Christian Nationalists
I was asked by a Jewish friend who knew I was a Christian, “What is a Christian Nationalist?” Not being sure, I said I would look into it.
What I have found is that "Christian nationalism" is a political ideology that seeks to define a nation primarily in terms of its Christian identity, often combining religious principles with national identity.
This movement advocates for the idea that the nation should be governed by Christian values, and it often stresses that the country’s identity, laws, and culture should reflect and promote Christianity. In it’s more radical form promoted by people such as Micheal Flynn co-founder of the ReAwaken America Tour calls for America to be a Christian nation with one religion, Christianity. As Christians we should take up arms and fight for this, defeating the enemy, non-Christians, who are trying to destroy our country. The strategy is to use fear and anger to secure power for political ends.
My first conclusion is that this “Nationalism” is not American. The claim that our founders intended America to be a Christian nation is not only a distortion of history but a complete reversal. Our founders fought a revolution to be free from a country that had suffered centuries of religious fighting. The catholics and protestants had been in opposition to each other which was not just heated discussions. Mary Queen of Scott and Charles I both lost their heads over their religious identities. The Catholics would come into power and kill the protestants and when the protestants came into power they would kill the Catholics. Our founders fought to be free of the rule of a king and the state church. We did not always get it right in the beginning with the Massachusetts puritans trying to deport Roger Williams because he raised questions about their form of worship, forcing him to flee to Rhode Island in the middle of the night.
By the time we came to adopting a constitutional form of government it is interesting that the word God or Christianity is not mentioned in the document. Religion is mentioned in Article VI stating “but no religious test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States." This clause ensures that individuals are not discriminated against or excluded from holding public office based on their religious beliefs or lack thereof. Rather than encouraging a state religion, it was a safeguard preventing it from happening.
After adopting the constitution, amendments were added to the constitution known as the Bill of Rights which became part of our constitution. Amendment 1 states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”
This amendment ensures:
Freedom of religion –
Prohibiting the government from establishing a state religion (Establishment Clause)
Allowing people to practice their religion freely (Free Exercise Clause).
As far as “Christian Nationalism” is concerned the national political side does not appear to be American.
The other half of the identity would require a look at what Christ had to say about it.
Christ as King or National Leader.
When Pilate asked “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” John 18:33
The Samaritan woman at the well presented Jesus with a question about His national or denominational identity. In describing His political identity “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus reply was, ”Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” There was no suggestion that the Kingdom God would be in any geographical or political location.,
Jesus' response to the plan or rallying the troops or masses to take control of His kingdom never suggested this as an option. “In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Matt 26:55
Christ denied that he was leading a political rebellion. A rebellion is about a struggle for political power. Christ would have none of it.
Matt 26:52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
When the thinking became that Jesus needed our sword to accomplish His ends, the worst distortions followed.
At another time Jesus was the recipient of racial discrimination: “but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Luke 9:53
So how did Jesus accomplish His mission? “Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.” So what did he teach?
Jesus taught that His kingdom was different from the run of the mill earthly kingdom.
In His kingdom experiencing a need for God is primary.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
In His kingdom speaking the truth and doing the right thing are the highest priority.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they will be filled.
In His kingdom instead of retaliation or revenge…
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy
Having mercy on others is not a sign of weakness but shows strength.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God
Rather than generating fear and anger and hostility, The first and lasting initiative is to seek peace. It is such a desirable path that those who follow it will be known as the Children of God.
But some may say that our country is full of sin and sinners. Our world is dark and getting darker. We must do something to claim it back. Jesus' direction is to Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor, even the ones who disagree with you and even sinners. Creating a “Christian Nation” does not increase the number of Christians in the nation nor change the behavior of those living in the country.
God's kingdom is never at risk. (Dallas Willard)
What activity should we pursue? Go make disciples of Jesus.
The only way into God’s kingdom is through the heart, one person at a time. God does not need your political party or your vote to bring about the plans of His kingdom. What He desires is your heart, to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
To my Jewish friends, do not give in to the fear and hatred of “Christian Nationalists”. As an apprentice of Jesus I love the Lord your God and I Love you as my neighbor.
References
The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory, Tim Alberta, 2023
The Violent Take it by Force, Matthew Taylor, 2024
How to End Christian Nationalism, Amanda Tylor, 2024
Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America, Russell D. Moore, 2023
All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir, Beth Moore, 2023