White Christian America From Puritans to January 6: Reflections on Dr. Christina Littlefield’s Talk

By Pastor Aaron Van Voorhis

Listen to Dr. Littlefield’s full talk and Q&A

This past Sunday at Central Avenue Church, we had the privilege of hosting Dr. Christina Littlefield of Pepperdine University. She joined us to share insights from her book Christian America and the Kingdom of God: White Christian Nationalism from the Puritans through January 6, 2021 (Second Edition). What she offered was not just a history lesson, but an invitation to deeper reflection on our faith, our nation, and the way we live in between.

Dr. Littlefield began by explaining how this book came to be: an expansion of earlier work by her mentor, Richard Hughes, brought into the present moment in light of recent events like the January 6th insurrection and the rapid rise of conversations around Christian nationalism. What started as a modest update became something much larger: a deeply researched, 17-chapter exploration of how Christianity and American identity have been intertwined over centuries.

But this wasn’t just about history. It was about asking better questions.

What Is and Isn’t Christian Nationalism?

One of the most helpful parts of the morning was Dr. Littlefield’s clear definition of Christian nationalism. She made an important distinction: this is not simply Christians engaging in public life, serving their communities, or bringing their values into the world. In fact, those are things we are called to do.

Christian nationalism, she explained, goes further. It is the belief that the United States was founded as a Christian nation, has lost its way, and must be “taken back” for God, often through power, control, or domination. It merges faith with political ideology in ways that can distort both.

Historically, this movement has been closely tied to white cultural identity, often conflating Christianity with a particular race or national story. And while it has sometimes produced real social good (like contributions to abolition or labor reform) it has also led to exclusion, injustice, and a loss of Christian witness.

The “Kingdom of God:” A Different Vision

From there, Dr. Littlefield invited us to consider a different framework: the Kingdom of God.

Rooted in the Hebrew prophets and brought to life in the teachings of Jesus, the Kingdom of God is not about domination or control. It is about justice, mercy, humility, and love. It is both present and still unfolding, something theologians often call the “already and not yet.”

This Kingdom isn’t something we can force into existence through political power. It grows through transformed lives, through service, through community, and through a commitment to the flourishing of all people (not just those who look like us or think like us).

Again and again, Scripture contrasts the way of empire with the way of the cross. And as Dr. Littlefield reminded us, those two paths lead in very different directions.

From Puritans to the Christian Right: A History of Faith and Power in America

The bulk of Dr. Littlefield’s work traces how American Christians have navigated this tension over time. 

She pointed out a key distinction that often gets blurred: the difference between the “planting fathers” (like the Puritans, who did envision a Christian society) and the “founding fathers,” who established a pluralistic democracy with religious freedom at its core.

From there, she walked us through movements like the Second Great Awakening, the Social Gospel era, the rise of fundamentalism, and the emergence of the Christian Right. In each era, we see a mix of sincere faith and cultural assumptions, moments where Christians pursued justice and moments where they reinforced systems of exclusion. 

This history isn’t simple. It’s full of both beauty and brokenness.

Why This Matters Today

Dr. Littlefield didn’t stop in the past. She brought us into the present, examining how Christian nationalism continues to evolve, particularly in recent political movements and media environments that reinforce certain narratives. 

One of her most important points was this: many people who hold Christian nationalist views don’t see themselves that way. They often simply want to live out their faith and see their values reflected in society. That’s why conversations around this topic require care, humility, and understanding.

Power: Over or Under?

Toward the end of her talk, Dr. Littlefield offered a framework that has stayed with me. The question is not whether Christians should have influence or engage in public life. The question is how we use power. 

Are we seeking power over others, or power under others to lift them up?

She contrasted what one pastor calls “the power of the dragon” with “the power of the lamb.” The dragon dominates, coerces, and refuses compromise. The lamb (Jesus) leads with humility, service, love, and sacrifice. 

That contrast is as relevant today as it was in the first century.

A Way Forward

So where do we go from here? Dr. Littlefield suggested that the answer isn’t less Christian engagement in the world, but more. More involvement that reflects the heart of Christ. More collaboration across differences. More commitment to justice, mercy, and the dignity of every person.

She pointed to examples across the political spectrum: people of faith working toward the common good in different ways, united by a desire to see all people flourish.

And she reminded us that real change often begins in small, relational spaces: conversations with neighbors, friends, and family members. Listening well. Speaking honestly. Staying grounded in love.

Final Thoughts

As I reflect on Dr. Littlefield’s visit, I’m struck by how timely and how necessary this conversation is. At Central Avenue Church, we often talk about being a community shaped by the way of Jesus. This is one of those moments where that calling becomes very real.

How do we live faithfully in a complex world?

How do we hold our convictions without losing our compassion? 

How do we pursue the Kingdom of God without confusing it with the kingdoms of this world?

These aren’t easy questions. But they are the right ones. I’m grateful to Dr. Littlefield for helping us ask them.

I encourage you to listen to Dr. Littlefield’s full talk on our podcast, The Central Cast, including the thoughtful Q&A that followed, and to pick up a copy of her book to explore these ideas more deeply for yourself.