Straight Talk

Is it Christian nationalism or Christian love for nation?

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Letter to the Editor

Recent diatribes utilizing the straw man of “Christian nationalism” to caricature a great part of our citizenry is both disappointing and invective. “Christian nationalism” by definition is a type of nationalism that gives focus to the politics of society and civil law in light of the Christian worldview uniquely. It is an intentional pejorative term used to arouse suspicion, angst, and even fear of those who dare to bring their Christian faith and convictions into the public square out of a devotion to one’s country and the Lord Jesus Christ – often viewed as radical patriotism, even chauvinism. 

What is most often represented by this attack is the fearmongering that would paint certain Christians of attempting to set up a theocracy that would exclude all other views and faiths and further resort to silencing the opposition by coercive measures. Christians are gratuitously granted by these voices the permission to possess our faith but be careful and restrained in proclaiming that faith and convictions in political domains and the public square of popular opinions. 

Out of a forced sense of humility and spirit of inclusiveness – not to mention the need to accept new versions of our history as a nation – Christians are being asked to compartmentalize our Biblical convictions lest we appear aggressive, intolerant, or even imperialistic. The underlying determinant is to marginalize any views or convictions that may offend or limit truth to a singularity like the Holy Scriptures. 

How many more times will we hear, “Don’t mix faith and politics”? Or, said another way, “Keep your patriotic feelings and Christian convictions fashionably separate.” This is another facet of “woke” progressivism that would alert the world to the prejudice and discrimination of conservative Christians. Conservative Christians, who want to share their faith and belief that God’s Word and precepts are what is best for a people and a nation are lumped in with what is known as “dominion theology,” or a minority who want to institute a nation governed solely by Christians and biblical law, coercively excluding all other faiths, political parties, and voices. 

But the conservative, Scripture-affirming Christians that I know don’t want a theocracy (God rule) or dominion theological ideology (rule of the Bible only). Only God can accomplish that and will one day as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Until then, we believe strongly in the freedoms established by our Constitution and Bill of Rights, and likewise the free market of ideas and convictions in the public square. We are convinced that the Christian faith and absolutes of God’s Word must be unreservedly proclaimed and lived out and will win out in the competition of ideas. We cannot separate our patriotic love for country and our love for God and faith in His Word. Out of love for our fellow citizens and our nation, we advocate Psalm 33:12, “Blessed in the nation whose God is the Lord.”

We echo the sentiments of Abraham Kuyper, who said, “There is not one square inch in the domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign, does not cry ‘Mine!’”  

As Christians who have a mutual devotion to God and our nation, we are not fascists or trying to force and coerce others to align with us. Only the Spirit of God can bring conviction and save our nation from sin and wicked ideologies. We are simply messengers, being salt and light – a presence for God’s absolutes and a light that cannot be hid under the proverbial basket. We are not “Christian nationalists,” but we are patriots and citizens who love America, and we bring into the public discussions what is best for our nation via the belief that God has those answers. 

It is not a nationalistic vision we proclaim, but our conviction in God’s absolutes and prescriptions for national prosperity. We will take our place in the debates about what is best and what is right for our nation until forced out. Our Christian faith and our patriotism will blend because we love God, and we love the United States of America – a gift from the Lord for those privileged to live here. Call me a Christian nationalist if you must, but I am simply a Christian who loves his nation enough to tell those who will listen the prescription for personal salvation in Christ and the prescriptions for spiritual and overall prosperity for our nation.  

“Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Philippians 2:11).

Dr. Mark Ford, Pastor, First Baptist Church Highlands