IAF Interviews Downtown Disciple’s Pastor Deb Griffin
Debbie Griffin
Lead Pastor - Downtown Disciples, Des Moines, Iowa
Interview conducted November 2025
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!
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In my opinion Christian Nationalism is a co-opting/hijacking and abuse of Christianity for the purpose of political power and gain. Most people however, define Christian Nationalism as an ideology or form of religious nationalism that promotes Christian views to achieve political and social dominance. I personally believe Christian Nationalism is a distortion of Christianity that is in opposition to the Way of Jesus which is a non-violent pursuit of justice, peace, inclusion and equality.
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We believe in religious freedom and separation of church and state. We believe in universalism and we do not proselytize. We follow the non-violent justice making way of Jesus, which honors and respects religious plurality and freedom from religious oppression.
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Yes. I believe Christian congregations should publicly oppose Christian Nationalism and name it as heresy.
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NO! Nor do I believe Christian Nationalism is in sync with the Gospels, the teaching of Jesus, his ministry or life.
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I sometimes wonder if bringing back the art of respectful public debate could be possible. The founders of our denomination, Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone often participated in public debate. Downtown Disciples take public stands through our merchandise, social media, logo etc by focusing on the inclusive justice making teaching of Jesus. For example, holding up the scriptures that are inclusive and call people to acts of justice and mercy.
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Yes. Why or why not? Republicans chose to hijack Christianity for political gain. Abortion is one example of Republicans partnering with evangelical Christians and Catholics to gain political power by manipulating the laity. Practically speaking, Christian scriptures do not speak against abortion. A scriptural case can be made to support bodily autonomy, freedom of choice and protection of women in both Christian and Jewish scriptures.
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Yes, because the Gospels portray Jesus as one who opposed the ways of Empire. It is my opinion that the average Christian who supports Christian Nationalism isn't educated on scripture and likely doesn't attend worship regularly or participate in a Christian community.
