651 episodes

An in-depth examination of the culture and politics of Christian Nationalism and Evangelicalism by two ex-evangelical ministers-turned-religion professors. If you have ever wondered what social and historical forces led white evangelicals to usher Donald Trump into the White House this is the show for you. As former insiders and critical scholars of religion, Dan Miller and Bradley Onishi have a unique perspective on the Religious Right. Guests have included Chrissy Stroop, R. Marie Griffith, Janelle Wong, Randall Balmer, Katherine Stewart, and many others.

Straight White American Jesus Axis Mundi Media

    • News

An in-depth examination of the culture and politics of Christian Nationalism and Evangelicalism by two ex-evangelical ministers-turned-religion professors. If you have ever wondered what social and historical forces led white evangelicals to usher Donald Trump into the White House this is the show for you. As former insiders and critical scholars of religion, Dan Miller and Bradley Onishi have a unique perspective on the Religious Right. Guests have included Chrissy Stroop, R. Marie Griffith, Janelle Wong, Randall Balmer, Katherine Stewart, and many others.

    Weekly Roundup: Opportunistic Judeo-Christianism + Samson, Delilah, and Hush Money

    Weekly Roundup: Opportunistic Judeo-Christianism + Samson, Delilah, and Hush Money

    NAR WATCH: a monthly episode on the New Apostolic Reformation with Dr. Matthew Taylor debuts on the SWAJ feed next week. Become a premium member to get full access! https://axismundi.supercast.com/
    Brad and Dan begin by discussing the fact that the trial surrounding Trump's payment to Stormy Daniels has buoyed his support among religious conservatives. They break down this confusing phenomenon through the story of Samson and Delilah, and great scholarship on the connections among hyper-masculinism, nationalism, and sex. Drawing on work by Sara Moslener and Leslie Dorrough Smith, the hosts point out how straight White men often receive approval for aggressive sexual behavior because it proves they are up for the job of protecting the nation from outside invaders and internal threats.
    In the second segment the hosts turn to what Brad calls opportunistic fights against anti-Semitism on the part of the American Right. While acknowledging repeatedly that anti-Semitism is an ascendant and insidious force in the USA, he argues that the right-wing politicians suddenly interested in defending American Jews are doing so not because of genuine interest in their safety or flourishing, but in order to mobilize against enemies and others they feel will win them political favor.
    In the final segment, the hosts discuss Trump's appeals to billionaires - and whether it's healthy for the presidency to be sold to the highest bidder.
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    • 1 hr 8 min
    It's In the Code Ep. 98: “We’re all Sinners”

    It's In the Code Ep. 98: “We’re all Sinners”

    Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/
    “We’re all sinners.” People who’ve spent any time in Christian contexts will have heard this phrase. But what does mean, exactly? And how is it used? Why does it sometimes feel like an affirmation of radical acceptance, while others it feels judgmental and profoundly negative? Dan explores this topics in this week’s episodes, and uncovers some surprising complexity to the phrase in the process. Check it out!
    Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC
    Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163
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    • 27 min
    The Exvangelicals w/ Sarah McCammon

    The Exvangelicals w/ Sarah McCammon

    SWAJ Premium IS ON SALE! $50 for the whole year! Subscribe to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/
    Growing up in a deeply evangelical family in the Midwest in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Sarah McCammon was strictly taught to fear God, obey him, and not question the faith. Persistently worried that her gay grandfather would go to hell unless she could reach him, or that her Muslim friend would need to be converted, and that she, too, would go to hell if she did not believe fervently enough, McCammon was a rule-follower and—most of the time—a true believer. But through it all, she was increasingly plagued by fears and deep questions as the belief system she'd been carefully taught clashed with her expanding understanding of the outside world.

    After spending her early adult life striving to make sense of an unraveling worldview, by her 30s, she found herself face-to-face with it once again as she covered the Trump campaign for NPR, where she witnessed first-hand the power and influence that evangelical Christian beliefs held on the political right.

    Sarah also came to discover that she was not alone: she is among a rising generation of the children of evangelicalism who are growing up and fleeing the fold, who are thinking for themselves and deconstructing what feel like the “alternative facts” of their childhood.
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    • 1 hr 7 min
    Bonus Ep. 4: God, Rock and Roll, and Bloody Noses w/ Leah Payne

    Bonus Ep. 4: God, Rock and Roll, and Bloody Noses w/ Leah Payne

    SWAJ Premium IS ON SALE! $50 for the whole year! Subscribe to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/
    Our monthly bonus episode begins with a visit from Dr. Leah Payne, author of God Gave you Rock and Roll: A History of Contemporary Christian Music. Brad and Dan ask her about the cultural significance of God rock and the ways that it reflects White evangelicalism's ideal family, gender roles, and sexual ethic. They all also tell hilarious stories of their own youthful experiences with Christian music - including the time Dan broke a dude's nose in a mosh pit and then prayed it out with him as a good brother in Christ.
    In the second hour, they turn to the Trump immunity trial and the ways it is threatening to tank the Jack Smith case and erode our democracy from within. Dan then does a deep dive into a report about trans care coming out of the UK - something that will make its way across the pond soon to the ears of every Uncle Ron in the country.
    The episode finishes with responses to a few very thoughtful AMAs.
    Buy Leah's book: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/god-gave-rock-and-roll-to-you-9780197555248?cc=us&lang=en&
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    • 1 hr 2 min
    Weekly Roundup: Christian Nationalists "Rescue" the Jewish People + Trump's Time Interview

    Weekly Roundup: Christian Nationalists "Rescue" the Jewish People + Trump's Time Interview

    SWAJ Premium IS ON SALE! $50 for the whole year! Subscribe to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/
    Brad and Dan begin by discussing the responses to campus protests across the nation, and then zoom into the actions and words of Sean Feucht and Eric Metaxas - two Christian nationalist influencers who led pro-Israel rallies in NYC and LA this week. Brad explains how and why Christian nationalists like them fetishize Israel for what it does for them, not for actual care or solidarity with Jewish People.
    In the second segment, Dan breaks down Trump's Time interview - a detailed foreshadowing of what will come in his potential next term: using the National Guard on American citizens, taking any civil rights from immigrants, letting states ban abortion, putting all employees on Schedule F, oh, and not accepting election results if he loses.
    In the final segment the hosts discuss the United Methodist Church's new policies on marriage, which are a step forward for gay couples within the nationa's second largest Protestant denomination.
    Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC
    Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163
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    • 1 hr 8 min
    It's In the Code Ep. 97: "In Essentials, Unity. In Non-Essentials, Charity."

    It's In the Code Ep. 97: "In Essentials, Unity. In Non-Essentials, Charity."

    Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/
    “In essentials, Unity; in non-essentials, charity.” This is a Christian “slogan” or theological aphorism that dates back almost 2000 years. But we still here it within diverse Christian contexts today. What is the impulse behind it? What does it tell us about Christian identity and “unity”? What are the different uses to which Christians put this aphorism today? How can it signal an inclusive, inviting, and open Christian community? How can it also serve the purposes and aims of high-control Christian communities? Give this week’s episode a listen to find out!
    Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC
    Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163
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    • 28 min

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