Should we be concerned about Christian Nationalism?

Should we be concerned about “Christian nationalism” in America? In order to answer that question we need to consider how that phrase is being defined.

DEFINING CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM

If “Christian nationalism” means something like the government enforcing Christianity (i.e. legally requiring baptism, church attendance, or tithes to a particular denomination) or denying rights to non-Christians then that would clearly be wrong. Such coercion would violate the conscience, corrupt true religion, and misuse state power. No one is really advocating for this though, and even if someone were to try and go this route, the First Amendment firmly protects against it, so I don’t see any need to be concerned about this. 

But this does show that if someone starts talking about “Christian nationalism,” it is important to ask what they mean. 

There are a lot of ways this label could be defined, but we ought to recognize that what is often labeled as “Christian nationalism” today is simply the visible presence and influence of Christianity in America’s government, morality, culture, and national identity. What most people call “Christian nationalism” today is essentially any trace of Christianity being expressed or promoted publicly, or any sense of connection between God and government. 

This kind of “Christian nationalism” is often spoken of pejoratively, but is it really something we need to be concerned about? Quite the opposite—this has long been a hallmark of American life. By this definition, the United States has been shaped and led by “Christian nationalists” since its founding.

For example, in 1776, the Second Continental Congress (the same body that drafted and adopted the Declaration of Independence) called on the American people to pray in these words at the start of the Revolutionary War: 

“That we may, with united hearts, confess and bewail our manifold sins and transgressions, and, by a sincere repentance and amendment of life, appease his righteous displeasure, and, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain his pardon and forgiveness; humbly imploring his assistance to frustrate the cruel purposes of our unnatural enemies; and by inclining their hearts to justice and benevolence, prevent the further effusion of kindred blood.”

The Second Continental Congress also appointed George Washington to be Commander-in-Chief during the Revolutionary War, and he was eventually elected as our first President in 1789. Here is his famous Prayer for the United States of America: 

“Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy Holy protection; and Thou wilt incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field. 

And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the Characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation.  

Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

He speaks of “our blessed Religion” and closes by saying that Jesus Christ is “our Lord.” By today’s standards, a distinctly Christian public prayer like this would almost certainly be labeled as “Christian nationalism.” For a lot more examples of things like this, see this post. 

But if the label of “Christian nationalism” is used to refer to things like the government’s duty to acknowledge Christ as Lord, or our national leaders praying to God for wisdom and protection (or recommending—not mandating—that others pray as well), or our nation’s laws and culture being guided by Christian values, then we need to understand that America has been characterized by this kind of “Christian nationalism” since its founding. 

This kind of “Christian nationalism” is neither unbiblical nor unconstitutional. It's not something to be concerned about but rather something to be thankful for with regard to our nation's history—and something we ought to steward well for the sake of our nation's future. 

DESIRING A CHRISTIAN NATION

It is a good thing to desire that one’s nation becomes more Christian in its people, practices, laws, leaders, and culture since this would be the logical outcome of: 

1. The gospel spreading among a nation’s people,
2. The Great Commission extending to a nation’s leaders, 
3. and the Great Commandment guiding a nation’s laws, practices, and culture.

The Psalms instruct us to pray for all the nations of the earth to turn to and serve the Lord, from individuals to families to kings—this is actually the duty of all people, all nations, and all rulers: 

• Psalm 2:10-11, “Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”
• Psalm 22:27–28, “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.”
• Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
• Psalm 72:11, “May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!”

The Christian view of government is that all kings and rulers and governments are to serve the Lord with fear. Paul clearly explains this in Romans 13, but he was only summarizing what was already an established teaching in the Old Testament (as seen in the Psalms listed above). Again, by today’s standards, King David and King Solomon (who wrote those Psalms) would probably be labeled “Christian nationalists.” 

What we find in these Psalms is not concerning though—rather, it is the wisdom of God. It instructs us in terms of what to desire for the nations of the earth and how we ought to pray for governments, nations, and rulers, for the good of the public and the glory of God. 

We ought to pray for all citizens of our nation, including every leader, to repent of sin and turn to Jesus Christ in faith. We ought to pray for the gospel to spread and for disciples to be made in homes and churches in every American town and city. We ought to pray for more churches to be planted and established around the country, who teach sound doctrine and preach Christ and him crucified. We ought to pray for American culture and law to be guided by Christ and not by the world. We ought to pray for Presidents and Governors and Senators all national leaders to be humble, to fear the Lord, and to walk in his ways. We ought to pray for civil rulers who uphold justice, protect the innocent, and punish the wicked. 

These are the kinds of things Christians have always prayed for their nations, and we would be wise to pray for and pursue these things as well. If that makes us “Christian nationalists,” then so be it! 

Our hope is not ultimately in the success of any earthly nation or government but in Christ himself. Yet as Christians, we are called to pray that his kingdom would come and his will would be done, on earth as it is in heaven. We ought to desire that our nation would reflect his truth and righteousness as much as possible, for the good of its people and the glory of God.

Edit: If you want to go more in-depth on this issue, here is a very insightful lecture on Christian Nationalism from the late Voddie Baucham given earlier this year.