In recent years the phrase “Christian nationalism” has been widely used to describe evangelical partisan participation in politics. What is Christian nationalism and how can Christians and non-Christians think about Christian nationalism, listen to one another carefully, and have productive dialogue about this controversial topic? 

Join The Gospel Initiative at Denver Seminary for an opportunity to explore the topic of Christian nationalism at the Compelling and Credible Witness: The Church and Christian Nationalism conference, Fri., Oct. 13, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. MT., at Denver Seminary or via livestream. This conference is donor-funded and free to attend. Registration and conference information are at DenverSeminary.edu/TGI.

“We think it’s important for evangelicals to better understand what Christian nationalism is and how being identified with this phenomenon affects our witness in the broader society,” said Denver Seminary President Dr. Mark Young. “Our goal is to help one another think critically about the theological foundations and missional implications of Christian nationalism.”

Among the questions the speakers will address are: What is the difference between Christian nationalism and patriotism? Is it the mission of the Church to create a “Christian” nation? How should pastors and ministry leaders respond to this influential way of thinking? Speakers include:

Dr. Samuel L. Perry, professor of sociology at the University of Oklahoma, and co-author of five books including The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and Religion for Realists: Why We All Need the Scientific Study of Religion—Now More Than Ever.

Rev. David Ritchie, lead pastor of Redeemer Christian Church in Amarillo, Texas, and author of Why Do the Nations Rage? The Demonic Origin of Nationalism.

Dr. Ryan Tafilowski, assistant professor of theology and chair of the Theology Department at Denver Seminary, whose academic research has focused on Weimar Germany and National Socialism, as well as theologians who supported aspects of the Nazi party platform out of a concern to “re-Christianize” Germany.

Participants can register to attend the conference in-person at Denver Seminary, 6399 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton, Colo., 80120, or via livestream, for no charge at DenverSeminary.edu/TGI.

For more information about the conference, contact TGI Director of Public Engagement Jason Woodman.

The Gospel Initiative supports the Church’s mission in creating a compelling, compassionate, and credible gospel presence in contemporary society.

Denver Seminary is a non-denominational graduate school of theology located in Littleton, Colo. The Seminary’s mission is to prepare men and women to engage the needs of the world with the redemptive power of the gospel and the life-changing truth of Scripture. Established in 1950, Denver Seminary offers on-campus, fully online, and hybrid degree programs, and has an extension campus in Washington DC and a Korean Global Program. In addition, the Seminary offers programming for lay ministry through its Hispanic Program and Black Church Program. Please direct media questions to Senior Director of Communications Andrea Weyand.