Old Fashioned Sunday School – Understanding Christian Nationalism: A Faithful Conversation (part 1)

November 2, 2025 

Dr. David Pacini, Professor Emeritus of Historical and Philosophical Theology at Candler School of Theology, leads this three-part series.

Christian nationalism has become a common phrase in our public life, but it’s often misunderstood. These misunderstandings shape how we see both our faith and our country—and can make it harder to recognize the deeper religious questions it raises.

For the next three Sundays (November 2, 9, and 16), we explore what Christian nationalism actually is and why it stirs such strong feelings in us.

First, we’ll clear away some of the confusion surrounding the term—especially the idea that it’s simply a label for certain kinds of Christians. We’ll look at the historical and social roots of the movement and what makes it more than just a political slogan.

Second, we’ll consider why Christian nationalism feels both familiar and unsettling. Many of its themes echo our spiritual traditions, yet they also challenge them in surprising ways.

Finally, we’ll reflect on what makes Christian nationalism so appealing to some people, and what its rise reveals about our own longings and anxieties as a faith community.

This class won’t offer a final verdict or single “right” interpretation. Instead, it will invite open conversation and thoughtful reflection on the religious significance of Christian nationalism—and what it may be asking of the Church today.