SERMON Intro

Christian Nationalism is having a bit of a moment these days. Have you noticed that?

In fact, Google searches for the phrase “Christian Nationalism” have skyrocketed in recent years. This graph shows the number of searches since 2004. As you can see, it was largely absent up until 2021. Then, it exploded.

Definitions

But what exactly is Christian Nationalism? My guess is most of you have a general idea but would be hard-pressed to define it. You’re not alone. Even this week, another staff member asked me that exact question.

It’s a complex idea, so I’ll share several definitions from various perspectives.

Overlap of Christianity and National Identity

Let’s start with the simplest: Christian Nationalism is any overlap of Christianity and national Identity.

It could be as simple as a “God & Country” sticker with a cross and flag. Or as complex as storming the Capital with crosses, Jesus signs, and public prayers. They’re both an overlap of Christianity and national identity, but they certainly aren’t the same.

Define the Two Words

Let’s get a little more specific. Let’s define the two words:

• According to Christianity.com, a Christian is “a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.”

• According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, nationalism is “an ideology [where] an individual’s loyalty and devotion to the nation-state surpass other individual or group interests.”

So, already, we should begin to wonder: “Could there be a conflict between these two ideologies over what’s most important?”

More Specific Definitions

Let’s move to a couple more specific definitions. I’ll begin with the advocates of Christian Nationalism. Stephen Wolf is a leader in the field who literally wrote the book on it—The Case for Christian Nationalism. It’s the most widely read book on the subject.

He says, “Christian nationalism is simply the belief that a nation should be explicitly Christian in its governance and law, to the glory of God and the benefit of its people."

Now, how do critics define it? Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry wrote one of the more popular critiques, Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States.

In it, they say, "Christian nationalism is a cultural framework that idealizes and advocates for a fusion of Christianity with American civic life. It carries the assumption that America has been and should always be distinctly 'Christian,' and implies that to be a good American, one must be Christian."

Critics will also ask: Whose Christianity are they advocating for? The Black church? The Catholic Church? The Pentecostals? No. Proponents advocate for a particular type of Christian identity and culture—white, conservative, evangelical Christianity.

Now, let’s dive deeper.

Biblical Teaching

I’ll be upfront and tell you that I don’t agree with most forms of Christian Nationalism. I don’t agree with its foundation, methodology, or end goals. But for today, I want to focus on its foundation. The biblical roots behind Christian nationalism are deeply flawed.

• I’ll start with a flawed premise.

• Then, I’ll give two examples of how Scripture is misused because of this belief.

• Lastly, one general pattern that points to a serious flaw.

1. Flawed Premise

Most forms of Christian Nationalism are built on a flawed premise: Like Israel in the Old Testament, America is uniquely chosen by God to fulfill His divine plans. Most of their use of Scripture stems from this belief.

Proponents believe that since America was founded on biblical principles, it has a special covenant with God and should be governed by Christian values. Some even believe, or at least imply, that America is the new Israel, God’s chosen country.

Here’s the problem: There’s no biblical basis for this. God established his unique covenant with Israel as his chosen people at his chosen time, and it doesn’t extend to other countries. Nothing in Scripture supports America having a covenantal place in God’s plan.

Statements like “America is a Christian nation ordained by God” or “We need to return to our Christian roots to restore God’s favor” reflect this abuse of Scripture.

The only other covenant in the Bible after Israel is the new covenant found in Christ, not in America.

This is just American exceptionalism, inherited from British exceptionalism, dressed up in Christian language. And it’s not biblical.

2. Two Examples

Let me give two examples of how this false belief drives the way Christian Nationalism misuses Scripture. “If America is the new Israel, then God’s covenant promises to Israel also apply to the U.S.”

One of the more popular verses to quote is 2 Chronicles 7:14. “14 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.”

Christian nationalists will use this to call Americans to repentance. Of course, it’s always the other side that has to repent. If they repent, America will be blessed; if they don’t, America will continue to be punished.

Here’s the problem. That verse in 2 Chronicles is part of God’s words to Solomon, the Israelite king, after the dedication of the new Israelite temple in the Israelite promised land of Canaan.

The passage begins with, “If my people, who are called by my name…” There is no biblical support to say that America is “God’s people, called by God’s name.” That’s just ego and ethnocentrism.

Another popular passage is Exodus 19:5-6

5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

God spoke this to Moses at a defining moment at Mt. Sinai when God gave his Law and established his covenant with Israel.

Christian Nationalists love these verses, but they tend to ignore the verses that immediately precede and follow them.

This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel… [obey me, keep my covenant, etc.]… These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.

These are Israel’s words, not ours. God established his unique covenant with Israel as his chosen people at his chosen time, and it does not extend to other countries. There is no biblical basis for such a covenant with America. Nothing in Scripture supports this.

Statements like “America is a Christian nation ordained by God” or “We need to return to our Christian roots to restore God’s favor” reflect this abuse of Scripture.

The only other covenant in the Bible after Israel is the new covenant found in Jesus Christ, not in America.

3. General Pattern

Now, I want to discuss how proponents of Christian Nationalism typically use Bible verses and Christian language. If you listen to enough of them, you’ll notice two things.

First, they quote from the Old Testament way more than the New Testament and rarely from the words of Jesus.

Curious about this, I ran my own (very unscientific) test. I asked ChatGPT to list 25 Bible verses that Christian Nationalists quote often. The magic of AI spit out 25 verses, and they seemed like a fair representation. (Again, not scientific at all.) Out of all the verses, two-thirds were from the Old Testament, and only three (12%) were from the words of Jesus.

That’s typical. And it’s understandable. Christian Nationalism depends on the belief that America is uniquely chosen by God to fulfill His divine plans, just like Israel. The way you reinforce that is to choose Old Testament verses about God’s covenant with Israel and apply them to America. So, the things promised to Israel are promised to America. Or so they say.

There’s one more thing you’ll notice in the speeches. They use the words “God” and “Christianity” a lot but rarely mention Jesus.

• “America is a Christian nation.”

• “God's law is higher than man’s law.”

• “We must reclaim America for God.”

• “Christianity is under attack.”

• “We need to put God back in schools.”

Jesus

There’s a very clear reason why Christian Nationalists rarely quote Jesus or use him in their rallying cries – Jesus doesn’t fit into their narrative.

1. Jesus advocated nonviolence and loving your enemies.

2. Jesus rejected political power.

3. Jesus’ kingdom was spiritual, not earthly.

4. Jesus called for humility and self-sacrifice.

5. Jesus included the marginalized.

6. Jesus condemned hypocrisy.

7. Jesus rejected retaliation.

8. Jesus called us to love the foreigner.

9. Jesus led by service, not power

10. Jesus rebuked the nationalism of his time.

None of those are part of the Christian Nationalist agenda, methodology, language, practices, or values. In many cases, they are the complete opposite.

So, if they’re not following Jesus, who are they following?

Application

I want to close by affirming something we have in common with Christian Nationalists: We want to see our communities transformed by God.

If you want to do that modeled after Jesus, here are five things to do in your politics and your community. By the way, all of these apply 100% to your home as well. [13]

1. Prioritize Loving Others Over Political Power

Ask yourself: How can I serve someone in my community this week, regardless of their background or beliefs?

2. Engage in Nonviolence and Peacemaking

Ask yourself: Am I adding peace or conflict into the world—online, in my family, or my workplace? How can I respond with grace, not hostility, when I encounter conflict?

3. Practice Humility and Self-Sacrifice

Ask yourself: Where can I demonstrate humility? How can I lift others up rather than seeking my own benefit?

4. Include the Marginalized

Ask yourself: Who are the people on the margins of my community? How can I show them the love and compassion of Jesus?

5. Lead by Example, Not by Force

Ask yourself: What kind of example am I setting for others? Am I leading with love and service, or am I seeking to impose my beliefs on others?

The ends, even godly ends, never justify the means you use to get there. As Rob Reimer, the author of Soul Care, says, “You can’t use the tools of the kingdom of darkness to advance the kingdom of light.”