Unpacking Christian Nationalism

I'm Reverend Jay Stuart Glover, and you are listening to "Faith Talk." Today, I want to offer an introductory level talk relative to the concept of Christian nationalism. It's crucial for us to understand the moral pitfalls and the ideologies behind Christian nationalism, which are fundamentally opposed to Jesus' teachings. In today's episode, titled "Unpacking Christian Nationalism," we'll explore why people, especially people who identify as followers of Jesus, should reject the idea of aligning with this movement that misrepresents authentic Christianity.

What is Christian Nationalism? - Christian nationalism is an ideology that seeks to merge Christianity with national identity. It posits that this country's culture and politics should exclusively reflect Christian values and beliefs. Unfortunately the values and beliefs presented are more often than not, arise from misguided theological conclusions. 

- Core beliefs include the idea that that this  nation is divinely favored and has a unique mission under God, and that its laws and institutions should be based on Christian principles.

- Historically, Christian nationalism can be traced back to the idea of Christendom in medieval Europe, where the church and state were closely intertwined.

- In the United States, the concept evolved with the Puritans, who saw America as a "city upon a hill" with a divine mission. The 19th century saw the rise of Manifest Destiny, where American expansion was seen as God-ordained. 

- In the 20th and 21st centuries,  Christian nationalism has re-emerged, particularly within certain political movements and among particular  groups that feel threatened by diverse cultures, other religious beliefs, and quantifiable demographic changes in ethnicities. 

• In the US, Christian nationalism has been evident in the rhetoric and policies of some political figures, advocating for policy changes and putting  laws in place that reflect so called Christian values. I’m reminded of how this can go terribly wrong by the early European church. 
• During certain periods in European history, the relationship between church and state was very intertwined, leading to significant governmental control over religious practices.
• A case in point is the following example relative to the practice of infant baptism. 
• Infant Baptism was legally the general practice and just like today, back then there were  some Christian faith traditions that don’t believe in baptizing  infants. Some prefer to wait until the child has an understanding of what they are doing. In the early European church there were  people who would re-baptize a person, who was already baptized as an infant. 
• The practice of re-baptizing individuals who had already been baptized as infants,  was considered heretical, treasonous and  subject to the government authorized death penalty. This certainly reflects  the extreme measures taken to enforce religious conformity under state jurisdictional authority.  They treated religious dissent as a form of treason against the government. 
• Both the modern example of a growing cry for Christian nationalism in the U.S. and the historical example of church-state governance in Europe highlight the complexities and potential dangers of intertwining religious doctrine with state policies.

 Critics argue that Christian nationalism undermines the separation of church and state, which is a cornerstone of democratic governance. And it often promotes a narrow interpretation of Christianity that excludes other Christian denominations and non-Christian religions.

Christian nationalism blurs the lines between religious and national identity, suggesting that true patriotism is linked to adherence to a  specific set religious beliefs and loyalty to a particular leader. 

In practice this ideology will  marginalize citizens who do not share the same religious views, creating a divide between "true" citizens and others.

Exclusivity and Intolerance:

- The ideology underlying the Christian nationalism movement  fosters intolerance toward other religions and belief systems, promoting the idea that non-Christians or those who interpret Christianity differently are outsiders or even enemies of the state.

- This high level intolerance and exclusivity will lead to social and legal discrimination against outsiders by  infringing on their rights and freedoms.

Undermining Democratic Principles

- By promoting a singular religious viewpoint, Christian nationalism can threaten the pluralistic nature of democracy, where multiple beliefs and opinions are able to and have the freedom to coexist.

- It often leads to policies that favor one religion over others, contradicting the principle of equal treatment under the law.

Social Division and Polarization:

- Christian nationalist rhetoric can deepen social divisions by framing political and cultural conflicts in terms of a religious struggle between good and evil.

- This polarization will lead  to increased hostility and violence, as we are seeing unfold in plain sight.- 

RELATIVE QUESTION

How IS Christian Nationalism Inconsistent with the Teachings of Jesus? 

Christian nationalism, which merges national identity with Christian beliefs, often conflicts with the core teachings of Jesus Christ. Here are several ways in which Christian nationalism diverges from these teachings:

 1. Universal Love and Inclusivity

Teaching of Jesus: Jesus emphasized love and inclusivity, teaching his followers to love their neighbors as themselves (Mark 12:31) and to love even their enemies (Matthew 5:44).

Inconsistency:  Christian nationalism often promotes exclusivity, prioritizing one nation's interests and often discriminating against those of different faiths or backgrounds, which contradicts the universal love and inclusivity preached by Jesus.

2. Humility and Service

Teaching of Jesus : Jesus taught humility and servant leadership, exemplified in his washing of the disciples' feet (John 13:14-15) and his statement that "the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve" (Matthew 20:28).

Inconsistency: Christian nationalism can foster a sense of superiority and entitlement, seeking power and dominance rather than humility and service.

3. Separation of the Kingdom of God from Earthly Kingdoms

Teaching of Jesus:  Jesus made a clear distinction between the kingdom of God and earthly kingdoms, saying, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). He emphasized spiritual rather than political power.

Inconsistency:  Christian nationalism often blurs this distinction, attempting to create a theocracy or a state that enforces religious laws, contrary to Jesus' teaching of a spiritual kingdom.

4: Advocacy for Peace and Nonviolence

Teaching of Jesus: Jesus advocated for peace and nonviolence, instructing his followers to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39) and blessing the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9).

Inconsistency: Christian nationalism can be associated with militarism and aggression, both domestically and internationally, which runs counter to Jesus’ message of peace.

5: Care for the Marginalized

Teaching of Jesus: Jesus consistently cared for and uplifted the marginalized, including the poor, sick, and outcasts (Matthew 25:35-40).

Inconsistency: Christian nationalism neglects the needs of marginalized groups, focusing instead on maintaining power and privilege for the dominant group.

Christian nationalism, with its focus on national superiority, exclusion, and temporal power, often contradicts the fundamental teachings of Jesus Christ, who emphasized love, humility, peace, and spiritual devotion. Reflecting on these inconsistencies can help Christians realign their beliefs and actions more closely with the core principles as found in the teachings of Jesus. 

Project 2025 is closely aligned with the principles of Christian nationalism. It is a comprehensive policy agenda driven by the Heritage Foundation and supported by various far-right organizations, with a strong focus on embedding highly suspect values into U.S. governance and society that are falsely labeled as Christian values. 

In summary, Project 2025 embodies many aspects of Christian nationalism, seeking to implement policies that prioritize a specific  ideology in the governance of the United States.

Christian nationalism stands accused of being antithetical to the teachings of Jesus, promoting policies and practices that hold onto greed corruption, exploitation that are wrapped up or disguised in religious rhetoric. 

 In  the Book of Matthew the seventh chapter: we are told 

By their fruit you will recognize them. Therefore as we look at the fruit as presented by this movement is it consistent with the fruit of the spirit as offered in The Fruit of the Spirit as described in the New Testament   Galatians 5th chapter  (NIV):

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."*

Please note that These qualities are seen as the results of the Holy Spirit's presence and work in the lives of believers. 

So before Christians hastily align themselves with an ideology and movement that professes to be guided by Christian values, here’s my wise counsel: take a look into the fruit that this movement bears and you be the judge. 

I’m Rev Jay Stuart Glover and you are listening to Faith Talk. These episodes are available on I tunes, Amazon, Spotify, I Heart Radio, You Tube and other podcast platforms. Please share with family and friends and don’t forget to visit the website at www.revjaystuartglover.com - Thank you for being a part of our global listening audience. God bless you. Amen.