Biblical literalism is the interpretive approach claiming every verse in the Bible is a historically factual and error-free record of God’s direct word. In Separation of Church and Hate, this position refers to the belief that the Bible is fully accurate and should be interpreted literally. The book also notes the Bible’s transmission history, including oral tradition, manual copying, and translation over time, which has resulted in variations in the text.

Christian nationalism is the political-religious movement seeking to fuse United States identity and law with an ultraconservative interpretation of Christianity. In Separation of Church and Hate, the term refers to this belief that the United States should be defined and governed according to a particular interpretation of Christianity, often expressed through the claim that “God intended America to be a Christian nation” (7). This belief stands in direct opposition to Jesus’s teachings on humility, mercy, and peacemaking, which are central to the book’s counterargument. Christian nationalists prioritize cultural and political power over the scriptural commands to serve the marginalized, creating a theology of dominance rather than compassion.