Overview

Christian nationalism threatens democracies and the church's witness around the world. In the US, the election of Donald Trump and the January 6 Capitol insurrection spilled Christian power worship into public view. Since then, we have worked hard to define what American Christian nationalism is and where it came from--but how do we challenge it? Strange Worship offers tangible steps for resisting political idolatry, violent extremism, dominion theology, threats to democracy, and the personal isolation and loneliness that lead to radicalization. By drawing from the fields of biblical studies, theology, and peace and security studies, Strange Worship invites congregations to disrupt theologies of oppression and architect a more just church and world.

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9781666760910

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"""Drew Strait offers important, practical guidelines for opposing Christian nationalism from a Christian framework. The metaphor of 'strange worship' is an apt description of the racist idolatry of white Christian nationalism and will be a helpful tool for Christians who want to understand and resist this toxic right-wing ideology that masquerades under the banner of 'Christianity.'"" --Pamela Cooper-White, professor of psychology and religion, Union Theological Seminary ""On a day when the tide of Christian nationalism seems to be ever-swelling in America, Drew J. Strait gives us a clear, reasoned, and hopeful alternative to resignation and despair. Strange Worship offers practical and faith-centered tools for Americans to witness, fight back, and join together in a mission toward peaceful community."" --Angela Denker, author of Red State Christians: Understanding the Voters Who Elected Donald Trump ""With its potent blend of insight and urgency, Drew Strait holds up the un-armed, multicultural church as a lantern to reveal the shadows of Christian nationalism as a misguided and dangerous perversion of Christianity. Strange Worship offers the church a way forward with intergenerational, interdisciplinary, and ecumenical spaces to recharge and refocus."" --Lisa Schirch, professor of the practice of technology and peacebuilding, University of Notre Dame ""Christian nationalism is one of the ideologies that perverts the Jesus-way of life. Yet followers of Jesus might not know how to respond to the Christian nationalist movement, with some being tempted to throw their hands up in surrender. As Drew Strait observes in Strange Worship, 'The danger for anyone challenging Christian nationalism is giving into despair and paralysis.' Thankfully, Drew Strait offers a thoughtful, well-researched, biblically informed, practical way forward. I hope that all who read Strange Worship will be motivated to join the subversive way of peace and love that Jesus taught."" --Dennis R. Edwards, dean, North Park Theological Seminary ""Drew Strait's hopeful, disarming, and sincere book offers a practical refutation of American Christian nationalism. Grounded in a nonviolent, Anabaptist tradition of interpretation and an incisive grasp of the message of Jesus, Strange Worship cuts to the heart of the politicized debates now roiling American Christianity. If you are a leader or a layperson who feels stymied in how to resist the rising tide of Christian nationalism, this is the book for you."" --Matthew D. Taylor, author of The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy ""Drew Strait offers important, practical guidelines for opposing Christian nationalism from a Christian framework. The metaphor of 'strange worship' is an apt description of the racist idolatry of white Christian nationalism and will be a helpful tool for Christians who want to understand and resist this toxic right-wing ideology that masquerades under the banner of 'Christianity.'"" --Pamela Cooper-White, professor of psychology and religion, Union Theological Seminary ""On a day when the tide of Christian nationalism seems to be ever-swelling in America, Drew J. Strait gives us a clear, reasoned, and hopeful alternative to resignation and despair. Strange Worship offers practical and faith-centered tools for Americans to witness, fight back, and join together in a mission toward peaceful community."" --Angela Denker, author of Red State Christians: Understanding the Voters Who Elected Donald Trump ""With its potent blend of insight and urgency, Drew Strait holds up the un-armed, multicultural church as a lantern to reveal the shadows of Christian nationalism as a misguided and dangerous perversion of Christianity. Strange Worship offers the church a way forward with intergenerational, interdisciplinary, and ecumenical spaces to recharge and refocus."" --Lisa Schirch, professor of the practice of technology and peacebuilding, University of Notre Dame ""Christian nationalism is one of the ideologies that perverts the Jesus-way of life. Yet followers of Jesus might not know how to respond to the Christian nationalist movement, with some being tempted to throw their hands up in surrender. As Drew Strait observes in Strange Worship, 'The danger for anyone challenging Christian nationalism is giving into despair and paralysis.' Thankfully, Drew Strait offers a thoughtful, well-researched, biblically informed, practical way forward. I hope that all who read Strange Worship will be motivated to join the subversive way of peace and love that Jesus taught."" --Dennis R. Edwards, dean, North Park Theological Seminary ""Drew Strait's hopeful, disarming, and sincere book offers a practical refutation of American Christian nationalism. Grounded in a nonviolent, Anabaptist tradition of interpretation and an incisive grasp of the message of Jesus, Strange Worship cuts to the heart of the politicized debates now roiling American Christianity. If you are a leader or a layperson who feels stymied in how to resist the rising tide of Christian nationalism, this is the book for you."" --Matthew D. Taylor, author of The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy"

Author Information

"Drew J. Strait is a pastor theologian who specializes in political idolatry, peacemaking, and how congregations can challenge violent extremism. Strait regularly teaches on Christian nationalism and offers a short course for the public called ""Resisting Christian Nationalism with the Gospel of Peace."" He teaches at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary and resides in South Bend, Indiana, with his wife and three kids."

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