Anabaptist theologian Drew J. Strait specializes in political idolatry, peacemaking and how congregations can challenge violent extremism. An associate professor of New Testament and Christian origins at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, he offers a course to the public on “Resisting Christian Nationalism with the Gospel of Peace.” Anabaptist World editor Paul Schrag interviewed him about his new book, Strange Worship: Six Steps for Challenging Christian Nationalism, published by Cascade.

What is Christian nationalism? Why do you call it “strange worship”?

In the U.S. context, Christian nationalism is the myth that God has a special relationship with and purpose for the United States. It exchanges loyalty to God’s ways in Jesus for loyalties to the militarized kingdoms of this world. It’s a false gospel with authoritarian impulses, seeking Christian supremacy over laws, public schools and culture. I follow the ancient Jewish practice of calling the worship of gods, kings and empire “strange worship” — in Hebrew, avodah zarah.

Has Christian nationalism infiltrated U.S. Anabaptist churches?

It certainly has. I first got wind of this when I attended the Mennonite Church USA convention in 2009. I had recently converted to Anabaptism from evangelicalism and was excited to be around Christians who value Jesus’ way of peace. I was shocked to learn from Mennonite pastors that many of their congregants had been radicalized by right-wing radio. I’m concerned that some of the congregations leaving MC USA are embracing mainstream evangelical spirituality. This can become a slippery slope to endorsing the Christian nationalism that pervades American evangelicalism.

How can Anabaptists resist Christian nationalism?

First, take exceptional care of our spiritual selves and our mental health. Next, create spaces to define Christian nationalism. We can’t resist something unless we can name what we’re resisting. Congregations are an ideal place to do this. The most important thing is to bear witness to the whole life of Jesus. Christian nationalism is a reductionistic and false gospel of power worship. The true gospel is an invitation to participate in the restoration of all things through Jesus’ way of peace. Anabaptists can leverage our peace witness for the common good.

You refer to White Christian nationalism. How are national idolatry and racial privilege connected?

Anti-immigrant and anti-Black racism are hallmarks of White Christian nationalism. This is aided by “replacement theory,” the idea that immigrants are invading the U.S. to replace White people’s power over government and culture. The preservation of White power is the fuel that fires the engine of White Christian nationalism. We need to address the idol of Whiteness in the church because it distorts God’s embrace of all humanity as created in God’s image.

Christian nationalism tends to be associated with conservatism. Is there a progressive version?

Anyone’s theological imagination can be co-opted by state power, regardless of party affiliation. My book offers Christians on the left and right a guide for when loyalty to political power becomes strange worship. That said, it’s been suggested that progressive Christians are mirroring the playbook of the religious right. I think this is inaccurate. Most progressive Christians I know are suspicious of militarism, White supremacy, Zionism, patriarchy, homophobia, authoritarianism and blind patriotism. I like how the Poor People’s Campaign thinks about this: “It’s not about left and right; it’s about right and wrong.”

You say, “Our brains love fake news.” Why is that? How can people who inhabit different realities have a conversation?

Facebook’s mission statement is to give people “the power to build community and bring the world closer together.” The irony is that Americans are living in a pandemic of loneliness. On the internet, misinformation travels six times faster than true information. Sharing fake news can create a dopamine rush in the brain. Americans are more polarized than ever as we interpret reality inside our information silos. Pastors and congregations need to educate congregants about how to detect fake news. Building community to address loneliness is also crucial. The latter is especially important for Christians being radicalized online in search of connection and community.

How can we use the Bible to challenge Christian nationalism?

The Bible is being abused to lord power over others. I call this biblical authoritarianism. I just spent a sabbatical investigating how the Bible is used inside what journalist Jeff Sharlet calls the Trumpocene — a space where White Christian nationalism flourishes through fascist politics, White grievances and self-proclaimed prophets who offer biblical proof texts to legitimate Donald Trump’s messianic status. Since the Bible is a shared sacred text for Christian nationalists and Christians challenging Christian nationalism, one of the most helpful things we can do with our Christian nationalist neighbors is show them a more comprehensive and liberating story in the biblical narrative.

Is Christian nationalism uniquely American?

No. Brazilian evangelicals supported Jair Bolsonaro’s fascist agenda; many Ethiopian evangelicals support Abiy Ahmed’s genocidal war; Russian Orthodox priests bless weapons of mass destruction. Teaching with Christians from all over the world has led me to the conviction that Christian nationalism is the global church’s elephant in the room. Christians around the globe urgently need to discern the boundaries of our loyalty to the kingdoms of this world.

How has working with Anabaptists in Ethiopia influenced your view of Christian nationalism?

This summer, when I taught at Meserete Kristos Seminary in Ethiopia, my students asked me to speak at a conference on Christian nationalism. We did a deep dive into Jesus’ negotiation of political idolatry and thought deeply about Paul’s transformation from a violent extremist to a peacemaker. We imagined how our churches can challenge polarization and violent extremism. From Ethiopian pastors and leaders, I’ve learned there is a cost to challenging political idolatry, and we need to pray for courage and wisdom. I’m inspired by Mennonites in Ethiopia boldly doing this work in the middle of an ethnic and genocidal conflict.

What’s your advice for Anabaptists in an election year?

Don’t look away from politics. Break silence in your communities by organizing spaces to talk about Christian nationalism’s threat to democracy and the church’s witness. Pray daily, in a posture of lament, for your political and theological “enemies.” Take care of your spiritual self. Fast from social media one day a week. When it is safe to do so, interrupt online disinformation and conspiracy theories among your family and friends with curiosity, empathy and self-control. Remind others that following Jesus means loving our enemies, embracing the vulnerable and liberating the oppressed, because the Bible tells us so.