This past Sunday at church I felt led to address the need for calling out racist rhetoric in the United States. Many have asked a deeper question: What is happening inside American Christianity? One answer we cannot ignore is the rise of Christian nationalism.
At its core, Christian nationalism is the belief that Christianity should be legally fused with the identity and governance of the United States—that to be truly American is to be Christian, and that government should promote or privilege a particular expression of the faith. On the surface, this may sound like moral conviction. But beneath it lies something more dangerous: the confusion of the kingdom of God with the kingdoms of this world.
Jesus was clear: “God is spirit” (John 4:24). His kingdom is not sustained by legislation, coercion, or national dominance. Whenever faith becomes a tool of state power, it ceases to be prophetic and becomes partisan. The church shifts from forming disciples to protecting influence.
Research suggests that much of the energy behind Christian nationalism is driven by fear—particularly the fear of cultural displacement and losing majority status. Fear can unify people, but it can also distort discipleship. When anxiety about decline outweighs allegiance to Christ, nationalism can begin to masquerade as faithfulness.
The danger is not love of country. Gratitude for nation is appropriate. The danger is idolatry—when national identity rivals baptismal identity. When loyalty to party or power excuses dehumanization, silence in the face of injustice, or selective moral outrage, we have crossed from conviction into compromise.
So how do we respond; especially to the seeker watching all of this unfold?
We lead with clarity and humility. We confess where the church has confused political dominance with gospel witness. We disentangle faith from partisan captivity. And we re-center on the way of Jesus: truth without coercion, love without favoritism, courage without cruelty.
If we want credible reconciliation and authentic revival, we must reject any version of Christianity that depends on power more than presence.
The church does not need control to be faithful. It needs courage. We need the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
Now is the time to choose which kingdom we truly serve.
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