There's been a lot of talk about Christian nationalism these past few years—but what is it exactly? A lot of people use the term too broadly or in imprecise ways, and not just in the popular press (which is to be expected) but even among experts. The subject is in desperate need of some careful and serious treatment, by someone who isn't predisposed to be hostile to conservative Christianity and so is able to give a balanced perspective. That's where Paul Miller comes in.
There are many good things about this book. One is that although Miller is an opponent of nationalism, he doesn't devote his energy to straw-manning or moralistically demonizing it. He reads some of the most intellectually serious works on the topic, presents the arguments in the strongest form that he is able, but then explains why he thinks those arguments are misguided and the nationalist perspective is ultimately inimical to pluralistic democracy. He exercises a charity and good-faith approach often absent from our political and religious debates these days, though he doesn't soft-pedal. Having said that, I will note that I don't think a single one of the sources Miller engages would actually describe themselves as "Christian nationalists" (though some may be both Christians and nationalists) and they don't always map perfectly onto his definition. The Catholic integralists, for instance, are pretty down on liberal democracy even in theory (as opposed to nationalists who preach it but don't practice it) and don't have much reverence for the American founding, so is it really accurate to call them American Christian nationalists? Nevertheless, Miller does more than anyone else has to identify the intellectual sources of Christian nationalism and grapple with their ideas.
Another positive aspect of this book is that Miller doesn't just identify and condemn Christian nationalism, but also offers a better way: Christian republicanism. With a Christian republican approach, Christians can engage in the public sphere and advocate their views, but do so while preserving and respecting the boundaries of liberal democracy rather than trying to undermine them. The pro-life movement would be an example of Christian republicanism; so was the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. He argues that the Christian Right contains elements of Christian republicanism and speaks that language. But their lack of interest in social justice and prominent role in the Trump coalition shows that what they practice is often Christian nationalism. I appreciate this perspective, first, because Miller seeks to separate the wheat from the chaff rather than offering blanket condemnations, and second, because it offers hope. Christians don't have to abandon all their convictions or back out of the public sphere altogether. They just have to engage in politics in a more thoroughly and authentically Christian way. Easier said than done, of course, but it gives those of us who want a healthier conservative Christian politics something to work with, and points to better angels in our nature.
A related point: Miller argues that Christian nationalism isn't just a matter of what people believe, but also of their motivations (what's "in our hearts"). Do we engage in politics to create a more just society, or just to maintain our own power and influence? Are we advocating the needs of others, or just protecting our own interests? That's not always obvious, even to us, and it's not something you can detect in a survey. It's a question all of us need to ask ourselves, and often, especially if we purport to offer a Christian witness in public life.
Of course, this book isn't perfect. It's long and fairly academic—which doesn't bother me but may be a turn-off for more casual readers. Miller doesn't definitively resolve every ambiguity around the idea of Christian nationalism, and there are some things I either didn't quite buy, or wish he'd covered in more depth. Are displays of religion in public life instances of Christian nationalism? Say, crosses on public land or presidents swearing oaths on the Bible? Miller doesn't have a lot to say about this. Relatedly, Miller states matter-of-factly that religious liberty should be protected, and that fighting for religious liberty doesn't constitute Christian nationalism. But how broadly is he defining religious liberty? Virtually everyone agrees that religious liberty is good and should be defended; what they don't agree on is what it is. Miller doesn't give much of an answer. Furthermore, Miller argues that it's good for Christians to advocate positions in political life that are informed by their Christianity—again, as in the pro-life or Civil Rights movements—but bad for them to try to use the political process to protect Christian culture. But is the line between culture and not-culture necessarily that clear-cut? The general point here is that I don't come away from this book with a perfect understanding of how his analysis of Christian nationalism maps on to many of our current national controversies surrounding religion in public life. He offers some helpful guidelines, certainly, but they leave a lot of gray areas.
But those complaints are relatively minor relative to everything Miller achieves with this book. Anyone interested in the topic of Christian nationalism should consider this essential reading. I hope it advances the larger conversation in a positive direction.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Great on Kindle
Great Experience. Great Value.
Putting our best book forward
Each Great on Kindle book offers a great reading experience, at a better value than print to keep your wallet happy.
Explore your book, then jump right back to where you left off with Page Flip.
View high quality images that let you zoom in to take a closer look.
Enjoy features only possible in digital – start reading right away, carry your library with you, adjust the font, create shareable notes and highlights, and more.
Discover additional details about the events, people, and places in your book, with Wikipedia integration.
Get the free Kindle app: 
Enjoy a great reading experience when you buy the Kindle edition of this book. Learn more about Great on Kindle, available in select categories.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
Frequently bought together
$19.49
Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11
In Stock
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the brand
From the Publisher
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
