What is Christian Nationalism? An Interview with Paul Matzko, Part One

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Paul Matzko is a historian and senior program manager for AI and emerging technology at the Institute for Humane Studies at George Mason University. He is also an adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute and host of the Unintended Consequences podcast. 

Today, he joins me to discuss how Christian nationalism differs from citizen engagement with politics. Often Christian nationalists complain that they are simply living out their faith in the public square. However, Paul teases out the differences between policies which benefit the common good and those which are designed to benefit mainly or only Christians affiliated with the regime in power. 

This is part one of a two-part interview. Next week, I will have the conclusion where Paul talks about the bitter consequences of Christian nationalism and addresses the question: Has Christian nationalism ever worked?

Topics today:

• What is Christian nationalism?
• Christian nationalism and the ideology of South African apartheid
• Christian nationalism and Geralf L. K. Smith
• Billy Sunday and the Klan
• MAGA as the modern America First movement
• Christian nationalism is a different faith than orthodox Christianity
• Christian nationalism and public schools
• and much more...

Music today is provided by Earl's Taco Shack, Jonus Fair, and Dustin Blatnik.

Hosted and produced by Warren Throckmorton

Artwork by Sarah Eshelman