of many religions and no religion at all. What we agree upon is that the deepest issues now in our public life are MORAL and not just POLITICAL; and that all of us, together will be necessary to save the soul of the nation.” (Pg. 11)
He states in the first chapter, “Without any awareness of the public discipleship which Jesus taught, Christians become vulnerable and susceptible to false political religion. And that is what white Christian nationalism is---a FALSE WHITE GOSPEL… Easily politicized by power brokers, this bad religion can infect the body politic by manipulating the body of Christ. Many won’t recognize themselves in the term ‘white Christian nationalist,’ but they have become subject to the fears and anger that it promotes.” (Pg. 14)
He notes, “The armed groups and individuals who are motivated by white supremacy are now judged to be the greatest domestic terrorist threat to our country’s security today… That old IDEOLOGY of white supremacy is now religiously undergirded by an old HERESY---with a new name: white Christian nationalism. I believe that white Christian nationalism is the single greatest threat to democracy in America and to the integrity of the Christian witness.” (Pg. 17)
He clarifies, “I still call myself, theologically, an ‘evangelical’ … meaning that my faith base is in the Bible and my commitment to Jesus Christ both as savior and Lord. But I do not believe that the white evangelicals who have become white Christian nationalists can any longer call themselves ‘evangelical.’ … It is time to be driven by our theology again.” (Pg. 35)
He observes, “voting is a problem for white Christian nationalism… white Christian nationalism wants to make it harder to vote in ways that most directly affect the most marginalized… Efforts to make voter registration easier and voting more accessible are routinely blocked by Republicans in Congress and state legislatures.” (Pg.. 83)
He points out, “It may be that conflict is inevitable, but war is not; therefore, isn’t diplomacy and negotiations with more honest conversation always the better place to start? Shouldn’t we first exhaust nonviolent means of conflict resolution?... this is not how the plot of war plays out. Societies rush to war, instead of considering nonviolent alternatives to resolving conflicts. Why? Because the latter requires patience---patience to clarify the problem, patience to listen to many sides of the conflict, patience to understand people’s needs and feelings.” (Pg. 159)
He asks, “What if our peacemaking were to be extended to the churches that have been caught up in white Christian nationalism, whether they know the term or not? Instead of just critiquing or attacking, could we find some ways to reach out to them? Jesus calls us to peacemaking. White Christian nationalism calls us to conflict making. And that is the choice that we must offer to those who want to follow Jesus.” (Pg. 164)
He argues, “On gender divisions, one such claim that is prominent in the church today is complementarianism, the idea that women ought to have roles that complement men rather than holding the positions of authority supposedly intended for men. Proponents of complementarianism believe that only men should be ordained in the Christian church. Such views are particularly common among those ascribing to ideology of white Christian nationalism… Structures of patriarchy, both inside and outside the church, are central to the message of white Christian nationalism.” (Pg. 183)
He states, “Much of the American church is infected with the disease and heresy of white supremacy… There is no ‘white’ Christianity; there is only Christian faith for all and every race. White Christianity is nothing less than an idolatry, the worship of a false God. Whiteness… becomes the real god to whom we offer allegiance… Therefore, the call to discipleship OUT OF WHITENESS is necessary for the salvation of the church in our time, and essential for the survival of democracy.” (Pg. 210)
He notes, “The Black church has become a faith-saving model for many of us from America’s white churches. In our pilgrimages away from the white churches that have raised us, we have found a Black church that holistically combines the personal and the social gospel, changing people’s lives, impacting their communities, and prophetically calling for the nation to change as well. That consistent prophetic voice in the Black churches has drawn us in and has helped many of us to ‘keep the faith.’” (Pg. 214-215)
He proposes “ten commitments we all can make: .. 1. Pastoral Education. White Americans must start…. studying .. the true history of America and then talk openly to other white people about the legacy of racism in America…2. Solidarity… white people must unlearn their need to control… 3. Truth-telling.. All of us must actively oppose the selective erasing of our shared American history and culture… 4. Proximity…[We] must make the deliberate choice of proximity to one another, across all our boundaries… 5. Show up… at local gatherings… and both elected official and candidate forums… 6. Citizenship. We should regard voting as a spiritual discipline… 7. Safety. The commitment to public safety and security … must become a faith issue… 8. Security. We … must create a bipartisan movement that … advocates for sensible gun violence legislation and control… 9. Stewardship… A faith community call for environmental justice is crucial… 10. Prophetic… the prophetic role of faith communities, calling for justice, must be restored in all of America’s faith communities… These are all commitments that will help create the COMMON GOOD… A remnant church must not only be known for what it is against, but what it is for and starting to build.” (Pg. 222-224)
He also recounts how Bill Bright (founder of Campus Crusade for Christ) had bitterly opposed him for many years. However, not long before Bright’s death, they reached a reconciliation: “It was the most dramatic story in my life of an enemy turned into a friend. And that came from discussing the Scriptures together, reexamining the words of Jesus, in this case the broader meaning of the Great Commission given by Jesus, and telling each other our own faith stories.” (Pf. 230-231)
He concludes, “This book is a call to action, a manifesto for a moment of crisis and opportunity. There is much ahead what we cannot either predict or control. We will face great challenges and many dangers, and with sighs of deep discouragement and encouragement along the way. Our optimism will go up and down, but hope must remain our CHOICE. The path to fulfilling the promise of democracy must be walked by all of us now. And through the actions of believers and nonbelievers alike, I believe that God, and we, can bless America.” (Pg. 240)
This book will appeal to progressives, and open-minded Christians, who want to find ways past our current national divisions.
Author Jim Wallis wrote in the Introduction to this 2024 book, “it is increasingly clear that voting rights, racial equality, civic justice, and democracy itself are now at serious risk in America… This is a time of testing---BOTH for the future of democracy and for the integrity of our faith communities. We are literally in a battle now between false religion and true faith and between racial fascism and multicultural democracy. That fight stems from fear, the motivator of hate, and the threat of violence. Helping to set us free from that fear, hate, racism and violence is the purpose of this book.” (Pg. 4-5)
He suggests, “Faith communities have a key role to play here. If we as people of faith can help a divided and polarized nation cross that color line to democracy, we will be the peacemakers, whom Jesus calls the children of God. And that role must be played alongside people of many religions and no religion at all. What we agree upon is that the deepest issues now in our public life are MORAL and not just POLITICAL; and that all of us, together will be necessary to save the soul of the nation.” (Pg. 11)
He states in the first chapter, “Without any awareness of the public discipleship which Jesus taught, Christians become vulnerable and susceptible to false political religion. And that is what white Christian nationalism is---a FALSE WHITE GOSPEL… Easily politicized by power brokers, this bad religion can infect the body politic by manipulating the body of Christ. Many won’t recognize themselves in the term ‘white Christian nationalist,’ but they have become subject to the fears and anger that it promotes.” (Pg. 14)
He notes, “The armed groups and individuals who are motivated by white supremacy are now judged to be the greatest domestic terrorist threat to our country’s security today… That old IDEOLOGY of white supremacy is now religiously undergirded by an old HERESY---with a new name: white Christian nationalism. I believe that white Christian nationalism is the single greatest threat to democracy in America and to the integrity of the Christian witness.” (Pg. 17)
He clarifies, “I still call myself, theologically, an ‘evangelical’ … meaning that my faith base is in the Bible and my commitment to Jesus Christ both as savior and Lord. But I do not believe that the white evangelicals who have become white Christian nationalists can any longer call themselves ‘evangelical.’ … It is time to be driven by our theology again.” (Pg. 35)
He observes, “voting is a problem for white Christian nationalism… white Christian nationalism wants to make it harder to vote in ways that most directly affect the most marginalized… Efforts to make voter registration easier and voting more accessible are routinely blocked by Republicans in Congress and state legislatures.” (Pg.. 83)
He points out, “It may be that conflict is inevitable, but war is not; therefore, isn’t diplomacy and negotiations with more honest conversation always the better place to start? Shouldn’t we first exhaust nonviolent means of conflict resolution?... this is not how the plot of war plays out. Societies rush to war, instead of considering nonviolent alternatives to resolving conflicts. Why? Because the latter requires patience---patience to clarify the problem, patience to listen to many sides of the conflict, patience to understand people’s needs and feelings.” (Pg. 159)
He asks, “What if our peacemaking were to be extended to the churches that have been caught up in white Christian nationalism, whether they know the term or not? Instead of just critiquing or attacking, could we find some ways to reach out to them? Jesus calls us to peacemaking. White Christian nationalism calls us to conflict making. And that is the choice that we must offer to those who want to follow Jesus.” (Pg. 164)
He argues, “On gender divisions, one such claim that is prominent in the church today is complementarianism, the idea that women ought to have roles that complement men rather than holding the positions of authority supposedly intended for men. Proponents of complementarianism believe that only men should be ordained in the Christian church. Such views are particularly common among those ascribing to ideology of white Christian nationalism… Structures of patriarchy, both inside and outside the church, are central to the message of white Christian nationalism.” (Pg. 183)
He states, “Much of the American church is infected with the disease and heresy of white supremacy… There is no ‘white’ Christianity; there is only Christian faith for all and every race. White Christianity is nothing less than an idolatry, the worship of a false God. Whiteness… becomes the real god to whom we offer allegiance… Therefore, the call to discipleship OUT OF WHITENESS is necessary for the salvation of the church in our time, and essential for the survival of democracy.” (Pg. 210)
He notes, “The Black church has become a faith-saving model for many of us from America’s white churches. In our pilgrimages away from the white churches that have raised us, we have found a Black church that holistically combines the personal and the social gospel, changing people’s lives, impacting their communities, and prophetically calling for the nation to change as well. That consistent prophetic voice in the Black churches has drawn us in and has helped many of us to ‘keep the faith.’” (Pg. 214-215)
He proposes “ten commitments we all can make: .. 1. Pastoral Education. White Americans must start…. studying .. the true history of America and then talk openly to other white people about the legacy of racism in America…2. Solidarity… white people must unlearn their need to control… 3. Truth-telling.. All of us must actively oppose the selective erasing of our shared American history and culture… 4. Proximity…[We] must make the deliberate choice of proximity to one another, across all our boundaries… 5. Show up… at local gatherings… and both elected official and candidate forums… 6. Citizenship. We should regard voting as a spiritual discipline… 7. Safety. The commitment to public safety and security … must become a faith issue… 8. Security. We … must create a bipartisan movement that … advocates for sensible gun violence legislation and control… 9. Stewardship… A faith community call for environmental justice is crucial… 10. Prophetic… the prophetic role of faith communities, calling for justice, must be restored in all of America’s faith communities… These are all commitments that will help create the COMMON GOOD… A remnant church must not only be known for what it is against, but what it is for and starting to build.” (Pg. 222-224)
He also recounts how Bill Bright (founder of Campus Crusade for Christ) had bitterly opposed him for many years. However, not long before Bright’s death, they reached a reconciliation: “It was the most dramatic story in my life of an enemy turned into a friend. And that came from discussing the Scriptures together, reexamining the words of Jesus, in this case the broader meaning of the Great Commission given by Jesus, and telling each other our own faith stories.” (Pf. 230-231)
He concludes, “This book is a call to action, a manifesto for a moment of crisis and opportunity. There is much ahead what we cannot either predict or control. We will face great challenges and many dangers, and with sighs of deep discouragement and encouragement along the way. Our optimism will go up and down, but hope must remain our CHOICE. The path to fulfilling the promise of democracy must be walked by all of us now. And through the actions of believers and nonbelievers alike, I believe that God, and we, can bless America.” (Pg. 240)
This book will appeal to progressives, and open-minded Christians, who want to find ways past our current national divisions.
February 11, 2025
Thought-provoking book with text analyses of key biblical passages all calling for an inclusive sort of religion and not the Christian white supremacist religion that has been an American staple since the Puritans and the Pilgrims. Wallis suggests forming a "remnant" church based upon the Black church. I think this is the only way Christianity in America can continue as White Christianity as practiced in the US is beyond redemption. He includes "non-believers" in his invitation which gets tiresome after a while as it is obvious he believes in the supernatural element of Jesus' life. While he focuses on the teachings of Jesus, he still worships Jesus as God and that takes away some of his message. What if we took the teachings of Jesus to heart and dispensed with Christianity altogether. Not necessarily a bad thing.
April 15, 2024
Kind, powerful message but maybe didn’t need to be a book because of the simplicity of it. Disappointingly didn’t seem like this was given from a writer as much as someone from the pulpit.
Weirdly patronizing, self-serving, and occasionally repetitive.
The author seems full of himself with anecdotal and personal stories that didn’t fit very well with the narrative. Similarly, instead of what is typically good research, quotes were used that weren’t well connected to the story. Also, filled with stories of hubris and not much modesty.
My favorite parts were the biblical passages explained as linking to events.
Similar books I liked more, in order of preference: “Prequel,” “The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory,” and the “Exvanglicals.”
Weirdly patronizing, self-serving, and occasionally repetitive.
The author seems full of himself with anecdotal and personal stories that didn’t fit very well with the narrative. Similarly, instead of what is typically good research, quotes were used that weren’t well connected to the story. Also, filled with stories of hubris and not much modesty.
My favorite parts were the biblical passages explained as linking to events.
Similar books I liked more, in order of preference: “Prequel,” “The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory,” and the “Exvanglicals.”
May 26, 2024
I wholeheartedly agree with the message of this book despite not fully agreeing theologically with the author. So why three stars?
1. There were many points that this book just felt like a reason to name drop well known activists.
1.5 With this, I couldn’t help but feel that this and other parts were a self pat on the back. Like a ‘look what a good job I did’. Felt like it was taking away from what he wanted the reader to focus on.
2. The people who need to read this never will. And if by chance they do, nothing written here will change their minds. I get the effort and desire that went into this book, but the sad fact is that the people who need it will absolutely reject it based on title alone.
1. There were many points that this book just felt like a reason to name drop well known activists.
1.5 With this, I couldn’t help but feel that this and other parts were a self pat on the back. Like a ‘look what a good job I did’. Felt like it was taking away from what he wanted the reader to focus on.
2. The people who need to read this never will. And if by chance they do, nothing written here will change their minds. I get the effort and desire that went into this book, but the sad fact is that the people who need it will absolutely reject it based on title alone.
February 10, 2024
I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
This is a white people are awful book with the added bonus of specifically discussing white Christians and how they refuse to see the other side of the table. While this may be true there are many generalizations with only a few specific instances that do not match the narrative, not enough to cancel out the generalization of the author. I found this book to be one-sided and negative.
This is a white people are awful book with the added bonus of specifically discussing white Christians and how they refuse to see the other side of the table. While this may be true there are many generalizations with only a few specific instances that do not match the narrative, not enough to cancel out the generalization of the author. I found this book to be one-sided and negative.
July 21, 2024
Excellent read! I have been pondering for some time the disconnect I see (in my opinion) with many political and religious leaders (and some people I know) over their support of a man who (in my opinion) has no concept of Jesus' message or even has any desire to, so when I saw this book on a table at Barnes and Noble, I put my birthday gift card to good use and bought it. I'm glad I did too. It helped me understand what has gone haywire with the context of Jesus' message. This is a book that goes beyond just pointing out what's wrong, too. Wallis takes six Biblical texts (pages 45-46) to reframe and refresh Christianity in the face of the pervasion of what white Christian nationalists have done to this faith and to demonstrate how these can help in the "call to action" this is demanded to stop this craziness (and he offers solutions). This book to me at least goes hand-in-hand with Kristen Kobes De Muz's book "Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation," Katherine Stewart's "The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism," and Barbara McQuade's "Attack from Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America." All three of these other books show how insidious some of this thinking is and how it's fracturing our democracy. Wallis takes it further into how to be a "real" Christian not a false one. I was also struck in the chapter where Wallis denotes that many of these white Christian nationalists want us to believe this country was founded as Christian nation, which seems to be me to be lacking in understanding the thoughts of many of our founding fathers who were trying to create a society founded on freedom and not drive it towards religious conformity - a lot of these men weren't Christians in the traditional sense we think of in 21st C America either. I point to Jefferson as an example. While Jefferson has his problems with religion (and yes, he was a slave owner so in effect didn't really truly understand Jesus's message), Jefferson did see Jesus as a moral leader/ teacher whose life bore witness about how to lead a moral life. As Eugene Sheridan writes in his Introduction to "Jefferson's Extracts from the Gospels," "Jefferson welcomed the diversity of religious views (page 9)" - how ironic given the nature of many right-wing Christians in my view - and "He spurned the theological, metaphysical and ecclesiological doctrines of traditional Christianity on the grounds they dealt with matters beyond human understanding and were all corruptions of Jesus' original message (page 41)." Jefferson saw "dogma" as getting in the way of getting Jesus' message across. Wallis drives through the false dogma being posited by white Christian Nationalists to give the authentic view of where we should be if we say we are Christians. This is an inspiring book too. Highly recommend!
December 15, 2024
Amen! Wallis contends that, based on what the Bible actually says, God welcomes ALL into His church. All races, all genders, all immoral sinners. God does not set apart the wealthy and powerful to have a special place. Rather, we are all called to serve the poor, and our neighbors, wherever they live. I am on my 6th reading of the Bible and currently doing a deep dive into Revelation. I have to agree with Wallis.
Wallis uses several biblical passages, in context, to give one a clear view of what Jesus actually said and did. Jesus fed the masses. Jesus healed the poor. Jesus forgave. Jesus said to give to Cesar what is Cesar's (pay your taxes,) Jesus told His followers to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, care for the sick, house the sojourners. Jesus called out those who were trying to profit from religion and shut them down. Wallis points out that these things are in direct conflict with certain political ideologies which are co-opting ignorant people, who think they are Christians, into serving their political agenda by any means. Many of these people are putting country first (idolatry) instead of putting God first.
This book is an excellent summation of how Christ tells Christians to live our lives. It is putting God first. It is recognizing that all people are created equal and in the image of God, even if they don't share our skin color, gender, intelligence level, wealth, religious belief, sexual orientation, etc. For those of faith, it is a call to turn back to putting God first, loving our fellow humans and taking care of His creation. For those not of faith, it is an excellent, easy-to-read primer of what true Christian faith is and is not.
There is nothing Biblical about enslaving fellow men and women, or using violence and lies to advance a politician or a political agenda.
Wallis names names and offers concrete ways people of faith can combat the lies told in their churches, their political groups and their friend and family circles.
Anyone concerned about how Americans, (claiming to be Christian) have embraced fascism, or concerned about how/why America is on the path toward fascism, and away from democracy, would find reading this book beneficial.
Wallis uses several biblical passages, in context, to give one a clear view of what Jesus actually said and did. Jesus fed the masses. Jesus healed the poor. Jesus forgave. Jesus said to give to Cesar what is Cesar's (pay your taxes,) Jesus told His followers to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, care for the sick, house the sojourners. Jesus called out those who were trying to profit from religion and shut them down. Wallis points out that these things are in direct conflict with certain political ideologies which are co-opting ignorant people, who think they are Christians, into serving their political agenda by any means. Many of these people are putting country first (idolatry) instead of putting God first.
This book is an excellent summation of how Christ tells Christians to live our lives. It is putting God first. It is recognizing that all people are created equal and in the image of God, even if they don't share our skin color, gender, intelligence level, wealth, religious belief, sexual orientation, etc. For those of faith, it is a call to turn back to putting God first, loving our fellow humans and taking care of His creation. For those not of faith, it is an excellent, easy-to-read primer of what true Christian faith is and is not.
There is nothing Biblical about enslaving fellow men and women, or using violence and lies to advance a politician or a political agenda.
Wallis names names and offers concrete ways people of faith can combat the lies told in their churches, their political groups and their friend and family circles.
Anyone concerned about how Americans, (claiming to be Christian) have embraced fascism, or concerned about how/why America is on the path toward fascism, and away from democracy, would find reading this book beneficial.
April 24, 2025
There needs to be 10 stars available, because that is what I'd give this book! Everyone should read this. It is enlightening, disturbing, frustrating and filled with hope and faith. I'd give anything to have taken a class at Georgetown from Wallis. I read this with my Episcopal EFM reading group, and the discussion was robust! If this book taught me one thing, it is to speak up. We have to if we want to save our country and our democracy and our true Christian religion. What would Jesus do?
I will never understand how a Christian Nationalist can call themselves a Christian, or how any Christian can espouse hate to represent Jesus. The lies are so sad and the number of people falling for them even more so. "White Christian nationalism doesn't cross line, it creates them. It seeks to divide us, leading this country down a path that starts with fear, that turns to hate, and ultimately leads to violence. White Christian nationalism defies what Jesus says about loving our neighbor, and even our enemies."
I have way too many highlights to put them here, but I am going to include the bible passages that Wallis uses within the book.
Luke 10:25-37: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself...Who is my neighbor?"
Genesis 1:26": "Then God said, Let us make humankind in our own image, according to our own likeness."
John 8:32: "You will know the truth and the truth will make you free."
Matthew 25:31-46: "As you have done to the least of these, you have done to me."
Matthew 5:9: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."
Galatians 3:28: "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female, for all of you are one in Christ."
I think Galatians 3:28 may be my new favorite Bible passage, not that I had one before.
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., said it best: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." I pray for light and love to get us out of the chaos that we are currently being subjected to. And it is our turn as white people, especially white women to take a stand and speak up. Silence is compliancy!
I will never understand how a Christian Nationalist can call themselves a Christian, or how any Christian can espouse hate to represent Jesus. The lies are so sad and the number of people falling for them even more so. "White Christian nationalism doesn't cross line, it creates them. It seeks to divide us, leading this country down a path that starts with fear, that turns to hate, and ultimately leads to violence. White Christian nationalism defies what Jesus says about loving our neighbor, and even our enemies."
I have way too many highlights to put them here, but I am going to include the bible passages that Wallis uses within the book.
Luke 10:25-37: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself...Who is my neighbor?"
Genesis 1:26": "Then God said, Let us make humankind in our own image, according to our own likeness."
John 8:32: "You will know the truth and the truth will make you free."
Matthew 25:31-46: "As you have done to the least of these, you have done to me."
Matthew 5:9: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."
Galatians 3:28: "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female, for all of you are one in Christ."
I think Galatians 3:28 may be my new favorite Bible passage, not that I had one before.
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., said it best: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." I pray for light and love to get us out of the chaos that we are currently being subjected to. And it is our turn as white people, especially white women to take a stand and speak up. Silence is compliancy!
April 8, 2024
Jim Wallis’ new book, “The False White Gospel,” is a powerful and thought-provoking examination of the dangerous ways in which Christianity has been co-opted by white supremacy and nationalism in America. Wallis, a prominent Christian activist and author, tackles head-on the uncomfortable reality that many white Christians have strayed far from the teachings of Jesus in their pursuit of power and privilege. Stacey and met Jim, a fellow Michigander and Michigan State grad, while we were at Harvard 16 years ago in which Stacey took his divinity course. Jim is a self-effacing tireless social justice advocate—well respected in his field across the world. One of the most compelling aspects of Wallis’ book is his unflinching critique of the ways in which white Christians have used their faith to justify racism, inequality, and injustice. He argues that the gospel of Jesus, which calls for love, compassion, and justice for all people, has been distorted and perverted by those who seek to maintain their own power and privilege at the expense of others. Wallis also delves into the ways in which white Christians have turned a blind eye to the suffering of marginalized communities, choosing instead to prioritize their own comfort and security. He challenges his readers to confront their own complicity in systems of oppression and to work towards building a more just and equitable society. Throughout the book, Wallis draws on his own experiences as a white Christian activist working for social justice, offering personal anecdotes and reflections that add depth and authenticity to his arguments. He also provides practical suggestions for how individuals and communities can begin to dismantle the false white gospel and work towards a more inclusive and compassionate expression of Christianity. Overall, this book is a timely and necessary read for anyone who is grappling with the ways in which their faith may have been corrupted by racism and nationalism. Wallis’ passionate and compelling writing challenges readers to reexamine their beliefs and actions, and to strive towards a more authentic and transformative expression of Christianity.
May 23, 2024
Hatefulness and ugliness has been the center of our media's spotlight since TFG's election in 2016. I thirsted for a book like this to help me understand what's up. How, I would say to anyone that would listen, could Christians support this man and now even believe he is a prophet. Oh help me!
I am not an overly religious person, but I am honest and have morals. Both which is lacking in TFG. This book made me feel that I was not losing my mind. The "me first"life, the exclusionary policies, the hatefulness of TFG- all was not a part of my religious upbringing. I have said for many years, I think TFG is the anti Christ. I hate to give him that much recognition but each day with more people falling under his spell and totally giving up all morals and reason, I am thinking it is so. He is a bully, mean spirited, liar, con artist, sexual predator and a cheat. And the Christians support him? Huh? My friends that are religious and Republicans will not let me talk negatively about their leader, they claim they have always been conservation and will not change.
My question to them is "What is conservative about his actions" Nothing.
I also was raised in a Republican family although I became a Democrat at an early age. My father was a die hard Republication but I think if he were alive today, he would not fall for this charlatan. He is the one that taught all of us to be truthful and honest. Two major traits not even present in TFG no matter how much the White Christian Nationalist adore him.
So much I liked about this book. I found it so interesting that the early settlers cut out portions of the bible that did not support their beliefs. Passages that were against slavery, treating all people equal, and treating a woman as an equal and not just to support her husband. On page 45, he gives six passages from the holy scripture to give moral guidance. I will make a copy of these and try to read them daily. Maybe I also will come back to religion if it does not look like the religion professed today in the mega churches and other churches that will not include all into their congregation, do not support the poor and preach hate over love.
I am not an overly religious person, but I am honest and have morals. Both which is lacking in TFG. This book made me feel that I was not losing my mind. The "me first"life, the exclusionary policies, the hatefulness of TFG- all was not a part of my religious upbringing. I have said for many years, I think TFG is the anti Christ. I hate to give him that much recognition but each day with more people falling under his spell and totally giving up all morals and reason, I am thinking it is so. He is a bully, mean spirited, liar, con artist, sexual predator and a cheat. And the Christians support him? Huh? My friends that are religious and Republicans will not let me talk negatively about their leader, they claim they have always been conservation and will not change.
My question to them is "What is conservative about his actions" Nothing.
I also was raised in a Republican family although I became a Democrat at an early age. My father was a die hard Republication but I think if he were alive today, he would not fall for this charlatan. He is the one that taught all of us to be truthful and honest. Two major traits not even present in TFG no matter how much the White Christian Nationalist adore him.
So much I liked about this book. I found it so interesting that the early settlers cut out portions of the bible that did not support their beliefs. Passages that were against slavery, treating all people equal, and treating a woman as an equal and not just to support her husband. On page 45, he gives six passages from the holy scripture to give moral guidance. I will make a copy of these and try to read them daily. Maybe I also will come back to religion if it does not look like the religion professed today in the mega churches and other churches that will not include all into their congregation, do not support the poor and preach hate over love.
July 11, 2024
Highly recommend "The False White Gospel" by Jim Wallis, particularly for my evangelical identifying friends during this time of extremism - a time in history that in my opinion society is mirroring the power and control dynamics of an abusive relationship - which is directly counter to the heart, love, and actions of Christ we see in the gospels.
Here are 5 key take aways:
1. Argues against the rise of Christian nationalism as a distortion of Christian faith that merges religious beliefs with national identity, often leading to exclusionary and oppressive policies.
2. Calls for a return to the true teachings of Christ, emphasizing love, justice, and inclusion rather than power and dominance. Wallis stresses the importance of faith that seeks to uplift and unify people from diverse backgrounds.
3. Envisions the United States as a potential model for a multiracial democracy. He emphasizes the importance of treating everyone as neighbors, advocating for compassion and solidarity across racial and cultural lines.
4. Critiques the extremism seen in political and religious spheres, urging believers to adopt moderation and seek common ground. Wallis argues that the true message of Christianity is being overshadowed by divisive and radical ideologies.
5. Promotes that Christians engage in social justice and activism, reflecting their faith through actions that promote equality and protect the rights of all individuals. How we treat immigrants and the poor is a fundamental measure of a society’s morality and faithfulness to Christian teachings. He believes that true faith should lead to positive societal change, not just personal piety. Our moral convictions should alert us to no longer accept racialized policing, mass incarceration along color lines, the acceptance of guns as a way of life and death, and ignoring the reality of our climate crisis, that will impact future generations and the poorest of the world.
Overall, Wallis offers a faith-driven approach to politics and society that prioritizes justice, inclusion, and genuine democracy that we could all glean some humility, wisdom, and insight from.
Here are 5 key take aways:
1. Argues against the rise of Christian nationalism as a distortion of Christian faith that merges religious beliefs with national identity, often leading to exclusionary and oppressive policies.
2. Calls for a return to the true teachings of Christ, emphasizing love, justice, and inclusion rather than power and dominance. Wallis stresses the importance of faith that seeks to uplift and unify people from diverse backgrounds.
3. Envisions the United States as a potential model for a multiracial democracy. He emphasizes the importance of treating everyone as neighbors, advocating for compassion and solidarity across racial and cultural lines.
4. Critiques the extremism seen in political and religious spheres, urging believers to adopt moderation and seek common ground. Wallis argues that the true message of Christianity is being overshadowed by divisive and radical ideologies.
5. Promotes that Christians engage in social justice and activism, reflecting their faith through actions that promote equality and protect the rights of all individuals. How we treat immigrants and the poor is a fundamental measure of a society’s morality and faithfulness to Christian teachings. He believes that true faith should lead to positive societal change, not just personal piety. Our moral convictions should alert us to no longer accept racialized policing, mass incarceration along color lines, the acceptance of guns as a way of life and death, and ignoring the reality of our climate crisis, that will impact future generations and the poorest of the world.
Overall, Wallis offers a faith-driven approach to politics and society that prioritizes justice, inclusion, and genuine democracy that we could all glean some humility, wisdom, and insight from.
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