E182 | Brian Zhand | Christian Nationalism, the Kingdom of Jesus, and a More Beautiful Christianity cover art

E182 | Brian Zhand | Christian Nationalism, the Kingdom of Jesus, and a More Beautiful Christianity

E182 | Brian Zhand | Christian Nationalism, the Kingdom of Jesus, and a More Beautiful Christianity

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 Brian Zahnd on Christian Nationalism, the Kingdom of Jesus, and a More Beautiful Christianity | Face to Face Podcast Ep. 182 In episode 182 of the podcast, Melinda interviews pastor, author, and theologian Brian Zahnd (Word of Life Church, St. Joseph, Missouri), while co-host Cathy is absent due to losing her voice and shares updates on Immanuel Institute trainings and the standalone Understanding Trauma Course. Zahnd recounts leading one congregation for 44 years, the church's early rapid growth, and a major theological recalibration that moved them toward the Christian tradition and away from politicized rezligion—costing them about 1,500 people between roughly 2004–2014—followed by healing on a 40-day Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in 2016. The conversation contrasts the kingdom of Jesus with Christian nationalism, critiques reducing "Christian" to an adjective serving political agendas, and emphasizes that discipleship requires allegiance to Christ over nation while maintaining a church culture marked by kindness amid political differences. Zahnd centers his theology on "God is like Jesus," argues Jesus reveals God as Savior rather than saving us from God, commends the historic creeds as generous guardrails, and discusses leaning into the "beautiful" as cruciform Christianity, along with his books and an upcoming release, The Unseen Realm (May 19).

02:08 Meet Brian Zahnd: Pastor, Author, Pilgrim

04:05 44 Years at One Church: Calling, Team Leadership & Generations

07:56 A Midlife Faith Shift: From Mega-Growth to Recalibrating Christianity

10:48 Critiquing America, Losing 1500 People & Finding Healing on the Camino

13:39 Kingdom of Jesus vs. Christian Nationalism: Where Allegiance Belongs

19:29 America as Nation, Empire, and "Religion" + The Discipleship Challenge

24:37 'Christian Nation' Myths, Founding Fathers & Why You Can't Baptize a Country

27:33 Global Perspective: Sweden, Trump, Team-Sport Politics & Choosing Love

33:52 Creating a Kind Church Culture Across Political Differences

35:42 Seeing God Through Jesus (Not Culture or Politics)

37:14 John's Prologue: Why Jesus Is the Clearest Revelation of God

40:35 Undoing the 'Angry God' Imagination: Jesus Doesn't Save Us From God

43:44 Creeds, Control, and the 'Heretic' Label: Keeping Christianity Generous

47:04 Making Room for Mystery: Truth, Goodness, and the Power of Beauty

51:43 Cruciform Beauty in Practice: Open Hands, Leading Without Coercion

55:20 Staying With the Church: Family, Calling, and Local Influence

57:21 Books, New Release, and Reclaiming a Non-Escapist Heaven

01:02:40 What Christ Can Bless + The 'Christian' Label + A Final Blessing

https://brianzahnd.com/
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