Adult Forum: Angela Denker, Christian Nationalism

Nokomis Heights welcomes back ELCA Pastor and Red State Christians author Angela Denker to discuss the new edition of her book, specifically addressing the impact of COVID, George Floyd’s murder, and Jan. 6 (including recent court cases and indictments of former President Trump) amidst the rise of white Christian Nationalism in America, even close to home in Minnesota.  She will also share about her work as a small-town parish pastor in rural southwestern Minnesota, and working through the influence of Christian Nationalism in her own family and community—and how Lutheran theological practices and theories can combat Christian Nationalism.

Bring your questions for Q&A time at the end!

Rev. Angela Denker is an ELCA Lutheran pastor and veteran journalist. She has written for many publications, including Sports Illustrated, the Washington Post, and FORTUNE magazine. Denker has appeared on CNN, BBC, SkyNews, and NPR to share her research on politics and Christian Nationalism in the U.S. Her book, Red State Christians: Understanding the Voters who elected Donald Trump, was the 2019 Silver Foreword Indies award-winner for political and social sciences. The new edition of the book, subtitled: A Journey into White Christian Nationalism and the Wreckage it Leaves Behind, was released Aug. 16, 2022, and addresses the impact of COVID, Jan. 6, and George Floyd on Christian Nationalism and religious violence in the U.S. Angela recently served for three years as Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Brownton, Minnesota, and she’s currently working on a new book about the rising radicalization of young, white Christian boys and men in America—and what to do about it, slated for publication in Spring 2025. Angela lives with her husband, Ben, and two sons in Southwest Minneapolis. You can read her writing each week on Substack at https://angeladenker.substack.com.