Some Thoughts on “Christian Nationalism”…

Some of you–maybe many of you–might read that heading and ask, “What is ‘Christian Nationalism?'” Great question! Right from the get-go you have identified what I see as the main problem with the term “Christian Nationalism”–there is no standard definition. And yet people have very strong opinions for or against it based on what they think it is.

So what could “Christian Nationalism” be? As I have wandered the webs and toured the Twitterverse–darn, I can’t say that now. What about, I have x-rayed the X-verse? Xylophoned the X-verse? How about X-plored the X-verse? That’ll do. Sorry… what was I saying? Oh yes, as I have x-plored the x-verse, I have stumbled into (I have a bad sense of direction) numerous definitions of the term ranging from “we just want to see more positive Christian influence in our country,” to those who want to establish some kind of Christian caliphate. From what I observe, the strongest objections to “Christian Nationalism” come from those who fear the latter–that we replace the President with a Papal dictator cramming down his interpretation of biblical law onto everyone else.

There are some basic points common to all advocates of “Christian Nationalism” and it is here that I think many Christians should be able to find common ground. For example:

• They all would like to see a majority of this country become Christian by means of regeneration. In other words, they want to see the greatest revival this country has ever seen where the majority of people hear the gospel, become born again by the Spirit, and possess true saving faith in Christ.
• They all would like to see biblical ethics have a greater influence on our country’s leadership. You don’t have to be a Christian to hold to and benefit from God’s righteous standards as reflected in His Law. Existing prohibitions on murder and theft are artifacts of the Judean-Christian worldview upon which Western legal systems were built, so we already benefit from this in some way. We are also experiencing what happens when a country’s leadership turns away from those biblical standards in the decay, corruption, and lawlessness that impact us daily and with increasing intensity.
• They would like to see all hindrances to the propagation of gospel truth removed. This could include the protection of tax-exempt status for churches, the restoration of Bible lessons to the public school system, or simply the government not intruding on the freedom of Christians to pray, preach, or evangelize wherever free speech is respected.
• They would like to see a recognition that the ideas that formed this country grew out of a biblical worldview. We may not feel comfortable calling this country a “Christian” country, and I understand why. However, instead of running away from the first principles that gave us our Constitution and our fundamental laws, we should go back to them. You don’t have to be a Christian to acknowledge that this country flourished quickly because of the firm biblical standards that gave shape to its foundation. The best way to return sanity to the land and prevent the collapse of our society is to return to and shore up that original foundation.

These should be uncontroversial to anyone who believes that God’s word is true.

So where do I stand? Would I call myself an advocate of “Christian Nationalism”? It depends what you mean by the term. Let me answer by laying down some crucial principles.

Basic Principles

First, we need to acknowledge that our government–our society as a whole–is going to follow someone’s standards. There’s no such thing as a neutral moral code. It’s either God’s law or it’s someone else’s law. If we aren’t a nation based on biblical values, we are some other kind of nation. You might say we’re a secular nation, but that doesn’t mean we’re somehow morally neutral. Secularism stands opposed to God (while borrowing heavily from Him–but that’s a discussion for another time). To be a secular nation is to be a nation that purports to derive its morality and ethics from a source other than God. A kind of spiritual Switzerland, claiming neutrality and borrowing from whatever philosophical systems it deems best. But making yourself the judge over which of God’s laws are good and which are not puts you in competition with God. In other words, if you are judging God’s law, you are placing yourself above God which is another way of claiming godhood for yourself. Ultimately, it’s not a matter of whether we follow a standard, it’s whose standard we follow.

Second, as Christians we need to ask ourselves: Do we believe God’s word, God’s law, and God’s ways are best? If so, why would we settle for anything less? Did Jesus say, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, but failing that I’m sure something else will do just fine”? If you’re not sure, check out Matthew 6:33. If God’s standard is the best standard, really the only standard, then how do we pursue that in our lives, from the way we work to the way we raise our families, the way we interact with our neighbors and enemies, even the way we vote? And if it affects us in our corporate jobs, why would it not affect us in our government jobs? Just because your work is taxpayer-funded doesn’t mean you’re exempt from living out your salvation. Might it affect the way you legislate? Why wouldn’t it, if you’re seeking first the kingdom of God and you believe God’s standards are best?

Third, if we believe God’s ways are best and should, therefore, be followed, it shouldn’t matter to us, at least on one level, whether our legislators are Christians. There have been non-Christians in governments all over the world who have advocated for and enacted laws that have a very solid biblical foundation. As noted earlier, laws opposing theft and murder are quite obviously biblical. But also laws against bestiality, laws that protect the elderly and immigrants, laws that set fair trading standards, laws that protect the poor… and I’m just sitting here flipping through Leviticus! Of course, a regenerate legislature that legislates on the basis of a love for God and His law is to be greatly desired and prayed for. But God will still bless a pagan nation that follows His statutes–as long as that nation gives credit where credit is due (see Daniel 4:30-37). Not because God endorses faithlessness, but because His word is true and His ways are right. (If you’re still not sure about this point, ask yourself: Does God bless a non-Christian couple who stay faithfully married? Look at the statistics. When you apply God’s design for marriage, don’t be surprised when the numbers are in your favor.)

Fourth, I believe the “three spheres of government” model to be biblically based. “What’s that?” you ask. Let me explain. God has given us three spheres of government: the magistrate, the church, and the family. Each has its own structure and its own area of authority. While the spheres may inform one another, they must not encroach upon each other’s authority. The magistrate may take various forms (democracy, republic, monarchy, oligarchy, etc.) but its sphere of authority is confined to the running of the state–law and order, commerce, and those things that pertain to the day-to-day running of a country. The family consists of a husband and wife and their dependents. The husband is the head, and with counsel from his wife makes the rules for the family. The parents have disciplinary authority over their dependents and make decisions for the benefit of the family. The local church is governed by the pastors/elders who have responsibility for the spiritual well-being of the members of the church. The church leadership determines who constitutes the membership of that church, as well as what its doctrinal standards are, and what is taught from the pulpit and the Sunday school room. Members submit to the spiritual authority and pastoral care of the church leadership. The magistrate cannot dictate to the church what it should teach, the church cannot dictate to the magistrate what laws it must enact, and neither the magistrate nor the church can tell the father how he must run his household. If you want a more fleshed-out discussion of this, I’m sure you can easily find one elsewhere. Here’s one by Toby Sumpter of CrossPolitic (note: a link is not an endorsement of all they teach).

If you take these together, you have what I believe to be a roadmap for society as God designed it. Notice, I have said nothing about kinism, white supremacy, or Donald J. Trump. That’s because I don’t believe these have any relevance to the topic. And any “Nationalism” that is based on racial supremacy, racial purity, or political partisanship has no right to call itself “Christian.” Jesus is Lord, we are all equal and united in Him, and we all bow the knee to Him (Galatians 3:28; Philippians 2:10-11).

As Christians we need to promote biblical laws and morality wherever possible, but first and foremost in our churches, our homes, and in our own lives. We need to be about the work of evangelism, bearing testimony to the good news of redemption through Christ’s blood, both in word and deed. And we need to be striving daily to be faithful to God as He has been faithful to us, seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness.

If you want to call that “Christian Nationalism” so be it. And if the label causes you to stumble, call it something else, or nothing at all. As I said, I’m sure Christians agree with much of what’s at the heart of so-called “Christian Nationalism.” I say we quit fighting over labels and get on with the work of living for Christ in all things.