Seventy-Second Annual Convention 2026
May 28-31
Villanova University (Pennsylvania)
Register here.
Reclaiming Faith Amid Christian Nationalism
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Annual Convention
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Conveners
In their book, Taking America Back For God, Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry analyze what defines Christian nationalism in terms of the “unholy trinity” of power, boundaries, and order. Christian nationalism seeks to consolidate (1) power for the benefit of a specific group., framing others as threats to cultural, political, and economic dominance. This examination exposes its binary worldview rooted in nativism, patriarchy, racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ableism, and genderism. For many adherents, a perceived loss of power provokes a need to “defend their faith” and “defend the country.” Anti-immigration sentiment within Christian nationalism reflects a fear that what is rightfully “ours” is being taken away (e.g., the ‘great replacement theory’). It also establishes rigid (2) boundaries to delineate who belongs and who does not. Its rhetoric is rooted in the desire to define group identity. It privileges whiteness and Christianity, often viewing people of other races as inferior and other religions as false. In stoking fear of “the other,” Christian nationalism legitimizes and even sanctifies the use of force, which leads to violence, against those it deems evil or un-American. Equally vital to Christian nationalism is its commitment to (3) order. It upholds strict hierarchies, especially regarding gender and sexuality. Patriarchal family structures and traditional views of monogamous relationships are central to its vision. Social changes—including the growing presence of women in the workforce, access to abortion, increased sexual freedom, and expanded gender roles—are viewed as existential threats to the American way of life.
To consolidate power, draw boundaries, and impose order, Christian nationalism targets key institutions that shape public knowledge and values, such as education and media. As former U.S. Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick observed, “To destroy a society, it is first necessary to delegitimate its basic institutions so as to detach the identifications and affections of its citizens from the institutions and authorities of the society marked for destruction,” (1986). Efforts such as book-bans, anti-“woke” campaigns in schools, the dismantling of DEI programs, defunding of research universities, and the politicization of mass media are all aimed at perpetuating the Christian nationalist agenda.
In this climate, academia has a crucial role to play. Through rigorous research and critical reflection, scholars can expose the duplicity of Christian nationalism and articulate an alternative vision of Christianity rooted in authentic sources and traditions. As teachers and scholars of religion, members of CTS are uniquely positioned to engage Christian nationalism’s pervasive influence, and to challenge the privilege and affluence it has amassed through exclusion and marginalization. We invite papers to explore the central question guiding our sessions: How can Catholic theology reckon with Christian nationalism by exposing its duplicity and offering an alternative theological perspectives grounded in a critical study of faith and ethics?
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Scholars who are invited to present their work at a national convention of the College Theology Society must be current members of the CTS in order to appear in the program. No person may submit more than one proposal for consideration nor will submissions to multiple sections be considered. Failure to observe these policies may result in the scholar's disqualification to present a paper at the Annual Convention.
The National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion (NABPR) will once again be joining us this year.
Further questions about our 2026 Annual Convention can be submitted by email to Dan Rober.
The College Theology Society is a registered, non-profit professional society and a Related Scholarly Organization of the American Academy of Religion. |
