Three Books That Push Back Against Christian Nationalism
My friend
runs a great YouTube channel where she often highlights books she loves and wants others to discover. Watching her, I thought, why not do the same? So, consider this my shameless rip-off of Carmen’s idea. (Thanks, Carmen, for the inspiration.)Today I highlight three books that challenge the political ideology of American Christian Nationalism. Each approaches the topic differently, but together they offer a rich, thoughtful resource for anyone who wants to understand why this ideology doesn’t square with Scripture or the way of Jesus.
1. American Christian Nationalism by
This is probably the most accessible of the three. Austin provides a clear overview of American Christian Nationalism and demonstrates why it is fundamentally at odds with the teachings of the Bible. If you’re looking for a place to start—something you can read and share easily—this is the one.
2. The Religion of American Greatness by Paul D. Miller
This book is one of my favorites. Miller takes a head-on approach, directly engaging the arguments of Christian Nationalist authors and showing where they fall short. If you want a serious, robust engagement with the intellectual roots of Christian Nationalism, Miller offers it here.
3. Political Visions and Illusions by
This is a bit more broad. Koyzis explores multiple political visions, including liberalism, democracy, socialism, nationalism, and maps out both their insights and their failures. His chapter on nationalism in particular is valuable, helping us understand not only American Christian Nationalism but also the larger phenomenon of nationalism as it has appeared across history and around the world.
Taken together, these three books can help us see why Christian Nationalism is ultimately a dead-end ideology, and why the hope, belonging, and purpose it promises can only be found in Christ and His kingdom.
So, if you’re looking for your next reading stack, I’d commend these three.
Oh, and if you have topics you’d like book recommendations on, post it in the comments below!
