The United States of America is not a Christian nation.
For many Christians, that statement makes their blood boil. They recount much of what they’ve learned about the faith of the Founding Fathers. They also have specific interpretations of things like the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which reads in part, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Though there are historical and interpretive facts in dispute vis-à-vis faith of the founders and the Constitution, it is the position of Christian nationalism and related beliefs which this writing will examine.
Why does this matter? Why is it important to consider Christian nationalism and those who espouse this paradigm? Those who think and act this way have a goal. Their goal is to make the U.S. more Christian and I believe the result tends toward making themselves less Christian.
Note: the preceding statement may imply a sliding scale or spectrum of faith; it is solely intended to relate to practice of faith/religion rather than a soteriological, binary determination – i.e., how one acts in a Christian, Christ-like, or Christ-obedient manner rather than whether that person is saved and on their way to heaven.
Sensing that something was fundamentally off about the assertion that the U.S. is a Christian nation prompted me to explore the reasons for said assertion and to test its claim to truth. It has been a part of my spiritual journey to explore the reasons that people believe things using their own arguments and sources which inform their opinion. It is much easier to hear from someone with whom I agree about what someone else thinks, than it is to take the time to learn from the proverbial horse’s mouth. The latter is better. Shortly after becoming a disciple of Christ, I sought out information from those who believed differently than me. I didn’t want to be so arrogant as to believe that my way was right by default. I don’t want to be similarly ignorant in this area.
Next, I will summarize supporting arguments for the U.S. as a Christian nation that I’ve found from primary sources. Many of these overlap with notions of American exceptionalism. I will then show you, from the Bible, what our role as believers ought to be. I will not cite the primary sources here; I desire neither to give those primary sources added platform nor diminish your instructive personal burden of discovery.
Arguments For “Christian Nationalism”
The arguments in support of Christian nationalism are as follows:
Jesus Christ is Lord over all the nations of the earth, the U.S. included. The U.S. is the shining city on a hill. The U.S. is the new Israel. Because of these, Christians ought to work toward the Christianization of American government or otherwise stand in the gap. Some want to amend the Constitution to explicitly name Jesus Christ as America’s Supreme Governor.
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The reasons given include citations of these Bible verses:
- Psalm 2:7-12
- I will tell of the decree:
- The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
- today I have begotten you.
- Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
- and the ends of the earth your possession.
- You shall break[b] them with a rod of iron
- and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
- Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
- be warned, O rulers of the earth.
- Serve the Lord with fear,
- and rejoice with trembling.
- Kiss the Son,
- lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
- for his wrath is quickly kindled.
- Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
- Ezekiel 22:30
- And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.
- Matthew 28:18
- And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
- Ephesians 1:20-23
- that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
- Colossians 2:10
- and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
- Revelation 1:5
- and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.
- Revelation 11:15
- Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
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If one carefully reads and examines the above selections of Scripture in context, the sovereignty of Christ is delcared, but deliberate intervention in the affairs of nations by followers of Christ is not instructed.
There are two key concepts related in the Bible that I feel are most instructive to us insofar as how we might, as followers of Christ, frame the role of government in our minds.
Render to Caesar
Religious leaders of Jesus’s day sought to trick him into saying something which would show the people he was not preaching the truth. They said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it,” And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Jesus said to them, “Render [give] to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s” And they marveled at him.” (Mark 12:13-17, c.f. Matt. 22:15-22; Luke 20:20-26)
To bring this forward to present day America, “Pay your taxes. Give to Washington/Lincoln/Obama/Trump/Biden what W/L/O/T/B what is owed them; give to God what is owed to God.” If you don’t like the use of presidential names, substitute “the U.S. governement”.
But wait, there’s more. The Apostle Paul expounds on this:
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” (Romans 13:1-7)
Wow. When I read that, I think about self-proclaimed Christians who resist the authorities, claim that taxation is theft, do what they can to avoid taxes they owe, and otherwise act disrespectfully & dishonorably. Are my thoughts, feelings, and actions in line with rendering to Caesar? Or do I think that I know better than God and seek to wrest control for myself and to act the way I want? This prompts candid introspection in me. I hope it does in you.
Return of Christ
The second and final concept I offer against Christian nationalism is this: Christ’s return.
In the First Century, there were many who expected the Messiah promised by Scripture. They expected the Christ. We can put ourselves into their shoes. We too might expect a reigning king full of political power and military might. Instead, we receive Jesus, the servant we didn’t deserve. The first advent brought the servant. The second advent brings the king.
Just before Jesus ascended to heaven after his resurrection, the apostles asked him if he would “restore the kingdom to Israel”. Jesus responded that he would not do that now and that it is not for the apostles to know when that will happen. Instead, Jesus affirmed the Great Commission by instructing the apostles to be his “witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:6-11)
There are varying interpretations on how the eschatological (i.e., end-time) events described in the Bible will play out. One thing, however, is clear: there is no direction given to followers of Christ to make the kingdoms & governments of the world look like the Church. There is, however, clear direction to make the Church look like Christ.
Christ, the one we know from the Bible, did not supplant or overthrow the earthly government. He subjected himself to it and suffered by its hand. Our role then as followers of Christ is to focus on the directions Christ has given us. Our focus should be on proclaiming the gospel and making disciples. Any focus in other areas is focus away from the gospel.
When it comes to American government my hope, prayer, and rendered votes go toward protecting the work of the gospel by the Church. This is best accomplished through the government’s protection of rights for the followers of all religions. Attempts by the government to control the exercise of my (or any) religion are tantamount to placing the government as the mediator between God and me. “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1Tim 2:5)
Follower of Christ, where do you stand?
David A. Larson 