Who Is Christ for Us Today?
Faithful Responses to Christian Nationalism
By Stacey Burke, Communications & Growing Young Coordinator
On March 8, faith leaders, scholars, and advocates gathered for a powerful conversation at the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) event, Hope in a Divided World: A Faithful Response to Christian Nationalism. Held at United Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg, the event explored how Christians can respond to the growing influence of Christian nationalism through theology, advocacy, and public witness.
Panel discussion featuring the Rev. Dr. Teresa Smallwood, the Rev. Amy Reumann, Amanda Tyler, Dr. Lori Brandt Hale, the Rev. Dr. R. Guy Erwin
The gathering featured three prominent speakers: Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and lead organizer of Christians Against Christian Nationalism; Dr. Lori Brandt Hale, president of the International Bonhoeffer Society and a scholar of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s theology; and the Rev. Amy Reumann, Director of ELCA Witness in Society. Together, they examined how Christian nationalism distorts the Gospel and threatens both democracy and religious freedom.
Amanda Tyler highlighted the dangers of Christian nationalism, explaining how it intertwines national identity with a particular expression of Christianity, often leading to exclusion, discrimination, and even violence. She emphasized that confronting this ideology is not only a political concern but also a deeply theological one. “Christian nationalism is not just about policy—it’s about the integrity of our faith,” she urged the audience. Tyler’s book, How to End Christian Nationalism, is available to borrow at the synod’s resource center for those who want to explore this issue further.
Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and lead organizer of Christians Against Christian Nationalism
Dr. Lori Brandt Hale, president of the International Bonhoeffer Society and a scholar of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s theology and Bishop Christopher deForest of the NEPA Synod
Dr. Lori Brandt Hale drew from the legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian who resisted the Nazi regime and questioned how Christians should respond to oppressive ideologies. She reflected on Bonhoeffer’s famous question: Who is Christ for us today? and challenged attendees to consider how their faith compels them to act in the face of injustice. “Bonhoeffer’s resistance was rooted in his understanding of a God who calls us to serve the world, not dominate it,” she noted.
In partnership with LAMPa, Dr. Brandt Hale also designed an interactive curriculum on Dietrich Bonhoeffer specifically for congregations. Visit lutheranadvocacypa.org/bonhoeffer/ to find the facilitator’s guide, participant workbook, and accompanying slides!
The Rev. Amy Reumann provided a call to action, encouraging faith communities to be bold in their witness against Christian nationalism. She stressed the importance of speaking out in public life, ensuring that religious liberty is preserved for all, not just for those in power. “The work of advocacy is deeply theological,” she reminded the audience, urging them to engage in conversations that reclaim faith from political misuse.
The event concluded with a worship service, where the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, preached. NEPA Synod Seminarian, Quentin Bernhard, co-convenor of Gather Lehigh Valley, served as the assisting minister during worship.
Many lay people and ministers from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod attended the event in person in Gettysburg. Simultaneously, twenty-two members of Weisenberg Lutheran Church in New Tripoli participated virtually, gathering for a potluck lunch as they viewed the event. Their pastor, the Rev. Brandon Heavner, shared that holding the event virtually with their community was beneficial, as it provided time for personal connection, conversation, and fellowship. He expressed hope that having the event in this format allowed attendees with diverse viewpoints to engage the difficult yet important topic of Christian nationalism together.
As Christian nationalism continues to shape public discourse, events like this serve as a vital reminder of the need for faithful engagement in the world. Bonhoeffer’s question—Who is Christ for us today? —remains as relevant as ever, challenging people of faith to resist ideologies that distort the Gospel and to work for a society rooted in justice, inclusion, and love.
Thank you to LAMPa representatives, Tracey DePasquale and the Rev. Erin Jones for organizing this inspiring event and the United Lutheran Seminary for hosting.
Resources
- Amanda Tyler, How to End Christian Nationalism – Available to borrow from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod Resource Center.
- Christians Against Christian Nationalism – A campaign led by Amanda Tyler and the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. Learn more and sign the statement: www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org
- The International Bonhoeffer Society – Resources on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s theology and legacy: www.bonhoeffersociety.org
- ELCA Social Statement: For Peace in God’s World – Addresses Christian public engagement and advocacy: www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/Social-Statements/Peace
- LAMPa (Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania) – Learn about faith-based advocacy efforts in Pennsylvania: www.lutheranadvocacypa.org
Bonhoeffer Curriculum and Midweek Liturgy—Made for small group and congregational study and reflection: https://www.lutheranadvocacypa.org/bonhoeffer/
