When God's people seek earthly political power, or participate in the 'hero-worship' of political figures, they can become complicit in injustices perpetrated by these political entities, and therefore lose focus on the missional role of the church, which is primarily to advocate for the marginalized and the oppressed.
Welcome to Christian Nationalism: A Multifaceted Perspective
What is Christian Nationalism? Is it a Threat to Democracy?
Christian Nationalism is a complex and multifaceted concept, which has been debated by Christian denominations, professional scholars, and policymakers alike. It refers to the idea that Christianity should be the dominant religion in a given nation, and that the nation's laws and policies should reflect Christian values.
While supporters believe that a nation's code of law founded on Christian principles is more likely to be prosperous, peaceful, and promote certain moral values, opponents argue that Christian Nationalism, just like any other religious nationalism, can also lead to immoral values such as discrimination, persecution, and exclusivity. Furthermore, Christian Nationalism can also be detrimental to the first amendment in the 'Bill of Rights', which ensures religious (or non-religious) freedoms to all citizens. When religious beliefs become intertwined with government, it can lead to theocracy and the erosion of democracy. It is important for policymakers and citizens to carefully consider the implications of Christian Nationalism before adopting or rejecting it.
In this study, we will be examining Christian Nationalism, both from the perspective of democracy, and the perspective of a Christian's own role model and rule book, Jesus and the Bible.
Although the words "separation of church and state" do not appear in the United States constitution, the concept is enshrined in the first amendment where it says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." This is known as 'the establishment clause' and was there to prohibit the government from creating an official state religion or favoring one religion or (non religion) over another.
The phrase "separation of church and state" is most famously attributed to Thomas Jefferson in a letter he wrote on January 1, 1802 to the Danbury Baptist Association. In the letter, Jefferson responded to their request to assurance that he would not retreat on his commitment to religious liberty. Jefferson wrote, "I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between church and state". Jefferson also stated that religion was "a matter which lies solely between man and his God" and that the government should not have any influence over opinions. The letter was published in a Massachusetts newspaper and has been used to express the intent and function of the First Amendment's establishment clause which allows freedom of religion.
The foundational principles of democracy in the United States government include, the separation of church and state, diversity, and equal rights for all citizens. By seeking to incorporate specific religious doctrines or convictions into law, Christian nationalism would undermine the neutrality of the state. This can lead to the imposition of religiously motivated policies that may not reflect the diverse beliefs of the entire population, thereby disenfranchising non Christians and even Christians who hold different views.
Christian nationalism (just like any other national religion) intensifies societal polarization and deepens cultural rifts, by promoting an "us versus them" mentality. This polarization is often exploited for political gain leading to a more fragmented and antagonistic society. In such an environment constructive dialog and compromise become increasingly difficult making it harder to address common challenges for the everyday citizen and undocumented immigrants.
Exploring 'Christian Nationalism' Through Biblical Context
Biblically, an argument can be made both for and against Christian Nationalism. We will address the argument against such theonomy, while also exploring why there are also many believers that Biblically justify Christian Nationalism. This dual examination is crucial because different Christian traditions hold differing views, and each one's interpretation of scripture can vary widely on this topic.
Heavenly Citizenship: A Biblical Perspective Against Christian Nationalism
According to some, the merging of church and state presents significant dangers from both a religious and Biblical perspective. This argument can be supported by theological principles and some scripture references.
Jesus made it clear in John 18:34, that His kingdom is not of this world. This statement emphasizes the spiritual nature of His reign and the danger of trying to establish His kingdom through earthly political means.
In Micah 6:8, the Bible calls for just and righteous ruling and a humble walk with God. When God's people seek earthly political power, or participate in the 'hero-worship' of political figures, they can become complicit in injustices perpetrated by these political entities, and therefore lose focus on the missional role of the church, which is primarily to advocate for the marginalized and oppressed.
Jesus warned against the love of power and status in Matthew 20:25-28. Earlier, in verse 16 He reminds us that in His kingdom, the first will be last and the last will be first. Paul in his address to the churches in Galatia reminds us that in the Kingdom of God there is neither Jew nor Gentile, there is neither male nor female, there is neither bond nor free (Galatians 3:28). In both Romans and Philippians, we are reminded to be devoted to one another in love, honoring others above ourselves (Romans 12:10, Philippians 2:3). While earthly political empires have always focused on personal power, gain, freedom, and pleasure, the kingdom of God remains rooted in sacrifice, peace, and love. This is exemplified by the humble servant leadership of Christ, the righteous ruler of the world, and who, according to Colossians 1:18, is the head of the church.
In His ministry, Jesus distinguished a difference between the roles of religious and secular authorities. In Matthew 22:21 He said, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." This separation implies that the domains of church and state are distinct and should not be conflated. Throughout history, the merger of church and state has often led to religious persecution. According to some interpretations, the Book of Revelation warns against the coercive power of political authorities aligning with religious institutions (Revelation 13). This alliance can lead to the suppression of religious freedom and the imposition of religious conformity through state power.
The Old Testament provides examples where the integration of religious authority with political power led to corruption and idolatry. For instance, King Solomon's political alliances through marriages led to the introduction of idol worship in Israel (1 Kings 11:1-8). Similarly, the Northern Kingdom of Israel's establishment of a state-sanctioned religion under Jeroboam led to its downfall (1 Kings 12:26-33).
In summary, the Biblical argument against merging church and state is rooted in the distinction between the spiritual authority of the church and the secular authority of the state. The historical consequences of such mergers, heightens the potential for idolatry, injustice, and loss of the church's prophetic voice. The church's primary allegiance must remain to Christ and His kingdom, not to any earthly political power.
Thy Kingdom Come: A Biblical Perspective in Favor of Christian Nationalism
Romans 13:1-2 states, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves." This passage can be interpreted to suggest that since all authority is established by God, a government that incorporates God's laws and principles would be more legitimate and just.
In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel initially functioned as a theocracy with God as their king. 1 Samuel 8:6-7 recounts, "But when they said, 'Give us a king to lead us,' this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: 'Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king." When the Israelites requested a human king, God allowed it. This could be interpreted as an endorsement of a political system where God’s laws are central to governance.
Proverbs 29:2 reads, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan." This suggests that righteous leadership, which could be equated with leadership based on Biblical principles, leads to a more joyful and just society.
In Matthew 6, part of the Lord’s Prayer, says, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." This can be seen as a call for God's kingdom, which includes His laws and principles, to be established on earth. Advocates might argue that merging church and state is a way to fulfill this prayer by ensuring that earthly governance aligns with divine will.
Finally, 2 Chronicles 7:14 states, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." While many suggest that the moral and spiritual state of a nation is tied to its governance and leadership, a more careful reading of the passage shows us that it is the humility and prayers of God's people that will bring about national healing and favor from God.
In summary, these scriptures can be used to argue that a government aligned with Biblical principles might ensure just, moral, and divinely approved governance. However, History shows us that the human heart is bent towards evil and that Jeremiah 17:9 is a proverb that has been proven to be true. It reads "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?"
Church and State: A Look Into History
History offers numerous examples of the dangers of governments merging with any religious establishment and enforcing religious rule of law. In many instances such alliances have led to the dehumanization of anyone who believes differently or disagrees with that religion's official stances. Possibly one of the most well known and documented, is that of Medieval Europe and the Roman Empire, where the merging of the Catholic Church and government led to severe persecution of believers (allegedly "heretics"), many of which were tortured, burned, drowned or buried alive because of having come to a different personal interpretation of scripture.
Contemporary examples can be seen in countries where religious nationalism is on the rise, often resulting in human rights abuses and the suppression of dissent. In 2022, a woman in Iran was arrested and allegedly killed after violating the head covering law.
In the United States, Christian nationalism has been linked to movements that challenge the legitimacy of elections, oppose public health measures, and undermine scientific progress.
The January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol is the stark reminder of how dangerous the fusion of a religious fervor with national sentiment can be. Many participants in the attack were motivated by a belief that they were defending a divinely ordained nation (United States) and its leader (Donald Trump) against spiritual evil forces.
Some Closing Thoughts
As I begin this closing section, I would like for each of us to ask ourselves. Would we be okay with a nationalism of another religion? Put any religion in that blank... Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism... Would we feel like we had a fair shot of basic human freedom?
For many people prior to coming to America, religious discrimination by governments was a part of daily life. Both the founders' own experiences with religious persecution and the reality that the United States is a country with people who have a wide variety of beliefs made it an essential mission to protect all Americans. If you are one who advocates for Christian Nationalism in a way that the nation's laws and policies should reflect Christian values, it is important to note that even the Christian community has a wide variety of Biblical doctrinal stances.
One may try to make the argument that the United States was founded on Christian Principles and that Christianity is the only religion that allows true basic human freedom, but history shows us that our Country's beginning was very dark, greedy, murderous, and discriminatory. History also shows us that many Christians across both world and church empires have experienced various forms of abuse and persecution at the hands of other Christians.
According to scripture, true freedom and salvation comes by faith in the one true God of the Bible and His provision to save humanity from a broken world. This invitation to faith is free for whosoever will, and should be reverberated by the church and individual believers through an exemplary walk of life, rather than something that is sanctioned into law by a government, or pushed onto those who are not interested or may even subscribe to a different religion.
Many Christians today get so caught up in movements trying to Christianize the government. Many of these fighting for such appear to subscribe to 'kingdom now' theology. 'Kingdom Now' theology is based on the belief that Christianity will rise to power through civil systems and rule over all areas of society. It focuses on reclaiming the earth for Christ and regaining spiritual dominion that Satan stole in the Garden of Eden. The theology states that God is looking for people to help him take back dominion, and that those who submit to the authority of God's prophets and apostles will take control of the world's kingdoms. These kingdoms include social institutions, education, and science.
I'm not here to tell anyone how to interpret scripture... Or in which way to balance what it means:
...To walk as strangers and pilgrims (Hebrews 11:13-16)
...To be in the world, but not of it (John 17:14-19)
...To not judge the world (1 Corinthians 5:12-13)
...Or even debate whether we are supposed to reclaim the earth for Christ (as some teach). Rather this study was meant to bring out the various ways of approaching this subject.
May we use careful consideration before advocating for any laws to be made solely from the motive of one specific religion or another. Many individuals who framed our country migrated to the United States in pursuit of genuine freedom. When religious beliefs become written into the legal system, true individual freedom is no longer possible.
If we desire a Government that promotes religious freedom, it is crucial to uphold the separation of religion and Government, promote inclusivity, and encourage dialog across diverse perspectives to ensure a healthy, functioning democracy that respects the rights and freedoms of all individuals.
Revelation 22:16-17 reiterates what it looks like to enter into God's Kingdom solely by one's own free will. It reads: I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. God's invitation to enter His family is free (for whosoever will). Faith in Christ or even Biblical theology should never be mandated in a country that promotes freedom of religion.
My mind travels to Paul's words to the Corinthian church where he wrote: "For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges" (1 Corinthians 5:12-13). Perhaps we have become too focused on judging the "world" while at the same time forgetting to challenge our own fellow Christian brothers and sisters to focus on the missional role of the church, which is primarily to advocate for the marginalized and the oppressed.
May we as Christians pray for grace, humility, and discernment to recognize how the Lord can use us to inspire, encourage, and empower those around us, regardless of the political landscape of our country.
In closing, my mind is directed to 1 Peter 4:17 The context is that of suffering for Christ's sake. Peter writes: "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?"