"Christian Nationalism" - Another Weaponized Label
Here’s a newsflash – America is more divided than ever! Bet you didn’t see that coming. One action that contributes greatly to this division is that of “labeling.” There are two aspects of labeling. One is self-imposed by providing a means to identify ourself as belonging (or not belonging) to a group. The other is when an individual or group uses a label as a tool to smear or defame another individual or group i.e. labeling conservatives who supported Trump in the 2016 election as “a basket of deplorables.” This happens when views, opinions, and political/social affiliation are not accepted from one individual/group to another.
These days it’s customary to attack opposing views using inflammatory words and labels. Terms like racist, fascist, communist, snowflake, pro-choice, pro-life, radical, homophobic, white supremacist, etc. are used by both liberals and conservatives. But too often, these terms are merely exaggeration and melodrama.
Let’s address another label that is being used, overused, and misused in many cases – “Christian Nationalism or Nationalist.” But first, I want to also look at the label of “Patriotism” and compare the two.
Merriam-Webster defines nationalism as: “loyalty and devotion to a nation” and adds “a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups.” And Merriam-Webster defines patriotism as: “love for or devotion to one's country.” Interesting that the definitions are similar, but we will dig deeper yet.
Nationalism is a sense of loyalty, devotion and commitment to one’s country. It includes belief that the country ought to self-govern; support shared cultural characteristics; and strive for self-interests. In and of themselves these objectives are neither good nor bad. It’s a good thing to appreciate and sustain our culture, language, achievements, traditions, history, and arts. What’s inappropriate is an idolatrous, idealized vision of the country that presumes some faction within the nation is superior to all others. Additionally, “nationalism” becomes weaponized when the label extends to “Christian nationalism” or “white Christian nationalism.”
Before we go further, let’s be clear about something. For Christians, a healthy dose of nationalism (as well as patriotism) is not wrong. Yet, when our love of country supersedes our love for God it becomes a form of idolatry. Despite how noble we think our nation is (or is not), it does not offer us our eternal salvation; it did not die on a cross for our sins.
Broadly speaking, biblical Christianity neither implies nor includes “Christian nationalism.” What we are advocates for is what God says in Proverbs 14:24 “Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”
Now that the label “Christian” has been added to nationalism label, let’s see how the term “Christian nationalism” has become weaponized. Of course for the racist affect, many add “white” to this label to tie that in with “white supremacy.” My goodness can’t these people address real issues instead of playing Scrabble?
In a culture that is dominated by radical secularism, the secular leftists are so threatened by people of faith. They accuse anyone of endorsing integration of church and state power; racism; and white supremacy as Christian nationalism. I can’t think of one national figure or common citizen who endorses that platform, can you?
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey
God rather than men.” Acts 5:29
The Christian nationalist label is used as a scare tactic to tarnish Christians who are motivated to support the policies that their critics don’t like. The label is a smoke screen to hide the phrase they really mean to use – “conservative Christians who vote their values.” So the secular left throws this label around in an attempt to silence our voices, and accuse Christians as the boogeymen who will destroy America.
However, they are off base when they claim that solely due to one’s Christian faith is where conservative principles arise. Nothing like painting a broad brush. A non-Christian can be just as opposed to abortion; same-sex marriage; gender studies in grade school; insecure borders; rampant crime; a failing economy, voter fraud; and countless other conservative and common-sense issues as a Christian can be. So you see, it’s the faith aspect that has their undies in a bunch.
There have been several books and articles to distort the definition of Christian nationalism. One such book was co-authored by two Sociologists, Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry, “Taking America Back for God.” Don’t let the title influence you to think it to be a true representation of Christians who love God, family, and country and are loyal to our Constitution. This book does just the opposite and paints Christian nationalism as a threat to democracy (to coin a phrase.) Check out an interview where Dr. AJ Nolte spells out how these authors use the label of Christian nationalism as a political weapon.
They distort the truth and claim that moms who don’t want their daughters changing in locker rooms with biological boys who are competing on their (girls) sports team; or military personnel refusing a mandate to be injected with a dangerous vaccine; or a citizen who peacefully prays across the street from an abortion clinic are “radical Christian nationalists.”
Historically based on our founding, the United States is a Christian nation. Yet culturally, it is not in terms of behaviors, ideology and attitudes. The US Constitution was designed to guide its citizens under a predominantly Judeo-Christian worldview, with clear evidence of the influence from that faith base.
Yet constitutionally, there is no guarantee for our government to maintain any sort of attachment with its Christian heritage. Whether our constitution perseveres, or is drastically amended, or totally collapses, depends on the morality of its people.
Bottom line, this weaponization of labels to silence, shame, or fear-monger Christians for loving God, our family, our country, and our constitution is a desperate tactic to deflect the threat of how the secular left views our faith and our values. Personally, I prefer to be called a “Christian patriot” or “conservative Christian” and ignore the nationalist label.
And let’s not forget that a Christian’s primary mission is not earthly, let alone political. Just prior to our Savior sacrificing His life on a cross to forgive our sins, Jesus stated:
Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, My followers
would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But My
Kingdom is not of this world.” John 18:36
Mist Carter is Christian patriot who is the author of three books. Her most recent release, “We the People—Daily Devotional for Loving God & Country” is now available. Her previous books are titled, “Our Crumbling Foundation—Will God Cancel Us?” and “God’s Truth About America!” Proceeds from all her book sales go to support Tunnel to Towers!
Excellent analysis and 100% spot on.