I don’t know about you but I sense Christian nationalism is far more serious of an issue than some seem to think. Yes, we are in our own silos and people in my silo are not Christian nationalists. Not even a whiff of it. Here’s what is difficult for me to comprehend: first, the idolatry of some who have connected cross with flag, tying the gospel to America, and enmeshment with the GOP/Right/even Trump so much one wonders if such persons are talking their faith or their politics.
Frankly, this is terrifying. And yes, it is far more serious than many folk think. As a dogwhistle for oppression, it violates the value God places on every one of us, turning our faith into the liberty to destroy any and all who might stand in its way. Its strength lies in its powerful use of fear-mongering.
The sad part is that most evangelicals don’t know the whole story of white nationalism. Many think they are just “Christian” because it is framed as Christian. The comprehensive understanding is missing and they rely on their “Christian” news sources and other leaders to tell them what is true. It’s frustrating as a pastor when calling the church to faithfulness to Christ and the way of Jesus. So many voices drown out the historic faith.
Not long ago, I was reading "The Democratization of Christianity" by Hatch. It spoke to the expansion of Christianity beyond the colonial states right after the American Revolution; 1780 - 1830. If you want the roots of what we see now, look to the Revolutionary spirit of that age. I believe it has always been in the background but now, magnified and brought to the surface in full view. It all starts with the idea that God desires every man to assert his individual authority and not be tethered to the State or a ruling class. (The theme of the American Revolution.) The nationalism has always been there, even growing up over the last 60-years. We are seeing this theme played out now with a new demigod in the lead role however. This is a poison pill combination; nationalism and Christ's Kingdom. And it doesn't help when churches refuse to teach a robust Gospel and pander to felt needs.
Perhaps you have called it what it is. After I read “The Jesus Creed was a large reminder/call to what should be the guiding light for us. Jesus said that all of The Law hung on that. As soon as I started using it that way from the pulpit, there was push back. The push back wasn’t faith oriented, it was socio-political.
They could like and/or love whomever they wanted to, or whoever earned or deserved to be liked or loved. Then, when Trump was elected, Jesus’ opinion didn’t matter as much. There was a real sense that the opposite of Jesus’ way was okay and even rewarded with political control.
I’m a United Methodist pastor. We can see where that’s taking us - we can hate who we want to, even though Jesus shared God’s Goodness with EVERYBODY! Political behavior “trumps” Christlike behavior. Thanks for speaking truth.
I absolutely agree this is a huge issue in the church. The mixing of the US and Christianity is all over my area of TX, it’s very influential in KY where my extended family is. It’s beyond patriotism and into believing that the US is a modern-day Israel and seeing prophecies and commands in the OT in that light. It’s caused huge rifts in my family, between those of us that see it as idolatry and those who are just trying to “protect their way of life” and keep the US from falling into sin and bringing God’s wrath on us as a result.
I left a church because the Sr. Pastor openly preached republican only views and held republican only meetings there, but then preached they were open to everyone.... Nope, not going there.
The growing Christian Nationalism in my church has been very alarming. We don’t really have the guns aspect, but everything else.
That said, I would like to ask my fellow believers to stop using the popular but pejorative word “dogwhistle”. I know it’s used metaphorically, but in the current national climate dehumanizing language just fans the flames. The Christian Nationalists I know in my church family are actually very nice people who are frightened by rapid societal change and they are (mistakenly) putting their hopes in political movements that they think might stop that change.
Along with all the other divisions going on, there are those of us that used to call ourselves evangelicals but now want to put miles of distance between what we believe it means to follow Jesus and what is being touted as Christianity by (white) nationalists. I want a new name!! I’m not “them!” So then I find myself in the position of “us and them” regarding other so-called Christians. And that also feels hypocritical. But then I suppose Jesus was in that position, too, when he called other Jews “whitewashed tombs.”
Frankly, this is terrifying. And yes, it is far more serious than many folk think. As a dogwhistle for oppression, it violates the value God places on every one of us, turning our faith into the liberty to destroy any and all who might stand in its way. Its strength lies in its powerful use of fear-mongering.
The sad part is that most evangelicals don’t know the whole story of white nationalism. Many think they are just “Christian” because it is framed as Christian. The comprehensive understanding is missing and they rely on their “Christian” news sources and other leaders to tell them what is true. It’s frustrating as a pastor when calling the church to faithfulness to Christ and the way of Jesus. So many voices drown out the historic faith.
Not long ago, I was reading "The Democratization of Christianity" by Hatch. It spoke to the expansion of Christianity beyond the colonial states right after the American Revolution; 1780 - 1830. If you want the roots of what we see now, look to the Revolutionary spirit of that age. I believe it has always been in the background but now, magnified and brought to the surface in full view. It all starts with the idea that God desires every man to assert his individual authority and not be tethered to the State or a ruling class. (The theme of the American Revolution.) The nationalism has always been there, even growing up over the last 60-years. We are seeing this theme played out now with a new demigod in the lead role however. This is a poison pill combination; nationalism and Christ's Kingdom. And it doesn't help when churches refuse to teach a robust Gospel and pander to felt needs.
“Idolatry”
Perhaps you have called it what it is. After I read “The Jesus Creed was a large reminder/call to what should be the guiding light for us. Jesus said that all of The Law hung on that. As soon as I started using it that way from the pulpit, there was push back. The push back wasn’t faith oriented, it was socio-political.
They could like and/or love whomever they wanted to, or whoever earned or deserved to be liked or loved. Then, when Trump was elected, Jesus’ opinion didn’t matter as much. There was a real sense that the opposite of Jesus’ way was okay and even rewarded with political control.
I’m a United Methodist pastor. We can see where that’s taking us - we can hate who we want to, even though Jesus shared God’s Goodness with EVERYBODY! Political behavior “trumps” Christlike behavior. Thanks for speaking truth.
I absolutely agree this is a huge issue in the church. The mixing of the US and Christianity is all over my area of TX, it’s very influential in KY where my extended family is. It’s beyond patriotism and into believing that the US is a modern-day Israel and seeing prophecies and commands in the OT in that light. It’s caused huge rifts in my family, between those of us that see it as idolatry and those who are just trying to “protect their way of life” and keep the US from falling into sin and bringing God’s wrath on us as a result.
Scot, I appreciate your leadership on this issue (and so many others). Keep up the good work!
I left a church because the Sr. Pastor openly preached republican only views and held republican only meetings there, but then preached they were open to everyone.... Nope, not going there.
The growing Christian Nationalism in my church has been very alarming. We don’t really have the guns aspect, but everything else.
That said, I would like to ask my fellow believers to stop using the popular but pejorative word “dogwhistle”. I know it’s used metaphorically, but in the current national climate dehumanizing language just fans the flames. The Christian Nationalists I know in my church family are actually very nice people who are frightened by rapid societal change and they are (mistakenly) putting their hopes in political movements that they think might stop that change.
Along with all the other divisions going on, there are those of us that used to call ourselves evangelicals but now want to put miles of distance between what we believe it means to follow Jesus and what is being touted as Christianity by (white) nationalists. I want a new name!! I’m not “them!” So then I find myself in the position of “us and them” regarding other so-called Christians. And that also feels hypocritical. But then I suppose Jesus was in that position, too, when he called other Jews “whitewashed tombs.”