This story was originally published by Religion Unplugged.
Key Points
- The radicalization of some evangelicals in America goes beyond simple Christian nationalism to a more dangerous ideology of Christian supremacy, fueled by highbrow Calvinists and populist charismatics.
- Christian supremacists advocate for Christianity’s privileged space in society and for Christians to dominate, reflecting a shift from benign nationalism to a militant, theologically-driven agenda.
- This movement has roots in the Christian Reconstructionism of the 1960s and 70s, aiming for a societal overhaul according to dominion theology, and has significant implications for American democracy and religious freedom.
The discussion about the radicalization of some evangelical Christians in the United States extends beyond the realm of Christian nationalism into a more alarming territory of Christian supremacy.
This ideology is spearheaded by two main groups: highbrow Calvinists and populist charismatics, both of which draw inspiration from the Christian Reconstructionist movement of the 1960s and 70s. These groups envision a society where Christianity has precedence, advocating for a “dominion theology” that seeks to establish Christian dominance in various societal sectors.
Unlike the sentimental Christian nationalism of the past, which generally did not pose a direct threat to American democracy, Christian supremacists aim for a significant overhaul of societal norms, advocating for a society governed by Christian doctrine.
This movement has become more organized and aggressive, with influential figures and movements pushing for this radical agenda. The implications of this shift are profound, affecting the foundational principles of American democracy, such as the separation of church and state and religious freedom.
Julie Roys reports:
But today, at the other end of the Christian nationalism spectrum, is a more perilous style of Christian politics, presented by very hard-line, very programmatic Christians who aim to dominate society…
There are at least two major strands of Christian supremacy operating in the U.S. today: the highbrow Calvinists and the populist charismatics. Both groups are Protestant, and both have theological roots in an obscure group of Reformed (Calvinist) American theologians called the ‘Christian Reconstructionists,’ who emerged in the 1960s and 1970s…
These theological intellectuals of the Christian far right are radicalizing more run-of-the-mill Christian nationalists. Reconstructionist luminaries today include people like Stephen Wolfe, a scholar with a Ph.D. in political theory who argues full-throatedly in his book ‘The Case for Christian Nationalism’ that ‘Non-Christians … are not entitled to political equality.'”
| Themes | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Impact on Democracy | – Might mobilize a base for political action. | – Undermines democratic principles by advocating for the supremacy of one group. |
| Religious Freedom | – Promotes vigorous religious discourse. | – Threatens the religious freedom of non-Christian groups. |
| Societal Cohesion | – Could foster a sense of unity among like-minded individuals. | – Risks deepening societal divisions and inciting intolerance. |
Questions to Consider
- How does the rise of Christian supremacy challenge the principles of religious freedom and pluralism?
- What are the potential consequences for American democracy if the agenda of Christian supremacists gains more traction?
- How can evangelicals navigate the fine line between participating in politics and endorsing an ideology that seeks to dominate rather than contribute to a pluralistic society?
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