I published a piece in 2022 that decried so-called “Christian Nationalism” as a hoax created by unscrupulous men. I need to recant that assertion as it now appears that I underestimated how dark and sinful this concept has been.

I wrote that it is heresy as it is directly opposed to the beliefs of many Christian denominations and literally thousands of clergy across the United States. Further assertions explain that the ideology is a threat to democracy and associated with white supremacy.

Nationalist is a term that describes one who strives to promote the interests of a state (country) with the descriptive “Christian” denotes an advocate for the state: the United States, as if this was needed.  How can this be when the historical context of “The Way” was always that it was outside of the purview of any government and when Jesus himself was indicted for among other things, sedition against the Roman Empire, he declared “My Kingdom is not of this world . . .” [John 18:36].

It is plainly evident then that this “Christian Nationalism” is conceptually ludicrous, not something called for, neither mentioned or even alluded to in the Bible.  The Bible does speak of people of faith who believed that God would deliver them out of any circumstance so that they had no fear, but endured and “. . . confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” [Hebrews 11:13].  This is in stark contrast with the Nationalists who have become distracted connecting themselves with advocating for this earthly government.

II

When people attempt to make profane things sacred, their actions are idolatry.  The attempt to make patriotism sacred is idolatrous.  It is contrary to the scriptures as commonly read and the views of the Apostle Paul. 

There are those who believe that the foundation of the United States was an attempt to build a Christian nation when most historians are not in agreement and assert that the founders were not all Christians and the majority were more interested in insuring that there was religious freedom rather than elevating Christianity. 

The appreciation of where one lives is wonderful and if we are able to live peaceably that is a bonus.  We do need to understand that where we live is not our home.  We are pilgrims and ambassadors because we have citizenry in the Kingdom.  Why would we laud our citizenry in this tawdry government when we are regarded by the King of all Kings?

Our Kingdom citizenry endows us with rights and if we have unalienable rights on this plain, how much better could our rights be in a city not made with hands?  Our citizenry guarantees an inheritance of promises that cannot be broken or taken away.   No more night, no more crying – such boundless promises outshine the doubtful “freedom for all”.