Episode 463: Wes Crawford
In this episode, Wes Crawford joins me to talk about his new book, One Nation Over God, and why faith and patriotism have become so tangled in American life. We explore Robert Bellah's idea of American civil religion, how a nation without an established faith came to treat its flags, anthems, and founders as sacred, and why that stirs so much anger in our churches and families. We trace the roots of the religious right, question the myth of a Christian nation, and consider what it looks like to love our country while keeping our allegiance to Jesus first. When those loyalties collide, which one wins?
Wes Crawford is the Vice Provost at Abilene Christian University. He also is an Associate Professor of Church History. His research interests center on American religion generally and the intersection of race and religion specifically. His books, Shattering the Illusion: How African American Churches of Christ Moved from Segregation to Independence (2013) and Courage in the Sheer Silence: Challenging Racism in 20th Century Churches of Christ (2025), examine the relationship between white and black members of Churches of Christ throughout the twentieth century. His forthcoming book, One Nation Over God, explores the implications of American civil religion. In addition to his academic pursuits, Wes also served twenty years as a Preaching Minister within Churches of Christ and maintains a passion for local congregational ministry. Through his work with the Siburt Institute, he spends most weekends preaching for various congregations across the country. Wes has been married for twenty-nine years to his wife, Kim, and they have four children.
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