The Religion of American Greatness

April 18, 2022
“Christian nationalism is a bad political theory, illiberal in theory and practice and at odds with key features of the American experiment,” contends Miller (Just War and Ordered Liberty), an international affairs professor at Georgetown University, in this predictable analysis. Examining “the historical development, key beliefs, and political, cultural, and theological implications of Christian nationalism,” Miller critiques the ideology and its role in pushing the Republican Party rightward. The author suggests that globalization and deindustrialization weakened America’s national identity, spurring the contemporary movement to restore it. Miller argues that Christian nationalism is built on faulty premises because it incorrectly assumes that culture neatly maps onto national boundaries and that Anglo-Protestantism is a prerequisite for democracy. As an antidote, the author encourages cultural pluralism, imploring readers to “embrace and celebrate our differences without fetishizing or idolizing them.” This is well-trod ground and Miller doesn’t bring much new to the table, though his conservative credentials (he’s “a longtime Republican” with “a deep history in America’s conservative churches”) could put this on the radar of an audience for which his arguments may be less familiar. It’s a sensible if unsurprising account of Christian nationalism’s recent influence on U.S. politics.

Starred review from June 1, 2022

A massively important book, Miller's work is essential reading for anyone curious about how the Evangelical movement got into bed with Donald Trump. Miller, a scholar and former member of the Bush and Obama administrations, knows politics and history. He is also a devout and conservative Christian. He explores such topics as Christian and American identity, nationalism vs. patriotism, and why some Christians may have felt neglected or rejected by what they saw as political and media elites. He also examines why this movement was vulnerable to Trump, who promised them respect and that he would defend them. He would be their strong man in the White House. With passion for his faith and his credentials as a conservative, Miller's arguments carry a power and authority not found in similar works by secular sources. He treats both sides of his arguments with equal seriousness. His book provides a powerful history and analysis of Christian nationalism and why a religion of American greatness is bad, both for America and for religion. VERDICT Miller's book is nothing less than essential reading in this over-heated moment. Highly recommended for all public and academic libraries, plus contemporary religion collections.--Herman Sutter

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