Two weeks ago I made a rather strong statement about the “Christian Nationalism” on display during the Capitol Assault that I deemed to be an idolatrous folk religion.
Since then I have read two other statements that I think gives helpful context for what I argued (although I don’t entire agree with them).
Check them out, and let me know what you think? Is Christian nationalism a problem for American conservatives? Or is there something else at root? Or is there no problems at all?
“What Is Christian Nationalism?” by Paul Miller
“Discerning the Difference Between Christian Nationalism and Christian Patriotism” by David French
Social and Political Differences
David French offers a distinction between Christian Nationalism and Christian Patriotism. He looks at John Piper’s recent statements and leans on C.S. Lewis to make a helpful distinction.
French asks whether white American Christians have lost the “in” but not “of” the United States of America relationship that Christianity has always deemed essential? Has a segment of American, conservative Christianity leaned too far into Christian Nationalism instead of Christian Patriotism?
Paul S. Miller (of Georgetown University) writes about the problems of Christian nationalism (as distinguish from Christians who are patriots). Miller discuss “nationalism” as promoting and protecting a country’s “national identity”. And he says that Christian nationalism consists of “American nationalists who believe American identity is inextricable from Christianity.”
Miller criticizes nationalism for being overly simplistic in how people understand and identify with “cultural identities”.
And he faults Christian nationalism for several reasons. First, for proclaiming that their political agenda (usually conservative in the case of American Christian nationalism) is the only Christian way of engaging politically. Second, for promoting Christianity as a state religion of sorts to the exclusion (even suppression) of other religions.
Both French and Miller give nuance and direct criticism around the concept of Christian nationalism, and how it is different than Christian patriotism.
Spiritual Difference
What I think both miss is the spiritual aspect of Christian nationalism. This is why I wrote about Christian nationalism as a folk religion.
It is true that Christian nationalism look to the past and sees America as founded as a Christian nation, and that in the present they long to keep this “God-given” identity (French and Miller agree on this).
But the reality is that many Christian nationalists see a continuing and necessary involvement of God on behalf of America, that God is working to raise up leaders to restore American, and punish others for America’s apostasy.
And this involvement claimed by God, and the people’s marshaling of God’s power, matches how people outside the West understand and practice fold religions (as opposed to a formal religion).
Christian nationalism isn’t just a commitment to a past national identity. It is a present attempt to exercise spiritual power over others as if this was God’s will for America and Christians in America.
And it is this attempt at power that America Christians need to be exorcised of.
Certainly Christians should engage in politics. But we need to remember that politics is just part of what happens in the kingdoms of this world.
Our true identity, our true citizenship is within the kingdom of God, living now through the church. To place any political system, party, or government when only the church belongs, where ultimately only God belongs is idolatry.
The revival that many conservatives are hoping for (myself included) will only come through repentance any lingering Christian nationalism.
One reply on “Honest Questions: Nationalism, Patriotism, and Idolatry”
For the past 30+ years, revival and nationalism have been joined at the hip. Every call for revival has been in the context of restoring America and a few specific moral values. We need to find a verse other than 2 Chronicles 7:14.
I’m nominating James 4:8-10:
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”