The Gospel According to Trump: Christian Nationalism - Dr Stephen Backhouse

Conversation from November 2020 (just after the US elections) with political theologian Dr Stephen Backhouse - all about Christian Nationalism, Trump and the American Evangelical Right.

A lot of us have had some serious questions about the alliance we've seen formed between some prominent churches and the US Republican Party over the last four years - what is going on? How can we make sense of it all?

Stephen takes us on a whistle stop tour of Christian Nationalism and how it has developed to an unprecedented level in contemporary America.

The first half of the video he is in conversation with Susie, and the second half taking questions from the audience.

00:00 Intro to Stephen, his personal faith background and academic history
14:02 Triggered by Trump holding a Bible at the BLM protests over he summer, Stephen started a podcast in response to all the questions he was getting about Christian Nationalism!
15:40 So What is going on in America? How does Trump get the political and ideological support he does from Christians?
21:08 Where does the US Evangelical Right get this persecution complex from?
22:49 Is there a particular way of reading scripture that leads to this?
30:17 What's the deal with this obsession with Israel and Zionism?
31:21 The church seeking worldly influence and 7 mountains theory
39:11 The influence of big US churches through celebrity pastors, books pushing particular theology and worship songs - is there a warning for UK churches?

Questions from the Audience

46:07 Are the US churches of this kind reacting against "works righteousness"?
50:55 How helpful is it to understand this as an American problem? Is it rooted in a particular understanding of salvation?
58:08 What other nationalist mega churches are there?
59:26 Why did you go to Bethel church given your views on them?
1:02:05 If Trump followers believe they have a right to run their country, is that why they are refusing to believe they have lost the election?
1:04:45 How will they cope when Biden is sworn in?
1:07:02 How easy would it be to turn this influence around?
1:12:25 Is there a church you DO feel comfortable in?

Stephen is an accomplished political theologian with a special interest in Soeren Kierkkerguard, a published author in political theology and church history, Dean of Theology in the Local Church at Westminster Theological College and Director of Tent Theology
www.tenttheology.com
His podcast comes highly recommended and you can find it here: https://tent-talks.simplecast.com

Видео The Gospel According to Trump: Christian Nationalism - Dr Stephen Backhouse канала University of Reading Chaplaincy