Key Takeaways
American Christian nationalism dates to the 15th-century Doctrine of Discovery.
52% of Republicans and 56% of white evangelicals say God intended America for European Christians (PRRI/Brookings, 2023).
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s actions bring that ideology into the military chaplaincy.
Dr. Hanah Stiverson, Director of Policy at The Chamberlain Network, laid out the history of American Christian nationalism for the Forum on the Military Chaplaincy at Brite Divinity School at TCU. Baptist News Global has published her remarks.
“Service members swear their oath to the Constitution, not to any one faith,” Stiverson said. “Knowing this history helps us recognize Christian nationalism in the military and keep both the chaplaincy and our democracy open to everyone.”
Where does it come from?
Stiverson follows a line from the Doctrine of Discovery through Cotton Mather and the religious defenses of slavery and Jim Crow. She continues through Gerald L.K. Smith, who founded the Christian Nationalist Party in 1947, and on to today’s political movement.
Why does it matter for the military?
Stiverson points to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s record. He created an Office of Religious Affairs to oversee chaplains, pledged to overhaul the chaplain corps, and held Christian worship services inside the Pentagon. He also invited Christian nationalist pastor Doug Wilson to preach there. Because the military sits at the center of the American story, she argues, changing military policy changes the country.