Thread by @socofthesacred

THREAD: I've made a shortlist of books that were most formative to me as we wrote our forthcoming book on #ChristianNationalism (bit.ly/TABforG). If you're into the topic, here are some books you MUST own (not rank ordered). Coauthor @ndrewwhitehead will add his own list

Disclaimers about my list:
1. Just the tip of the iceberg in terms of CN research.
2. I focused on contemporary influences.
3. Didn't include KEY books we didn't have access to that came out post-production (@ThomasSKidd) or are coming out: @kathsstewart @kkdumez @praxishabitus.

How Fascism Works by @jasonintrator. Stanley's book put into words what we've been finding in our empirical work on #ChristianNationalism (CN). CN is pro-demagogue, anti-diversity, anti-feminist, anti-democracy, & anti-science. In sum, CN is pro-fascism. amazon.com/How-Fascism-Wo…

The Reactionary Mind (TRM) by @CoreyRobin. Like @jasonintrator's book, TRM really helped me understand what #ChristianNationalism wants to accomplish. It's not about religion per se. It's about keeping power from those on the margins who want to share it. amazon.com/Reactionary-Mi…

The Politics of Evangelical Identity by @LydiaBeanTexas. Dr. Bean's ethnography reveals the grassroots mechanisms that reinforce #ChristianNationalism in evangelical churches. CN isn't always preached from the pulpit; it's reinforced in everyday practices. amazon.com/Politics-Evang…

Prophets and Patriots by @RuthBraunstein. Dr. Braunstein's book (& related articles) really helped us see how #ChristianNationalism (CN) isn't synonymous w/white evangelicalism or religion. White Americans who are quite secular can hold CN beliefs as well. amazon.com/Prophets-Patri…

Blacks & Whites in Christian America by Shelton & Emerson. We kept finding Black Americans (BA) often score as high on #ChristianNationalism as white evangelicals. Why? This book helped us see how legacies of racism shaped BA's views of religion & nation. amazon.com/Blacks-Whites-…

Bonus Book related to the one by Shelton & Emerson:

The Elusive Dream by @Gods_Peace1. While it doesn't figure directly in our CN book, Dr. Edwards's book was the first I read that showed how white evangelicals' expect & demand power in diverse spaces. amazon.com/Elusive-Dream-…

American Covenant by @GorskiPhilip. Gorski's historical work has profoundly shaped my understanding of the theological roots of #ChristianNationalism (CN) & how it differs from American civil religion. Civil religion can be inclusive; CN is pure exclusion. amazon.com/American-Coven…

Kingdom Coming by @michelleinbklyn. First book I read on #ChristianNationalism (CN) when we started researching the topic. Didn't have access to much data & conceptually conflates CN, dominionism, theocracy, & evangelicalism. But still hugely formative. amazon.com/Kingdom-Coming…

Bonus Books related to Kingdom Coming. More popular works. Some are not necessarily empirical, but are nonetheless helpful.
- The Founding Myth by @AndrewLSeidel
- American Facists by Chris Hedges
- Far Right Fantasy by James Aho
- They Myth of a Christian Nation by @greg_boyd

Christian America? What Evangelicals Really Want by Smith. This book was central b/c we *disagree* w/it. It argues that evangelicals who promote #ChristianNationalism (CN) REALLY want religious change. We disagree. CN is about power; religion is secondary.
amazon.com/Christian-Amer…

Again, just a brief & limited list. Be on the lookout for more lists like this as @ndrewwhitehead build a running bibliography for those interested in this kind of research.