Christian Nationalism, Race, and the Sins of Our Fathers with Matthew Pridgen

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: [email protected] Matthew Pridgen, director of The Sins of Our Fathers: Race, Religion and the Rise of Trump, joins Faithful Politics to examine the roots and rise of Christian nationalism in America.Drawing from his documentary, Pridgen traces connections between slavery, segregation, and modern religious politics, arguing that Christian language has repeatedly been used to justify systems of power. We discuss how Christian nationalism differs from traditional conservatism, how racial fear has shaped political strategy, and why white evangelical voting patterns remain central to today’s political landscape.This episode explores the historical foundations of Christian nationalism, its theological distortions, and what it means for Christians navigating faith, race, and democracy in the United States.Watch the film: https://sinsofourfathersfilm.com/Guest BioMatthew Pridgen is a filmmaker and social commentator best known for his documentary The Sins of Our Fathers: Race, Religion and the Rise of Trump. His work examines the intersection of race, Christianity, and political power in American history.Raised in South Carolina, Pridgen’s ministry work in historically Black communities reshaped his understanding of American history, theology, and public life. His documentary traces how religious rhetoric has been used to justify slavery, segregation, and modern political movements, while calling Christians back to what he describes as the “real Jesus” — one rooted in sacrificial love rather than cultural dominance. Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: [email protected] Wright, Political Host: [email protected] Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast