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American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church
Power. Fear. Violence. These three idols of Christian nationalism are corrupting American Christianity.
Andrew Whitehead is a leading scholar on Christian nationalism in America and speaks widely on its effects within Christian communities. In this book, he shares his journey and reveals how Christian nationalism threatens the spiritual lives of American Christians and the church.
Whitehead shows how Christians harm their neighbors when they embrace the idols of power, fear, and violence. He uses two key examples--racism and xenophobia--to demonstrate that these idols violate core Christian beliefs. Through stories, he illuminates expressions of Christianity that confront Christian nationalism and offer a faithful path forward.
American Idolatry encourages further conversation about what Christian nationalism threatens, how to face it, and why it is vitally important to do so. It will help identify Christian nationalism and build a framework that makes sense of the relationship between faith and the current political and cultural context.
Andrew Whitehead is a leading scholar on Christian nationalism in America and speaks widely on its effects within Christian communities. In this book, he shares his journey and reveals how Christian nationalism threatens the spiritual lives of American Christians and the church.
Whitehead shows how Christians harm their neighbors when they embrace the idols of power, fear, and violence. He uses two key examples--racism and xenophobia--to demonstrate that these idols violate core Christian beliefs. Through stories, he illuminates expressions of Christianity that confront Christian nationalism and offer a faithful path forward.
American Idolatry encourages further conversation about what Christian nationalism threatens, how to face it, and why it is vitally important to do so. It will help identify Christian nationalism and build a framework that makes sense of the relationship between faith and the current political and cultural context.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2023
133 people are currently reading
4026 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
April 8, 2023
As a lifelong resident of Indiana, I take great comfort in the fact that "American Idolatry" author Andrew L. Whitehead is one of our own. A leading scholar on Christian nationalism in America and Associate Professor of Sociology at IUPUI, Whitehead's presence in what can often be a significantly fractured and divided state brings me great peace and also came to mind more than once as I worked my way through his upcoming "American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church."
If you don't believe in this basic statement, that "Christian nationalism betrays the gospel and threatens the church" then it's fair to say you'll either not resonate with "American Idolatry" or you'll find yourself defensive throughout. For those who accept this basic premise, however, "American Idolatry" is a fantastic introduction to the subject and a book that weaves together both academic and pastoral perspectives to make its many points. Extensively researched, "American Idolatry" is in most ways a scathing expose of Christian nationalism through both historical and contemporary lenses. While the book largely focuses on white Christian nationalism, it's a book with far-reaching implications and clear and concise messaging.
In the book, Whitehead shares his own journey and clearly illustrates how Christian nationalism threatens the spiritual lives of American Christians and the Christian church in America. While at times it reads as fundamental, especially for those of us (myself included) who've been in this discussion for quite some time, Whitehead's willingness to get back to basics is needed and admirable. He shows how Christians harm their neighbors when they embrace idols of power, fear, and violence. Using two key examples - racism and xenophobia - Whitehead demonstrates that these idols, and they are idols, violate core Christian beliefs. While Whitehead is relentless in his arguments, he also illuminates expressions of Christianity that live against Christian nationalism and offer a faithful path forward.
Whitehead encourages further conversations about Christian nationalism - what it threatens, how to face it, and why it is absolutely vital to do so.
As someone who has been engaged in similar discussions for many years, I at times found myself wishing that "American Idolatry" dug deeper. Yet, truthfully, it is this very discussion that needs to happen culturally and I'm honestly quite grateful that so much of what Whitehead writes about already felt familiar and fundamental to my own faith journey. At times a little bored, I also had to acknowledge feeling some sense of gratitude that I didn't consider much of "American Idolatry" to be revelatory.
However, in a contemporary America was Christian nationalism is seemingly on the rise a book like "American Idolatry" is incredibly needed and tremendously valuable. While the book is mostly academic in nature, Whitehead writes accessibly and makes the material relatable to one's daily life and faith journey.
At times, "American Idolatry" calls out the contemporary political scene and his words are bold, matter-of-fact, courageous, and yet grounded theologically and academically. You can argue with Whitehead, sure that's true, but academically you will be hard-pressed to refute his extensive knowledge and research on the subject of Christian nationalism.
"American Idolatry" is insightful, intelligent, and incredibly relevant to today's Christian church and today's political scene. With compassionate precision, Whitehead speaks the truth and then offers a promising path forward.
If you don't believe in this basic statement, that "Christian nationalism betrays the gospel and threatens the church" then it's fair to say you'll either not resonate with "American Idolatry" or you'll find yourself defensive throughout. For those who accept this basic premise, however, "American Idolatry" is a fantastic introduction to the subject and a book that weaves together both academic and pastoral perspectives to make its many points. Extensively researched, "American Idolatry" is in most ways a scathing expose of Christian nationalism through both historical and contemporary lenses. While the book largely focuses on white Christian nationalism, it's a book with far-reaching implications and clear and concise messaging.
In the book, Whitehead shares his own journey and clearly illustrates how Christian nationalism threatens the spiritual lives of American Christians and the Christian church in America. While at times it reads as fundamental, especially for those of us (myself included) who've been in this discussion for quite some time, Whitehead's willingness to get back to basics is needed and admirable. He shows how Christians harm their neighbors when they embrace idols of power, fear, and violence. Using two key examples - racism and xenophobia - Whitehead demonstrates that these idols, and they are idols, violate core Christian beliefs. While Whitehead is relentless in his arguments, he also illuminates expressions of Christianity that live against Christian nationalism and offer a faithful path forward.
Whitehead encourages further conversations about Christian nationalism - what it threatens, how to face it, and why it is absolutely vital to do so.
As someone who has been engaged in similar discussions for many years, I at times found myself wishing that "American Idolatry" dug deeper. Yet, truthfully, it is this very discussion that needs to happen culturally and I'm honestly quite grateful that so much of what Whitehead writes about already felt familiar and fundamental to my own faith journey. At times a little bored, I also had to acknowledge feeling some sense of gratitude that I didn't consider much of "American Idolatry" to be revelatory.
However, in a contemporary America was Christian nationalism is seemingly on the rise a book like "American Idolatry" is incredibly needed and tremendously valuable. While the book is mostly academic in nature, Whitehead writes accessibly and makes the material relatable to one's daily life and faith journey.
At times, "American Idolatry" calls out the contemporary political scene and his words are bold, matter-of-fact, courageous, and yet grounded theologically and academically. You can argue with Whitehead, sure that's true, but academically you will be hard-pressed to refute his extensive knowledge and research on the subject of Christian nationalism.
"American Idolatry" is insightful, intelligent, and incredibly relevant to today's Christian church and today's political scene. With compassionate precision, Whitehead speaks the truth and then offers a promising path forward.
July 3, 2024
Longest ever review inbound:
I wanted to like this book. The author seeks to address Christian Nationalism, which I agree is a problem and I have rarely heard addressed with an ounce of nuance. I hoped this would be that book and it was not.
My qualms with the book are three fold:
First, I think the author severely overblows the scale of the problem (which isn’t necessary because it is indeed a problem). He cites his own work (which you must pay for) in explaining his methods for measuring the prevalence of christian nationalism, and from what I could gather, it seems that it includes anyone who favors Christian influence in the public sphere. This is an overly broad and fluffy criterion. For instance, at one point in the book, he commends MLK for the following quote: “The church must be reminded once again that it is not to be the master or the servant of the state, but the conscience of the state.” Given the second half of that quote, I think that if King were to take one of the author’s surveys, the author would qualify him as a Christian Nationalist.
Once he establishes that 2/3s of white Christians are Christian Nationalists, the author goes on to ask, what are they like? He points us to January 6th, Jerry Falwell, and Marjorie Taylor Greene. I don’t know how an honest or remotely charitable evaluation of the American Church could leave you convinced that 2/3s of people honestly think that way. Some do, which is an enormous problem, but in my opinion, the author’s own worldview has created an enormous boogieman. He makes the same misjudgment of Christian Nationalists that Christian Nationalists make of Marxist Elites. In my opinion, this is exactly the kind of thinking (us vs. them, catastrophization, etc.) that leads to the division and violence that the author purports to oppose.
Second, though the author is a Christian, is writing to Christians, and claims to believe that many Christian Nationalists are indeed Christians (though they are deceived), he makes no effort to understand or explain the perspective of Christian Nationalists. In a sense, I get this. It can be tough to practice sympathy toward those you most despise. Nonetheless, when I am evaluating how much I trust any professing Christian, one of the first things I consider is the way they speak about those with whom they disagree. Are their hearts broken for them? Are they trying to understand? The author’s words were dripping with vitriol and made no effort to understand how or why anybody could think differently from him.
This is not only an issue for moral reasons, but also practical reasons. In order to convince anyone of a certain worldview to change, you have to get inside of their heads. Attacks from the outside never work.
Third, I think that the author and I disagree on the fundamental teleology of the cross and the Christian faith. While I do agree with him that advocacy for social justice is a meaningful reaction to Christ’s work, it is not the purpose of Christ’s work. I felt I may be imagining this difference until the conclusion of the book, when it was made clear at two points.
A) The author quotes: “the real scandal of the gospel is this: humanity’s salvation is revealed in the cross of the condemned criminal Jesus, and humanity’s salvation is available only through our solidarity with the crucified people in our midst.” Solidarity with the oppressed is KEY to the Christian life, but to state that it is what makes humanity’s salvation available puts us on completely different theological terms.
B) The author semi-quotes Ephesians 6:12. He states “our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the sin-soaked systems of oppression that crush and tyrannize our neighbors”. The second half of this quote misses the essence of the book and chapter, which was written to encourage the Church to resist the world and live in unity as one body. I was bothered by how the author twisted and retranslated a text to make it fit with his message (just as I am bothered when Christian Nationalists do the same thing)
At the end of the day, I struggle with thinking that defies one of my favorite quotes of all time: “The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either - but right through every human heart - and through all human hearts. This line shifts. Inside us, it oscillates with the years. And even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained”
This book communicates that the line dividing good and evil does not pass through every human heart. It passes through Christian Nationalism. If you are a Christian Nationalist, you are squarely evil. If you are an opponent of Christian Nationalism, you are squarely good. Maybe the author wouldn’t agree with these explicit statements, but they’re certainly implied. So 2 stars from me.
I wanted to like this book. The author seeks to address Christian Nationalism, which I agree is a problem and I have rarely heard addressed with an ounce of nuance. I hoped this would be that book and it was not.
My qualms with the book are three fold:
First, I think the author severely overblows the scale of the problem (which isn’t necessary because it is indeed a problem). He cites his own work (which you must pay for) in explaining his methods for measuring the prevalence of christian nationalism, and from what I could gather, it seems that it includes anyone who favors Christian influence in the public sphere. This is an overly broad and fluffy criterion. For instance, at one point in the book, he commends MLK for the following quote: “The church must be reminded once again that it is not to be the master or the servant of the state, but the conscience of the state.” Given the second half of that quote, I think that if King were to take one of the author’s surveys, the author would qualify him as a Christian Nationalist.
Once he establishes that 2/3s of white Christians are Christian Nationalists, the author goes on to ask, what are they like? He points us to January 6th, Jerry Falwell, and Marjorie Taylor Greene. I don’t know how an honest or remotely charitable evaluation of the American Church could leave you convinced that 2/3s of people honestly think that way. Some do, which is an enormous problem, but in my opinion, the author’s own worldview has created an enormous boogieman. He makes the same misjudgment of Christian Nationalists that Christian Nationalists make of Marxist Elites. In my opinion, this is exactly the kind of thinking (us vs. them, catastrophization, etc.) that leads to the division and violence that the author purports to oppose.
Second, though the author is a Christian, is writing to Christians, and claims to believe that many Christian Nationalists are indeed Christians (though they are deceived), he makes no effort to understand or explain the perspective of Christian Nationalists. In a sense, I get this. It can be tough to practice sympathy toward those you most despise. Nonetheless, when I am evaluating how much I trust any professing Christian, one of the first things I consider is the way they speak about those with whom they disagree. Are their hearts broken for them? Are they trying to understand? The author’s words were dripping with vitriol and made no effort to understand how or why anybody could think differently from him.
This is not only an issue for moral reasons, but also practical reasons. In order to convince anyone of a certain worldview to change, you have to get inside of their heads. Attacks from the outside never work.
Third, I think that the author and I disagree on the fundamental teleology of the cross and the Christian faith. While I do agree with him that advocacy for social justice is a meaningful reaction to Christ’s work, it is not the purpose of Christ’s work. I felt I may be imagining this difference until the conclusion of the book, when it was made clear at two points.
A) The author quotes: “the real scandal of the gospel is this: humanity’s salvation is revealed in the cross of the condemned criminal Jesus, and humanity’s salvation is available only through our solidarity with the crucified people in our midst.” Solidarity with the oppressed is KEY to the Christian life, but to state that it is what makes humanity’s salvation available puts us on completely different theological terms.
B) The author semi-quotes Ephesians 6:12. He states “our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the sin-soaked systems of oppression that crush and tyrannize our neighbors”. The second half of this quote misses the essence of the book and chapter, which was written to encourage the Church to resist the world and live in unity as one body. I was bothered by how the author twisted and retranslated a text to make it fit with his message (just as I am bothered when Christian Nationalists do the same thing)
At the end of the day, I struggle with thinking that defies one of my favorite quotes of all time: “The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either - but right through every human heart - and through all human hearts. This line shifts. Inside us, it oscillates with the years. And even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained”
This book communicates that the line dividing good and evil does not pass through every human heart. It passes through Christian Nationalism. If you are a Christian Nationalist, you are squarely evil. If you are an opponent of Christian Nationalism, you are squarely good. Maybe the author wouldn’t agree with these explicit statements, but they’re certainly implied. So 2 stars from me.
August 27, 2023
This was an excellent and practical application of theology to a contemporary problem. Truly, a must read.
October 2, 2023
A high school friend recently recommended the book American Idolatry, which is about the way white Christian nationalism is corrupting the gospel and our political process. So I listened to it, and I also recommend it strongly. It’s written by a sociologist who himself is a practicing Christian and bases his analysis and arguments on both empirical research and the teachings of the Bible.
July 10, 2023
As someone who has been studying and watching Christian Nationalism over the years, American Idolatry does a fantastic job laying out what's at stake and why Christians should be concerned about it. This will be a book I will recommend and gift to several of my Christian friends who are "enablers" of Christian Nationalism. I appreciated the author's frank writing style and the fact that he didn't mince words. Fantastic book for anyone wondering what Christian Nationalism is, why it's not a great idea, and how we can avoid it.
April 21, 2025
I read this book after two others on similar topics: "White Too Long" by Robert Jones, and "The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory" by Tim Alberta. I was/am really trying to understand where Christianity is today, and how those who proclaim to follow Jesus can support and celebrate heinous, hateful policy-making and morally bankrupt politicians. This book brings together concepts, names, and history that were explored in the first two books and connects them directly to scripture and sociology in ways that had me taking a lot of notes and showing paragraphs and quotes to others who I've been discussing this topic with. As someone with an anthropology background, I appreciated the sociology lens, and as a lapsed Catholic with a supreme suspicion of Christian Nationalism, I very much appreciated the scripture connections and explanations, as well.
This book was really illuminating for me and I'd recommend it wholeheartedly if you've also experienced confusion about how people can call themselves "Christians" and also be so vocally opposed to empathy, charity, and extending a helping hand to one's neighbor.
This book was really illuminating for me and I'd recommend it wholeheartedly if you've also experienced confusion about how people can call themselves "Christians" and also be so vocally opposed to empathy, charity, and extending a helping hand to one's neighbor.
December 8, 2023
While I vehemently oppose Christian Nationalism, this book just isn't very helpful in dismantling their arguments. Moreover, the author paints with overly broad brushstrokes, leaving the impression that if you aren't a pacifist, if you lean right at the ballot box, you're a white Christian Nationalist.
May 1, 2024
Writing was disjointed and the argument isn’t present. Starts from a series of political premises—white evangelicals are bad yada yada yada—and tries to work backwards through “data.” There are stronger books in the anti-CN catalogue.
February 15, 2025
I would highly recommend this book for any Christian American, and even for those that are not Christian, in order to better understand how white Christian nationalism has come to be so dominant in America and how it undermines the Bible and the teachings of Jesus. I was surprised at how intersectional this book was in addressing how white Christian nationalism seeks to attack all kinds of minorities. I appreciated Whitehead’s treatment of this topic and how he can speak to these issues so well having been raised in American Christian Evangelicalism. One line in particular that really stuck with me on how white Christian nationalists operate was the idea of the inverted golden rule, in which you “expect from others what you would do unto them,” especially when working from a place of fear.
October 25, 2025
I was going to give up on this. Straw-man argumentation and vague statements posited as sweepingly true of American Christianity was poor.
Growing up in conservative circles, his perspective seemed overly skewed. I think his own experience as a Christian in the Midwest is heavily influenced his view of Christian culture. Married to an African American, there are places I'd never consider living because of racism. His state is one.
But the reason I kept reading and finished was the refreshing embrace of the pursuit of justice and racial reconciliation. It is something that conservative evangelicals need to be more vocal about from positions of leadership in public sphere and in our churches. I found it helpful in understanding why progressive Christians talk and feel the way they do about these issues. I agreed with his historical references of failure and fpund it enlightening. It was great to read and celebrate our agreement. I enjoyed being stretched and reading through historical emphasis and push by our Christian History in the US to protect mahority culture that has created the Protestant Evangelical Culture we experience today.
Growing up in conservative circles, his perspective seemed overly skewed. I think his own experience as a Christian in the Midwest is heavily influenced his view of Christian culture. Married to an African American, there are places I'd never consider living because of racism. His state is one.
But the reason I kept reading and finished was the refreshing embrace of the pursuit of justice and racial reconciliation. It is something that conservative evangelicals need to be more vocal about from positions of leadership in public sphere and in our churches. I found it helpful in understanding why progressive Christians talk and feel the way they do about these issues. I agreed with his historical references of failure and fpund it enlightening. It was great to read and celebrate our agreement. I enjoyed being stretched and reading through historical emphasis and push by our Christian History in the US to protect mahority culture that has created the Protestant Evangelical Culture we experience today.
October 28, 2025
This book rejects Christian nationalism and explores how America was built on keeping white Christian men in places of power through political policies, fear, and control. It showcases how this group has historically and presently rejected racial and religious minorities and immigrants. It seeks to bring unity and service to all as a response to Christ’s sacrifice, and I am on board with that.
I struggled throughout this book with the author’s tone. I struggled with the lack of “holy curiosity” toward the Christian nationalist, implying “they” are the source of evil in our country. I struggled, not with the stats or stories, but with the imbalance of personal experiences and scripture. At the end of the day, Christ is supreme and his grace is made available to all— to the immigrant, the Christian nationalist and me.
The end if the book (last 6-8 pages), while narrowly focused on welcoming the stranger as called and exemplified by christ rather than ALL that the gospel compels us to do, redeems the tone for me. He begins to offer a more gracious, hopeful and unified tone, which is why I ultimately gave it 3 stars.
I don’t think people in the Christian nationalist camp will ever pick this book up, so it is a little bit of an echo chamber but his points are still worth diving into.
I struggled throughout this book with the author’s tone. I struggled with the lack of “holy curiosity” toward the Christian nationalist, implying “they” are the source of evil in our country. I struggled, not with the stats or stories, but with the imbalance of personal experiences and scripture. At the end of the day, Christ is supreme and his grace is made available to all— to the immigrant, the Christian nationalist and me.
The end if the book (last 6-8 pages), while narrowly focused on welcoming the stranger as called and exemplified by christ rather than ALL that the gospel compels us to do, redeems the tone for me. He begins to offer a more gracious, hopeful and unified tone, which is why I ultimately gave it 3 stars.
I don’t think people in the Christian nationalist camp will ever pick this book up, so it is a little bit of an echo chamber but his points are still worth diving into.
June 14, 2024
I thought this book did a great job outlining and explaining what actual nationalism is. It was well written and it presented information that is well researched and defined. It was not a book to just bash those who don’t agree and I find that impressive and refreshing. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
Read
January 18, 2024Maybe a good book for someone just beginning to recognize the systematic issues in their faith, but not much use to anyone further along their journey than that.
This has the strange sense of if your megachurch pastor discovered human rights for the first time lol. The author's faith did spread throughout the book, which was both understandable and expected, but with that knowledge the scriptural inaccuracies were undeniably obvious. Claims such as, "God has never preferred one nation over another" are inaccurate and will be recognized as such by most Christians, which renders many of the points you're then making obsolete.
Not to mention repeatedly mentioning the violence perpetuated by the Catholic church (which was all extremely true) in a conversation about Christian nationalism, the military, and the death penalty, yet never even mentioning that the Catholic church as a whole - specifically since Pope John Paul II - have been extremely strong advocates against violence (even military violence) and the death penalty. It's a minor detail and perhaps not even noticeable to most people, but as someone that grew up in both the Evangelical and Catholic church (+ experienced extreme anti-Catholic bias from the Evangelicals in my life) it just rubbed me the wrong way.
I feel like I'm sounding harsh and I don't mean to. This wasn't a bad read and the author did broadly touch on many negative aspects of Christian nationalism. Even though I'm no longer a member of the church, I'm heartened to see so many Christians recognizing the pain that we've caused for so long.
Overall, this was okay, but only truly useful to a very small demographic of people. Otherwise, one would either be too deep in these beliefs to hear him out or too far along in their journey for this to be anything new.
This has the strange sense of if your megachurch pastor discovered human rights for the first time lol. The author's faith did spread throughout the book, which was both understandable and expected, but with that knowledge the scriptural inaccuracies were undeniably obvious. Claims such as, "God has never preferred one nation over another" are inaccurate and will be recognized as such by most Christians, which renders many of the points you're then making obsolete.
Not to mention repeatedly mentioning the violence perpetuated by the Catholic church (which was all extremely true) in a conversation about Christian nationalism, the military, and the death penalty, yet never even mentioning that the Catholic church as a whole - specifically since Pope John Paul II - have been extremely strong advocates against violence (even military violence) and the death penalty. It's a minor detail and perhaps not even noticeable to most people, but as someone that grew up in both the Evangelical and Catholic church (+ experienced extreme anti-Catholic bias from the Evangelicals in my life) it just rubbed me the wrong way.
I feel like I'm sounding harsh and I don't mean to. This wasn't a bad read and the author did broadly touch on many negative aspects of Christian nationalism. Even though I'm no longer a member of the church, I'm heartened to see so many Christians recognizing the pain that we've caused for so long.
Overall, this was okay, but only truly useful to a very small demographic of people. Otherwise, one would either be too deep in these beliefs to hear him out or too far along in their journey for this to be anything new.
January 18, 2024
I no longer consider myself a Christian but currently live in an area where many are. I grew up steeped in the type of faux Christian pro nationalism that Whitehead outlines in this text. This book is the first text confronting the ugly parts of being Christian in America that has made me feel like someday I could return to the church.
One of the final chapters has a gorgeous and powerful refrain along the lines of “I do not see Christ in X” and it was the first time I think I’ve really understood the reasons why I left the church. If anything, this is in an incredibly smooth read and would be great for anyone trying to make crossroads in their church, community, or interpersonal relationships.
One of the final chapters has a gorgeous and powerful refrain along the lines of “I do not see Christ in X” and it was the first time I think I’ve really understood the reasons why I left the church. If anything, this is in an incredibly smooth read and would be great for anyone trying to make crossroads in their church, community, or interpersonal relationships.
August 31, 2023
A generous rating, this is more of a 2.5 rounded up. While I’ll stipulate that historically people can pervert Christianity to justify some atrocities, and strange interpretations, that does not mean that conservative views of the Bible all fall into a “white Christian nation it’s” mentality. Unfortunately the author’s clear leftward bent and propensity for navel-gazing taint the analysis in this book. In truth it is quite possible to have nuanced views on the need for practical national security and race relations without over correcting through creating a new (liberal) gospel to amend for past wrongs. This book was a disappointment.
Read
September 23, 2023An excellent explanation and rejection of white Christian nationalism from the perspective of a white Christian who grew up in a Christian nationalist context.
August 5, 2025
American Idolatry is a powerful, timely, and deeply faithful examination of how Christian nationalism distorts the message of Jesus and undermines the witness of the church. Andrew L. Whitehead approaches this difficult topic not with pride or condescension, but with humility, clarity, and a sincere desire to help both individuals and communities find their way back to the heart of the gospel.
What sets this book apart is its tone. Whitehead never uses his research as a weapon. There are no cheap shots or gotcha moments. Instead, he writes as someone who loves the church and longs for it to reflect the radical love, justice, and humility of Christ. His words are firm but pastoral, grounded in both sociological insight and genuine spiritual concern.
He exposes how Christian nationalism replaces trust in God with trust in power, fear, and cultural dominance, but he does so with compassion for those caught in its grip. This is not a book about scoring points. It is a call to repentance, restoration, and renewed discipleship.
American Idolatry is essential reading for anyone who wants to follow Jesus faithfully in an age of political confusion and religious compromise. It gave me hope that change is possible, and a deeper conviction that the gospel is worth reclaiming.
What sets this book apart is its tone. Whitehead never uses his research as a weapon. There are no cheap shots or gotcha moments. Instead, he writes as someone who loves the church and longs for it to reflect the radical love, justice, and humility of Christ. His words are firm but pastoral, grounded in both sociological insight and genuine spiritual concern.
He exposes how Christian nationalism replaces trust in God with trust in power, fear, and cultural dominance, but he does so with compassion for those caught in its grip. This is not a book about scoring points. It is a call to repentance, restoration, and renewed discipleship.
American Idolatry is essential reading for anyone who wants to follow Jesus faithfully in an age of political confusion and religious compromise. It gave me hope that change is possible, and a deeper conviction that the gospel is worth reclaiming.
September 25, 2025
I’m actually quite surprised and impressed at how insightful I found this book to be. I can acknowledge that I did have a bit of a bias after reading that the author is himself a Christian, and like he writes in the book, a lot of Christians have left a very negative impression on others outside the faith- including myself. I’ve been reading a lot about the issues raised in this book and so far have found this book to be the most helpful in terms of how to actually speak to Christians about what they’re hearing in church VS what the Bible really says, etc, unlike a lot of other books that mostly focus on the implications of Christian nationalism and how we got here today.
That being said, this book is probs mostly going to help people who are willing and interested in having conversations with Christians about Christian nationalism and for people who they themselves are Christians wanting to broaden their understanding of the issue.
This book also was just a refreshing take on Christianity for me to read as someone who was brought up in a combination of fire and brimstone Catholic Churches and southern Baptist churches (yes I’m in therapy). I genuinely enjoyed the quotes from scripture about how Jesus wishes his followers to treat outsiders and advocate for others, among other things. I’m not going to speak on the validity of the authors statistics on the prevalence of Christian nationalism because I can tell that it’s a problem by leaving my house or turning on literally any TV station so the numbers attached don’t actually matter to me and are probably nearly impossible to accurately capture as quantitative data. Xoxo
That being said, this book is probs mostly going to help people who are willing and interested in having conversations with Christians about Christian nationalism and for people who they themselves are Christians wanting to broaden their understanding of the issue.
This book also was just a refreshing take on Christianity for me to read as someone who was brought up in a combination of fire and brimstone Catholic Churches and southern Baptist churches (yes I’m in therapy). I genuinely enjoyed the quotes from scripture about how Jesus wishes his followers to treat outsiders and advocate for others, among other things. I’m not going to speak on the validity of the authors statistics on the prevalence of Christian nationalism because I can tell that it’s a problem by leaving my house or turning on literally any TV station so the numbers attached don’t actually matter to me and are probably nearly impossible to accurately capture as quantitative data. Xoxo
April 2, 2024
My entire life has been steeped in Christian nationalism. It’s taken years and years to pull myself out of it. I’ve rejected so much of the ideology but I know it has affected me subconsciously in ways I have yet to discover. I’ve always considered myself Christian but have struggled with the representation of Christianity I saw around me. So much bigotry, fear, and hatefulness!
Recently I began a journey to read the Bible and a slew of nonfiction books about Christianity, complimentarianism, evangelism, and pretty much anything I can get my hands on. This is the third book I’ve read regarding Christian nationalism and while it was informative it was the same information I have come across dozens of times. I was hoping for more biblical information that countered such claims as “America was founded as a Christian nation”. Unfortunately that information was not provided.
I felt this book was directed more towards people struggling to identify what Christian Nationalism is.
Recently I began a journey to read the Bible and a slew of nonfiction books about Christianity, complimentarianism, evangelism, and pretty much anything I can get my hands on. This is the third book I’ve read regarding Christian nationalism and while it was informative it was the same information I have come across dozens of times. I was hoping for more biblical information that countered such claims as “America was founded as a Christian nation”. Unfortunately that information was not provided.
I felt this book was directed more towards people struggling to identify what Christian Nationalism is.
July 6, 2024
As white Christian guy, hard but good read. A couple of times where his argument exceeded his argumentation for lack of needed nuance. Overall, cogently argues the necessity for why American evangelicals need to see Christian nationalism as idolatry.
I’d pair it with the Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby. Helped uptake having some of the academic foundation (from a Black author) then hearing the theological appeal (from a white author.) For instance, I was able to better engage with Whitehead’s point based on the conservative Moral Right’s movement formation in the 70s around racial purity (contrary to popular narrative largely focused on abortion) bc I’d already gotten then historical background having read Tisby.
I’d pair it with the Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby. Helped uptake having some of the academic foundation (from a Black author) then hearing the theological appeal (from a white author.) For instance, I was able to better engage with Whitehead’s point based on the conservative Moral Right’s movement formation in the 70s around racial purity (contrary to popular narrative largely focused on abortion) bc I’d already gotten then historical background having read Tisby.
April 17, 2024
[Audiobook] I think this is an important book and it was, I think, helpful to me. My only critique, which isn't really a critique exactly, is that this is not a book that would be heard by someone who is firmly entrenched in the world of Christian Nationalism. In other words, I don't think you could give this book to someone and have it help change their mind when it comes to issues related to cultural Christianity and all that it leads someone to hold as precious. I also don't think that someone who is on the margins of that way of thinking would be moved to a more fully Christian view of our country and the world.
On the other hand, if someone is already in the process of moving away from a Christian Nationalist view of things, this might be a helpful book. And certainly, if you find yourself rejecting that way of thinking, this is a really useful treatment of the issues related to Christian Nationalism in our country.
On the other hand, if someone is already in the process of moving away from a Christian Nationalist view of things, this might be a helpful book. And certainly, if you find yourself rejecting that way of thinking, this is a really useful treatment of the issues related to Christian Nationalism in our country.
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March 19, 2025A good if sometimes plodding overview of white Christian nationalism, its history, and its presence/influence in the American Church. The book didn't have any real bombshell revelations, though that could be simply because I've tried to become fairly aware of Christian nationalism generally over the last few years, but it was certainly a solid primer with quality insights backed up by his research and many direct references to others who have written on the various components of Christian nationalism (racism, xenobhobia, etc).
April 3, 2024
This was an excellent and captivating read that was very well-organized and clearly spells out the dangers of white Christian Nationalism. Very logical, redearch-based and easy to read. I would give this book to anyone struggling to make sense of Christian Nationalism or who maybe isn't sure of why it's so dangerous.
October 23, 2025
“…recognizing how white Christians-like us-repeatedly denied the God-given value of others in service of gaining and maintaining economic and political power. Repeatedly, our desire to make and defend our "Christian" nation has led us to embrace politics that deny the basic humanity of both our fellow citizens and our brothers and sisters of different nationalities, races, and religions from throughout the world.”
August 22, 2023
A sobering assessment of the current state of the church in America. Whitehead makes the case that many Christians in America have embraced a gospel centered around power, fear, and an openness to violence. This false gospel has evidenced itself through our general lack of care for the poor, the immigrant, and those who are victims of injustice. Quite simply, the unfortunate reality is that many of us have embraced a nominal faith that is, at its core, a syncretism of the way of Jesus and the politics of the right. And this is not the gospel of Jesus.
However, I appreciated that he didn't just expose the problems, but instead presented the solution and the solution is an embrace of the true gospel, the gospel that emphasizes service to others, the laying aside of power and privilege, the fight for justice, and the affirmation of universal human dignity to all who are God's image. This is an important work that has far reaching implications for the church today.
However, I appreciated that he didn't just expose the problems, but instead presented the solution and the solution is an embrace of the true gospel, the gospel that emphasizes service to others, the laying aside of power and privilege, the fight for justice, and the affirmation of universal human dignity to all who are God's image. This is an important work that has far reaching implications for the church today.
November 15, 2023
Excellent. (The cynic in me tells me that the people who need to read this book and wrestle with its contents probably won't, but maybe those of us who do read it can be the needed chain-breakers in this crazy-cycle we're in.)
August 17, 2025
A good book. My concern is that only people who already share in the opinions of this book will read it, and that anyone who actually needs to read the truths within won’t pick it up. Could be written a little less heavy-handed and a different title might help. But perhaps it’ll encourage and instruct some to live in a way that demonstrates Christocentric interaction with country and different people groups.
November 17, 2025
The author describes Christian Nationalism, his own religious experience, and makes suggestions for Christians to respond to Christian Nationalism. The book got better as it went along. The author’s approach seemed to be to respond to various aspects of Christian Nationalism one by one. The suggestions are good, but it seems like there needs to be a broader response that leads to Christians embracing the true gospel.
October 14, 2023
Andrew put a tremendous level of research into this writing. I'm deeply grateful for this work, confronting this idolatry.
Christian nationalism is a cultural framework that seeks to merge American and Christian identities, distorting both the Christian faith and America’s constitutional democracy. It demands a privileged place for Christianity in public life, buttressed by the active support of government at all levels.
It’s a particularly American form of idolatry. And it ought to have more visibility. This book is a start.
Christian nationalism is a cultural framework that seeks to merge American and Christian identities, distorting both the Christian faith and America’s constitutional democracy. It demands a privileged place for Christianity in public life, buttressed by the active support of government at all levels.
It’s a particularly American form of idolatry. And it ought to have more visibility. This book is a start.
February 11, 2025
Wow. Amazing. Must read given our current climate.
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