The Politics of Christianity in America

(Originally aired: 5/4/18) Guest: Matthew Bowman, PhD, Professor of History at Henderson State University, author of "Christian: The Politics of a Word in America" White evangelical support for President Donald Trump is at an all-time high, according to a survey by the Public Religion Research Institute: 75-percent hold a favorable view of the president. On the other hand, 23 prominent Christian leaders, including an Episcopal Bishop, a Catholic priest and author, and a well-known evangelical commentator, recently published a letter rejecting policies central to the Trump administration – including “America First” - as “theological heresy for followers of Christ.” So, being a good Christian either means supporting or opposing Trump. How did Christianity become so politically divided?