Recently I was asked to share my thoughts on Christian Nationalism. Lately, it seems to be something of a buzzword in some circles so I decided to delve a little deeper into it. I tried to approach this topic with objectivity ultimately guided by my faith.
Here’s what I learned …
History
Many are using The Holocast and Christian Nationalism in the same sentence. Author Cathy Young had this to say …
Hitler’s strategy to build loyalty and support within German churches was masterful. He encouraged kids in his German youth organizations to get their families to attend Sunday worship with them. Church attendance skyrocketed; pastors were thrilled. Eventually, Germany’s government rule and religion became one.
Is the same Nationalism that we see today?
What is It?
GotQuestions.org correctly points out that the term Christian nationalism is most often employed as a derogatory term, but remains difficult to define. Adding to the murkiness is that those who use the term are generally the only ones who can explain what they mean by it. Oftentimes, their meaning may be entirely different from the meaning assigned by others.
Yet another definition of Christian nationalism is an ideology that idealizes and advocates a fusion of American civic life with a particular type of Christian identity and culture. This is often tied to white supremacy and authoritarian rule by some in the news media and other factions.
Author Cathy Young identifies Christian Nationalism with this sweeping statement: a political movement couched in religious language. Their ultimate goal is earthly power – control over people and issues they don’t like.
Threat, Hype or Misinformation?
According to some, a Christian nationalist is the perfect bogeyman: an anti-democratic, bigoted, Bible-thumping racist who wishes to force Christianity on everyone. As one writer put it, Christian nationalism is an amorphous concept that is primarily used to tar Christians who are motivated by their faith to advocate for policies that critics don’t like (Hall, M. D., “Theology of Politics: Christian Nationalism,” 2/8/22, www.standingforfreedom.com/white-paper/tilting-at-windmills-the-threat-of-christian-nationalism, accessed 8/15/24).
Could it be that Christians are seen as a threat to be silenced if they voice any objections to progressive or liberal causes?
Got Questions addresses this idea as follows …
Critics will often claim “Christian nationalism” whenever they perceive the slightest connection between a person’s faith and his or her political or social views. From that perspective, any desire to see laws reflecting godly morality is to be resisted, and any move to protect Christian expressions of faith in public life should be rejected. This strategy is often used against pro-life or pro-Israel sentiments or support for biblical sexuality. At times, any politically conservative stance conflicting with progressive morality is waved away as “Christian nationalism” or conflated with white nationalism.
White supremacy is identified by the Biden administration as the “largest domestic terrorist threat facing the nation …”
There is some evidence to suggest that in the election of 2016, Christian nationalists and white nationalists found themselves politically aligned as an overlapping voting bloc.
Make no mistake, Christians should never, under any circumstantances support white supremacy or any doctrine that elevates one race over others. That goes against the message of the Gospel and the message of the Cross.
Having said that …
Is a Christian who loves his country destined to be viewed in a negative light—to be tarred and feathered as a nationalist who supports white supremacy—or an anti-democratic, bigoted, Bible-thumping racist who wishes to force Christianity on everyone?
A June 2023 piece entitled, Labelling Republicans, Christian Conservative Groups As Terrorists Is Appalling describes the lumping of the above mentioned groups together, and the tax payer funding behind it.
Did I read that correctly? Conservative and Christian voices are considered domestic terrorists?
Yes. The same article identifies over $40 million of our hard earned tax payer money being spent by our government to weaponize an anti-terror program against conservative and Christian voices.
Biblically Speaking
Christian nationalism is not a terminology found in the Bible. It is a terminology coined and widely adopted by the media many years ago and in recent years making a comeback into our modern day vernacular. Regardless, the Gospel teaches us to place God first in our lives. Anything that is placed before God becomes idolatrous. Which raises an important question?
Can a Christian be patriotic and still be true to the teaching of the Bible? Can he love his country and still be a faithful Christian ? If not, then Christians who uphold the Gospel over country—and strive to implement policies based on their biblical understanding should cease to serve in any political capacity or run for political office. I imagine that would make some people estatic—especially the enemy of our souls—the one who comes to spiritually kill, steal, and destroy mankind (John 10:10; Ephesians 6:12).
Let us not fail to remember the number of past and present American politicians who identify as Christians—many of whom supported and passed laws guided by their conscience and biblical understanding even with the existence of flawed and sinful natures.
Not all the same
So long as such a man understands his priority to be love for God, where is the conflict? Is it somehow related to the Christian’s resistance to laws that go against his conscience, and against his understanding of biblical principles that he must be painted not just in a negative light—but as a terrorist?
I hope not, but the evidence suggests otherwise … What do you think? Do most Christians understand the importance of Christ before country?
There will always be those who place country (or something else) before God, but therein lies the difference between Christians who love their country but understand God must be their priority—or others who identify as Christians but place faith on the same footing as their patriotism. Finally, there are those who identify as Christians but view themselves as superior to others.
For the Christian who understands his identity in Christ, God is the ultimate government … our all in all and eternal hope that transcends this life in the flesh.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. —1 Peter 1:3
In His service,
Rick