Interrupt the False White Gospel

Thanks to Constance Gruen for sharing this mini toolkit with guidance for leaders:

Begin a one-time info and training with the James Talarico sermon (see below) and follow with conversation training using Jim Wallis’ scripture passages. Both faith-based and non-faith people can benefit from both and not feel criticized.

Constance is open to facilitating this kind of session for churches and community groups, especially before the election, and also after, because the false White gospel will persist. After the election, she would want to facilitate several sessions to allow more conversation training.

Jim Wallis, The False White Gospel: Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith, and Refounding Democracy 

  – Why Christian nationalism is not biblical

  – Six chapters on six Bible passages (pretty well-known passages) that can center conversations with people

  – Time allowing, invite people to use these passages with others who are tempted/persuaded by Christian nationalism. Model a conversation. Give people time to practice in groups of two or three.

In the book, Wallis compares six Biblical texts to White Christian nationalist beliefs and argues that White Christian nationalists follow a Bible that is “full of holes”. Wallis also explores the public implications of these passages, including Luke 10:25-37, Genesis 1:26, John 8:32, Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 5:9, and Galatians 3:28. Wallis believes that true faith should lead to positive societal change, and that our moral convictions should alert us to things like racialized policing, mass incarceration, and the climate crisis.

James Talarico’s sermon on the importance of the separation of church and state is on YouTube; it runs about 24 minutes.

https://youtu.be/3E5jjHW6ncc?si=HXJwHFkmojYeJ99V
Transcript available.

  – Talarico is a Texas state legislator, and now a seminary student, who speaks simply and clearly on both church and state 

  – Other messages also on YouTube. Note the comments, among thousands of ‘likes.’ This is one from another message four years ago: “‘I’m an Atheist. This man and this message have my absolute respect.”

Contact ED Emily Meyer for Constance Gruen’s contact information.