John Schmalzbauer, Missouri State University religious studies professor, says Christian nationalism is a belief system that the destiny of the United States is linked to its Christian past. But many scholars use another term: “Christian nationalism.”ĭr. “Biblical citizenship” is how Patriot Academy hosts describe their vision for America. One woman asks how she can teach young people about the country’s Christian foundations. After the video concludes, the group discusses how important the Bible is to American government. But the crowd is watching Patriot Academy from the atrium of Praise Assembly of God, an evangelical church. Presentations like this wouldn’t be out of place at a political rally. They quote the Founding Fathers to reinforce these ideas. The hosts praise small government, free-market capitalism, and individual freedom. They promote a socially conservative view of the world.
The eight-week lecture series is called Patriot Academy, and in this lesson, hosts Rick Green and David Barton comb over the Constitution. They’re watching a video lecture on the roots of American democracy. A small crowd gathers in north Springfield. It’s a quiet Thursday evening in late July.
