E182 | Brian Zhand | Christian Nationalism, the Kingdom of Jesus, and a More Beautiful Christianity

About this episode

Melinda interviews Brian Zahnd about Christian nationalism, the Kingdom of Jesus, and a more beautiful Christianity.

Brian Zahnd on Christian Nationalism, the Kingdom of Jesus, and a More Beautiful Christianity | Face to Face Podcast Ep. 182 In episode 182 of the podcast, Melinda interviews pastor, author, and theologian Brian Zahnd (Word of Life Church, St. Joseph, Missouri), while co-host Cathy is absent due to losing her voice and shares updates on Immanuel Institute trainings and the standalone Understanding Trauma Course. Zahnd recounts leading one congregation for 44 years, the church's early rapid growth, and a major theological recalibration that moved them toward the Christian tradition and away from politicized rezligion—costing them about 1,500 people between roughly 2004–2014—followed by healing on a 40-day Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in 2016. The conversation contrasts the kingdom of Jesus with Christian nationalism, critiques reducing "Christian" to an adjective serving political agendas, and emphasizes that discipleship requires allegiance to Christ over nation while maintaining a church culture marked by kindness amid political differences. Zahnd centers his theology on "God is like Jesus," argues Jesus reveals God as Savior rather than saving us from God, commends the…

People in this episode

Hosts: Melinda, Cathy

Guest: Brian Zahnd

Topics covered

• Christian Nationalism
• Kingdom of Jesus
• Beautiful Christianity
• Discipleship
• Theology

Keywords

• Immanuel Institute
• Understanding Trauma Course
• Camino de Santiago
• cruciform Christianity
• The Unseen Realm

Mentioned in this episode

Products: The Unseen Realm

Books & works: The Unseen Realm, Kingdom of Jesus vs. Christian Nationalism: Where Allegiance Belongs

Places: St. Joseph, Missouri, America, Sweden

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