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What is (American) Christian nationalism? In conversation with Andrew Whitehead

What is (American) Christian nationalism? In conversation with Andrew Whitehead

Nick Spencer speaks with sociologist Andrew Whitehead. 12/05/2026

Christian Nationalism seems to be on the rise – particularly in the US, but increasingly in Europe. The phrase, however, is often used vaguely and carelessly. Indeed “Christian nationalism” can be something of a “dustbin” term, into which people throw all the kinds of things they dislike.

So, what does it mean? What forms does it take and, with a particular focus on the US, what motivates and shapes it?

Join Nick Spencer as he talks to sociologist Andrew Whitehead about what Christian nationalism is – and what it isn’t. You can buy a copy of Andrew’s latest book, Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States, here. 


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Nick Spencer

Nick Spencer

Nick is Senior Fellow at Theos. He is the author of The Landscapes of Science and Religion (OUP, 2025), Playing God: Science, Religion and the Future of Humanity (2024), and Magisteria: the entangled histories of science and religion (Oneworld, 2023). Nick is host of the podcast Reading Our Times.

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Posted 12 May 2026

Christian Nationalism, Reading Our Times, USA

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