American Idolatry

How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church

By: Andrew L. Whitehead

Narrated by: Andrew L. Whitehead

Power. Fear. Violence. These three idols of Christian nationalism are corrupting American Christianity.

Andrew Whitehead is a leading scholar on Christian nationalism in America and speaks widely on its effects within Christian communities. In this book, he shares his journey and reveals how Christian nationalism threatens the spiritual lives of American Christians and the church.

Whitehead shows how Christians harm their neighbors when they embrace the idols of power, fear, and violence. He uses two key examples—racism and xenophobia—to demonstrate that these idols violate core Christian beliefs. Through stories, he illuminates expressions of Christianity that confront Christian nationalism and offer a faithful path forward.

American Idolatry encourages further conversation about what Christian nationalism threatens, how to face it, and why it is vitally important to do so. It will help identify Christian nationalism and build a framework that makes sense of the relationship between faith and the current political and cultural context.

©2023 Andrew L. Whitehead (P)2023 eChristian

Important and timely

Great research, good narration. Appreciated the thoughtfulness and critique without condemning. A great read. Highly recommend.

Excellent & Much Needed

This book is a must read for Christians, especially in the US. The author makes a clear case about the dangers of Christian Nationalism.

Deeply grateful for how thorough this is

Andrew put a tremendous level of research into this writing (and audio experience). I'm deeply grateful for this work, confronting this particular American idolatry

Extremely worthwhile !

The author’s background gives him an outstanding insight into both sides of this most polarizing issue. I was especially impressed that he kept the focus away from harsh judgment focusing instead on the basics Jesus gave us for being the best kind, caring, supporting and loving stewards of all people with which we live and interact . The last chapter in the book really brings the message of us accepting all on either side of the issue and focusing on Christ’s guidance for living.

An “edge of inside” follow up to Jesus and John Wayne

I would highly recommend American Idolatry. Similar subject matter to Jesus and John Wayne but with a social scientist’s expertise, an evangelical’s personal reflections, and a hope-filled plan for actionable redemption from the throes of white Christian nationalism. I’m a Latter-day Saint, we have our own particular brand of burden in this regard. This book renewed my faith in the potential for change and made me want to be a part of it.