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Doing Theology in the Age of Trump: A Critical Report on Christian Nationalism
This book is a work of theological resistance. It is not so much about the presidency of Donald Trump as it is about what his popularity and rise to power reveal about the state of Christianity and the moral character of the evangelical Right in the United States today. More specifically, it is about the threat of white Christian nationalism, which is the particular form that the nationalist populist movement of Trumpism has adopted for itself. The contributors are all fellows from the Westar Institute's academic seminar on God and the Human Future, and include many of the leading figures in theology and Continental philosophy of religion. This volume provides a form of theopolitical resistance based on intersectionality. The authors recognize how the various forms of oppression interrelate to contribute to a vast, dynamic, and seeming impenetrable network of systemic injustice and marginalization. These essays demonstrate that politics need not be played as a zero-sum game with a winner-take-all mentality, and that a critical theology is as urgently needed and as relevant now as ever. ""An unfortunately crucial collection of bold essays that assail the white Christian nationalism of our terrifying times and offer counter-political theologies of the multitudinous, the minoritarian, and the earthly."" --Mary-Jane Rubenstein, Wesleyan University Jeffrey W. Robbins is a Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Lebanon Valley College (Annville, Pennsylvania). He is a member of the Board of Directors and is a Research Fellow for the Westar Institute where he chairs the ongoing collaborative academic seminar on God and the Human Future. He is the author or editor of nine books, including Radical Theology (2016). Clayton Crockett is Professor and Director of Religious Studies at the University of Central Arkansas. He is the author of Radical Political Theology (2011) and Derrida after the End of Writing (2018), among other books.
174 pages, Hardcover
Published November 8, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 2, 2020
In this brief collection of essays, theologians reflect on the theological task of understanding the current political landscape in the United States. These reflections draw on history, sociology, politics, theology and philosophy to understand and explain the situation we find ourselves.
As with any collection of essays, what we have here is a mixed bag. Some are very informative and interesting and some are less so. At the outset let's say that this book draws exclusively on one side the debate and whereas it would have been interesting to include reflections from a more conservative point of view, or even a more moderate, I understand the limitations of publishing and that this all comes from the Westar seminar.
It might be my more historical bent, but among the essays I found most useful were those that focused on the history of the involvement between Evangelicals and the Republican party. Among those, Alan Richard's reflection on the formation of Moody Bible Institute and how that has shaped modern Evangelicalism was very insightful.
Sarah Brubaker describes the rise of social media and 'technological epistemology' and shows how the Christian right successfully utilizes and manipulates social media for their own gain.
Jeffrey Robbins' "The White Christian Nationalist Hustle" was also very informative for the way that the current state of affairs has been brought about. In this, he describes the rise of the Moral Majority, the Christian Right and the political influence of preachers like Jerry Fawell. This has led to challenges both within the political structures and the Christian Church. The moral twisting that must be done to condemn a Bill Clinton but support a Roy Moore is particularly poignant for our modern political theological debates today.
Catherine Keller's description of the rise of Fox News and especially its influence on the church helps us understand the influence that conservative media has on aspects of the Church. [This is not to say that liberal media does not have an influence, but the focus on the essay is on Fox]. At a time when Bible reading and comprehension (specifically how to read>) are at an all time low, to have both wings of the church influenced by sound bites and talking points is not helpful to the Christian witness.
The rest of the essays are...ok for the most part. They are filled with platitudes and tired clichés and without much research. I appreciated somewhat the chapter that compares the modern day situation to Toni Morrison's Beloved, but it did not strengthen any argument.
To put my cards on the table, I believe that Christian Nationalism is a distortion of the Gospel. I believe that American Christianity is in crisis because it has neither the comprehension or the desire to comprehend the nature of its own professions. American Christianity seems to be interested in protecting itself and the United States (in a conservative fashion) while ignoring the world changing statements of King Jesus (thank you N.T. Wright!).
While this book certainly has its' shining moments, I think it could have been so much more as a conversation between people on both sides of the aisle.
I recommend this book for Christians interested in political affairs, pastors, teachers and chpalains.
Grade: B/B-
As with any collection of essays, what we have here is a mixed bag. Some are very informative and interesting and some are less so. At the outset let's say that this book draws exclusively on one side the debate and whereas it would have been interesting to include reflections from a more conservative point of view, or even a more moderate, I understand the limitations of publishing and that this all comes from the Westar seminar.
It might be my more historical bent, but among the essays I found most useful were those that focused on the history of the involvement between Evangelicals and the Republican party. Among those, Alan Richard's reflection on the formation of Moody Bible Institute and how that has shaped modern Evangelicalism was very insightful.
Sarah Brubaker describes the rise of social media and 'technological epistemology' and shows how the Christian right successfully utilizes and manipulates social media for their own gain.
Jeffrey Robbins' "The White Christian Nationalist Hustle" was also very informative for the way that the current state of affairs has been brought about. In this, he describes the rise of the Moral Majority, the Christian Right and the political influence of preachers like Jerry Fawell. This has led to challenges both within the political structures and the Christian Church. The moral twisting that must be done to condemn a Bill Clinton but support a Roy Moore is particularly poignant for our modern political theological debates today.
Catherine Keller's description of the rise of Fox News and especially its influence on the church helps us understand the influence that conservative media has on aspects of the Church. [This is not to say that liberal media does not have an influence, but the focus on the essay is on Fox]. At a time when Bible reading and comprehension (specifically how to read>) are at an all time low, to have both wings of the church influenced by sound bites and talking points is not helpful to the Christian witness.
The rest of the essays are...ok for the most part. They are filled with platitudes and tired clichés and without much research. I appreciated somewhat the chapter that compares the modern day situation to Toni Morrison's Beloved, but it did not strengthen any argument.
To put my cards on the table, I believe that Christian Nationalism is a distortion of the Gospel. I believe that American Christianity is in crisis because it has neither the comprehension or the desire to comprehend the nature of its own professions. American Christianity seems to be interested in protecting itself and the United States (in a conservative fashion) while ignoring the world changing statements of King Jesus (thank you N.T. Wright!).
While this book certainly has its' shining moments, I think it could have been so much more as a conversation between people on both sides of the aisle.
I recommend this book for Christians interested in political affairs, pastors, teachers and chpalains.
Grade: B/B-
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October 30, 2024Already outdated by the time I read this book. There are still a few interesting essays in here, although a lot of them are duds that are cris de coeur rather than actual analysis. Some key observations:
-the Puritans were the first Christian nationalists, though they had an intellectual brand of Christian nationalism compared to the proletarian one we have today
-Mainline churches had higher criticism, which went against the Jacksonian spirit of white American discourse. Evangelicals set up the Moody Institute, which published the Scofield Bible, allowing anyone to read the book in a business sort of way, free of "official" biblical scholarship.
-Leo Strauss saw religion as a tool of controlling the masses, so even while he wasn't a Christian, he still saw use in it
-Richard Rorty predicted back in 1997 that Middle America would revolt against the postmodern professors
-the Puritans were the first Christian nationalists, though they had an intellectual brand of Christian nationalism compared to the proletarian one we have today
-Mainline churches had higher criticism, which went against the Jacksonian spirit of white American discourse. Evangelicals set up the Moody Institute, which published the Scofield Bible, allowing anyone to read the book in a business sort of way, free of "official" biblical scholarship.
-Leo Strauss saw religion as a tool of controlling the masses, so even while he wasn't a Christian, he still saw use in it
-Richard Rorty predicted back in 1997 that Middle America would revolt against the postmodern professors
December 20, 2020
As could be expected from a collection of essays by different writers, some parts were brilliant and some parts were a painful waste of time. Few of the essays had much to do with theology and a couple of the authors revealed a lack of Bible familiarity. The book is copyright 2018 and by now seems out of date. If you're interested in Christian nationalism, there are much better books to spend your time on.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews