NEW from me:

President Trump has sparked a rise of "Patriot Churches." https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/10/26/trump-christian-nationalism-patriot-church/?tid=ss_tw

What are Patriot Churches, you ask. Patriot Churches are about loving Jesus and loving this country.

They belong to what religion experts describe as a loosely organized Christian nationalist movement that has flourished under Trump.

From his lectern during the worship service, Pastor Ken Peters railed against perceived attacks on First Amendment freedoms, decrying government mandates and calling masks “face diapers.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/10/26/trump-christian-nationalism-patriot-church/

Having launched the Patriot Church outside Knoxville, Tenn., on 9/11 weekend, he declares that the Christian faith in America is “under attack.”

“Black Lives Matter isn’t being powered by the Holy Spirit. Antifa isn’t being powered by the Holy Spirit. They can’t save this land.”

Reading "Taking America Back for God" by @socofthesacred and @ndrewwhitehead was a real eye opener for me. It helped me understand why someone like pastor John MacArthur, who decries women preachers and pentecostalism, and pastor Paula White could work for the same end goal.

This isn't just about evangelicals. It includes Catholics, mainline Protestants +. I read a draft of @pauldmiller2's upcoming book that helps make these connections.

“What Trump has done has brought more of [sentiments about Christian nationalism] to the surface," he said.

The pastor of this Tennessee church, Ken Peters, bristles at Christians who criticize him. He was deeply troubled by a piece by @JohnPiper last week that blasted Christian nationalism.

“Have you inadvertently created the mind-set that the greatest issue in life is saving America and its earthly benefits?” John Piper wrote. “Or have you shown your people that the greatest issue is exalting Christ with or without America?”

“Piper and his friends want to make it seem like we love America more than heaven. It’s not true.” Ken Peters believes that Jesus comes first but that the country comes right behind.

Motivated by the Covid shutdowns, Peters settled near Knoxville in July after Tennessee pastor Greg Locke encouraged Peters to start a church in his state. Locke also donated $20,000 to the cause, because he believes Christians are in a kind of war with government.

After the Sunday service, Joy Stafford is one of two people in a mask, choosing to wear one because she cares for her 89-year-old mother.

“I wish there were more social distancing,” Stafford says.
“Oh, trust the Lord with your health,” another churchgoer tells her.

Another local resident, Susan Gingrich, who is a sister of Republican former House speaker Newt Gingrich, has decided to join the church.

"We’ve had it with being second-class citizens,” she says. “Even if Trump wins, the fight isn’t over.”

After church, the pastors' family piles in their car to head to the highway. They take out giant Trump flags and the American flags to wave over an overpass.

Peters especially enjoys the honks from enthusiastic truckers shouting, “God bless!”

That evening, Peters leads a group of about 20 people from Patriot Church to share popcorn and watch the film “Trump Card” from conservative activist Dinesh D’Souza.

After the movie, Peters warns that under a President Joe Biden, the “spirit of Jezebel” could spread.

Anyway-- you have to read the whole piece!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/10/26/trump-christian-nationalism-patriot-church/

Also, here are some books that have helped me understand Christian nationalism a bit more. A few (by @kathsstewart and @JohnFea1) are on my kindle, and I loaned my marked up copy of @kkdumez's book.