IAF interviews Pastor Eric Pasanchin for the Iowa Christians on Christian Nationalism series!

At the end of 2024, Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers President Jason Benell attended a few events held at churches and started a series of interviews called Iowa Christians on Christian Nationalism.

About the Series

• Questions are asked of religious leaders via email.

• Topics include their views on:

  • Their faith

  • Their congregations

  • Christian Nationalism

• Answers are unedited, except for corrections to misspellings or grammar.

• Responses come directly from the interviewees.

Purpose

The purpose of this interview series is to help us better understand how the religious and non-religious view the ongoing social, political, and cultural movement known as Christian Nationalism.

Get Involved

You are encouraged to:

• Read the interviews

• Come up with your own questions

• Submit them to IAF

If you would like follow-ups, further discussion, or want to provide comments, email IAF at president@iowaatheists.org. We can possibly share your input with both members of IAF and the individuals being interviewed!

Eric Pasanchin, Pastor

Ankeny Presbyterian Church (U.S.A)

Ankeny, Iowa

Interview conducted October 2024

• What would you tell a non-Christian or a person outside of your denomination that makes you different from Christian Nationalists?

  First of all, so-called “Christian” nationalism has nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus. It is a complete betrayal of everything he stood for. The nationalists who use faith to justify their beliefs are misusing religious texts, often ones written by, to, and for Ancient Israelites. Taking those texts out of context, they are then twisted to serve a racist, sexist, anti-LGBTQIA+, political message in the modern world. This is bad history, bad theology, and bad for humanity all around.

  The Presbyterian Church (USA) explicitly includes in its statements of faith a document called “The Barmen Declaration of Faith”, which was written in the 1930’s to oppose the German “Christian” movement, a popular movement in Germany to turn the church into a tool of the Nazi party. We include that declaration in our statements of faith as a clear reminder that Christians’ loyalty is first and foremost to our creator and God’s vision for a just and peaceful world not to any nation, political leader, or ideology.

  Whether you accept the premise of a creator or not, you could at least say that we are dedicated to the well-being of all humans of every race, nation, or worldly condition

• Do you think churches or congregations should take an official public stance on Christian Nationalism?

  Hell yes.

• Do you think the values of Christian Nationalism are in sync with the beliefs of your church or interpretations of the Bible?

  Not even remotely. There is just no way they could be.

• How can a congregation like yours take a stance against Christian Nationalism without being confrontational to other congregations?

  First of all, hosting the film “God and Country” was one way of educating our members and the public about the error of such nationalism. We have also offered book studies that get at the issue.

  Secondly, in our messaging – both internal and external – we emphasize the sacred worth of every person regardless of nationality, race, gender, orientation, or any other distinguishing factor. We have used our church sign, social media, and direct mail to share this message.

  Clarity of message and establishing a clear alternative is the point. Getting directly into arguments with the nationalists does not seem like a productive activity.

• Is Christian Nationalism a partisan project? Why or why not?

  It has been an under-current in the Republican party for years, and is now a large part of their base. The Democratic party does not espouse the same values, and consequently does not appeal to the “Christian” nationalists.

• For Christians, the central point of the faith ought to be the life and teachings of Jesus

  • Inclusive of men, women, children, outcasts, sinners, and foreigners.

  • Non-violent and committed to the poor (and poor himself).

  • Sharing spiritual and material resources as a central part of his program.

  • Teaching forgiveness, generosity, and sacrifice for the common good.

  • Rejecting human empires.