Straight White American Jesus

Latest Episodes:

Christian Supremacists Are Radicalizing Your Neighbors via the 7 Mt. Mandate Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

Matt Taylor joins Brad to discuss a new breed of chauvinistic, theologically bull-headed Christian nationalists who might be better called “Christian supremacists.” These hard-liners believe that Christianity deserves a privileged space in American society — that Christians, being better than other human beings, should be entitled to a superior form of citizenship. They claim that Christians are even destined by God to rule over society. What is hazy nostalgia to the “God Bless America” crowd is an organized theological and political program for the Christian supremacists.

BONUS CONTENT: AOC outlines why she fears Mike Johnson's plans in 2024 . . .

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Matt Taylor's article: https://religionunplugged.com/news/2024/4/8/the-peril-radicalizing-some-evangelicals-goes-beyond-christian-nationalism

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Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163

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Weekly Roundup: Trump's Abortion Strategy Emerges and the NAR Converts Gen Z Apr 12, 2024

Show notes

We kick things off with a humorous reflection on Dan's eclipse-chasing escapade in Vermont, drawing parallels to the comical misanthropy of Larry David. We then segue into a critical discussion on Donald Trump's latest strategic remarks on abortion and the perplexing enforcement of a Civil War-era law in Arizona, contemplating the broader ramifications these developments hold for political dynamics and individual rights.

We then spotlight a movement to convert Gen Z in through anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and a focus on spiritual warfare. Called, "California Will Be Saved," it represents the powerful undercurrents of Christian nationalism sweeping through movements in California, and the assertive presence of spiritual warfare in Southern California's public spaces. The conversation spotlights the diverse leaders who are redefining conservative Christianity and the challenges they present, from their confrontational worship rallies to the influential Seven Mountains Mandate. We hover on the complexity of this movement's multiethnic and multiracial fabric, and its unsettling reach into the lives of Gen Z and the LGBTQ community.

To cap off thE episode, we analyze the amicus brief on presidential immunity written by American historians and submitted in Trump immunity case at SCOTUS.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163

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It's In the Code Ep. 94: How Christian Focus on Death Affects Reproductive Rights Apr 10, 2024

Show notes

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/

In this episode, Dan continues talking with Beatrice Marovich, author of Sister Death: Political Theologies for Living and Dying. In this episode, she talks with us about the concrete social and political effects of a Christian and cultural fixation on death, particularly as it relates to reproductive rights. She also talks with us about ways of thinking beyond death that move away from the traditional Christian notion of an “afterlife.”

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163

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When Extremists Take Over . . . You Run for Office (+ Bonus Content: Dawkins' God Delusion) Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

Kaylee Peterson is running for congress in Idaho. She's a thirty-something working-class mom who saw her hometown taken over by extreme right-wing politicians through coordinate funding and marketing campaigns. She explains why big money interests and Christian nationalists are teaming up in her state and creating one of the most radical political climates in the country - ravaging public schools and decimating the health care system, not to mention cultivating a sense of intimidation all over Idaho.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163

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Surprise Episode: Fargo Season 5: Christian Nationalism, Patriarchy, and Pancakes Apr 07, 2024

Show notes

Surprise! Brad sat down with Rev. Angela Denker to discuss Fargo Season 5, a series rife with Christian nationalism and related themes: violence, patriarchy, and right-wing authoritarianism. It's also a series full of love, forgiveness, and the hope of going home.

Angela Denker is a Lutheran pastor and veteran journalist. She has written for many publications, including Sports Illustrated, The Washington Post, and FORTUNE magazine. Denker has appeared on CNN, BBC and SkyNews to share her research on politics and Christian Nationalism in the U.S. Her book, "Red State Christians: A Journey Into Christian Nationalism and the Wreckage It Leaves Behind," was the 2019 Silver Foreword Indies award-winner for political and social sciences.

Buy Red State Christians: https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506482507/Red-State-Christians

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Weekly Roundup: Easter/Trans Visibility Day + Abortion is a Religious Right Apr 06, 2024

Show notes

In the first segment, Dan and Brad discuss the growing call to overturn the 22nd Amendment in order for Trump to be president for more than two terms. They analyze why this is a step on the way to authoritarianism and one more sign of teetering democracy in the USA.

In the second segment, the hosts turn to the outcry of Trans Visibility Day and Easter falling on the same day. Dan outlines how Christian natinoalists frame this as a faith vs. trans lives debate, while Brad turns to the rich history of Christian queer theology to explain that many Christians from the past thought of Christ himself as queer - and even trans.

In the final segment, the hosts discuss the recent ruling in Indiana that allows for abortions in cases related to religious freedom. In essence, the winning argument is that abortion is a religious right because of its practice in many traditions.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163

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It's In the Code Ep. 93: Rethinking the Relationship Between Life and Death Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

Life and death are commonly seen as representing the starkest of binaries: Death is the ultimate adversary of all that lives. Dan talks with Dr. Beatrice Marovich, faculty at Hanover University, who argues that such understandings of mortality have been deeply influenced by a strain of Christian political theology that has left its mark on both religious and secular narratives. Adapting the figure of “Sister Death” from Saint Francis of Assisi, she calls for recognizing that life and death are family, rather than enemies.

Buy Sister Death here: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/sister-death/9780231208376

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163

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Bonus Ep. 3: That Time Brad Was a Fisher of Fish Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

On this two-hour bonus episode, Brad and Dan are joined by Brad's former ministry partner and friend of 25 years Jason Thompson. They recount an absurd, whimsical, and somehow instructive story of flinging fresh fish at a wall with teenagers in order to build the Kingdom of God.

From there they answer a bunch of AMA questions, and then finish with Dan taking the group through the idea that if you label anyone a Christian nationalist, then you label every person of Christian faith a Christian nationalist. It's Dan ranting at his best, with commentary from Brad and Jason.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

Order Brad's book: https://www.amazon.com/Preparing-War-Extremist-Christian-Nationalism/dp/1506482163

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Not Just Evangelicals: The Christian Nationalism Problem in Mainline Christian Spaces Apr 01, 2024

Show notes

Brad speaks to Dr. Brian Kaylor and Beau Underwood about their new book, "Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism." They discuss how those Christians who are often thought of as liberal and/or progressive not only shaped key Christian nationalist dynamics of the present moment, but also perpetuate them in various ways.

Buy Baptizing America: https://chalicepress.com/products/baptizing-america

In the bonus content for subscribers, Brad talks about how reactions to the Baltimore bridge disaster reveal a country on the brink of divorce.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

Order Brad's book: https://www.amazon.com/Preparing-War-Extremist-Christian-Nationalism/dp/1506482163

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Weekly Roundup: Trump Endorses Bible Days Before Easter Mar 30, 2024

Show notes

In the first segment, Dan breaks down the mess at NBC where Ronna Romney McDaniel was ousted from her position after protest by numerous on-air figures. While some have labeled this a travesty of a biased news environment, Dan explains why McDaniel should not be on any credible news network because of her track record of undermining elections, democracy, and the free press.

In the second segment, the attention turns to a new bill in South Carolina that provides life insurance for embryos.

In the final segment, the hosts spend significant time on the news that Trump is selling the God Bless USA Bible - the "only Bible endorsed by President Trump." It's blasphemous. It's craven. And it's another watershed moment in a decade of political and religious embarrassments. But, what will its impact be on voters?

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

Order Brad's book: https://www.amazon.com/Preparing-War-Extremist-Christian-Nationalism/dp/1506482163

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