In this episode we begin our series on describing a pastoral response to Christian nationalism. We also learn from scholar, Dr Pamela Cooper-White and her work at helping to bridge and create meaningful conversations with those who are Christian nationalists.

The conversation with Dr. Cooper-White comes in around 20-25 minutes in. Previous to our conversation, Cody and Craig begin to establish some understanding about this contemporary movement and some of the reasons it is on our radar.

Pamela Cooper-White is the Christine Brooks Johnson Professor of Psychology and Religion at Union Theological Seminary in New York. Dr Cooper-White is also a certified clinical fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. In her book, The Psychology of Christian Nationalism: Why People are Drawn In and How to Talk Across the Divide, from Fortress Press.

Dr. Cooper-White provides cultural background, a psychological frame of reference, and key practices to work at building empathetic and meaning relationships with those who think differently, sometime very differently, than we do.

In the first part of this conversation, Dr Cooper-White provides the trends and social developments, and the group psychology that has led to the emergence of the current expression of Christian nationalism. In the next episode, we will continue the conversation and look at the practices the will help people to “talk across the divide.”

Also, we spend a bit of time making Super Bowl predictions on certain aspects of the game that are often overlooked.

Let us know what you think. As we continue to talk about Christian nationalism, are there ideas or questions you have? Respond to us on Twitter @allthatsholy, or on Facebook.

Music this week was from, A Better Bridge, by Thrice, and can be found on our developing Spotify playlist, called No SWAJ (SWAJ refers to the notion of a straight white American Jesus). Or, you can find it on Youtube.

Make sure to review us on Apple podcasts with a positive review. If you have something negative to say, just send it to us - or maybe just to Cody.