The Biblical Arguments Against Christian Nationalism
Biblical Arguments Against Christian Nationalism
Christian opposition to Christian nationalism draws on a wide range of biblical texts, theological traditions, and denominational perspectives. Across the material surveyed, a recurring distinction appears between legitimate Christian participation in public life and the identification of Christianity with a particular nation, government, ethnic group, or political movement.
The sources emphasize themes including the kingdom of God, the universal character of the church, the Great Commission, heavenly citizenship, love of neighbor, freedom of conscience, Christian worship, the limits of government authority, and warnings against idolatry. Many also challenge interpretations of Scripture that transfer promises made to biblical Israel directly to the United States or another modern nation.
Christ's Kingdom and Earthly Political Power
One of the most frequently cited passages is John 18:36, where Jesus declares that his kingdom is not of this world. Christian writers from evangelical, Methodist, Presbyterian, and other traditions use this passage to argue that Christ's kingdom cannot be identified with a modern political state.
This interpretation does not necessarily require Christians to withdraw from politics. Rather, the distinction places political loyalty beneath allegiance to Christ. Governments possess legitimate but limited authority, while the kingdom of God extends across political borders.
Several sources similarly point to Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. Jesus rejects the offer of authority over the kingdoms of the world, which is interpreted as a warning against equating Christian faithfulness with the acquisition of political domination.
The teachings and example of Jesus are therefore presented as emphasizing service, discipleship, sacrifice, mercy, peacemaking, and the proclamation of God's kingdom rather than the establishment of Christian supremacy through government power.
The Church as a Transnational People
A central biblical argument concerns the identity of God's people. The New Testament repeatedly describes the church as a community drawn from many peoples and nations rather than as a single political nation.
Philippians 3:20 states that Christian citizenship is in heaven. This text is frequently used to distinguish legitimate affection for one's country from ultimate political allegiance.
Galatians 3:28 is cited to emphasize the unity of believers across ethnic, social, and cultural divisions. Ephesians 2 similarly portrays Christ as breaking down barriers of hostility and creating a new community.
Revelation 5 and Revelation 7 describe God's redeemed people as coming from every tribe, language, people, and nation. These passages are used against claims that one contemporary nation possesses a uniquely Christian identity or privileged theological status.
The language of 1 Peter 2:9 is also important. The description of believers as a “chosen people,” “royal priesthood,” and “holy nation” is interpreted as referring to the church rather than to a modern geopolitical state.
The Great Commission Against National Supremacy
Matthew 28:18–20 commands Jesus’ followers to make disciples of all nations. Several writers argue that the Great Commission points outward toward the peoples of the world rather than toward the elevation of one Christian nation above others.
Acts 1 is frequently read in the same way. When the disciples ask Jesus about restoring the kingdom to Israel, Jesus redirects their attention toward Spirit-empowered witness extending from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
These texts are used to challenge interpretations of the Great Commission that treat “discipling the nations” as a command to obtain governmental control or impose a Christian political order.
Instead, the early church is presented as expanding through preaching, baptism, worship, community, and missionary witness across political and cultural boundaries.
The Problem of Treating America as Biblical Israel
A recurring concern involves the direct application of Old Testament covenant language to the United States.
Particular attention is given to 2 Chronicles 7:14, which has sometimes been applied to American national renewal. Critics argue that the passage belongs to the covenantal setting of ancient Israel, the temple, and God's relationship with Israel and cannot simply be reassigned to another nation.
Similarly, Psalm 33:12 and other Old Testament passages have been used to support the idea of a uniquely chosen Christian nation. The material reviewed cautions against assuming that biblical descriptions of Israel automatically establish a comparable covenant for a modern state.
Christian theological critiques instead locate the fulfillment and continuation of God's covenant purposes primarily in Christ and the multinational church.
This distinction is central to arguments against the idea that the United States—or any other contemporary country—functions as a new Israel.
Misuse of Scripture and Political Proof-Texting
Several sources focus less on individual biblical passages than on methods of interpretation.
They criticize selective proof-texting in which biblical verses are removed from their literary, historical, and theological contexts and used to support predetermined political goals.
Examples include direct applications of Mosaic civil law to modern governments, reinterpretations of covenant promises as national promises, and the use of Christian imagery to legitimize political authority.
These writers argue that Scripture should evaluate political commitments rather than be made subordinate to them.
Biblical interpretation is therefore presented as requiring attention to the whole scriptural narrative, including creation, the prophets, Jesus’ teachings, the cross, the resurrection, the formation of the church, and the multinational vision of Revelation.
Love of Neighbor and Human Dignity
Jesus’ command to love one's neighbor provides another major line of argument.
The parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 is frequently used to emphasize that Christian obligations toward others cross ethnic, religious, and social boundaries.
Matthew 5:44 extends this obligation even to enemies. These teachings are used to challenge forms of nationalism centered on exclusion, domination, hostility toward outsiders, or unconditional national self-interest.
The doctrine that human beings are created in the image of God also appears repeatedly. Christian political theology, according to these sources, must recognize the dignity of people regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, or political status.
This concern also informs Christian arguments for religious liberty and freedom of conscience.
Worship Belongs to God Rather Than the Nation
Several sources examine Christian nationalism through worship rather than public policy.
They argue that Christian worship shapes allegiance, identity, memory, and moral imagination. National symbols, patriotic liturgies, hymns, and political imagery can therefore become theologically significant when incorporated into church worship.
Philippians 3:20 is frequently invoked to distinguish gratitude for one's country from treating national identity as sacred.
The central question raised by these sources is whether Christian worship tells the story of salvation centered on Christ or whether a national story has begun to displace it.
Hymns, preaching, liturgy, symbols, and church architecture can all reinforce either Christian theological identity or a fusion of religious and national identity.
Christian Nationalism as Political Idolatry
Some Christian critics describe nationalism as a form of idolatry when the nation receives trust, loyalty, sacred status, or expectations that Christian theology reserves for God.
From this perspective, ordinary patriotism is not necessarily objectionable. The theological problem arises when national preservation, power, greatness, or identity becomes an ultimate Christian concern.
This argument is closely related to biblical prohibitions against idolatry and to Christian confession that Jesus alone is Lord.
Theological critiques drawing on Lutheran, Reformed, Baptist, Anabaptist, evangelical, and other traditions therefore warn against allowing political ideologies, governments, or leaders to function as rival objects of Christian allegiance.
The Cross Versus Political Domination
The Christian theology of the cross provides another framework for evaluating nationalism.
Several sources contrast the crucifixion of Jesus with political triumphalism. Christian power is portrayed through sacrifice, suffering, forgiveness, service, and resurrection rather than worldly domination.
Galatians is particularly important in some of these arguments. Galatians 1 is used to warn against substituting another message for the gospel, while Galatians 5 provides an ethical comparison between the fruit of the Spirit and political behavior characterized by hatred, rivalry, rage, division, or faction.
The theological question is therefore not simply whether Christians possess political influence but whether the methods and goals of political movements reflect Christian discipleship.
Church and State
Another recurring argument concerns the institutional distinction between the church and government.
Several Baptist, Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist, and evangelical sources contend that Christianity does not require governmental privilege in order to flourish.
Government cannot determine membership in God's kingdom, define authentic Christian faith, or produce Christian conversion through coercion.
Religious liberty is therefore presented by many sources not merely as a constitutional principle but as a theological conviction.
Freedom of conscience protects both individuals and churches from government attempts to define, regulate, or privilege religious identity.
Christian Political Participation Without Christian Nationalism
The sources frequently distinguish opposition to Christian nationalism from opposition to Christian political activity.
Christians may vote, organize, advocate for public policies, serve in government, seek justice, and bring moral convictions into public debate.
The distinction concerns whether Christians claim political supremacy, governmental religious privilege, a unique national covenant with God, or an inherent right to rule because of their religious identity.
Under this framework, Christian public engagement remains morally accountable to the teachings of Jesus, the dignity of neighbors, religious freedom, justice, and the universal mission of the church.
Patriotism may therefore be understood as limited affection and responsibility toward one's country rather than unconditional or sacred loyalty.
Denominational and Theological Responses
Opposition to Christian nationalism appears across several Christian traditions represented in the material.
Presbyterian sources emphasize Reformed identity, worship, Christian confession, and the danger of merging national mythology with Christianity.
Lutheran sources draw on the Barmen Declaration and the confession of “Christ alone,” arguing that no political ideology or leader may acquire authority belonging to Jesus Christ.
Baptist sources emphasize religious liberty, freedom of conscience, and the long history of Baptist resistance to government-controlled Christianity.
United Methodist sources focus on Jesus’ kingdom, discipleship, love, and the distinction between Christian witness and political domination.
United Church of Christ sources emphasize the global and inclusive character of Christianity and warn against allowing national identity to limit Christian solidarity.
Anabaptist and Mennonite arguments particularly emphasize peace, hospitality, justice, and resistance to the capture of Christian theology by state power.
Evangelical writers represented in the material likewise criticize forms of Christian nationalism that subordinate the gospel, church, or Great Commission to national identity.
Catholic, Baptist, and ecumenical scholars have also participated in theological criticism of Christian nationalism, showing that the debate crosses denominational boundaries.
Christian Nationalism and the Historical Church
Historical examples reinforce many of these biblical arguments.
Sources examining American history note that competing political sides have often claimed divine approval and used Scripture to justify national causes.
The American Civil War provides an especially significant example because Christians on opposing sides invoked biblical and theological arguments.
Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural is presented in the material as a warning against assuming that God necessarily endorses one's own national cause.
Historical studies of flags, patriotic worship, and American religious identity similarly demonstrate how national and Christian symbolism can become intertwined over time.
These examples encourage theological caution toward claims that national political success necessarily indicates divine favor.
Theological Education and Contemporary Church Responses
Seminaries, divinity schools, denominational bodies, congregations, and Christian educational organizations are increasingly examining Christian nationalism as a theological and pastoral issue.
Courses, conferences, worship resources, denominational statements, lectures, and scholarly publications address biblical interpretation, Christian identity, nationalism, religious liberty, pastoral leadership, and worship.
These resources frequently aim to help Christians distinguish patriotism from nationalism and political participation from theological identification of Christianity with the state.
The growth of such programs indicates that Christian nationalism is being debated not only as a political ideology but also as a question of ecclesiology, biblical interpretation, worship, and Christian discipleship.
Conclusion
The biblical arguments surveyed in these sources converge around several recurring themes.
Christ's kingdom is distinguished from earthly political states. Christian citizenship is ultimately located in God's kingdom. The church is portrayed as a multinational community drawn from every tribe, people, language, and nation. The Great Commission sends Christians outward toward all peoples rather than establishing the supremacy of one nation.
The material also rejects simple transfers of Israel's covenant identity to modern states and cautions against political proof-texting. Jesus’ teachings concerning neighbor-love, enemies, mercy, service, and peacemaking provide ethical standards for Christian political engagement.
Christian worship is understood as belonging ultimately to God rather than the nation, while national identity can become idolatrous when it receives allegiance or theological significance reserved for God.
At the same time, most of the sources distinguish these criticisms from a rejection of Christian involvement in public life. Their central argument is instead that Christian political engagement should remain subordinate to allegiance to Christ, the universal character of the church, the dignity of neighbors, religious liberty, and the biblical distinction between God's kingdom and political nations.
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The Gospel Cannot Be Made Subordinate to the Nation
| Russell Moore | Christianity Today | June 24, 2026
Uses Philippians 3:20—“our citizenship is in heaven”—to distinguish gratitude for earthly citizenship from the worship of a nation. Moore argues that Christian worship should direct believers toward the kingdom of Christ rather than making the United States the organizing subject of the church's worship.
| Russell Moore | Christianity Today | May 20, 2026
Moore challenges the use of 2 Chronicles 7:14 as though the United States occupies Israel's covenant position. Drawing on the Old Testament story of Jeroboam and the New Testament doctrine of Christ as mediator, he argues that nations cannot obtain covenant renewal by appropriating promises made within the biblical covenant.
| Clarissa Moll | Christianity Today | April 17, 2025
Moll reflects on Christian division through the Lenten themes of confession, sin, grace, and the cross. She emphasizes that Christians with radically different political identities nevertheless stand equally as sinners before Christ, undermining claims to political or national spiritual superiority.
| Russell Moore | Christianity Today | September/October 2024
Moore contrasts Christian nationalism's pursuit of cultural control with the New Testament's emphasis on repentance, regeneration, and renewal of the heart. Christianity cannot be reduced to preserving outward religious symbols while abandoning the gospel's demand for inward transformation.
| Ralph C. Wood | Christianity Today | September 25, 2024
Reviews Joel Looper's Another Gospel, which takes its title from Galatians 1:6–7. The central theological argument is that Christians commit a serious error when the nation rather than the church becomes their defining community and national politics displaces what Looper calls the politics of Jesus.
| Brad East | Christianity Today | March 13, 2024
East argues that the most serious forms of Christian nationalism should be treated as distortions of the gospel rather than merely as questionable political opinions. He appeals to Galatians 1 and Galatians 5, contrasting the fruit of the Spirit with political practices characterized by hostility, anger, division, and factionalism.
| Bonnie Kristian | Christianity Today | June 2022
Reviews Paul D. Miller's critique of Christian nationalism and highlights the argument that nationalism can become idolatrous when preservation of the nation takes the place of Christian sanctification. Galatians 5:9 is invoked in discussing how nationalist assumptions can spread through Christian identity.
Misuse of Scripture
| Word&Way | Word&Way | April 18, 2026
Describes The Bible According to Christian Nationalists, a book focused on how Scripture can be removed from its biblical context and employed to legitimize political power. The work examines selective proof-texting and competing approaches to biblical interpretation.
| Greg Carey | Word&Way | September 10, 2025
New Testament scholar Greg Carey distinguishes Christian political participation from movements seeking Christian dominion over government and society. His discussion helps separate ordinary application of biblical ethics from claims that Christians possess a divine mandate for political supremacy.
| Brian Kaylor | Word&Way | May 19, 2025
Introduces Kaylor's study of seven recurring ways Christian nationalist leaders interpret or misuse biblical texts for political purposes. He contrasts partisan Bible reading with Scripture's commands concerning the image of God and love of neighbor.
| Connor Gwin | Mockingbird | November 2023
Examines attempts to apply the Mosaic law directly to modern governments. The essay discusses theonomy and Christian nationalism while asking how Paul's theology of law and the New Testament's interpretation of Torah should govern Christian use of Old Testament civil legislation.
| Christianity Today | Christianity Today | March 2023
Examines common nationalist uses of Psalm 33:12 and 2 Chronicles 7:14. The article questions the assumption that promises concerning biblical Israel can simply be transferred to the United States and argues that Christians need stronger biblical political theology.
The Great Commission Against National Supremacy
| Jim Wallis | Religion News Service | May 15, 2026
Wallis interprets Matthew 28 as a direct challenge to Christian nationalism. Jesus commands the disciples to go toward all nations and make disciples rather than establish one Christian nation possessing divine political supremacy.
| Russell Moore | Christianity Today | September 29, 2022
Describes Christian nationalism as a reversal of the Great Commission: rather than nations being called to discipleship under Jesus, the nation attempts to enlist Christianity in sanctifying itself. Christ stands above and in judgment over every culture, ethnicity, and political order.
John 18:36 and Christ's Kingdom
| Nima Motallebzadeh | The Gospel Coalition Norden | September 26, 2026
Argues that John 18:36 places fundamental limits on identifying Christ's kingdom with a government. Jesus’ mission and the church's commission extend across national borders rather than culminating in a Christian state.
| Laura Buchanan | United Methodist Communications | November 3, 2025
Centers the distinction between Christian nationalism and Christian discipleship on Jesus’ statement in John 18:36: “My kingdom is not of this world.” The article presents Christian faith as incarnational and loving rather than an ideology aimed at controlling society.
Jesus Rejects the Politics of Domination
| Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service | May 7, 2026
Reports theologian Miranda Zapor Cruz's argument that Jesus rejects the opportunity to seize political domination during his temptation. Christian nationalism's pursuit of privileged institutional power is contrasted with Jesus’ model of service, discipleship, and the kingdom of God.
| David Charlton et al. | Candler School of Theology, Emory University | April 28, 2026
Includes a theological presentation addressing Christian nationalism in United Methodist congregations. The project examines how Christian theology and pastoral formation can provide an alternative to nationalist understandings of power and Christian identity.
Worship Belongs to God Rather Than the Nation
| Mike Ferguson | The Christian Century | May 29, 2026
Reports on Presbyterian hymnwriters using worship to distinguish Christian identity from national identity. Hymns are treated as theological formation because what Christians sing helps determine the objects of their deepest loyalty.
| Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service | May 26, 2026
Examines hymns designed to counter Christian nationalism. The underlying theological concern is that worship forms Christian loyalties, memory, and imagination and therefore should direct ultimate allegiance toward God rather than the nation.
| Duke Divinity School | Duke University | March 17, 2025
Describes Lester Ruth's examination of Christian nationalist worship practices. The course evaluates whether worship organized around American exceptionalism, gender hierarchy, or political dominion remains faithful to the gospel's Christ-centered narrative.
Christian Identity Is Located in Christ and the Church
| J. D. Greear | The Gospel Coalition | September 18, 2026
Greear argues from a conservative evangelical perspective that Christianity does not require governmental privilege in order to flourish. The church's mission rests on gospel proclamation and religious liberty rather than political establishment.
| Bradford Littlejohn | Themelios | 2023
Reviews Stephen Wolfe's political theology from within the Reformed tradition. Littlejohn distinguishes legitimate Protestant reflection on civil government from broader nationalist claims and critically examines the relationship between historic Protestant political theology and contemporary nationalism.
| Patrick Schreiner | The Gospel Coalition | April 27, 2023
New Testament scholar Patrick Schreiner distinguishes several meanings of Christian nationalism and rejects forms that fuse Christian identity with coercive national power. He emphasizes the church's distinct mission and warns against treating political uniformity as a substitute for Christian discipleship.
| Kevin DeYoung | The Gospel Coalition | November 28, 2022
DeYoung challenges a version of Christian nationalism in which ethnicity and national solidarity acquire theological importance comparable to the church. His critique stresses the New Testament's teaching concerning the nature and universality of Christ's church.
Augustine as an Alternative to Nationalism
| Gregory W. Lee | Wheaton College Center for Applied Christian Ethics | 2021
Offers an Augustinian alternative to Christian nationalism. Augustine's distinction between the City of God and earthly political societies provides a theological framework in which Christians can love their country without confusing it with God's redeemed people.
Biblical Analogy and the Problem of a “Christian Nation”
| Naomi Haynes | Wheaton College | January 26, 2026
Examines Christian nationalism through the use of biblical analogy in Zambia. Haynes identifies theological problems that arise when modern nations appropriate biblical categories intended for Israel or the church.
The Image of God and Equal Human Dignity
| Jennifer Hockenbery | Journal of Lutheran Ethics | June/July 2024
Encourages congregations to approach Christian nationalism through biblical and theological questions: What does it mean that God created heaven and earth? Who is my neighbor? What responsibilities follow from being created in God's image?
Religious Liberty as Christian Theology
| Christianity Today / related discussion | Christianity Today / related discussion | 2026
Discusses Christian criticisms of integralist and nationalist political models, including questions of eschatology, church authority, and constitutional religious freedom.
| Brian Kaylor | Word&Way | April 10, 2025
Presents separation of church and state as compatible with faithful Christian witness rather than hostility toward Christianity. The article contrasts state-supported religion with traditions of Christian political witness formed among communities historically harmed by government-enforced Christianity.
| Baptist World Alliance | Baptist World Alliance | July 11, 2024
The global Baptist body rejects religious nationalism and affirms the historic Baptist conviction that institutional separation of religion and government protects genuine faith. It endorses Christian civic engagement while opposing governmental religious privilege.
Reformed Arguments Against Christian Nationalism
| Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service | September 3, 2026
Explores how preaching can resist having the gospel absorbed into national ideology. The church's task is to proclaim Christian faith on its own theological terms rather than allow political movements to define Christian identity.
| Beth Waltemath | Presbyterian News Service | June 30, 2026
Reports the PC(USA) General Assembly's consideration of Christian nationalism as a theological issue. During debate, John 3:16's affirmation that God loves the world was invoked to argue that Christian concern cannot be confined to national boundaries.
| Cindy Corell | Presbyterian News Service | June 24, 2026
Reports Presbyterian deliberations over Christian nationalism and Reformed identity. The discussions distinguish Christian confession from national mythology and political supremacy.
| Cindy Corell | Presbyterian News Service | June 11, 2026
Describes an overture characterizing Christian nationalism as an urgent theological concern because it can merge Christianity with national or ethnic supremacy.
| David Staniunas | Presbyterian Historical Society / Presbyterian News Service | March 16, 2026
Examines the theological history of displaying national and Christian flags in worship. It shows how periods of American patriotic fervor have sometimes merged national identity with Christian messianic language.
Provides FAQs and liturgical material for confronting white Christian nationalism. It frames resistance as a matter of Christian worship, confession, ecumenical relationships, and faithfulness.
| Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service | April 4, 2025
Reports Amanda Tyler's argument that Christians have a particular responsibility to challenge Christian nationalism because the ideology fuses religious identity with national political identity.
Lutheran Arguments
| Matthew Best, Karl Allen Kuhn, William Rodríguez | Journal of Lutheran Ethics | June/July 2026
Discusses biblical interpretation, Christian political theology, and resources churches can use to evaluate Christian nationalism.
| William Rodríguez | Journal of Lutheran Ethics | June/July 2026
Provides a broad scholarly bibliography for examining the theological foundations, history, and contemporary expressions of Christian nationalism.
| Paul R. Hinlicky | Journal of Lutheran Ethics | April/May 2026
Develops a Christological argument that Christians confess Jesus alone as saving Lord. Political systems therefore cannot demand the kind of allegiance or salvific expectation belonging to Christ.
| Journal of Lutheran Ethics | Evangelical Lutheran Church in America | June 13, 2024
A complete issue addressing Christian nationalism. The Barmen Declaration is presented as an important theological precedent for rejecting attempts to give the state, nation, or political leader authority belonging to Jesus Christ.
United Methodist Arguments
| Ryan Dunn | United Methodist Communications | 2022
Examines Christian nationalism through Scripture and distinguishes Christian political involvement from identifying Christianity with national power. Matthew 26:52 and other sayings of Jesus complicate attempts to turn Christianity into a program of coercion.
United Church of Christ Arguments
| United Church of Christ | United Church of Christ | April 2026
Frames religious nationalism as a theological as well as political challenge and asks how churches are called to respond from within Christian discipleship.
| Renee DeLuca | United Church of Christ | April 14, 2026
Examines religious nationalism through global Reformed theology. The discussion asks how churches can maintain Christian identity when political nationalism seeks to appropriate religious language.
| Jeremy Fuzy | Word&Way | July 15, 2025
Reports UCC General Minister Karen Georgia Thompson's contention that nationalism and Christianity become contradictory when national identity limits the universal scope and unity of the church.
| John C. Dorhauer | United Church of Christ | April 11, 2023
Explicitly treats Christian nationalism as a threat to Christianity itself, arguing that churches must examine whether national power is replacing faithfulness to Jesus.
Christian Nationalism as Political Idolatry
| Russell Moore | Christianity Today | September 9, 2026
Uses Wendell Berry's writings to distinguish rooted love of place from idolatrous nationalism. Moore argues that the answer to Christian nationalism is not abandoning Christianity but refusing to use Jesus as an instrument for another political end.
A State Cannot Determine Membership in God's Kingdom
| Russell Moore | Christianity Today | August 17, 2026
Moore argues that giving government authority to determine who qualifies as authentically Christian effectively grants the state power over the church. Membership in God's kingdom is a theological matter, not a category political rulers are competent to administer.
Theological Education Responds
| Joey Shelton | Duke Divinity School | 2026
A ministry-focused examination of Christian nationalism intended to help church leaders distinguish its theological claims from Christian discipleship.
| Lester Ruth et al. | Duke Divinity School | 2026
Includes sessions examining the theology and worship of Christian nationalism and approaches for churches seeking to counter it.
| Cyril O'Regan | Yale Divinity School | September 24, 2026
A Catholic theological lecture examining Pope Leo's thought in relation to Christian nationalism and the theological problems involved in identifying Christianity with nationalist political projects.
| Dominic Erdozain | Candler School of Theology | June 9, 2026
Explores whether Christians can practice patriotism without nationalism. The course contrasts nationalist identity with what it calls a “patriotism of peace.”
| Claire Asbury Lennox | Candler School of Theology | July 10, 2025
Describes a lecture series on pastoral leadership in an era of Christian nationalism. The program approaches nationalism as a challenge requiring theological, historical, and pastoral responses from churches.
Catholic and Baptist Theological Critiques
| Brian Kaylor | Word&Way | June 4, 2026
Reports Catholic and Baptist theologians jointly examining Christian nationalism from explicitly Christian theological perspectives. The gathering illustrates that opposition to Christian nationalism arises within multiple Christian traditions rather than simply from secular political theory.
Christian Nationalism and the Historical Church
| Daniel N. Gullotta | Christianity Today | February 20, 2025
Reviews how both sides in the American Civil War invoked Christianity and Scripture for competing national causes. Lincoln's Second Inaugural becomes a theological warning against assuming that one's own nation automatically possesses God's approval.
| Brian Kaylor and Beau Underwood | Word&Way | August 27, 2024
Provides resources for congregations examining how Christianity has historically been joined to American national identity. The study encourages churches to distinguish Christian witness from partisan or national narratives.
Nationalism and Eschatology
| Jon Brown | The Christian Post | July 18, 2026
Reports a discussion between Ben Sasse and theologian Michael Horton in which some forms of Christian nationalism and Catholic integralism are criticized for faulty expectations concerning what political institutions can accomplish before the fulfillment of God's kingdom.
Christian Political Engagement Without Christian Nationalism
| Paul D. Miller | Christianity Today | February 2021
Distinguishes ordinary Christian political engagement from nationalism. Christians may seek justice while rejecting claims that they possess an inherent right to cultural or political primacy.
Christian Nationalism as a False Church
| Brian Kaylor | Word&Way | June 16, 2026
Reports the Reformed Church in America's 2026 action describing Christian nationalism as a distortion of the gospel and “false church.” The statement places the issue within classic Reformed concerns about the identity, confession, and faithfulness of the church.
Christian Nationalism Versus Honest Patriotism
| Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) | Mission Yearbook | June 11, 2026
Examines “honest patriotism” as an alternative to white Christian nationalism. Christian loyalty to country is treated as limited and morally accountable rather than sacred or unconditional.
Nationalism Can Corrupt Christian Mission
| Drew Strait | Mennonite Church USA | June 30, 2021
Argues that Christian nationalism permits state power to co-opt Christian theological imagination. The biblical alternatives emphasized are hospitality, peace, justice, and love of neighbor.
