Drew Strait (“False power gospel,” October) defines Christian nationalism as the myth that God has a special relationship with and purpose for the United States. I’m not so sure we can distinguish so clearly between American (especially Protestant) Christianity and American Christian nationalism. Western Christianity in general envisions a hierarchy of power, with the power of God being analogous to and mediated through the coercive power of government. Only the dissenting sectarians, such as the Anabaptists and later the English Quakers, articulated a vision of Christianity that clearly separated it from the power of the state. 

I remember a book called Preachers Present Arms, a compendium of sermons from mainline American Protestant pulpits leading up to and during World War I. Current American Protestant political theology is the direct heir of the ideology in these sermons. It is not surprising that those who embrace Protestant evangelical spirituality embrace Christian nationalism.

Daniel Liechty, Normal, Ill.

I appreciated Drew Strait’s presentation on Oct. 8 at Kern Road Mennonite Church in South Bend, Ind., on challenging Christian nationalism and building peace in an age of extremism. He said Christian nationalism is growing in Mennonite churches. I have tried to understand what people are thinking as they embrace Christian nationalism. It seems similar to a belief in the “trickle-down theory,” which says benefits trickle down from the powerful rich to everyone else, and therefore it is legitimate to pursue power because others will also benefit. But the trickle gets very thin toward the end, leaving a large group of the poor and wounded. It is important to respond thoughtfully when asked about our actions, saying how our reading of the Bible leads us to love our enemies and neighbors. It is also important to listen to what others say about how they read the Bible and what living the Jesus way means to them.

Albert Steiner, Evanston, Ill.