Christian Nationalism: A Perversion of Christianity

Guest Opinion

By Walt Wood | Sept. 7, 2024

"Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

As a Christian, this is how I begin prayer. The starting point is confession. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Most Christians would agree with that, but perhaps not all. Numerous denominations exist under the umbrella of Christianity. From Catholics to Methodists, Baptists, Mennonites, Presbyterians, and so on, controversies abound concerning appropriate Christian behavior in a variety of circumstances.

In our own Lutheran Church, for instance, there are synods in conflict over open communion, female pastors, gay rights—the list goes on. Some denominations exclude people altogether from participating in worship if they are not committed to their Bible-based beliefs and practices.

There are many ways to interpret the Bible. That in itself should be a red flag when it comes to embracing the Bible as a document of governance. Consider this basic question: Is the Bible the inspired word of God or the literal word of God? That question alone ignites a firestorm of disagreement. Who then will decide how to interpret the Bible for the purpose of governing a nation? You? Me? If not us, who?

As an instrument of governance, Christian Nationalism is neither workable nor Christian. The notion that a country of 350 million free and interdependent citizens could be ruled by adherence to a Gospel-based government is absurd.

Our Constitution allows for freedom of religion, and there are millions of citizens who are not Christians, and millions more who are agnostic or atheistic. Under Christian Nationalism, would these citizens have lesser rights and freedoms, to be treated as outcasts or—dare I say—condemned “vermin”? That does not echo any portion of Christ’s message to the world.

Our founding fathers understood what state-sponsored religion looked like and chose to reject it by making the separation of Church and State an essential building block of our Constitution, our true document of governance for all Americans. Christian Nationalism would defy the Constitution and require establishing some alternate form of government.

What that might look like has been laid out in a 922-page document known as Project 2025, which, among other things, would concentrate power in the executive branch of government, requiring allegiance not to the Constitution, but to the President, who would preside over the country as king or dictator, unassailable and completely above the law.

The man running for this position claims to be a Christian. One wonders what aspect of his faith informed his policy on immigration. Does he believe that Christ commanded us to imprison millions of God’s children in detention camps and, rather than provide sanctuary, return them to the conditions they fled? Does this sound like Christianity to you? Really? It is more likely that the gentleman nominee is wholly ignorant of Christ’s teachings and embodies blasphemy.

God’s grace grants us free will. We are at liberty to choose how we behave in the world and govern ourselves. That grace will be undermined under Christian Nationalism. I call upon fellow Christians everywhere to resist this misappropriation of our faith and its use as a cudgel to justify all manner of cruel, Godless behaviors. Resist it wherever you find it.

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

“I confess that I am an enemy of grace. I care more about my creature comforts than I do about loving my neighbors, especially those at our southern border and elsewhere, desperately struggling to survive with dignity, in safety and security.

“Forgive me, Lord, my selfishness and the lingering remnants of racism within me. Help me to become a more loving adherent to your teachings.

“I ask these things in your holy name. You—who make all things new.”

Jesus Christ never once commanded us to dominate and rule over others in his name. He left that oppressive work to the occupying Roman government. Rather, he calls us to love one another as he loves us, and to spread the good news of his miraculous life, death, resurrection, and the promise of everlasting life.

That’s it. That’s the list. We are called, not to rule, but to serve our fellow travelers on this difficult road to redemption.

That is the Christian way, and coincidentally, the American way.

Walt Wood is a retired mailman, current Lutheran, and essayist focused on political philosophy and the intersection of religion and democracy.