The False White Gospel

Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith, and Refounding Democracy

By: Jim Wallis, Eddie Glaude

Narrated by: Jim Wallis, Leon Nixon - foreword

Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

This program is read by the author.

"Everyone who claims to be 'Christian' or else claims to be upset by 'Christianity' needs to read this book, especially politicians using people's supposed faith for their own ends." (Margaret E. Atwood)

"Jim Wallis calls the nation to grow up and he calls us all to fight the love battle to save the soul of America."—From the Foreword by Eddie S. Glaude, Jr.

A major new work by the New York Times bestselling author, arguing that the answer to bad religion is true faith that will help refound democracy

It is time says Jim Wallis, to call out genuine faith—specifically the “Christian” in White Christian Nationalism—inviting all who can be persuaded to reject and help dismantle a false gospel that propagates white supremacy and autocracy. We need–to raise up the faith of all of us, and help those who are oblivious, stuck, and captive to the ideology and idolatry of White Christian Nationalism that is leading us to such great danger. Wallis turns our attention to six iconic texts at the heart of what genuine biblical faith means and what Jesus, in the gospels, has called us to do. It is time to ask anew: do we believe these teachings or not?

This book isn’t only for Christians but for all faith traditions, and even those with no faith at all. When we see a civic promotion of fear, hate, and violence for the trajectory of our politics, we need a civic faith of love, healing, and hope to defeat it. And that must involve all of us–religious or not. Learning to practice a politics of neighbor love will be central to the future of democracy in America. And more than ever, the words of Jesus ring, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press Essentials.

©2024 Jim Wallis (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"[An] ardent manifesto...Wallis’s passion for justice and creative interpretation of the Bible generate more than enough energy to keep readers’ attention....a conversation starter."—Publishers Weekly

"A balm and an irritant, a peace AND a trouble-maker, Jim Wallis wants to understand the divine truths AND how to live them, not just in private, but in our daily lives. His faith isn’t the happy-clappy kind—it’s a deeper dive, sometimes in murky waters."—Bono

“Jim Wallis once again demonstrates why he is America’s prophet and moral philosopher. His latest book speaks to the idolatry of a Christian faith baptized in whiteness and false notions of supremacy. A must read for anyone concerned about the future of this republic called America.”—Otis Moss III, senior pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, Illinois

Powerful In Depth Of Crafting Understanding

I found this reading to be educational, uplifting, clarifying, and direct. My true understanding has become a wider view that surrounds me. I’m deeply saddened by its pages. I am uplifted and wiser from the messenger. Truth is Given and sometimes misunderstood and misdirected by others and here I found it very easy and loving to know the answers unquestioned by many people who claim to know the lessons of the lord. Chapter One reveals a lot that I am grateful for in my own life experiences.

A must-read as we enter into election season

This book so excellently ties together the complex history of slavery, racism, inequality, and American Christianity… and how the latter has played a formative role in maintaining a White power structure for generations.

Half of a Good Book

This is a book that was written to an audience that already believes what Jim Wallis is preaching. He explained how Trump's MAGA movement has overtaken both the Republican Party and the white evangelical movement. He persuasively argues that the these white evangelicals are not really following the word of Jesus Christ contained in the bible. He calls them to account ("to the alter") for their blasphemy. However, if he wants to win converts to his cause, he lost the opportunity to do so by not pointing out the outrageous beliefs and behavior of undemocratic movements on the Left that look to the past for inspiration from Black Liberation Army's killer, Assata Shakur, (BLM': "Assata thought us") and Angela Davis (two time Vice Presidential candidate of the Communists Party USA). These groups talk about revolution and express no faith in existing American institution even after sixty years since the Civil Rights movement has brought significant legislative and institutional change. The difference between the Democrats and the Republicans, is that the Republican outrageously allowed the right-wing anti-democratic movements, especially MAGA, to take over their party while the Democrats have not allowed anti-democratic to have any significant power in their party. If Wallis want converts to his democratic cause, he needs to acknowledge that anti-democratic movements of the Left can be potentially dangerous to democracy and demonstrate what an effective job the Democrats have done to prevent them from being a force in their party, while the Republicans have become a threat to the very existence of American democracy. Lets try to connivence Christians and people of other faiths that following MAGA goes against their beliefs by demonstrating not just the evils of MAGA but show how Democrats have kept their faith in American democracy by preventing the undemocratic left for controlling their party.