What happens to Christianity when it gets blended with another religion that uses violence to solve its problems? Nick and Matt discuss the American civil religion, competing definitions of victory, and how fear drives Christians to compromise.

Resources Referenced: Revelation for the Rest of Us by Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett, Losing Our Religion by Russel Moore, American Legion: Preamble to the Constitution, American Legion: The Definition of Americanism

Interlude Music: The Powers of the Universe by Of Water

Theme Song: Believe by Posthumorous

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Episode Outline:

00:27 Introduction

02:39 America's Identity as a Christian Nation

04:23 The Concept of American Civil Religion

07:10 Values and Ritual Calendars and Holidays

13:24 The Blending of Christianity and American Civil Religion

16:36 The Incompatibility of Christian and American Civil Religion Ethics

19:24 The Clash of Civil and Christian Values

24:45 The Fleetingness of Empires, Even America

28:41 Fear Tactics and the Christian Response

33:20 Identity and Hope in Christianity Beyond National Borders

36:00 Living the Revolutionary Kingdom Way