Revelation and Revenge: Confronting Christian Nationalism

A Westar Wednesday Online Event

The Crisis: When Scripture Becomes a Weapon

The Book of Revelation—an ancient text of hope and prophetic resistance—has been fundamentally hijacked. In modern America, it has become a cornerstone text for Christian nationalists, twisted and deployed to justify authoritarianism and enact vengeance against anyone who rejects their narrow, exclusive vision for the world.

This toxic reading has transformed the Apocalyptic Jesus from a symbol of divine judgment on oppressors into the Christian nationalist sword used to impose their will on the nation. The stakes couldn't be higher: to understand the current political climate, we must understand how this powerful scripture is being dangerously misused.

The Question: What Did Revelation Originally Mean?

The urgency of our time demands that we ask:

• Is this modern understanding of the Apocalyptic Jesus—full of fury and political aggression—how Christians always imagined the coming end?
• What is the authentic, original meaning of this profound and challenging text?

Join us for this critical Westar Wednesday discussion to find the answers and reclaim the true message of Revelation.

We are proud to host authors Art Dewey and Chad Venters, alongside illustrator Steve Ross, as they discuss their forthcoming, vital book: “Revelation and Revenge: Confronting Christian Nationalism.”

This book is designed to be a short and accessible journey into the original, historical meaning of the Book of Revelation, examining the context of the first century CE. More importantly, it charts the many ways that Christians have deliberately reinvented that meaning over time to fit new, often dangerous, political and social agendas.

Featuring powerful, original illustrations by Steve Ross, the book brings some of the most classic, often misunderstood, images of Revelation to life in new and profoundly relevant ways.

Why You Must Attend (What You Will Learn)

By registering for this Westar Wednesday, you will:

• Deconstruct the Nationalist Narrative: Understand the specific ways Christian nationalists weaponize Revelation to promote exclusion and political control.
• Discover the Original Context: Learn the first-century meaning of the text, likely as a message of resistance against Roman imperial power, not a blueprint for American political dominion.
• Arm Yourself with Knowledge: Gain the historical and theological clarity needed to challenge the dangerous misuse of this scripture in political and public discourse.
• See Revelation Anew: Get a sneak peek at Steve Ross’s captivating illustrations that reveal the symbolic power of the text.

This is more than a book discussion; it’s an essential conversation about Christianity, power, and democracy.

Event Details & Registration

Join us live for this Westar Wednesday to learn about the book, hear directly from the authors, and ask your most pressing questions about Revelation, Christian nationalism, and the End Times.

Can't make the live session? Don't worry!

Your ticket includes exclusive access to the full, high-quality recording so you can watch and re-watch the entire event at your convenience.

Secure your ticket now and join the conversation!

About the Presenters

Meet the Authors & Illustrator of this event and the upcoming new book!

Arthur Dewey

Institutional Affiliation

Professor of Theology

Xavier University, Ohio

Credentials

Th.D., Harvard University; M.Div., Weston School of Theology; A.B., Boston College.

Biography

Arthur J. Dewey is Professor of Theology at Xavier University in Cincinnati and the Westar Polebridge Press Publisher. A distinguished teacher, writer, translator, and commentator, Dewey is the author of Inventing the Passion: How the Death of Jesus was Remembered (2017), co-author of The Complete Gospel Parallels (with Robert J. Miller, 2011), part of the translation team for The Authentic Letters of Paul (2010).Dewey’s poetry has appeared in The Christian Century and his poetic perspective aired on the Saturday Morning Edition on Public Radio Station WVXU (91.7) in Cincinnati for more than a dozen years.

Th.D., Harvard University; M.Div., Weston School of Theology; A.B., Boston College.

• Mills Foundation Grant for Healing Deadly Memories Project. 1997
• Wheeler Grant for Scholar Seminar: Religion in Print. 1997
• Xavier University Faculty Development Grant, 1989
• American Jewish Committee Research Grant for Deadly Memories: Dealing with Anti-Semitic Elements in the New Testament. 1987
• Xavier University Faculty Development Grant. 1983• Arthur Darby Nock Memorial Fellowship, Harvard University, 1977–1978
• Clarence Campbell Scholarship, Harvard University. 1974–1977

Academic Appointments

• Acting Chair, Theology Depart. Xavier University 2016-18
• Professor of Theology, Xavier University, 1980–
• Instructor, Boston College Honors Program, 1971–1980
• Instructor in Scripture, Emmanuel College, Center for Educational and Pastoral Ministry, 1977–1980
• Lecturer, Harvard Divinity School Summer Language Program, 1979

Professional Service

• Co-Chair, Bible in Ancient and Modern Media Group, Society of Biblical Literature, 1999–2006
• President, Eastern Great Lake Biblical Society, 2001-2002
• Regional Secretary, Eastern Great Lakes Biblical Society, 1994–1997
• Chair, Department of Theology, Xavier University, 1994–1997
• Director, Graduate Program in Theology, Xavier University, 1994–1997
• Chair of Faculty, Xavier University, 1992–1994
• Editorial Board, Forum, 1988–

Steve Ross

Steve Ross began his professional career as a teenager in San Antonio, Texas, selling pictures of angst-ridden, dark and disturbing surrealist art to his friends and teachers. After high school he soon landed a job drawing pictures of dining room tables for a local furniture company, and was surprised when the owner became upset that he was drawing dark and disturbing surrealist furniture for the company's newspaper ads. They parted company. Steve works as a professional illustrator and resides in New York City.

Chad Venters

Chad Venters is a professor of Humanities and Philosophy at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, NV. He completed his PhD in New Testament at Middlesex University in London.

In addition to his academic work, he serves as the Director of Westar's Bible Search & Rescue platform and hosts the accompanying BS&R Podcast on Westar's YouTube channel, bringing critical biblical scholarship to a wider audience.

He was a contributor to the resource, End of Days: An Encyclopedia of the Apocalypse in World Religions. His PhD research presented a new textual origin and interpretation of "The Sheep and the Goats" from Matthew 25:31-46. His areas of interest include apocalyptic literature, gospel comparison, and the historical Jesus.