The Religion of American Greatness

What's Wrong with Christian Nationalism

By: Paul D. Miller, David French - foreword

Narrated by: Mike Lenz

Long before it featured dramatically in the 2016 presidential election, Christian nationalism had sunk deep roots in the United States.

From America's beginning, Christians have often merged their religious faith with national identity. But what is Christian nationalism? How is it different from patriotism? Is it an honest quirk, or something more threatening?

Paul D. Miller, a Christian scholar, political theorist, veteran, and former White House staffer, provides a detailed portrait of—and case against—Christian nationalism. Building on his practical expertise not only in the archives and classroom but also in public service, Miller unravels this ideology's historical importance, its key tenets, and its political, cultural, and spiritual implications.

Miller shows what's at stake if we misunderstand the relationship between Christianity and the American nation. Christian nationalism—the religion of American greatness—is an illiberal political theory, at odds with the genius of the American experiment, and could prove devastating to both church and state. Christians must relearn how to love our country without idolizing it and seek a healthier Christian political witness that respects our constitutional ideals and a biblical vision of justice.

©2022 Paul David Miller (P)2022 eChristian

Good look at Christian Nationalism

This author is a Christian and is coming from that perspective. It is a worthwhile look at how Christian Nationalism thrives in our society and the impacts it has on Christians. It gives good definitions and some practical questions for those who are Christians to ask to see if they may functioning as Christian Nationalists

very scholarly and very informative

When I purchased this, I didn't realize the deep dive this would be into a more scholarly domain. But it is very well-researched, presented, with amazing material. I am very glad that I shifted mental gears and stuck with this worthwhile presentation. I am so thankful for voices from within that are calling out both the current and former Christian Nationalist movements out as the misguided efforts they are.

Important Book — Very Important!

Paul Miller’s approach in helping me — a conservative Christian American — understand so much of what’s wrong with Christian Nationalism is not only the most comprehensive but it’s also the most intellectually honest assessment I’ve encountered in the 6 years I spent searching for “What in Hell were they thinking” when the GOP put that poser in the Oval Office.

Worth the listen for the historical summary alone.

Well explained and demonstrated history leading to the present. Highly recommended to these who have deconstructed and are reconstructing what it means to have been raised in a White Christian subculture and now see the moral rot marbling it with adult eyes. What do we do next? This book doesn’t give a satisfying plan to every hearer but it’s worth interacting with it all the same.

What makes a nation great?

I've always believed America is a great nation. Maybe that's partly because of how I was raised, but decades of reading history have only strengthened that conviction. One of the most emotional Fourth of July celebrations I ever attended wasn't in the United States—it was overseas after I'd become a missionary. What struck me most wasn't just seeing the American flag again, but seeing people who weren't Americans celebrating alongside us. It made me realize how unusual America's place has been in the world and how fortunate I was to have been born there.
That is one reason I picked up “The Religion of American Greatness” by Paul D. Miller. The subtitle, “What's Wrong with Christian Nationalism,” immediately caught my attention. After looking into the author, I was even more interested. Miller is no progressive critic of America. He is a political and theological conservative, a former CIA intelligence analyst who served in the George W. Bush White House, is strongly pro-life, and is deeply patriotic.
What he argues against is not patriotism but Christian nationalism. He carefully distinguishes love of country from the belief that America occupies a unique covenant relationship with God or that it somehow represents God's kingdom on earth. He traces how nationalism can gradually transform Christianity from a faith centered on Christ into one centered on cultural identity and political loyalty.
One of the strengths of the book is that Miller doesn't simply criticize. He spends considerable time examining what Scripture means by "nations" and "peoples," building his argument from biblical theology rather than political rhetoric. He also avoids caricatures. He acknowledges that many progressives dismiss or belittle religious conviction, helping fuel the rise of Christian nationalism. At the same time, he warns conservatives against retreating into their own ideological bubble, noting that "while conservatives are proud of their bubble, progressives deny they are in one."
Miller ultimately argues for what might be called a humble patriotism. We should celebrate America's remarkable achievements while honestly acknowledging its failures. Rather than claiming America is a new Israel or uniquely chosen by God, Christians should remember that our primary citizenship is in the Kingdom of God. That larger story gives us both the freedom to love our country and the humility to recognize its flaws.
I found his arguments thoughtful, well documented, and refreshingly balanced. He even hints that he'd like to write a similar critique of progressivism and another book on what he calls a "framework of ordered liberty." I hope he does. Both would make valuable companions to this one.
In the end, Miller reminded me that those of us who belong to Christ already possess a far greater story than any political movement can offer. If we proclaim that story faithfully, perhaps we'll also become better citizens of whatever nation God has placed us in.