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Straight White American Jesus

Straight White American Jesus

By: Bradley Onishi + Daniel Miller
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Summary

 An in-depth examination of the culture and politics of Christian Nationalism and Evangelicalism by two ex-evangelical ministers-turned-religion professors. If you have ever wondered what social and historical forces led white evangelicals to usher Donald Trump into the White House this is the show for you. As former insiders and critical scholars of religion, Dan Miller and Bradley Onishi have a unique perspective on the Religious Right. Guests have included Chrissy Stroop, R. Marie Griffith, Janelle Wong, Randall Balmer, Katherine Stewart, and many others.Bradley Onishi + Daniel Miller Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • The Sunday Interview: “We Are Not a Monolith”: Latino Evangelicals, Immigration Politics, and the Battle Over Representation

    The Sunday Interview: “We Are Not a Monolith”: Latino Evangelicals, Immigration Politics, and the Battle Over Representation
    May 17 2026
    In this episode of the Straight White American Jesus Sunday Interview, host Leah Payne speaks with Jonathan Calvillo, sociologist of religion at Candler School of Theology at Emory University and author of The Saints of Santa Ana, about growing tensions within Latino evangelical and Pentecostal communities over immigration, political representation, and the public platforming of prominent evangelical leader Samuel Rodriguez. The conversation centers on the recent “We Are Not a Monolith” statement issued by Latino pastors, scholars, and ministry leaders calling for greater nuance and accountability in how Latino Christians are represented in national media. Calvillo explains why many faith leaders believe Rodriguez has come to function less as an advocate for vulnerable immigrant communities and more as a defender of Trump-era immigration policies and conservative political networks. Together, Payne and Calvillo explore how ICE raids and immigration enforcement are reshaping Latino churches across the United States, including the emergence of new theological language around persecution, sanctuary, solidarity, and resistance. They discuss the complex political diversity within Latino evangelicalism, the influence of white evangelical megachurch networks on Latino Pentecostal leaders, and the growing tensions between immigrant-majority congregations and prominent conservative evangelical institutions. The episode also examines how Latino evangelical and Pentecostal churches are responding to fear, surveillance, and political polarization in this moment, including new collaborations between immigrant churches, ecumenical groups, and unexpected community allies. Throughout the conversation, Calvillo situates current debates within a longer history of migration, marginalization, religious activism, and public theology in the United States. The “We Are Not a Monolith” statement and the debate over Latino evangelical representation Samuel Rodriguez, the NHCLC, and conservative evangelical political influence ICE raids, sanctuary politics, and immigrant church communities Why some Latino pastors are increasingly using the language of persecution Latino Pentecostalism, MAGA politics, and white evangelical influence The role of megachurch culture, class mobility, and political power Christian nationalism and competing visions of American Christianity New ecumenical and interfaith collaborations emerging in immigrant communities Theologies of protest, resistance, and accompaniment among Latino evangelicals “We Are Not a Monolith” statement: WeAreNotAMonolith.com Samuel Rodriguez, “ICE Is Devastating Some Latino Churches” (Christianity Today): Christianity Today article Christianity Today response to the “We Are Not a Monolith” statement: CT response article Religion News Service coverage: “Latino Christians release letter saying Trump advisor overexaggerated influence” Robert Chao Romero, “We Refuse to Be Comforted: When Prophets Side with Pharaoh”: Theology and Migration article Jonathan Calvillo faculty page: Candler School of Theology Faculty Profile Jonathan Calvillo on Instagram/X: @yocalvillo Jonathan Calvillo’s book, The Saints of Santa Ana: Faith and Ethnicity in a Mexican-Majority City: Oxford University Press In This EpisodeLinks:Find Dr. Leah Payne at DrLeahPayne.com, subscribe on Substack, follow her on most social media platforms at @drleahpayne, listen along at Spirit & Power: Charismatics & Politics in American Life and Rock That Doesn’t Roll, and read along with God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music. Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • Weekly Roundup: Under-Babied and Overruled: Trump’s Golden Calf Politics

    Weekly Roundup: Under-Babied and Overruled: Trump’s Golden Calf Politics
    May 15 2026
     Brad and Dan dig into another whirlwind week in Trumpworld, beginning with the unveiling of a towering gold-leaf Donald Trump statue at his Doral golf resort and the increasingly explicit fusion of political power, religious symbolism, and personality cult. The hosts unpack Trump’s comments that he does not think about Americans’ financial struggles while simultaneously pushing a pro-natalist agenda alongside figures like RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz. From “under-babied” rhetoric to Heritage Foundation proposals incentivizing marriage and large families, the episode traces how Christian nationalism, wellness culture, patriarchal masculinity, and reactionary family politics are converging into a broader authoritarian vision for American life. Along the way, Brad and Dan connect these themes to neoliberal economics, the collapse of affordable childcare and healthcare, and the deep contradictions at the heart of conservative family policy. The second half of the episode turns to a lawsuit against Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins over religiously coercive emails sent to federal employees, offering a concrete example of how Christian nationalism operates through state power and workplace culture. Brad and Dan examine how the Trump administration simultaneously promotes an “anti-Christian bias” narrative while embedding conservative Christianity into federal governance. They also discuss a new study showing that corporations rolled back DEI initiatives largely due to direct pressure from Trump and his allies, highlighting the administration’s broader effort to reshape public institutions around a narrow vision of American identity. The episode closes with reflections on resistance inside federal agencies, the Supreme Court’s decision not to restrict access to abortion medication, and why ordinary people continuing to assert their rights still offers reason for hope. Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • It's in the Code ep 190: “The Atheists Are Coming!”

    It's in the Code ep 190: “The Atheists Are Coming!”
    May 13 2026
    Despite claiming to present us with a “Christian” vision of manhood, there is nothing identifiably Christian about Josh Hawley’s account of masculinity and masculine virtue. Instead, he can define masculinity any way he wants, and call it “Christian.” But there’s a flip side to this. He can also dismiss anyone who disagrees with him, anyone who doesn’t accept his account of masculinity, anyone who opposes his “Christian” vision, as an “atheist.” How does this work for him? Why make this specific move? And what does this tell us about how Christian nationalist envision manhood, and even nationhood? Check out this week’s episode as Dan explains! Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 mins
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