In Sheep's Clothing: The Idolatry of White Christian Nationalism

In Sheep's Clothing: The Idolatry of White Christian Nationalism

From Megyn Kelly's claim that Jesus is white to former President Trump's claim that he is the “chosen one” or the “King of Israel,” there is serious trouble in paradise. Contemporary manifestations of white Christian nationalism are deeply entangled in political issues from women’s political rights over their own bodies to the rejection of Critical Race Theory (CRT). Carrying Christian signs and crosses, protestors at the Capitol insurrection on January 6th were not only fighting with a sense of white nationalist duty but fighting with a religious zeal, making this a pressing moment in the current timeto which this volume speaks. This edited collection invites scholars share frustration, anger, interrogation, and conceptual clarity with readers regarding this toxic form of Christianity that fights not in the name of love, but in the name of political domination and out of deep fear and hatred. Attention is also brought to Christianity’s counter-voice, one predicated upon love, and its effectiveness to resist not just deep political pro-white forces at work, but also its capacity to focus emphasis upon Christian love. The text is designed to speak to the contemporary moment with respect to the explicit and implicit ways in which white nationalism and white Christianity continue to be entangled and reinforce one another. Contributors are asked to articulate what is behind this racially, politically, ideologically, psychically charged whiteness of Christianity in the US, and to articulate what is beyond the whiteness of Christianity for both Christians and non-Christians alike concerned with the rise of white Christian nationalism. “In Sheep’s Clothing is a collection of compelling essays that dig at the roots of white Christian nationalism. Especially in this threatening moment of American history, with Christianity occupying center stage, George Yancy and Bill Bywater have drawn together well-researched, intelligent resources that revolutionary lovers of justice can turn to repeatedly for moral and political wisdom. I know I will.” ―Carter Heyward, Professor Emerita of Theology, Episcopal Divinity School, and author of The Seven Deadly Sins of White Christian Nationalism: A Call to Action “The violence unleashed in attempting to forcefully install a white Christian nationalist nation will only intensify as those in sheep's clothing continue in normalizing and legitimizing their idolatry. This volume provides a much-needed critical assessment for such a time as this. A must read for all interested in standing against this clear and present danger.” ―Miguel A. De La Torre, professor, Illiff School of Theology George Yancy is the Samuel Candler Dobbs professor of philosophy at Emory University and a Montgomery Fellow at Dartmouth College. Yancy has published over 250 combined scholarly articles, chapters, and interviews that have appeared in professional journals, books, and at various news sites. Yancy is known for his numerous essays and interviews in the New York Times ' philosophy column The Stone, and Truthout . He is the author, editor and co-editor of over 25 books, including most recently Until Our Lungs Give Out: Conversations on Race, Justice, and the Future and In Sheep's Clothing: The Idolatry of White Christian Nationalism (coedited with philosopher Bill Bywater. Yancy is editor of the Philosophy of Race Book Series at Bloomsbury.