Countering Christian Nationalism in Good Faith

In this virtual conversation moderated by Sojourners editor in chief Betsy Shirley, panelists Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, Rev. Caleb E. Campbell, Rev. Pamela Cooper White, and Sojourners president Rev. Adam Russell Taylor explored hopeful actions that can counter the dangerous beliefs and strategies of Christian nationalism.

About the panelists: 

• Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove is assistant director for partnerships at the Yale Center for Public Theology and Public Policy. A preacher, author, and community cultivator, Jonathan is the author of numerous books, most recently, of White Poverty: How Exposing Myths About Race and Class Can Reconstruct American Democracy with William J. Barber II. His efforts to counter Christian nationalism include his leadership on The Poor People’s Campaign and Repairers of the Breach, a moral movement that “aims to reclaim the language of morality from religious extremists” and instead “declare that the concerns of our faith traditions are how our society treats the people impacted by systemic oppression.”
   
• Rev. Dr. Pamela Cooper-White is an emerita professor of psychology and religion at Union Theological Seminary, where she also served as dean and vice president. She is a recently retired Episcopal priest who served 8 years as assisting priest at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Her work to counter Christian nationalism includes her most recent book, The Psychology of Christian Nationalism, which was awarded a gold medal from the INDIE independent publishers. In the book, Pam uses her expertise in both ministry and psychology to offer suggestions for those trying to engage in conversations with Christian nationalists—as well as tips for when those conversations are (and aren’t) most productive. 
   
• Rev. Caleb E. Campbell is lead pastor at Desert Springs Bible Church, a nondenominational congregation in Phoenix, Ariz., where he has worked since 2006. He is a doctoral student at Fuller Theological Seminary and serves on the board of United Pastors of Arizona, is the statewide regional director of the Surge Network, and is one of the founders of the J29 Coalition. His work to counter Christian nationalism is outlined in his book Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbors and though his website Disarming Leviathan which ffers practical tools and resources for people seeking to reach Christian Nationalists with the hope-filled message of the gospel of Jesus in their communities, churches, and families.
   
• Rev. Adam Russell Taylor is president of Sojourners and author of A More Perfect Union: A New Vision for Building the Beloved Community. He is a gifted preacher and lecturer, ordained in both the American Baptist Church and the Progressive National Baptist Convention. He serves in ministry at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va. Adam’s work countering Christian nationalism includes his speaking and writing ministry, as well as his leadership as one of four core leaders of Faiths United to Save Democracy, a nonpartisan, multi-racial, multi-faith, and multi-generation voter protection campaign. Faiths United is focused on the states of Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Additional resources available include the September-October 2024 issue of Sojourners magazine and this free two page discussion guide .