In recent years, Christian Nationalism has been used as the new catch-all insult by mainstream secular institutions. They have constantly labeled anyone who disagrees with secular ideologies as hateful, racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, and any other insult they can think of. They quickly became the Boy Who Cried Wolf, and these terms quickly lost their edge, or those being called it simply embraced it. Now, Christian Nationalism is the new scary label for those who stand for Christian ideals. Now, Christians aren’t nearly as timid about embracing this label, with a “new” scary group of Christian Nationalists emerging in American politics.
Not only do prominent secular figures and the mainstream media denounce this movement, but even Christian circles are split on how to address this group of Christians taking on a seemingly unbiblical approach to political and cultural issues. Even at Cedarville University, some would express concern about or argue against this movement.
Because Christian Nationalism has been loosely thrown around as a catch-all phrase for right-leaning Christians in American Politics, many misconceptions have developed about what a Christian Nationalist is. So, what exactly is Christian Nationalism? I follow Christ, and I love my family, community, and country where God has placed me, so doesn’t that make me a Christian Nationalist?
To better understand what Christian Nationalism is, we must first establish a better definition of the terms being used. Since many say and do many things under the name of many belief systems, it’s a fool’s errand to address actions or beliefs others may subscribe to under the name of Christian Nationalism. Instead, I’ll define Christian Nationalism in principle, exploring its key beliefs.
What is a Christian?
A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ who believes the teachings of the Bible and in the person of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and as our Savior. The Christian recognizes and believes that God brought about the creation of the universe (Genesis 1:1), and sent His son, Jesus Christ, into the world, where Christ sacrificed Himself on the cross for the sins of humanity (John 3:16). God gives all who believe the opportunity of redemption if we as sinners repent of our sin (1 John 1:9), accept Christ as our savior, and follow Christ’s commandments in the Scriptures.
The Christian will apply their faith in all aspects of their life (Matthew 5:13-16), especially by fulfilling the Great Commission to make disciples of nations (Matthew 28:18). Followers of Christ will fulfill the Great Commission wherever they are, including the political and cultural spheres of living as well. We are commanded by Christ to make disciples of all nations, teaching others to love Him and keep His commandments. We are empowered to do so because Christ holds the ultimate authority over the heavens and the earth. This pursuit of keeping Christ’s Commandments in all facets of society should be done out of our love for God, love for others, and ultimately for seeking the glory of God (Mark 12:28-31).
What is a Nationalist?
Nationalism is an ideology where the host nation and its people are devoted primarily to the well-being of their own nation over the interests of other nations. Nationalists hold a deep respect and love for the country and its people. They place heavy emphasis on the importance of their national identity, values, and culture, seeking to promote and preserve these.
Nationalism is most often expressed through common language, customs, and traditions, demonstrating the unity of the nation through shared experiences and values that define the culture of the country. This unity fosters a sense of national identity and pride, which ultimately can hold heavy influence in shaping the politics and policies of a nation.
These ideals are not to be confused with any belief of one nation being superior to another, or to never extend support to other countries. Just as a father or mother will prioritize the interests of their family over other families, the nationalists will place the interests of their host country over the interests of foreign countries.
However, nationalism in an extreme sense can and has been used to justify aggressive or expansionist policies, creating conflict and tension between other nations. Nationalists frequently seek balance between the commitment to their own interests and the respect of interests of other nations. There is no inherent evil with prioritizing the interests of one’s host nation over others, but the interests in question can make all the difference between a country that promotes good and one that glorifies evil.
So, What Then is a Christian Nationalist?
Christian Nationalism is the active application of Scripture for directing national policy and culture toward Christ’s dominion. Christian Nationalists understand that to apply Christ in all aspects of their life, this also includes political and cultural spheres of influence. This is an application of the Christian duty in ensuring that the government is promoting good and punishing evil, as dictated by the God-given duties to government in Romans 13.
Regarding the Nationalist element, Christian Nationalists place emphasis on the commandment of loving our neighbor. Our neighbor in this context is our fellow citizens (1 Tim 5:8), especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. To love them means to seek their best interests in everyday living while fulfilling the Great Commission.
Even in our calling to fulfill the Great Commission, we are to start by bringing our local communities to Christ. For the Christian (and therefore the Christian Nationalist), we must start in our communities, to our cities and states, and in our own country, then to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). This isn’t to say that we can’t support international missions; but that we ought to prioritize our own homes. How can one change the world if they cannot change their backyard?
So, in simpler terms, a Christian Nationalist is merely a label applied to a Christian applying Scripture to their life.
“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
1 Timothy 5:8
In Context for America
The phrase “Christian Nationalism” originated during President Trump’s 2016 term as an attempt to interchange “White Nationalist” with “Christian Nationalist,” a smear campaign for Christians that treat the Great Commission seriously as racist bigots. This is a blatant trick to get Christians to denounce one another for treating Christ as the arbiter of authority over the Heavens and the Earth, as Christ rightfully should be treated.
In the context of American culture, Christian Nationalists recognize that the United States of America ought to be restored to what it used to be: a Christian nation. They believe that the laws, values, and customs of American culture should be restored to the Christian principles that the nation was founded on and that America should be subservient to God accordingly. To be a Christian Nationalist in America is not to be divisive, but to be a part of the Great Commission in which all Christians are called to.
This starts in our own communities and extends to the ends of the earth. We recognize our own nation’s historic roots as a Christian nation, seeking the restoration of values and principles that guided it. This end goal isn’t merely to enact Christian laws, but to be ministers of Christ by our living, to the point that even our government officials recognize Christ as Lord and Savior (Psalm 2:10-12). Christian Nationalists are Christians first and foremost, and as Christians, we must fulfill the Great Commission. In following the Great Commission, our mission field starts from our local communities to neighboring communities, then far-reaching places, until finally reaching every corner of the earth. This is not some far-fetched goal; America has recognized God’s authority in the past.
Despite what secular revisionists and even some Christian circles might claim, the founding of America was explicitly as a Christian Nation, with an overwhelmingly Christian culture. Whether it be the New England Puritans, the Virginian Anglicans, or the Pennsylvanian Quakers, each of the American colonies was Christian by design. Don’t believe me? Read their charters for yourself. This separation of church and state was to keep the state out of the church, as each state had its own established church by its sect or denomination of Christianity. A Puritan colony would not want a national Catholic church, nor would a Baptist colony want a national Anglican church.
Throughout Christianity’s development in America, we’ve had a series of Great Awakenings to remind us to remain true to our dedication to Christ. We’ve repetitively rejected our Lord, repented our sin, returned to Christ, rinse, and repeat. Only in recent generations has the veil been torn for our generation to see how far we’ve fallen in comparison to our spiritual fathers and forefathers, going from differences in denominations to the decline of Christianity in America. This decline of Christian morals, of course, gave rise to what we have now.
We live in the alternative: Secularism.
Within the last century, we’ve gone from a country standing as “One Nation Under God,” to one that celebrates the pursuit of self-satisfaction to no end. The sanctity of life has been replaced with infant massacre and dismemberment under the guise of reproductive freedom. The nuclear family model has been institutionally discouraged, encouraging personal achievement and enjoyment. Our society has been engineered to isolate communities to inhibit fellowship with one another. The shift from objectivity to subjectivity has led to complete godlessness and lawlessness. The consequences of secularism prevailing in our culture aren’t something to worry about happening; they are already here, and this is by design by the enemies of God.
We have seen and lived through a taste of the absence of Christianity in our culture for decades. This will continue to worsen with the absence of God, and those who believe otherwise have deceived themselves. Even the most influential Christian leaders have remained silent on many of these issues, and many self-proclaimed Christians will refrain from naming sin for what it is for fear of offending others or being political. Christianity in America is at its lowest.
We’ve grown up in a polarized society where our generation either has a love for God or love for themselves. The difference is night and day and is reflected in how people live. The secular society promotes all things anti-God, and for future generations of Christians to thrive, we cannot pretend to be compatible with a secular way of living. We cannot be afraid to apply Christ’s teachings in all aspects of life, including and especially in the political and cultural spheres. Many self-proclaimed Christians cannot even do this, and it is this lukewarm behavior that has led to the defilement of our communities, cities, states, and ultimately, our nation.
Restoration starts with us.
If we want to restore Christendom in America, we must be willing to put to death our sins and take up our crosses. We must be willing to take our faith seriously, and not merely when convenient. Being a follower of Christ also means that we will be hated by the world, and we have forgotten that in our comfort. Whether you consider yourself a Christian Nationalist or not, if you’re serious about applying Christ in all facets of life, it won’t take long for the world to label you as one. Christian Nationalism is a new label, not a new set of ideas. Christian Nationalism is merely recognizing Christ’s authority over the heavens and the earth and living like it.
Our first mission field is wherever we’re at now. My mission field is Cedarville University, and even in a campus culture that encourages the pursuit of Christ, the harvest is plentiful, and the laborers are few. The danger we can find at Cedarville is that it is easy to get too comfortable in cultural Christianity. It’s easy to say the right Christian slogans, quote popular Scripture verses, or post our quiet times on Instagram to show off how Christian we are. It’s easy for us as Christians at Cedarville to look at the secular culture and scoff at their godlessness, being the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” that we are supposed to be.
And yet, Christian, how do we act in our personal lives? What media do you consume? What kind of humor do you entertain and encourage with your friends? Does your time in solitude reflect your character in public? I could go on with these questions, from what we consume to how we present ourselves. My point is, do you praise Christ with your lifestyle, or only with your voice? Challenge yourself and your peers with these things.
Conclusion
The question is not whether a nation will follow a set of values and beliefs. The question is which values and beliefs will guide the nation. By having these values rooted in Christianity, we once preserved righteous morality and justice for generations. Christian standards such as forgiveness and compassion expected of members of society only benefit it in the long run. Policies dictated by Christian values promote goodness, justice, the sanctity of life, and the freedom of our God-given rights. To believe that it would be better for non-Christians to dictate national policy is delusional at best and subversive at worst. However, we cannot simply enact Christian laws and expect the populace to change overnight. We must start at our calling: the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Whether you consider yourself a Christian Nationalist or not, if you actively live out Christ’s commandments, it will not take long for the world to label you as one. I love and serve Christ. I love my countrymen. I want to see my fellow countrymen receive Christ in their hearts, recognizing Christ’s authority in heaven and on Earth. If that labels me as a Christian Nationalist, I have no problem embracing it. The time for lukewarm Christianity is over.
Additional Resources
Many others have elaborated far more extensively on Christian Nationalism than I have. I would recommend the following, as these books and articles have provided much inspiration for this post:
Books:
- Andrew Torba and Andrew Isker, Christian Nationalism
- Douglas Wilson, Mere Christendom
- Stephen Wolfe, The Case for Christian Nationalism