Apocalyptic Imagination: The Deep Story of Christian Nationalism

This paper frames Christian Nationalism as a deep story founded on an apocalyptic narrative that fuses Christian and American identities, rooted in historical and theological interpretations of the book of Revelation and Puritan founding myths. Drawing on sociological frameworks, it explains how these stories shape ontology, mythology, and epistemology for adherents, forging strong group cohesion by framing their experience as a divinely mandated cosmic struggle. This apocalyptic framework promotes a perception of persecution and a sense of divine purpose that inspires political engagement, supports exclusionary practices, and forms the basis for movements such as Dominionism and the New Apostolic Reformation. The Christian Nationalism narrative interprets perceived challenges to a divinely established national identity as grounds for efforts aimed at restoring and sustaining Christian prominence in society.