Christian Nationalism
Jesus answered: “My kingdom is not from this world” (John 18:36)
I remember being horrified yet not entirely surprised, on January 6, 2021. People showed up in Washington D.C. with American flags, weapons, and crosses, to hear a speech by President Donald Trump and then march on the Capitol. Many believed that they were there on a divine mission from God to uphold the United States. After the rioting began, during which several
people lost their lives, there were chants of “Hang Mike Pence!” from the shadows of a makeshift gallows. It is ironic, since at the center of Christian faith is our savior Jesus who was himself executed unjustly. The violence on display that day was horrifying, but it was just a symptom of a deeper, historical movement of people of faith who seek to have power and domination over others who don’t look or believe like them. This is Christian nationalism.
According to the Baptist Joint Committee & Freedom From Religion Foundation, Christian nationalism is “a political ideology that seeks to merge American civic life with a particular expression of Christianity, often to the exclusion of religious minorities and non-Christians." Christian nationalism, while an expression of Christianity, greatly distorts Christian faith.
Christians are not called to create a Christian state where people are forced to believe a certain way. That is a distortion of the Gospel, for the kingdom of God is neither the United States nor any other country. God is much bigger than any one country. That being said, there are aspects of our country that I appreciate deeply and I believe are very good. One of those good things is the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution that establishes the free exercise of religion and prohibits the establishment of religion by the state.
Why am I talking to you about this? It is not to tell you how to vote in an election. I speak on it because Christian nationalism is a dangerous gospel of violence and fear that only desires power. It wants to convince us that things would be better if everyone was forced to pray to God, adhere to a certain set of behaviors, and believe a certain version of Christian faith: that the United States is and always has been, a nation of and for Christians. Despite the reality that, throughout its time, our country has been filled with a wide variety of religious expression and people of many backgrounds. Historically, countries with one state religion persecute and harm; it does not go well.
Speaking from a faith perspective, Jesus did not call for his followers to seek worldly power over other people through violence or government control. He told Peter to put away his sword in the Garden of Gethsemane. He could have begun a violent revolution to force others to believe. But he didn’t do that at all. Christian faith is about a change of heart and life, as we come to knowledge of the saving grace of Jesus. Importantly, faith must be a free response to God’s love
for us not a state-sanctioned edict. Jesus calls us to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus calls us to be people of compassion and peace who work for justice and mercy, yes, but not through coercion, violence, or fear.
God’s peace be with you,
Pastor Jordan Louks
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