What Has Alexander Campbell to Do with Christian Nationalism?

Authors

James L. Gorman, Abilene Christian UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This article examines Alexander Campbell’s political theology through the lens of contemporary definitions of Christian nationalism articulated by sociologists Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry. Using their framework of survey statements measuring Christian nationalist attitudes, it evaluates Campbell’s responses to issues such as the separation of church and state, the role of Christian values in public life, and the idea of America’s divine purpose. While Campbell consistently denied the existence of any true “Christian nation,” he later endorsed Bible-based moral education and viewed Protestant America as a vehicle for global reform. His evolving convictions reveal both resistance to and accommodation of nationalist religion, illuminating the complex interplay between restorationist theology and American civil religion in the nineteenth century.

Author Bio

James L. Gorman is Associate Professor of Christian History in the Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University, where he also serves as the Director for the Center for Restoration Studies. This article was delivered as an address for Founder’s Day at Bethany College (West Virginia) on March 6, 2025, and it has been only lightly edited for print publication.

Recommended Citation

Gorman, James L. (2025) "What Has Alexander Campbell to Do with Christian Nationalism?," Journal of Discipliana: Vol. 78, Article 4.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.discipleshistory.org/journalofdiscipliana/vol78/iss1/4