Amar D. Peterman is an Indian American author, and is touted as a public scholar, and constructive theologian. Peterman is, as of this writing, working on his PhD at the University of Chicago Divinity School, and is best known for his work at the intersection of faith and public life. He works as a Civic Strategies Specialist at Interfaith America where he oversees the Good Neighbor Project. Interfaith America is a national nonprofit organization, formerly known as Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC), and is dedicated to fostering a pluralistic America where people of diverse faiths and worldviews cooperate for the common good.
He wrote an article called Christian Nationalism’s Power Rests On a Simple Proposition: No Questions. (You can read it at https://sojo.net/articles/opinion/christian-nationalisms-power-rests-simple-proposition-no-questions.) In this article, he promotes a belief that Jesus was “a nomadic teacher put to death by the Roman Empire for his message of liberation and love preached to those at the margins of society.” With that as his starting point, he makes the assumption that the very purpose of the Christian faith is to side with the “oppressed” in society and against their “oppressors” (and he, himself gets to define who fits into those categories). Based on that assumption, he attacks evangelical Christians as “Christian nationalists” who fall into his category of “oppressor.”
To do defend his position, he sets up a straw man and proceeds to knock it down. Without ever explaining how he came up with his conclusions about evangelical Christians, he proceeds to trash them based on nothing more than his own personal theological preferences. He assumes that every Christian who does not adhere to his definition of Jesus follower is, by default, a Christian nationalist.
He then goes on to share what he thinks Christian nationalists believe. According to Peterman, “Christian nationalists take for granted that God is on the side of the U.S. and that to be a ‘good’ or ‘real’ Christian, one must affirm this thinking. This assumption is the hinge upon which Christian nationalists’ entire worldview swings. To doubt or question these beliefs is akin to doubting Christianity itself.” He then goes on to paint Christians who are politically conservative as not really Christian because they don’t agree with his definition of the purpose of Christianity.
Before going any further, let’s make an important observation. Peterman is very consistent when it comes to expressing the implications of his beliefs about Christianity. Because he believes the purpose of Christianity is to side with the “oppressed” in society and against the “oppressors,” his efforts to support those he believes are oppressed and put down those he believes are oppressors fit right in with his beliefs. That essentially explains his view of salvation. On the other side, conservative evangelical Christians who desire to promote justice and order in society, regardless of what social or ethnic group they fall into, are also being consistent with their view of how Christianity should be expressed in society.
But here’s the difference. Peterman believes that promoting his version of social justice is the very purpose of God. Evangelical Christians, on the other hand, don’t see their efforts to promote justice and order in society as God’s purpose, but rather as an outward expression of His purpose. The actual purpose itself is understood to be spiritual – to bring people to saving faith in Jesus Christ. This goes right over Peterman’s head. He mistakes effect for purpose.
As a result, he asserts that “Christian nationalists fear knowledge. This is why MAGA demands blind loyalty, absent from any doubt or questioning.” The truth is, he has no idea what he is even talking about. He doesn’t understand the essential core of the Christian faith, and doesn’t understand the motivations of evangelical Christians. He assumes that evangelical Christians are motivated by politics just as he is. He believe that using political means to change society is God’s ultimate purpose for the world. That is just not true. Evangelical Christians are looking, rather, to point people to God so He can change their hearts. It is when people have changed hearts that they begin to act in ways that change society.
Peterman is typical of most people who follow some form of liberal Christianity. They are looking to create utopia on earth based on political action rather than recognizing that God’s ultimate purpose for mankind is spiritual. If you interact with people who are active in a church or denomination that is focused on social justice, you are essentially dealing with people who do not know Christ. That is a hard thing to say when they insist that they are Christians, but in order to make that claim, they have to literally redefine Christian salvation to be something that comes from somewhere other than the Bible. Liberal Christianity is not biblical Christianity.
Freddy Davis is the president of MarketFaith Ministries. He is the author of numerous books entitled The Truth Mirage, Rules for Christians Radicals, Liberalism vs. Conservatism, and his latest book Shattering the Truth Mirage and has a background as an international missionary, pastor, radio host, worldview trainer, and entrepreneur. Freddy is a graduate of Florida State University with a BS in Communication, and holds MDiv and DMin degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a popular speaker, particularly on the topic of worldview and its practical implications for the Christian life. He lives in Tallahassee, FL, with his wife Deborah.
You may also contact Freddy at Leadership Speakers Bureau to schedule him for speaking or leadership engagements.
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