Extremely American: Season 2, Episode 7 – Onward Christian Soldiers: Planting Christendom

Overview

In Season 2 of NPR's Extremely American: Onward Christian Soldiers, hosts Heath Druzen and James Dawson delve deep into the intricate web of Christian nationalism in the United States. Specifically, Episode 7, titled Planting Christendom, explores the strategic efforts of influential far-right figures and organizations to reshape American society and governance into a theocratic state. By examining the endeavors of Pastor Michael Foster and the broader network led by Doug Wilson, the episode illuminates how church planting, political infiltration, and educational reforms are orchestrated to advance a Christian nationalist agenda.

1. Nationwide "Christ is Lord" Billboards Campaign

Heath Druzen sets the stage by highlighting a pervasive marketing campaign that has been visible across more than 50 American cities since mid-2023.

• Heath Druzen [00:55]: "If you drove across the country in the past year, you may have seen one of these signs. A simple, straightforward message, Christ is Lord in stark white letters on a black billboard."

These billboards are part of a concerted effort by Christchurch's publishing arm, Canon Press, to assert the supremacy of Jesus Christ over all aspects of life in America.

• Doug Wilson [01:28]: "For all of life."

The campaign not only disseminates a religious message but also directs viewers to christislord.com, promoting Doug Wilson's book Mere Christendom, which serves as a blueprint for instituting Christian nationalism in the U.S.

2. East River Church and the Church Planting Strategy

The narrative shifts to Batavia, Ohio, a small town with fewer than 2,000 residents, where Pastor Michael Foster has established East River Church.

• Michael Foster [04:52]: "My name is Michael Foster. I'm the pastor of East River. We're a new church plant and I'm excited to see the interest."

Church planting, a concept rooted in Biblical scripture (1 Corinthians 3:5, 6, 7), involves establishing new congregations to expand the church's spiritual and societal influence. However, in this context, it's a strategic move to embed Christian nationalism into local governance and community structures.

• Heath Druzen [05:48]: "Those national ambitions include creating an explicitly Christian nation. And they strategically plant churches to increase their influence in Batavia."

3. Influence of Doug Wilson and the Council of Reformed Evangelical Churches

Doug Wilson, a central figure in the Christian nationalist movement, oversees the Council of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), an umbrella organization that now encompasses over 475 churches nationwide and operates in 14 foreign countries.

• Doug Wilson [08:16]: "It's important to emphasize that I do think that I'm influential and I do think I'm a leader in it, but I'm not an emperor."

Wilson emphasizes autonomy for individual pastors while promoting a unified agenda across affiliated churches. This decentralized yet coordinated approach facilitates widespread influence without centralized control.

4. Michael Foster's Strategic Maneuvers in Batavia, Ohio

Michael Foster exemplifies the archetype of a "Jesus entrepreneur," actively working to expand the Christian nationalist agenda beyond mere spiritual leadership.

• Michael Foster [06:27]: "We chose Batavia because it's a small county seat that we think people have been sleeping on. Claremont county is a pretty important county here in a purplish swing state that is Ohio."

Foster's approach includes:

• Community Engagement: Promoting positive actions like supporting local businesses and improving communal infrastructure to garner goodwill.

  • Michael Foster [07:22]: "Look for ways to improve your community that builds a coalition around the common good."

• Political Infiltration: Encouraging congregation members to run for local government positions to influence policies and zoning laws.

  • Michael Foster [13:08]: "Run for any and all local offices and encourage all like-minded Christian community members to do likewise."

However, his methods sometimes skirt ethical boundaries, as seen in attempts to thwart businesses he deems immoral through manipulation of local zoning laws.

• Michael Foster [13:42]: "Zoning can just keep it out. We just keep losing their applications or whatever. They're pagans. They're wicked. We don't want that in here, right?"

5. Education as the Battlefield: Classical Christian Education and ACCS

A pivotal element of the Christian nationalist strategy is the control and influence over education, positioning it as the primary battleground for shaping future generations.

• Doug Wilson [18:24]: "We want to treat NSA like a munitions factory."

Wilson's establishment of the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) has been instrumental in propagating a specific brand of classical Christian education that intertwines rigorous academic standards with evangelical Christian doctrine.

• Doug Wilson [19:32]: "People came from all over the country to learn how to start this kind of school."

These schools emphasize a Eurocentric curriculum, promoting the idea that understanding philosophy, history, and sciences is intrinsically linked to Christian theology.

• Doug Wilson [22:54]: "The official position of the government schools is that the resurrection of Christ is an irrelevant detail in the study of history. And we think it changes everything."

This approach has been both influential and controversial, drawing criticism from educators like Susan Wise Bauer, who argue that Wilson's vision politicizes classical education.

6. Criticism from Educators: Susan Wise Bauer's Concerns

Susan Wise Bauer, a renowned classical education consultant and co-author of The Well-Trained Mind, voices apprehensions regarding the ACCS's direction under Doug Wilson's leadership.

• Susan Wise Bauer [26:22]: "His overall influence is huge and dangerous."

Bauer contends that Wilson's fusion of classical education with Christian nationalism imposes a restrictive worldview that marginalizes diverse perspectives and fosters divisiveness.

• Susan Wise Bauer [26:45]: "Doug Wilson's take on classical education is important in that. That is one place where he very specifically articulates that if you do not accept the revelation of God through Jesus Christ, you are incapable of understanding and truth."

She warns against conflating classical education with a singular ideological stance, advocating for a more inclusive approach that accommodates various worldviews.

7. Political Weaponization of Classical Education

The politicization of classical education extends beyond education circles into state politics, notably exemplified by Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida.

• Heath Druzen [28:25]: "Susan specifically mentions Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. He's gone after what he calls woke education and targeted critical race theory."

DeSantis has implemented policies that favor classical Christian education frameworks, such as permitting students to bypass standardized tests like the SAT or GRE in favor of classical assessments. This not only bolsters private Christian schools but also embeds their educational philosophy into public education systems.

• Heath Druzen [29:09]: "DeSantis also signed a bill into law allowing students to skip the SAT or GRE for state college admission."

Such measures indicate a governmental endorsement of classical Christian education, aligning public education policy with the objectives of Christian nationalists.

8. The Broader Implications and Future Outlook

The episode underscores a significant cultural and ideological struggle within American society, wherein Christian nationalists like Doug Wilson and pastors like Michael Foster are actively reshaping institutions to align with their theocratic vision. The strategic placement of churches, infiltration of local governments, and control over educational narratives present a multifaceted approach to establishing a Christian republic.

• Heath Druzen [30:36]: "I'm actually a Christian... I don't think that classical education should be welded together with this particular view of how God's law should be put into effect in our country."

This internal conflict within the Christian community, between those advocating for a broad, inclusive classical education and those pushing for a theocratic application, indicates a prolonged and evolving battle over America's cultural and political landscape.

Conclusion

Extremely American: Onward Christian Soldiers – Planting Christendom offers a comprehensive examination of the methods and motivations driving the Christian nationalist movement in the United States. Through detailed exploration of church planting strategies, political infiltration, and educational reforms, the episode paints a nuanced picture of how deeply embedded and strategic efforts are underway to transform American democracy into a theocracy. The contrasting perspectives within the Christian education community further highlight the complexities and potential implications of this ideological shift.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Doug Wilson [01:28]: "For all of life."

• Doug Wilson [02:01]: "We want to turn the world upside down, and you don't turn the world upside down by being nice."

• Michael Foster [06:27]: "Find a community that's a winnable and worthwhile hill."

• Michael Foster [13:42]: "Zoning can just keep it out. We just keep losing their applications or whatever. They're pagans. They're wicked. We don't want that in here, right?"

• Susan Wise Bauer [26:28]: "Doug Wilson's take on classical education is important in that. That is one place where he very specifically articulates that if you do not accept the revelation of God through Jesus Christ, you are incapable of understanding and truth."

• Susan Wise Bauer [28:15]: "Yeah, of course I'm concerned about it. I think it's a false ideology. I think it's an ideology that does not honor God."

These quotes encapsulate the fervent beliefs and strategic intentions fueling the Christian nationalist movement, as well as the internal conflicts and criticisms it faces from within the broader Christian educational community.