What Is Christian Nationalism? — Defining the Term and Where It Goes Wrong

What Is Christian Nationalism? — Defining the Term and Where It Goes Wrong

In the Season 1 finale, Pastors Steve and Luke tackle one of the most controversial and confusing terms in American Christianity today: Christian nationalism. What does it actually mean? How is it different from being a patriotic Christian? They define the term carefully, walk through PRRI's five-question diagnostic, identify where Christian nationalists have common ground with most Christians, and then unpack four key areas where it goes wrong — the myth about American history, false binary thinking, ethnic bias, and most importantly, a misunderstanding of Jesus' kingdom. This episode pairs perfectly with the upcoming summer book club. Episode Timestamps •       [00:00] Introduction — Luke Is Back! •       [00:39] Season 1 Finale — Summer Break Announcement •       [01:01] Summer Book Club Plug — Jesus and John Wayne, June 23 •       [01:33] The Question: What Is Christian Nationalism? •       [01:55] Where the Term Came From — 2016 and Beyond •       [02:54] A Label Usually Applied, Not Adopted •       [03:23] Steve's Working Definition of Christian Nationalism •       [04:32] What Does NOT Make You a Christian Nationalist •       [05:23] Where It Crosses the Line — Fusing Christian and National Identity •       [06:05] Paul Miller's Expert Definition •       [06:49] Defining "Anglo-Protestant" Culture •       [07:28] Christian Nationalism's "Deep Story" •       [08:20] Why the Deep Story Is Compelling — And Where It Goes Wrong •       [08:49] PRRI's Five-Question Diagnostic •       [09:40] The Common Ground With Most Christians •       [10:33] Four Areas Where Christian Nationalism Goes Wrong •       [11:35] Wrong Area 1: The Myth About American History •       [13:30] Wrong Area 2: Binary Thinking — "Christian Nation" vs. "Secular State" •       [15:30] Wrong Area 3: Ethnic Bias •       [17:28] Wrong Area 4: Misunderstanding the Kingdom of Jesus •       [19:00] Matthew 20 — Jesus' Upside-Down Kingdom •       [19:42] The Kingdom of Jesus Comes From the Inside Out •       [20:23] Exile, Not Domination — Our True Identity •       [20:59] Summer Book Club Announcement Recap •       [21:26] Sneak Peek: Season 2 Topics •       [22:55] Closing People's Questions Answered Anonymous: "What is Christian nationalism?" Key Scripture References * Matthew 20:25-26 ("Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant") * John 18:36 ("My kingdom is not of this world") Resources Mentioned * Mapping Christian Nationalism [https://prri.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/PRRI-Feb-2026-CN-in-50-states.pdf] — Research by PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute) * American Christian Nationalism [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802884350/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_9?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1] by Michael W. Austin * Taking Back America for God [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0197652573/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_8?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1] by Samuel Whitehead and Andrew Perry * Disarming Leviathan [https://www.amazon.com/Disarming-Leviathan-Christian-Nationalist-Neighbor/dp/1514008513/ref=sr_1_1?crid=THA48EBCUVAU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2zoMNeejxIhheE3MjVdOP4yuAvR6qG-oYbg09tE_Yzgcid9wyZFKx7WZwda0R6sI.EVmUj27EBGNmTguznPl6UtjD1c0PGlt6l3rcOIQ852A&dib_tag=se&keywords=disarming+leviathan+caleb+campbell&qid=1779135343&sprefix=disarming+lev%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-1] by Caleb Campbell * "Christian Nationalism Misrepresents Jesus, So We ShouldReject It [https://www.9marks.org/article/christian-nationalism-as-influence-or-identity/]" by Jonathan Leeman First meeting: June 23. Pastor Steve leads a bookclub this summer wrestling with big ideas and hot topics in culture. Summer Book Club Book 1: Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez Coming in Season 2 A preview of topics they're already planning: •       How should Christians engage in culture? •       Cremation versus burial •       Does God hate people? •       Why does God allow so much pain and suffering? •       Questions about sexuality •       Where do dinosaurs fit in the creation timeline? •       Speaking in tongues, and more! Connect With Us Submit your questions at cherryhillsfamily.org/podcast, text"podcast" to 217-546-4818, or use the link in the show notes. We'd also love to hear stories of what God is doing in the lives of people in our church — send us names and let us know! Subscribe and share — see you in Season 2!

Three Years Later — Tammy's Reflections on Her Near-Death Experience

In the conclusion of Tammy Manheim's interview, Pastor Steve and Tammy explore what happened after her near-death experience — both spiritually and practically. Now three years out, Tammy shares why she waited to speak about her experience, how her family helped her test it against Scripture, and the surprising spiritual challenge that followed: her prayer life completely tanked for almost a year. They discuss what people misunderstand about NDEs, how to encounter God without needing a mystical experience, and the simple truth that runs through it all: God is real, He is active, and He's already speaking — if we'll take the time to look and listen. Episode Timestamps •       [00:00] Introduction — Recap of Episode 20 •       [01:09] Waking Up — Overwhelmed With Thankfulness •       [02:24] Seeing Life With Thankful Eyes •       [02:54] The Recovery — Slow, Painful, Necessary •       [03:00] Why Tammy Didn't Share the Experience Right Away •       [04:18] The First People She Told — Family and Staff •       [05:14] Testing It Against Scripture With Her Family •       [05:38] Three Years Later — How the Experience Has Shaped Her •       [07:02] Why an NDE? — Sharing God's Plan With Others •       [07:55] The Gift of Faith — And the Year Her Prayer Life Tanked •       [09:19] A Humbling Mountaintop — Surrendering Control •       [09:39] "I Held Your Heart in My Hands" — A Doctor's Words •       [10:43] Tammy's Beliefs About NDEs Before This Happened •       [11:15] The Problem With Sensationalized Faith •       [12:07] Hebrews 11 — Faith Given Sight •       [13:41] What People Most Misunderstand About NDEs •       [15:30] To Those Who Feel Left Out — God Is Still at Work •       [17:08] Moses and the Burning Bush — The Bush Is Always Burning •       [17:40] Tammy's One Takeaway: God Is Real and Active •       [18:26] Announcement: Upcoming Book Club on NDEs •       [18:45] Closing & How to Submit Questions For Those Who Feel Left Out "You don't have to die in order to encounter God. God is doing something in your life — you just need to see it, hear it, listen for Him." Pastor Steve adds the image of Moses and the burning bush: the bush was always burning. Moses just had to stop, look, and take off his sandals. Tammy's One Takeaway "God is real. He is active. Take the time to stop and look for Him, to listen for Him. He'll meet you there. He always does." Key Scripture References * Hebrews 11 (Hall of Faith) * Exodus 3 (Moses and the burningbush) Connect With Us Submit your questions at cherryhillsfamily.org/podcast, text"podcast" to 217-546-4818, or use the link in the show notes. Subscribe, share, and leave a 5-star review!

A Real Near-Death Experience — Tammy Manheim Shares Her Story

In Episode 13, Pastor Steve and Pastor Luke discussed near-death experiences (NDEs) and mentioned a friend of the church who had one. This week, that friend — Tammy Manheim — shares her remarkable story firsthand. What began as a routine outpatient surgery turned into 19 days in the hospital, including a week of unconsciousness and two times when she coded. During that time, Tammy experienced perfect peace and pure light, was shown her life as a "tangled pile of string," and was asked three times if she wanted to go back. This is her account in her own words. Episode Timestamps •       [00:00] Introduction — Meeting Tammy Manheim •       [00:50] Why This Episode? — Following Up on Episode 13's NDE Discussion •       [01:34] The Before: A Routine Surgery That Wasn't •       [02:11] 19 Days in the Hospital, One Week Unconscious •       [02:26] The Conversation About Pulling the Plug •       [03:48] Coding Twice — The Experience Begins •       [03:55] Perfect Peace, Perfect Clarity, Pure Light •       [04:49] No Sense of Time, No Sense of Body •       [05:09] Asked Three Times: "Do You Want to Go Back?" •       [06:08] No Fear, Just Peace and Joy — Holiness and Love Together •       [07:23] The Tangled Pile of String — Tammy's Life Reviewed •       [08:42] Three Times Around — The Choice to Stay or Return •       [09:39] "Then I Had Grandkids" — Told She Had to Go Back •       [10:53] The Miracle — Jenny's Visit and the Turning Point •       [11:15] Waking Up — Telling Her Son Brandon He'd Be a Father •       [12:40] Robert — A Shout-Out to Her "Son-in-Love" •       [15:30] Closing & How to Submit Questions Connection to Episode 13 In Episode 13, Pastor Luke explained common features of NDEs based on John Burke's research: peace, altered time, encounter with light, life review, a boundary point, and a return. Tammy's experience touches on nearly every one of these — yet sheemphasizes that she didn't share her story for years and only learned about NDE research after the fact. Connect With Us Submit your questions at cherryhillsfamily.org/podcast [⁠https://www.cherryhillsfamily.org/podcast⁠], text"podcast" to 217-546-4818, or use the link in the show notes. Subscribe, share, and leave a 5-star review!

Women in Ministry (Part 2) — Soft Complementarianism, Where Cherry Hills Lands, and Personal Stories

In Part 2 of the women in ministry conversation, Steve and Jenny introduce the third theological view — soft complementarianism — and explore how each view objects to the others. They unpack hermeneutics (the rules we use to interpret Scripture) and slippery slope arguments. Then Steve shares where Cherry Hills Church lands as a body, and the episode turns deeply personal as Jenny shares her journey as a woman with leadership gifts and Steve reflects on how his perspective has been shaped over the years. They close with a powerful word about unity, focusing on Jesus, and not letting "passing lane issues" divide the church. Episode Timestamps •       [00:00] Introduction — Continuing the Conversation •       [00:35] Recap of Last Week's Two Views •       [00:48] View 3: Soft Complementarianism Explained •       [01:43] Headship as Office-Specific, Not Universal •       [02:40] Objections: How Egalitarians Critique Complementarianism •       [03:50] The Slippery Slope Fallacy — Inevitability vs. Causation •       [04:39] Hermeneutics 101 — How We Interpret Scripture •       [05:32] Fixed Meaning vs. Changing Application — The Head Coverings Example •       [07:03] Objections to Soft Complementarianism — Is It Inconsistent? •       [07:38] Where Cherry Hills Lands: Soft Complementarianism •       [08:55] Jenny's Personal Story — From Volunteer to Staff Leader •       [10:24] "Too Much and Not Enough at the Same Time" •       [10:58] Jesus as the Ultimate Servant Leader •       [11:46] Steve's Personal Reflection on Women in Leadership •       [13:32] Final Word: To the Men and Women in the Church •       [14:40] Steve on "Passing Lane Issues" and Unity (Romans 14) •       [16:32] Closing & How to Submit Questions Where Cherry Hills Church Lands Cherry Hills Church holds the position of soft complementarianism. They believe this best honors the Genesis2 vision of biblical headship while also celebrating that women and men are equally gifted. They joyfully affirm women's calling to leadership and teaching — including the title of "pastor" — while still holding that the office of elder is reserved for qualified men. Key Scripture References Genesis 2 (Ezer/helper) 1 Corinthians 11:5 (women prophesying) 1 Timothy 2 Acts 18:26 (Priscilla and Aquila) Romans 16 (women co-laborers) Philippians 2:5-8 (Christ as servant) Romans 14 (disputable matters) Connect With Us Submit your questions at cherryhillsfamily.org/podcast [https://cherryhillsfamily.org/podcast], text"podcast" to 217-546-4818, or use the link in the show notes. Subscribe, share, and leave a 5-star review!

Women in Ministry (Part 1) — Complementarianism and Egalitarianism Explained

After receiving multiple questions on this topic, Pastor Steve and Jenny Elliott finally tackle one of the most discussed and debated issues in the modern church: the role of women in ministry. With grace, humility, and rigorous study, they begin a multi-part series by laying out where all Christians agree (Genesis 1:26-27 — men and women are equally created in God's image) and then walk through the first two of three theological views: complementarianism and egalitarianism. They unpack the key biblical texts each view rests on — including the Hebrew word "Ezer" (helper), the Genesis creation order, 1 Timothy 2, Galatians 3:28, and the role of women like Priscilla, Deborah, and Junia. Episode Timestamps •       [00:00] Introduction — Steve and Jenny Tackle Women in Ministry •       [00:50] The Three Listener Questions (Melinda, Scott, and Tess) •       [01:51] Wrestling With This Topic — A Word About Unity and Grace •       [03:42] Roadmap: Three Views, Their Counters, and Where Cherry Hills Lands •       [04:36] Where All Orthodox Christians Agree — Genesis 1:26-27 •       [05:13] The Real Disagreement: Authority and Responsibility, Not Worth •       [06:01] Introducing the Three Views: Complementarianism, Egalitarianism, and Soft Views •       [06:59] View 1: Complementarianism Explained •       [07:27] The Hebrew Word "Ezer" — A Strong Helper, Not a Subordinate •       [09:05] The Created Order and the Concept of Headship •       [09:44] Ephesians 5 — Headship as Servanthood, Not Domination •       [11:03] Headship Rooted in the Trinity — 1 Corinthians 15:28 •       [12:11] 1 Timothy 2:12-13 — Teaching, Authority, and Creation Order •       [12:56] Eldership Reserved for Men — 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 •       [14:22] View 2: Egalitarianism Explained •       [14:38] Galatians 3:28 — "Neither Male nor Female" •       [14:52] Acts 2 and Joel's Prophecy — "Sons and Daughters Will Prophesy" •       [15:30] Women Leaders Throughout Scripture — Deborah, Huldah, Junia, Mary Magdalene, Esther, Miriam, Anna •       [16:06] Priscilla and Aquila — Acts 18:26 and the Word "Explained" •       [17:25] Egalitarian Response to 1 Timothy 2 — Cultural Context •      [18:22] Closing — Continuing Next Week with View 3 and Where We Land People's Questions Answered From Melinda: "Why can't women be in leadership positions in the church?" From Scott: "What is the belief of Cherry Hills Church regarding women serving in the role of pastor and/or deacon? What is thechurch doctrine and what does Scripture say about these issues?" From Tess: "Is it okay for churches to have women pastors? What about elders or deacons? I've heard both support for women pastors and discouragement depending on one'sdenomination. As a woman who has both female and male pastors in my family, this is a major question I have always wrestled with." Key Scripture References * Genesis 1:26-27 * Genesis 2:18-25 * 1 Corinthians 11:3 * 1 Corinthians 15:28 * Ephesians 5:22-33 * 1 Timothy 2:12-13 * 1 Timothy 3 * Titus 1:5-9 * Galatians 3:28 * Acts 2:17-18 * Acts 18:26 * Joel 2:28-29 * Romans 16:7 (Junia) * Judges 4-5 (Deborah) * 2 Kings 22 (Huldah) * John 20:17 (Mary Magdalene) Connect With Us Submit your questions at cherryhillsfamily.org/podcast, text"podcast" to 217-546-4818, or use the link in the show notes.   Subscribe, share, and leave a 5-star review!