Also by this author: Humility: Rediscovering the Way of Love and Life in Christ
Published by Eerdmans on October 3, 2023
Genres: Non-Fiction, Politics
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American democracy is in danger. How do we protect it from authoritarian reactionary Christianity?
On January 6, 2021, hundreds of Americans stormed the Capitol to prevent the certification of their political opponent’s election. At the forefront were Christians claiming to act in the name of Jesus Christ and his supposed representative on earth, Donald Trump. How can this have happened?
David P. Gushee tackles the question in this timely work of Christian political ethics. Gushee calls us to preserve democratic norms, including constitutional government, the rule of law, and equal rights for all, even as many Christians take a reactionary and antidemocratic stance. Surveying global politics and modern history, he analyzes how Christians have discarded their commitment to democracy and bought into authoritarianism. He urges us to fight back by reviving our hard-won traditions of congregational democracy, dissident Black Christian politics, and covenantal theology.
Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies makes a robust case for a renewed commitment to democracy on the part of Christians—not by succumbing to secular liberalism, but by drawing on our own best traditions. Any concerned Christian will leave its pages with eyes wide open to the dangers of our current form of political engagement. Readers will gain insight into what democracy is truly meant to be and why Christians once supported it wholeheartedly—and should do so again.
For all that it does, Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies doesn’t really do what the title says. Gushee acts as a historian rather than a social commentator. He gives readers a diagnosis, but not much a plan of action. Gushee is an ethicist and I honestly expected something more in line with his previous work. Instead, this gives more of a Jesus and John Wayne vibe (and Kristin Kobes Du Mez does offer a cover page endorsement). This is a historical look of how we got to where we are, not just in America but the world over.
After an introductory section that defines democracy and lays the groundwork for everything to follow, Gushee turns to what is mostly a historical/factual presentation of on the development of reactionary politics in the past (France and Germany in particular) and an outline of present-day authoritarian reactionary Christianity in several countries—Russia, Poland, Hungary, Brazil, and the US. This is a clear reminder to Gushee’s primarily American audience that Christian Nationalism is not a strictly American thing. Rather, it is a global phenomenon that presents itself within right-wing politics the world over.
The strength of the book is Gushee’s term “Authoritarian Reactionary Christianity.” He takes a chapter to define the phrase by each of the terms, positing that Christian Nationalism, in all its forms, can be described as an 1) authoritarian movement that consolidates power in one person/group, 2) comes about as a reaction to a secular revolution in social sphere, and 3) uses Christianity as its religious basis for action. American ARC, then, is authoritarian in its adherence to the Republican party, particularly Donald Trump; it is reactionary to the social changes wrought by the Civil Rights movement, extending out to the recognition and inclusion of sexual/gender diversity; and it uses evangelical Christianity as the religious arm of its body politic.
One criticism I have with these chapters is that, with the exception of Poland, Gushee ties the nations to their leaders. The chapter titles says “Putin’s Russia,” “Orban’s Hungary,” “Bolsonaro’s Brazil,” and “Trump’s America.” I feel like this falsely fingers the cause of the problem on a singular leader. It’s 2024. Is it Trump’s America? He has not been president for three years, though he certainly looms large over the 2024 election and the Republican party. Similarly, Bolsonaro, while president at the time this book was written, lost the 2022 presidential election (and perhaps inspired by US events, his supporters stormed federal buildings and called for a coup). If we reduce the movement to one person (or even one political party) we can become fooled into thinking that removing them from power fixes the problem. While it certainly mitigates some issues, I daresay that Christian nationalism and what Gushee terms “authoritarian reactionary Christianity” is still alive in well in American halls of power—perhaps most clearly seen in US support for Israel in their genocide of Gaza.
The concluding chapters offer a brief sketch of how to “save democracy,” but like most democratic plans, actually require the will of the people. Democracy requires community and I don’t think that Gushee went deep enough into how Americans address their deep divisions and achieve a sense of togetherness that is necessary for democracy to thrive.
Altogether, Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies is to be commended for its historical overview of the problem, but it leaves readers in want of any solution—particularly a solution that truly addresses the fears and the desires of those attempting to undermine democracy. The way forward won’t be easy and, if I’m to be honest, I don’t see much a way forward that does not include the death of the American empire. But death is the only way you get to resurrection.