Theolitics.blog

What does it mean to be an American Christian? A patriotic Christian in 21st century America? Or a Christian nationalist?

How does our faith inform our politics – or vice versa?

What theological traditions or political ideas might undergird our thinking without our even knowing it?

These are the types of questions I explore here.

Who am I? I’m an ordinary Christian and American wrestling with these matters myself.

I grew up near Washington, DC, thoroughly exposed to politics from a young age. Parents of my high school classmates represented all three branches of the federal government. Our senior class president used his dad’s campaign signs to run for school office. One friend had to move back to her home state after her parent was not re-elected. It was a unique place to absorb information about national politics.

My religious background included a wide gamut of Christian expressions. I was baptized Roman Catholic (which I didn’t know until recently!), confirmed in the Episcopal Church decades ago, and I memorized creeds and prayers without having much Biblical or theological depth.

Then, from young adulthood on, I plunged into churches emphasizing a “Biblical worldview.” I haven’t seen it all, but I’ve seen and learned quite a lot. From historic congregations like Moody Church to charismatic urban fellowships, I spent decades steeped in the American evangelical world. These churches were Biblically literate to a degree that I haven’t encountered elsewhere. I was surrounded by former missionaries, graduates of Bible colleges, and MDiv students.

The evangelical subculture was my home. I listened intently to broadcasts from Focus on the Family. I joined Bible studies published by Willow Creek Community Church. I evangelized on literal street corners. I tithed ten percent of my gross income and even sold possessions to donate to missionaries overseas.

In the end, the emphasis on the Bible as the Word of God is what led me to question what some of these organizations themselves taught. For example, examining 1 Corinthians made me question teachings at the charismatic church. Over time, I began to wonder about assertions that firmly tied evangelicalism to the Republican Party, as if allegiance to an American political organization were tantamount to following Christ.

Readers, I am a very fallible human who likes to think deeply. I don’t have all the answers. But I think many questions worth exploring tend to be glossed over in the political and religious realms. Let’s unpack some together.

Welcome to Theolitics Blog.