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American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church Hardcover – August 15, 2023

by Andrew L. Whitehead (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 116 ratings
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Foreword INDIES 2023 Book of the Year Award (GOLD Winner for Religion)

"Heartfelt, incisive, and worthy of thoughtful consideration."--Library Journal

"A fascinating investigation of politics and racism in American Christian evangelicalism."--Foreword Reviews

"An important book with an important message."--Englewood Review of Books

Power. Fear. Violence. These three idols of Christian nationalism are corrupting American Christianity.

Andrew Whitehead is a leading scholar on Christian nationalism in America and speaks widely on its effects within Christian communities. In this book, he shares his journey andreveals how Christian nationalism threatens the spiritual lives of American Christians and the church.

Whitehead shows how Christians harm their neighbors when they embrace the idols of power, fear, and violence. He uses two key examples--racism and xenophobia--to demonstrate that these idols violate core Christian beliefs. Through stories, he illuminates expressions of Christianity that confront Christian nationalism and offer a faithful path forward.

American Idolatry encourages further conversation about what Christian nationalism threatens, how to face it, and why it is vitally important to do so. It will help identify Christian nationalism and build a framework that makes sense of the relationship between faith and the current political and cultural context.
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  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Brazos Press
  4. Publication date
    August 15, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1587435764
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1587435768
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

Power

Violence

Fear

These three idols...
Jemar Tisby Endorsement
Andrew Whitehead Bio

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"With a rare combination of sociological insight and pastoral concern, Andrew Whitehead has given us an invaluable field guide to recognizing the threat that Christian nationalism poses for the integrity of Christian theology and the health of American churches, particularly those that are predominantly white. This timely and practical book serves as a much-needed moral compass in these bewildering times."
--Robert P. Jones, president and founder of Public Religion Research Institute; author of The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: And the Path to a Shared American Future

"At a moment in time when people are not taking Christianity seriously, or have been hurt by the faith, Whitehead invites us into repair. American Idolatry is a reckoning with a faith that desires power more than love. But it is also a redemption. A resurrection. And quite possibly for those who need it--a revolution. Whitehead has an important story to tell."
--Danté Stewart, award-winning author of Shoutin' in the Fire: An American Epistle

"Sociologist Andrew Whitehead's scholarship has greatly deepened America's understanding of white Christian nationalism. In American Idolatry he powerfully engages the subject on intimate terrain, that of a Christian believer deeply grieved by the ways white Christian nationalism has weaponized the faith he loves. A lively and lucid read, American Idolatry is a significant contribution to our understanding of white Christian nationalism and the social and psychological forces that underlie it."
--Obery M. Hendricks Jr., author of Christians against Christianity: How Right-Wing Evangelicals Are Destroying Our Nation and Our Faith

From the Back Cover

"Crisply written and utterly compelling"

Power. Fear. Violence. These three idols of Christian nationalism are corrupting American Christianity.

American Idolatry reveals the theological and spiritual costs of Christian nationalism for the American church. It also illuminates expressions of Christianity that confront Christian nationalism and offer a faithful path forward.

"American Idolatry is the book I would hand to anyone who is just beginning their journey of understanding white Christian nationalism or who is suspicious that it is even a problem. It moves beyond an academic analysis and reveals the deep and harmful human impact of white Christian nationalism."
--Jemar Tisby, New York Times bestselling author of The Color of Compromise and How to Fight Racism; professor, Simmons College of Kentucky

"What is Christian nationalism and why does it matter? Whitehead cuts through the confusion with this powerful and timely book. Crisply written and utterly compelling, American Idolatry will serve as an essential primer for anyone seeking to understand our current moment so we can chart a path toward a more just and compassionate future."
--Kristin Kobes Du Mez, New York Times bestselling author of Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation

"This is a book whose time has come. With the precision of a scholar and the passion of a faithful Christian, Whitehead clarifies the difference between Christianity and Christian nationalism. By the end of this book, one discovers that it's not only Christian nationalists who betray the gospel but also those Christians who remain quiet in the face of it. Required reading for anyone who claims to be Christian in this time of Christian nationalist fervor."
--Kelly Brown Douglas, former dean of Episcopal Divinity School, professor, Union Theological Seminary

"We need this book. Now. With skill and grace, Whitehead explains the dangerous ideologies undergirding Christian nationalism, traces how it has infected the church, and provides practical guidance for those of us fighting it in our own communities. This is a book you should give to your friends, your family, and your pastor."
--Beth Allison Barr, professor, Baylor University; author of The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Brazos Press (August 15, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1587435764
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1587435768
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 116 ratings

About the author

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Andrew L. Whitehead

Andrew L. Whitehead

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Andrew Whitehead is a Professor of Sociology at Indiana University Indianapolis. He has been interviewed on NBC News, NPR, and the BBC. He has also written for the Washington Post, Time, NBC News, and the Religion News Service, where he examines Christian nationalism, religion and American culture, and childhood disability and religion.

His work has won several awards including the 2023 Gold Medal Book Award for Religion from Foreword Reviews for his book American Idolatry and the 2021 Distinguished Book Award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion for his book Taking America Back for God. He has also won distinguished article awards from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion and the Association for the Sociology of Religion. In 2023 he was awarded the Indiana University Indianapolis Research Trailblazer Award and the Outstanding Tenure Track Faculty Award from the Indiana University Indianapolis School of Liberal Arts.

Andrew Whitehead is also a Project Director at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at IUPUI, and a co-Director of the Association of Religion Data Archives, the world's largest online religion data archive.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
116 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the writing clear and helpful with good insight into a scary topic.

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ContentReadability
5 customers mention "Content"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides good insight into a scary topic, and significant material for preaching and reflection in Bible study. They also say the writing is clear and the examples are helpful.

"...An author visit by Dr. Whitehead capped a series of lively, informative discussions that I have found useful in both spiritual and civic aspects of..." Read more

"This book does a good job of combining the social science research on the topic of Christian nationalism with the author's own reflections on how..." Read more

"...The writing is clear and examples are helpful. I suggest others read this to realize how powerful and scary this movement truly is." Read more

"...power, fear, and violence is incredibly helpful and offers significant material for preaching and reflection in Bible study...." Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing clear and helpful.

"...scholarship with his personal experiences and clear writing style made for an engaging read...." Read more

"...The writing is clear and examples are helpful. I suggest others read this to realize how powerful and scary this movement truly is." Read more

"A well-written, if repetitive invitation to challenge your views and assumptions..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Carol
5.0 out of 5 stars A Wake-up Call
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2024
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As one who has spent a lifetime in mainline Protestant Churches, I found Dr. Whitehead's book an essential "wake-up call." It addresses the critical, constitutional boundary between church and state that has become alarmingly blurred. The integration of his academic scholarship with his personal experiences and clear writing style made for an engaging read. American Idolatry was a terrific choice for our Bookclub. An author visit by Dr. Whitehead capped a series of lively, informative discussions that I have found useful in both spiritual and civic aspects of my life. Bravo!
One person found this helpful
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Jason S.
4.0 out of 5 stars A well-written, if repetitive invitation to challenge your views and assumptions
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2023
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I was raised in a conservative family in a conservative town in a conservative state in a conservative region. I am Mormon, and I am not blind to the influences of our protestant origins, white christian nationalism, colonialism, the Doctrine of Discovery, racism (and the list goes on). My religious tradition falls within the authors definition of white christian nationalism. I do not contend this. I read this book based on the recommendation of a friend who I trust. It challenged some my core assumptions and beliefs. I am peace with the challenge, and welcome it as an opportunity to practice a more pure christianity. I eagerly read the book in an effort to stand outside of myself and my sociality and try to understand. This book is a worthy read. It's a shame that those who need to read it most will decry it as heresy without ever cracking the cover. The only critique I have is that key soundbites are repetitive throughout the chapters. I think this is done purposefully to drive important ideas home for the reader...but it did get repetitive.
13 people found this helpful
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Allan H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Good insight into a scary topic
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2024
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This book does a good job of combining the social science research on the topic of Christian nationalism with the author's own reflections on how that movement betrays the values of Jesus and what true Christianity is supposed to be about.
Christian nationalism, both in its phony American history but especially in its view that Christians and Christianity should be privileged by the government, is a threat both to the American social and governmental fabric and also to the integrity and witness of the Christian church. This book lays out some of these threats in an accessible and effective way. Too bad most of those who need its message of correction won't read it, but maybe at least a few pastors can get the message and muster enough courage to speak up against this deplorable doctrine.

-- Allan Harvey, co-author of "Christ or Caesar: Church and Nation in Christian Perspective"
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and educational
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2024
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This book helped me understand Christian Nationalism and how it has developed and grown over the years. The writing is clear and examples are helpful. I suggest others read this to realize how powerful and scary this movement truly is.
One person found this helpful
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Sarah Hart
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent explanation of the harm from White Christian Nationalism
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2024
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The message in this book is sorely needed right now. I listened to the audiobook first and then ordered 3 hard copies so I'd have 2 to give away. White Christian Nationalism is an enormous threat both to the freedom of the pluralistic society we hope to build and maintain in the USA and to the witness and credibility of the Christian Church. A church interested in power and dominance is not a church that is interested in following Christ.
One person found this helpful
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D. Shaffer
4.0 out of 5 stars What has become of us?
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2024
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A very enlightening "expose" of the right wing Christian church. I'm afraid the author's solution to the current situation is totally inadequate. We have turned a corner in this country with respect to the mixing of politics and religion and are now going down an unrecoverable path that is leading us in to a whole new type of religion in America where the traditional evangelical church is almost totally co-opted by demagogues and charlitans; not that that is anything new, but is now a "religious" power.
4 people found this helpful
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Elaine
5.0 out of 5 stars What's Going on?
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2024
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A mist read for people trying to understand Christo-fascism and it's roots and effects.
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Drew J. Strait
5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Important Book on Christian Nationalm for Christians against CN to Read Right Now
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2023
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No one has done more than Andrew Whitehead to help pastors, organizers, and lay persons understand what Christian nationalism is and why it's incompatible with the life and teachings of Jesus. Whitehead's idolatry paradigm of power, fear, and violence is incredibly helpful and offers significant material for preaching and reflection in Bible study. This book is my go-to recommendation for resisters and rejecters of Christian nationalism, including those who just want to know what all the fuss is about. Buy this book and find others in your community to discuss it with!
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Top reviews from other countries

Njamajama
5.0 out of 5 stars Tells it Like It Is
Reviewed in Canada on October 7, 2023
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If you claim to follow Jesus, you need to do the things he did, to love the ones he cared for, and to give up your “rights” in the sacrificial service of those whom he said will inherit the earth. This book comes as a gracious but unambiguous warning to entitled white Christians intent on preserving their power, rather than becoming like the Jesus they claim to follow.
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M. Wagner
1.0 out of 5 stars Liberation theology for beginners
Reviewed in Canada on June 16, 2024
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This book appears to be an attempt by a young professor from a conservative evangelical background to ingratiate himself with America's progressive elite.

Earlier in the book, he uses a tighter definition of white Christian nationalism, and notes the conundrum that many racial and ethnic minorities fall within that category. He explains away the problem by saying that the term “white” doesn't “refer to the skin color or racial identity” but to “whiteness.” Later in the book, he uses an expanded definition whereby Christian nationalism is blamed for America’s history of slavery, lynchings and racial segregation. Basically, anything evil in American history (and there were lots of evils, to be sure) was the result of Christian nationalism.

According to Whitehead, Christian nationalism continues to publicly manifest its wickedness today by demanding that the Ten Commandments be displayed at county courthouses and by demanding “the right for coaches to lead prayers at the fifty-yard line of a high school football field.” It also entails support for capital punishment, support for voter integrity laws, and an infatuation with “the right to bear arms.” Pure evil. In Whitehead’s view, this is clear evidence that American Christians have betrayed the true gospel, which is more concerned with “a fundamental realignment of the power structures of society.”

In short, this book will appeal to secular progressives who are looking for a version of Christianity that will provide a type of religious veneer for their ideology.
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Stephen DeKuyper
1.0 out of 5 stars One Trick Pony
Reviewed in Canada on August 23, 2023
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I was hoping for a more expansive critique of Christian Nationalism, but it really just focused on the racism aspect.
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