The False White Gospel: Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith, and Refounding Democracy

In this ardent manifesto, Wallis (Christ in Crisis?), director of the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown University, urges readers to “dismantle a false gospel that propagates white supremacy and political autocracy” and reclaim core biblical principles. Mining six scriptural passages, Wallis utilizes the parable of the good Samaritan to lambast politicians who “deny the neighbor ethic” by vilifying immigrants; the creation story to champion voting rights, albeit via a somewhat inelegant deductive leap (he claims that attempts to disenfranchise voters are “nothing less than an assault” on the “image of God” in which all humans are created); and the quote “blessed are the peacemakers” to encourage readers to establish “right relationships” with those they differ from. Concluding that it will take plenty of “courageous good faith to help take our nation to a better place,” Wallis provides readers with a handful of action steps (among them, starting dialogues with fellow congregants about inclusion in churches), but he’s most focused on inspiring voter turnout for the 2024 election, which he believes may determine “whether democracy will survive or collapse in America.” Wallis’s passion for justice and creative interpretation of the Bible generate more than enough energy to keep readers’ attention as he wends his way from Christian nationalism to the responsibilities of citizenship to criminal justice reform. This promises to be a conversation starter in church groups and beyond. (Apr.)