In the United States of America (USA), Christian nationalism is a form of patriotism held by Christians of various backgrounds and genders who believe the USA is the central player in God's historical purposes because it is a country founded on and defined by Christian religious principles. Those who want Government policies and the broader culture to reflect these ideals are not necessarily incompatible with religious freedom.
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines patriotism as “loyalty and devotion to a nation, especially as expressed in a glorifying of one nation above all others and a stressing of the promotion of its culture and interests.”
The words “Christian Nationalism” do not imply that God loves Americans or Christians more than other nations and peoples. God loves EVERYONE – including those who hate Him or deny He exists. Many Christians believe the word ‘nationalism’ refers to people who understand the USA has many flaws and idiosyncrasies, but they still love it and advocate for liberty, freedom, and sovereignty for all legal citizens over their personhood. To them, it is about being morally pure, and it is something that defends what is good; they earnestly want their leaders to be morally just and good.
There are some people who go so far as to proclaim the USA replaces Israel as God’s promised land, so the USA should remain identified as a distinctively Christian nation and actively promote its teachings, values, symbols, and apply them to public policies, which is a departure from historical, traditional Christian teachings.
There is a belief that the USA was divinely inspired and founded on Christian religious principles; therefore, wanting policies and culture to reflect those ideals is not incompatible with religious freedom. However, if the government imposes any single belief system on people and takes away someone’s freedom to practice their religion or choose not to, it is antithetical to the First Amendment, which protects people’s deepest beliefs and their petitioning for laws and policies that they believe in.
Nationalism Vs. Patriotism
According to many critics, the phrase “Christian Nationalism” has become ubiquitous and a variation of Islamic Shariah law, which it simply is not in any way, shape, manner, or form. Christians see the proliferation of lawlessness, abortion, and transgender ideology and are concerned their country is falling farther from the morality of its roots.
People most often use the term “Christian Nationalism as religious rhetoric that mean the same thing as calling somebody a racist and as an insult because they consider it a form of fascism using identity politics that can lead to the marginalization of religious and ethnic minorities, as well as the conflation of political and religious authority, which undermines the separation of church and state, as well as distorts both Christian faith and democracy because it is seen as political idolatry that prioritizes a nationalistic, militarized version of Christianity over true biblical teaching.
Some believe it is far more than pride of citizenship and loving one’s country, because it is actually anti-democratic and includes nativism, white supremacy, bigotry, authoritarian control, and militarism. Those opposed to it blame Christians for such things as cruelty to illegal immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the destruction of Abortion rights.
Contrary to the ramblings of the antagonists, Christian Nationalism is not an extreme form of patriotism that demands a position of superiority and has little or no room for dissent or disagreement. Patriots are those who love their country and express it in many positive ways. The vast majority of people who consider themselves Christian Nationalists do not promote a governmental theocracy, demand conformity to their beliefs, nor do they promote exclusion policies or any behavior that solidifies their power or status against non-Christians.
Christian Nationalism and the First Amendment
Believing in Christian Nationalism doesn’t violate the First Amendment. Many religions play a major role in U.S. public life and its history. The USA was founded on the freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. The words “separation of church and state” are not in the U.S. Constitution. It was President Thomas Jefferson who actually coined them in a letter he wrote in 1802 to a Pastor of a church in Connecticut. However, its ideas are present in politics and public policy, and are entrenched in the legal system, which determines whether a government action or law violates the Constitution.
The term “separation of church and state” has been used as a weapon, with many unaware of its exclusion from the Constitution. It seems impossible today to state one’s Christian faith without being labeled a Christian Nationalist – used as a vehement insult – by those of a differing viewpoint.
The United States is not a democracy, but a Constitutional Republic based on a constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, and was founded using biblical principles, which do not imply ‘Christian nationalism.’ It was established as a federal constitutional republic form of government and is an indivisible union of 50 sovereign States. In a democracy or other forms of government that aren't theocratic, it is the people who choose or vote.
Teaching those founding principles in the public-school curriculum is not simply the promotion of “Christian literacy,” but rather to educate children about their country and how the Constitution and Bill of Rights came about. The United States is comprised of people from many nations with diverse religious beliefs. The U.S. Constitution was not written for Christians in preference to them, but to create a system of government open to people of any faith (See Article VI).
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has guaranteed freedoms to freely practice any religion, which means the government can’t impose, require, or favor any one religion – including secular humanism - and it protects the right to live by one’s religious beliefs or none at all.
The USA is for all people, no matter what their ethnicity, color, culture, or whether they are conservative, liberal, or all points in between. True Christianity is color blind. Everyone of any faith has the right and responsibility to engage constructively in the public square. Separating the institutions of religion and government should not include the silencing of any voice in the public square. People approach voting and public policy from a variety of perspectives, including their personal religious beliefs and ethical values. Often, there are religious viewpoints on multiple sides of a policy debate.
The Bible tells every Christian is to submit to the will of God and support each other as their primary mission and not seek to control, oppress, subject, or dominate others because they and are called to be lights in a dark world and perform good works that glorifies God (See Matthew 5:14–16; John 15:12; 18:36; Romans).
Laws should reflect and incorporate biblical morality, upholding values in government policies and decision-making. Sustained loyalty and commitment to the USA, and believing that a constitutional republic should be self-governed, and should be the desire of all Americans. Americans should also be free to pursue self-interests and appreciate their culture, language, traditions, music, history, or achievements. The simple biblical truth is that Christians should advocate for government actions consistent with the Bible and submit to them (Proverbs 14:34; Romans 13:1).
Christians are “foreigners and strangers on earth” (Hebrews 11:13 NIV) no matter where they live, and their ultimate allegiance is to the Kingdom of God and to heed His command to love Him and their neighbor and be “subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established” (Romans 13:1 NIV). They are to pray for all people, including all of their government authorities, so that they “may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV).
Patriotism or Political Idolatry?
Patriotism can become a form of idolatry. There is a growing number of church leaders who argue that America is a central, if not the primary, actor in the world-historical purposes of God and is a key player in biblical prophecy. Some even go so far as to teach a convoluted message that America has replaced Israel as God’s promised land and that the Church has replaced Jews as His chosen people by using an eisegetic approach to studying the Bible to support their belief (aka: Replacement and Fulfillment). Being a “Christian Nationalist’ does not mean having an ‘us versus them’ mentality because they are trying to take back what rightfully belongs to them. They want the country to live up to its founding ideals.
The First Christian Nationalists
Christian Nationalism is not a new idea, despite its prominence in current news coverage and among some Government officials. Today, in Evangelical Christianity, there is no single leader or central doctrine of ‘Nationalism,’ as it involves multiple Christian denominations, and there is no direct connection to it.
The first example of Christian Nationalism was in AD 313, when the Roman Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which provided religious tolerance and lifted the ban on Christianity. Constantine called the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 in an attempt to unify Christianity as a religion that could unite the fracturing Roman Empire. However, Constantine did not fully embrace the Christian faith; he continued many pagan beliefs and practices. For instance, he converted the Temples of the dozens of false Roman goddesses and gods into Christian churches, while retaining their statues, which facilitated the churches becoming a mixture of true Christianity and Roman paganism. This is why many attribute this to the worship of, and prayers to, Mary and the Saints.
Constantine was instrumental in the compromise of Christianity with pagan beliefs. Instead of presenting the saving message of the Gospel, the ever-expanding Roman Catholic Church compromised and incorporated pagan beliefs to make itself attractive to the lost people of the Roman Empire. As a result, they became the dominant religious institution in the world for centuries.
Persecution
Attacks upon Christianity are not new and have been taking place since day one. More Christians have been persecuted and killed in the last 100 years than in all the previous centuries combined since the first century. This is supported by research from organizations like Open Doors and the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. They estimate that over 70 million Christians have been martyred since the first century, and over half died in the 20th century, largely due to Islamic fundamentalism and totalitarian regimes like Nazism and Communism. The BBC reported that over half of all Christian martyrs died in the 20th century. The House of Commons Library notes that Open Doors estimates 5,621 Christians were killed for faith-related reasons in 2023 alone. Open Doors' 2025 World Watch List Today states that persecution continues, with over 380 million Christians facing high or extreme levels of persecution or discrimination throughout the world.
Conclusion
Once upon a time, professing Christian morals and a patriotic view of America was a good thing. It was customary for schoolchildren to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag every morning, and they took pride in being American. However, that is no longer the case today.
There is the danger of conflating one’s love of country above their faith in, and love for, God, which could turn into religious adultery. Jesus said;
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues” (Matthew 10:16 NIV)
The primary will of God for a person is to do the right thing and to follow Him and His precepts so that they can enjoy peace, prosperity, and the things that He has planned for them. However, He has also set it up so that they will reap what they sow and suffer the consequences, as well as the full weight of their choices and sins. If they choose a bad leader, then He has willed them to reap what they sow and to suffer the consequences of their choice.
Because God is sovereign, He will always find a way to execute His will - either with, through, or despite a leader's cooperation.
“In the Lord's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart." (Proverbs 21:1-2 NIV)
During an election period, people can choose to pray and seek God's guidance for who would lead best. He does not handpick leaders when there is a process for the people to vote for. If God chose the leaders, He would be overriding the free will of the people and forcing them to vote against their will to choose their leaders. However, in exceptional cases, such as judgment, God may divinely intervene if He deems it morally justifiable.
We are the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). We should humbly and with the boldness of God, gracefully enter the public square and do what He has called us to do;
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV)
In the book of Revelation, God revealed a three-fold cord of overcoming the enemy that cannot be broken:
1. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb,”
2. “and by the word of their testimony”
3. “and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (i.e., walking daily in humility) (Revelation 2:11 KJV).
This is the Kingdom's strategy to use in the public square.
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1 NIV)
Politics is nothing more than a method God uses to accomplish His will. People who are lost are often prone to abusing their power and engaging in evil deeds. Still, God uses them for His purposes (Romans 8:28). Throughout the Bible, His message is that He is sovereign over all things.
We are called to live by a higher standard than the laws of fallen humanity and differently from the rest of the world, keeping our focus on loving God and our neighbors, and proclaiming the Great News of the Gospel to a dark and broken world.
We are "aliens and strangers" who are temporarily living in a strange land on Earth, and our true home is in Heaven with Jesus (1 Peter 2:911; Hebrews 11:13).
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20 NIV)
We are to set our minds on Jesus and His Kingdom. This “world is not our home, we are just passing through, but the Kingdom of God is, so we must:
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:2-3 NIV)
