Cal Hackett

by Cal Hackett

One particularly important topic was about Biblical authoritarianism. Dr. Strait explained that Biblical authoritarianism is a way of reading the Bible that leads to the belief that national identity should be rooted in a literal interpretation of the Bible and Christianity should be imposed on others, often blending Church and government. Dr. Strait listed the passages that are often used for this interpretation of Scripture, which includes the Great Commission in the Gospel of Matthew and Genesis 1, when God told humanity to take dominion over the Earth. This interpretation has been used by Christians to justify violence, colonization, and the enslavement of people. The fear is that as Christian nationalism rises today, so will the dehumanization of others. It is deeply concerning that this is all done in the name of Jesus.

Dr. Strait made sure to recognize that dehumanizing others never leads to progress. The lectures were filled with current examples of where white supremacist Christian nationalism is alive today, such as the signs, symbols, and language at the January 6th insurrection and rhetoric from government officials on social media. There was time given for small group discussion and one thought-provoking group question was: In what ways do you think preaching the whole life of Jesus can counter processes of radicalization?

When asked about what stood out most from the event, Chase Snyder, a high school junior from Salford Mennonite, said “the way in which Christian nationalism has been slowly infusing itself into…Christian culture for sixty plus years without being noticed, and how it has become a part of people’s identity.” His observation reflected a broader sentiment shared by many attendees: a sense of surprise and concern at how gradually this kind of toxic and dogmatic form of Christian identity has gained a foothold in American culture.

The workshop left many participants reflecting on how subtle and powerful the influence of Christian nationalism can be in both religious and political life. By examining the historical roots of these ideas and how certain biblical passages have been interpreted to support them, Dr. Strait challenged attendees to think more critically about how faith is used in public discourse.

At the same time, he emphasized that responding to Christian nationalism requires more than criticism; it calls for a renewed focus on the teachings and example of Jesus. Participants were encouraged to consider how preaching and living out the whole life of Jesus, marked by humility, compassion, and care for marginalized people, can serve as a powerful counter to narratives rooted in power and exclusion. As the day concluded, many left with a deeper awareness of the issue and a renewed commitment to engage their communities thoughtfully, working toward forms of Christian witness that resist dehumanization and promote justice, humility, and faithful discipleship of Jesus.