History Doesn't Repeat—But It Does Rhyme

The prophetic all to confront white Christian nationalism

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"History repeats itself," the old saying goes.

But that’s not exactly true.

Historians speak of a concept called “contingency”—the past is contextual.

For every era and event, there are specific human actors, distinct choices they make, and particular external circumstances that all conspire to craft the narratives we now call “history.”

Those exact circumstances will never precisely occur again so, strictly speaking, history does not repeat itself.

But history does rhyme.

The echoes of the past resonate in the present, reminding us that while our circumstances might be new, certain patterns have familiar rhythms.

In episode three of Roadmap to Ruin—“Roadmap to White Christian Nationalism”—we explore a movement that I have long called “the greatest threat to democracy and the witness of the church in America today.”

White Christian nationalism (WCN) isn't just a political issue; it's a theological crisis.

Philip Gorski and Samuel Perry, authors of The Flag and the Cross, describe white Christian nationalism as a "deep story" about America's past and a vision for its future.

It's a narrative that claims America was founded as a Christian nation, uniquely blessed by God but now threatened by "un-American" influences from within and without.

But this narrative isn't harmless patriotism.

White Christian nationalism is an ethnocultural ideology that that uses Christianity as a permission structure for the acquisition of political power and social control.

It elevates political documents, like the Constitution, to sacred texts and makes loyalty to a political vision equivalent to religious devotion.

The consequences are not theoretical—they're painfully real.

From the January 6 insurrection, to Jericho Marches, to prayers in Jesus' name before violence, to crosses erected as symbols of conquest—all done under the ideology of white Christian nationalism.

Constitutional lawyer Andrew Seidel puts it plainly:

“We cannot understand what happened on January 6 without confronting Christian nationalism.”

The rhythms of history show us that this didn't happen overnight.

From the rebirth of the Ku Klux Klan in 1915, to the formation of the so-called Moral Majority in the late 1970s, to present-day independent charismatic movements such as the New Apostolic Reformation—we see the blending of theology and right-wing populist politics.

Yet, history also gives us another echo, a hopeful counter-narrative.

Historically, Black Christians have embodied patriotism by expanding democratic inclusion, calling the nation to live up to its ideals.

Doing justice in this moment requires we listen to antiphonal melody of the Black Christian tradition that confronts the discordant strains of white Christian nationalism.

The threat of white Christian nationalism is real—not just politically but spiritually.

It compromises the witness of the church and undermines democracy itself.

The question facing us now is urgent: Will we follow the roadmap to ruin or chart a courageous new course?

Together, let's confront history’s rhyme and sound our response.

Watch Episode 3:

Join the Live, Online Video Study

We’re going deeper tonight in our live video study group—Tuesday, April 22 at 7pm ET.

• You’ll learn principles of history from my background as an academically-trained historian

• You’ll hear my thoughts and reflections on the assault on accurate history coming down from the White House.

• You’ll get a chance to process with others and collaborate in solutions.

• You’ll gain a sense of community and solidarity as you gather with like-minded people of faith who want to resist the dismantling of democracy.

Join the conversation tonight: (4/22) at 7 pm ET on Zoom.

Learn much more about the people whose pursuit of Jesus and justice shaped history. The Spirit of Justice is on sale now for half off. Or you can get it at my Bookshop page.