Christian Nationalism's Failure of Imagination
Karen Swallow Prior
Karen Swallow Prior presents a critical analysis of Christian nationalism, particularly as defined by Andrew L. Whitehead and Samuel L. Perry in Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States. According to Whitehead and Perry, Christian nationalism is a cultural framework that merges Christianity with American civic life, encompassing myths, traditions, symbols, narratives, and value systems. This ideology often intertwines ethnic, political, and religious elements, advocating for a divinely sanctioned authoritarianism and militarism. The article argues that idealizing a past or future can detach individuals from reality and humanity, leading to dangerous outcomes.
The critique extends to the trend of Christian nationalist fantasies, characterized by simplistic and nostalgic art and literature. These creations, such as paintings depicting Jesus alongside political figures or idealized, unchanging cathedrals, offer a distorted view of real life and faith. The article suggests that these fantasies promote a superficial and sanitized vision that neglects the complexities and diversity of a democratic society. This trend, Swallow Prior contends, fails to address the genuine challenges of coexistence and the need for a more inclusive and just community.
Swallow Prior also draws on historical examples to illustrate the dangers of conflating religious ideals with governance. Figures like Jonathan Swift and John Bunyan are highlighted for their contributions to understanding the pitfalls of nationalism, racism, and the lack of religious liberty. Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels and Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress underscore the importance of maintaining a separation between church and state to ensure true religious freedom and human dignity. The analysis concludes that fostering imaginations that engage with reality and promote genuine dialogue and understanding across differences is essential for navigating life in a diverse democracy.
The primary question Christian nationalism claims to ask—namely, what does it look like for people of faith (Christian or otherwise) to advocate in the public square for the public policies they believe will do the most public good?—cannot be answered with tropes, types, and cliches.
Karen Swallow Prior
About Karen Swallow Prior
Karen is an author and professor. Most recently she served as research Professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is the author of numerous books including On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books (Brazos 2018). She is host of the popular podcast Jane and Jesus and has a monthly column for Religion News Service. Her writing has appeared at Christianity Today, New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, First Things, Vox, Think Christian, The Gospel Coalition, Books and Culture and other places. She is a Contributing Editor for Comment, a founding member of The Pelican Project, a Senior Fellow at the Trinity Forum, a Senior Fellow at the International Alliance for Christian Education, and a Senior Fellow at the L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture.
