Christian nationalism’s rise in American politics provides the critical context for Separation of Church and Hate, which serves as a guide for reclaiming Christianity from this ideology. As researchers define it, Christian nationalism is “an ideology that idealizes and advocates a fusion of American civic life with a particular type of Christian identity and culture” (Whitehead, Andrew L.; Perry, Samuel L. Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States. Oxford University Press, 2020). This fusion has been linked to political positions such as strict immigration enforcement, traditional gender roles, and opposition to social welfare and gun safety measures.

The development of Christian nationalism is rooted in earlier efforts to align religious identity with national identity. Figures such as Billy Graham helped popularize a form of public Christianity that blended evangelism with American patriotism, particularly during the Cold War, when religion was positioned in opposition to communism. In later decades, the rise of the Religious Right further strengthened connections between conservative politics and evangelical Christianity. Following the September 11 attacks, religious rhetoric increasingly intersected with national security discourse, reinforcing the idea of the United States as a nation defined by a particular religious identity.

Within this broader context, Separation of Church and Hate positions itself as a critique of interpretations that equate national identity with Christian authority. The text draws on biblical teachings, including Matthew 25, which emphasizes care for the poor, the stranger, and the vulnerable as a measure of moral responsibility: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (35). These teachings are often contrasted with contemporary political positions that prioritize exclusion, punitive policies, or public displays of religiosity over social responsibility. The book therefore situates its argument within ongoing debates about how Christianity is interpreted and applied in public life.