Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism

Kingdom Coming examines the Christian nationalist movement in America and its growing influence on politics and culture in the early 2000s. Through firsthand reporting and interviews, Michelle Goldberg documents the movement's key figures, organizations, and objectives. The book tracks how Christian nationalist groups work to reshape American institutions including education, scientific research, and the judiciary. Goldberg provides context for their actions by exploring the historical roots and ideological foundations that drive their vision for the nation. Goldberg follows various threads of the movement, from megachurches to political action committees to grassroots organizing efforts. The narrative moves between local community levels and national policy battles to show how Christian nationalist ideas spread and gain traction. The work serves as both journalism and analysis, raising questions about the boundaries between church and state in contemporary America. It explores tensions between religious liberty and secular democracy during a period of significant cultural change.

Readers describe the book as a journalist's investigation into Christian nationalist movements, though many note it reflects Goldberg's left-leaning perspective. Readers appreciated: - Clear documentation and research - First-hand reporting from within Christian nationalist groups - Connections drawn between different religious-political movements - Accessible writing style for complex topics Common criticisms: - Some found the tone alarmist and hyperbolic - Several readers wanted more historical context - Critics felt it oversimplified conservative Christian beliefs - Some noted dated references (published 2007) Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (180+ ratings) Sample reader quote: "Well-researched but definitely written from a specific viewpoint. Worth reading but should be balanced with other perspectives." - Goodreads reviewer Critics on Amazon frequently noted the book "preaches to the choir" rather than attempting to bridge divides between different worldviews.

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🔹 Michelle Goldberg wrote this book in 2006 after traveling across America to investigate the growing influence of the Christian nationalist movement, including visits to megachurches and creationist museums. 🔹 The book's title references "kingdom theology," a belief that Christians must take dominion over society's institutions before Jesus Christ can return to Earth. 🔹 The author traces how the movement gained momentum after Terri Schiavo's case in 2005, when Christian nationalist groups effectively mobilized around the right-to-die controversy. 🔹 Many leaders profiled in the book promote "Christian Reconstructionism," which advocates replacing secular law with Biblical law and was developed by theologian R.J. Rushdoony in the 1960s. 🔹 The book documents how some Christian nationalist textbooks teach that the separation of church and state is a "myth," despite this being a foundational principle in U.S. constitutional law.