Since insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, while many carried Christian flags, Bibles, and Jesus signs, much ink has been spilt about the dangers of Christian Nationalism. But amid all the attention to conservative evangelicals and Pentecostals, an important part of the story has been ignored: the role mainline Protestants played in creating the Christian Nationalism that threatens our democracy and undermines our Christian witness.

Now there’s a book telling the missing part of the history, Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism.

Decades before Speaker Mike Johnson, preacher Paula White-Cain, musician Sean Feucht, and others started evangelizing for Christian Nationalism in our politics and churches, mainline Protestant leaders pushed this ideology—from the Presbyterian minister who got “under God” added into the Pledge of Allegiance to the Episcopalians and others who turned “In God We Trust” into the nation’s motto. Christian Nationalism even continues to sneak into our churches today, from flags in the sanctuaries to the singing of patriotic hymns to some texts in the Book of Common Prayer. All of that and much more is unpacked in Baptizing America.

Dr. Randall Balmer praised Baptizing America for its “deep historical research and trenchant analysis.” Dr. Kristin Du Mez called it an “important new book.” And Dr. Andrew Whitehead said, “Anyone interested in confronting and opposing Christian Nationalism must read this book.”

Christian Nationalism is a danger to democracy and Christianity. Confronting it is the call of Christians today. If you are looking to better understand how Christian Nationalism emerged and how to confront it in your own church and community, then Baptizing America is the resource you need.

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