God, nation, freedom: the holy trinity in the Christian nationalist theological pantheon. What’s critical to notice in Goldwater’s approach is that the politics come first. The foundations of the belief system are not Christian love or neighborliness but individualism, capitalism, and Whiteness. The political shapes the theological to its needs, forming a Christianity in line with nationalist and racist priorities. Religion is the vehicle. Politics is the engine.
I agree strongly. Many (most) people I think of as “Christian Nationalist” consistently use politics to shape their expressed theology. This requires ignoring the major principles of Jesus teaching to make room for and justify “Conservative” thinking. I do think the author over-played the racist aspects of American Christian Nationalism. I do see its presence in todays culture and it certainly has been part of the cultural history in my lifetime.
