At our most recent Regional Assembly, we approved RA 2401: Calling Arizona Disciples to Oppose Christian Nationalism.
Part of that resolution hinges on the active participation of our regional body, regional churches, and individual Disciples to “do the work” of dismantling the problem of Christian Nationalism.
The Arizona Regional Anti-Racism Pro-Reconciliation Team is committed to helping you realized this imperative.
In January (date and time to be determined), we will begin a Region-wide study of How to End Christian Nationalismby Amanda Tyler led by the AZ ARPR Team. The author, Amanda Tyler, is a person of deep faith and the president of the BJC. Her writing is thoughtful, faithful and empowering, grounded in scripture and our moral imperative to transform systems of oppression and marginalization.
In the meantime, you or the congregation you serve with, may be interested in this short reading list or additional resources listed below (click the book covers to visit publisher’s website for each book):
The Flag and The Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy by Philip Gorski and Samuel Perry (Community Christian Church just finished this study; we have copies of the book available for use, if needed.)
Imagining Persecution: Why American Christians Believe There is a Global War Against Their Faith by Jason Bruner (Dr. Bruner is an ASU professor and a Disciple!)
White Poverty: How Exposing Myths About Race and Class Can Reconstruct American Democracy by William Barber (Rev. Dr. Barber is founding influence for The Poor People’s Campaign and a Disciple!)
Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States by Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry
Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes Du Mez (super readable and great for a church book study)
Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Chrisitan Nationalist Neighbors by Caleb Campbell (Rev. Campbell is the Lead Minister at Desert Springs Bible Church – nondenominational/evangelical – in Phoenix AZ!)
The False White Gospel by Jim Wallis (again, super readable and written by a progressive evangelical)
Inventing a Christian America: The Myth of the Religious Founding by Steven K. Green
The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism is Un American by Andrew Seidel
White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity by Robert P. Jones
The Psychology of Christian Nationalism: Why People are Drawn in and How to Talk Across the Divide by Pamela Cooper-White
Additional Resources
Arizona Faith Network often offer webinars on Christian Nationalism and other topics that aid in people becoming more informed on the impact of harmful rhetoric. Click here to view their calendar of events.
Christians Against Christian Nationalism provide podcasts that help with not only a basic understanding of what Christian Nationalism, but also the ways that it is affecting our world in real time and in relation to real events. Click this helpful link of some episodes they recommend.
Straight White American Jesus is a podcast by ex-evangelicals who now delve into the culture and politics of Christian Nationalism and the ways that it impacts the psyche of the church and those who are on the receiving end of its existence. Click here for their podcast and resources.
