Springfield event will explore rise of Christian Nationalism in America, ramifications

An award-winning author and historian will headline a Springfield conference on Christian Nationalism in America and its potential ramifications on faith and politics.

Diana Butler Bass, a sought-after commentator on the topic, will be part of multiple events during the Oct. 4-5 conference to celebrate the 75th anniversary of National Avenue Christian Church.

She will also deliver a sermon at the church Oct. 6.

“I believe in the gospel of liberation and love as known in the life of Jesus Christ," said Rev. Jenn Simmons, lead pastor at NACC.

"Christian Nationalism has misrepresented faith and increased hate, fear and violence in our nation. The work of the church is to hold space to educate ourselves about this framework and work together to build love and understanding in our community.”

According to the Freedom Forum, Christian Nationalism does not have a tidy definition but is generally described as a belief that the U.S. is defined by Christianity and the government should maintain its Christian identity and take steps — by passing laws and policies — to reflect those values.

Simmons said last year the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of the United States and Canada passed a resolution to oppose Christian Nationalism and called on churches to understand the ideological framework and to educate others.

To that end, NACC has offered book studies and workshops. Simmons said the next step was to bring in a speaker and to have "these hard conversations."

"The struggle some of my colleagues are experiencing is that they're not talking about it in church from a pulpit but they're very concerned and they don't think that this ideology is a healthy way forward for our democracy," Simmons said Monday.

"Part of our hope is that we can have an open space where we can really hash out some of what is going on and have those conversations."

As a co-host, Drury University will bring Bass to Springfield and its campus. A sought-after contributor for many news outlets from the New York Times and Washington Post to CNN, PBS and NPR, she has a doctorate in religious studies from Duke University.

Peter Browning, Drury chaplain and professor of philosophy and religion, said the Drury School of Religion board and area churches have been supportive.

“As the chaplain of an institution of higher education committed to helping its students participate in and contribute to the global community, I am pleased that we will be co-hosting this conference to remind Christians that we should live together in peace and cooperation no matter which nation we call home," he said.

Browning said he hopes participants will gain a deeper understanding of how Christian Nationalism became "the force that it is today" and the theological arguments used to support it.

"Having more information is always helpful and we will have a person who will not be neutral," Browning said of Bass. "But, that is often when you learn the most — when someone articulates a clear argument and then you can have the conversation and response."

Other sponsors include Brentwood Christian Church, The Venues, St. John’s Chapel, and the Mid-America Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Registration is required for the conference and can be completed at www.nationalavenuecc.com. Events are free and open to the public except for the Oct. 4 registration and Oct. 5 lunch.

Out of an abundance of caution, locations for events will only be provided upon registration. Here are the highlights of the conference:

Friday, Oct. 4

• 6 p.m. − Reception with Diana Butler Bass (cost is $25 and includes hors d'oeuvres)

• 7:30 p.m. − Diana Butler Bass will deliver opening lecture titled “American Evangelicalism: A 50-Year Shift and Politics for the Rest of Us"

Saturday, Oct. 5

• 9:30 a.m. − Bagels and coffee

• 10 a.m. − Diana Butler Bass will present “The Impacts of Christian Nationalism.”

• 11:45 a.m. − Lunch, which must be pre-ordered as part of registration. There will be a discussion about race, patriarchy and political power.

• 1:30 p.m. − Q&A with Diana Butler Bass and a panel

• 3 p.m. − Rev. Michelle Scott-Huffman

Additionally, Bass will deliver a sermon titled "Navigating the Path of Love" at 10 a.m. Sunday at the church, 1515 S. National Ave.

Simmons said anyone with an interest in the topic is welcome to register. She expects church leaders, university students and others to attend.

"This is a space that they can ... bring their questions and they're not going to be ridiculed. It's not about standing on sides," she said. "It's about showing up curiously together and unpacking and unraveling, hopefully to figure out the best, most loving way forward."

She said the timing of the conference, a month before the Nov. 5 election, was intentional.

Simmons said, among other things, Christian Nationalism does not align with a "separation of church and state," which is reflected in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

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"We hope this can be a space people can explore this topic and this conversation to get clear understanding of the implications," she said.

"As a pastor, this (Christian Nationalism) is not Christianity. This is something intertwined. I'm deeply concerned."

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Christian Nationalism's rise in US topic of Springfield conference