Christian Nationalism and Evangelicalism in American Political Life

About this episode

Danny Hoffman interviews Jim Wellman about the rise of Christian Nationalism in American political life and its implications.

Evangelicalism is not new in American political life. But the second Trump administration coincides with a surprising development in the role of Christian faith in the nation’s politics. The once fringe notion of Christian Nationalism now sits squarely at the point of intersection of American culture, politics and the economy. Danny Hoffman, Director of the Jackson School of International Studies, interviews Jim Wellman, Professor and former Chair of the UW's Comparative Religion Program, which is housed in the Jackson School, on what Christian Nationalism means and the tensions it creates in faith communities and secular politics. Wellman's latest book is "High on God: How Megachurches Won a Nation," published by Oxford University Press in February 2020. Recorded Nov. 7, 2025

People in this episode

Guest: Jim Wellman

Topics covered

• Christian Nationalism
• Evangelicalism
• American politics
• faith communities
• secular politics

Keywords

• Trump administration
• megachurches
• Comparative Religion Program

Mentioned in this episode

Products: High on God: How Megachurches Won a Nation

Books & works: High on God: How Megachurches Won a Nation,"

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