Christian Nationalism vs. Jesus: Finding Faith Beyond Political Power

Finding Faith Beyond Political Power

Jesus and Christian nationalism contrasted - understanding kingdom living in today's world

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What Is Christian Nationalism?
Why Jesus Rejected Political Power
How to Respond Without Seeking Power
What True Citizenship Looks Like
Love as Resistance
FAQ About Christian Nationalism
Next Steps

Hard questions in faith often hit close to home. Like when healing doesn’t come as we expect, or when our comfortable understanding of God collides with reality. Now I’m wrestling with another challenging truth: how the Jesus I follow has become entangled with Christian nationalism—a political ideology that’s reshaping American Christianity in ways that often contradict the gospel itself.

This isn’t an easy conversation. Many of us grew up in spaces where faith and patriotism were so tightly woven together that questioning one felt like betraying the other. But just as I’ve had to learn to trust God when healing takes unexpected paths, I’m learning to examine what it means to follow Jesus in our current political climate—and what Christian nationalism really is.

Sometimes the hardest part about following Jesus is recognizing the weight of willful blindness when it comes to how our faith intersects with power. Understanding Christian nationalism is part of that awakening.

📖 Key Takeaway

Christian nationalism is a political ideology that fuses American identity with a particular version of Christianity—and it’s not the same as patriotism or having faith-informed political views. Christian nationalism stands in direct opposition to the way of Jesus, who consistently rejected earthly power in favor of a kingdom that transcends all borders.

What Is Christian Nationalism Really?

Christian nationalism isn’t just patriotism or having faith-informed political views. It’s a political ideology that fuses American identity with a particular version of Christianity, claiming that the United States has a unique covenant relationship with God similar to ancient Israel.

White Christian nationalism takes this further by intertwining Christian faith with ideas of white supremacy and American exceptionalism. This belief system portrays the United States as divinely chosen, with Christians obligated to maintain political and cultural dominance.

The problem? Christian nationalism forgets that Jesus consistently subverted expectations of political power, showing us instead a kingdom that transcends national borders. While Christian nationalism seeks to establish God’s kingdom through legislation and political control, Jesus demonstrated a radically different way. This ideology has unfortunately invaded white American evangelical churches.

Recognizing Christian Nationalism: Key Characteristics

Understanding what Christian nationalism actually looks like helps us recognize it in our churches, our communities, and sometimes even in our own hearts:

1. Conflating National and Religious Identity

Viewing America as uniquely chosen by God among nations
Treating American history as sacred or divinely ordained
Assuming that being a “good Christian” means being a “good American” (or vice versa)
Using phrases like “Christian nation” to describe America’s identity rather than its religious demographics

2. Seeking Religious Control of Government

Believing Christians should hold positions of power to enforce biblical values
Advocating for laws that impose Christian practices on non-Christians
Viewing religious freedom primarily as freedom for Christianity, not all faiths
Christian nationalism often supports blending church authority with state power

3. Using the Language of Warfare and Conquest

Framing political engagement as “spiritual warfare” for the nation’s soul
Speaking of “taking back” America or “reclaiming” the culture
Treating political opponents as enemies of God rather than neighbors to love
Christian nationalism portrays political losses as existential threats to faith itself

4. Selective Biblical Application

Emphasizing Old Testament conquest narratives over Jesus’s teachings
Focusing on power, dominance, and control rather than servanthood
Ignoring Jesus’s consistent care for immigrants, the poor, and outsiders
Christian nationalism cherry-picks verses that support political positions while ignoring Jesus’s radical welcome

5. Fear-Based Messaging

Warning that losing political power means losing religious freedom
Creating an “us vs. them” mentality toward those who are different
Prioritizing self-preservation over sacrificial love
Christian nationalism thrives on the fear of demographic and cultural change

The difference matters: You can love your country, vote according to your values, and engage politically—all while keeping your primary allegiance to Christ’s kingdom. Christian nationalism goes further, making national identity and political power central to the gospel itself. The danger of Christian nationalism lies in how it distorts both our witness and our worship.

Why This Distinction Matters

The teachings of Jesus present a radically different framework from Christian nationalism. Throughout the New Testament, we see Jesus rejecting the political power that many expected the Messiah to claim. Understanding this distinction isn’t about being less patriotic—it’s about being more faithful to the Jesus we claim to follow.

When we fail to distinguish Christian nationalism from authentic discipleship, we risk making the same mistake as Jesus’s first-century followers who wanted a political messiah instead of a suffering servant.

Struggling to untangle where your faith ends and cultural assumptions begin? The Beyond Comfort Workbook provides guided reflection and practical exercises to help you examine these tensions honestly—including how Christian nationalism may have shaped your theology. It’s designed for those of us who are ready to ask hard questions and seek a faith that looks more like Jesus.

Why Jesus Rejected Political Power

Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). Yet throughout history, including today through Christian nationalism, we’ve been tempted to try to establish God’s kingdom through political power.

I see it in Jesus’s disciples asking, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). They wanted national restoration and political dominance. Sound familiar? Christian nationalism asks the same question, just substituting America for Israel.

Christian nationalism views political influence and military power as the best way to advance God’s kingdom. But the Kingdom of God that Jesus proclaimed operates on completely different values. The Gospel of Jesus Christ isn’t about establishing a Christian nation or reclaiming control of the public square through Christian nationalism.

Jesus’s Radical Approach to Power

Remember when Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well? He crossed every cultural and political boundary of His time to share living water with someone society had labeled as “other.” That’s our Jesus—breaking down walls that divide us, not building them higher. Christian nationalism builds exactly the kinds of walls Jesus spent His ministry dismantling.

This radical approach to welcome should shape how we think about biblical hospitality and the call to welcome strangers in our current political climate—and it directly contradicts Christian nationalism’s approach to immigration and cultural diversity.

What About Paying Taxes to Caesar?

I think of Jesus’s response when asked about paying taxes to Caesar. Rather than advocating for religious control of government (the goal of Christian nationalism), He drew a distinction: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:21).

This wasn’t just a clever dodge. It was a profound statement about the separation of church and state—something Christian nationalism actively works against.

The early Christians flourished not through political power or Christian nationalism but through radical love and service, often facing persecution. They understood Paul’s words that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). This didn’t make them less engaged in society—it freed them to be salt and light without getting entangled in power politics or the kind of Christian nationalism we see today.

Christian Nationalism vs. The Way of Jesus

Christian Nationalism	Jesus’s Teaching
Seeks political power to enforce Christian values	“My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36)
Views America as a chosen nation like Israel	“Make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)
Prioritizes national interests and borders	Crossed boundaries to reach Samaritans, Gentiles, outcasts
Uses force and legislation to advance the kingdom	Advanced the kingdom through sacrificial love and service
Treats political opponents as enemies	“Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44)
Emphasizes protecting “our way of life”	“Whoever wants to save their life will lose it” (Matthew 16:25)
Values power, influence, and control	Washed His disciples’ feet, chose the cross over a crown
Fears demographic and cultural change	Welcomed the marginalized and celebrated diversity in God’s kingdom

How Do We Respond to Injustice Without Christian Nationalism?

The Jesus I follow didn’t stay silent in the face of injustice. He turned over tables in the temple when He saw exploitation. He boldly confronted religious leaders who burdened people with impossible rules while neglecting justice and mercy.

Following Jesus means we can’t stay silent when we see harm being done in His name—including harm done through Christian nationalism. We’re called to speak truth to power, to stand with the marginalized, and to actively work against systems that harm people.

Following Jesus means we can’t stay silent when we see harm being done in His name—but we respond through servanthood, not the political power that Christian nationalism seeks.

But here’s what’s crucial: we do this through servanthood and sacrificial love, not by seeking political power or forcing Christian values on others through Christian nationalism. Our weapons, as Paul reminds us, are not the weapons of this world (2 Corinthians 10:4).

A Warning from History About Christian Nationalism

John Leland, a Baptist preacher during the founding of our nation, wrote: “The fondness of magistrates to foster Christianity, has done it more harm than all the persecutions ever did. Persecution, like a lion, tears the saints to death, but leaves Christianity pure: state establishment of religion, like a bear, hugs the saints, but corrupts Christianity, and reduces it to a level with state policy.”

Christian nationalism ultimately corrupts both public life and the way of Jesus. When Christian leaders align themselves closely with a political party or public policy goals—as Christian nationalism demands—they often find themselves making compromises that undermine the faith they claim to protect.

📚 Need help navigating faith in a polarized world shaped by Christian nationalism? The Beyond Comfort Workbook includes reflections on engaging with justice, examining your own biases, and discerning how to follow Jesus when the path isn’t clear. Learn more here.

What Does Our True Citizenship Look Like Beyond Christian Nationalism?

Here’s what I keep coming back to: Jesus never called us to establish a Christian nation through Christian nationalism. He called us to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). When we blur this distinction, we risk creating the very kinds of divisions Paul warned against: “Is Christ divided?” (1 Corinthians 1:13).

For a long time, many white evangelicals have embraced a version of Christianity that aligns closely with national identity—what scholars now identify as Christian nationalism. But the Apostle Paul reminded us that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek (Galatians 3:28)—our primary identity is found in Jesus, not in our nationality, political party, or racial background. Christian nationalism reverses this priority, making national identity primary.

During presidential election cycles, we often see American flags waving alongside talk of “making America great again” to some idealized Christian past. This is Christian nationalism in action. But the kingdom of heaven that Jesus proclaimed isn’t about national borders or state recognition of a religious calendar. It’s about unconditional love, justice, mercy, and the Holy Spirit working through God’s people across all nations.

The end goal of following Jesus isn’t to ensure Christians control the levers of government (the explicit goal of Christian nationalism) or to protect a particular way of life. Jesus’s command is for us to love God and love our neighbors—including those who don’t share our belief system.

Why America Shouldn’t Be a Christian Nation

America is not a Christian nation, and it shouldn’t be. Christian nationalism claims otherwise, but the fusion of Christianity with national identity throughout history has often led to terrible abuses in God’s name. From colonization to the mistreatment of indigenous people, history provides sobering examples of what happens when Christians seek power through Christian nationalism rather than servanthood.

This journey requires us to hold our earthly allegiances loosely. It means admitting that our carefully constructed categories—including Christian nationalism—might not be as biblical as we once thought. It means being willing to sit with uncomfortable questions and trust that Jesus is big enough to handle our doubts.

Jesus never called us to establish a Christian nation. He called us to make disciples of all nations.

What Does Love as Resistance Look Like?

The Jesus I’m getting to know isn’t interested in the political power that Christian nationalism promises. He’s the one who shows up in the margins, who dines with tax collectors, shows compassion to enemies, and challenges religious leaders who turn faith into a system of control rather than a pathway to God’s love.

I’m still wrestling with what this means practically and how to live it out day to day. But I’m convinced that our primary allegiance must be to Christ and His kingdom—a kingdom that knows no national boundaries and that advances not through Christian nationalism or political power but through sacrificial love.

Living It Out Daily

How do you navigate the tension between loving your country and keeping your primary citizenship in heaven? What does it look like to follow Jesus faithfully in this divided time, resisting the pull of Christian nationalism?

The kingdom of God isn’t advanced through political power, national identity, or Christian nationalism. It’s advanced through the same radical love that brought Jesus to the cross—a love that transcends borders, breaks down walls, and transforms hearts one at a time.

Christian nationalism vs. Jesus presents us with a clear choice: Will we pursue the dimmer switch of political influence that Christian nationalism offers, or will we embrace the brilliant light of Christ’s kingdom that illuminates every corner of our world? As disciples of Jesus, may we choose to follow the true King whose lordship transcends every earthly allegiance, including the false promises of Christian nationalism.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christian Nationalism

What is Christian nationalism?

Christian nationalism is a political ideology that merges American identity with a particular version of Christianity, claiming that the United States is divinely chosen and that Christians should maintain political and cultural dominance. Christian nationalism differs from patriotism or faith-informed voting by making national identity central to the gospel itself.

Is Christian nationalism biblical?

No. Christian nationalism contradicts Jesus’s teachings in several key ways. Jesus explicitly stated His kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36), while Christian nationalism seeks to establish God’s kingdom through political power. Jesus crossed cultural boundaries and welcomed outsiders, while Christian nationalism often builds walls and excludes those deemed as “other.” The New Testament teaches that our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20) and that in Christ there is no Jew or Greek (Galatians 3:28)—both directly opposed to Christian nationalism’s emphasis on national identity.

What’s the difference between Christian nationalism and patriotism?

Patriotism is loving your country and wanting the best for it. Christian nationalism goes further by claiming America has a special covenant with God (like ancient Israel) and that maintaining Christian political dominance is essential to the faith. You can be patriotic without embracing Christian nationalism. The key difference: patriotism is about civic love; Christian nationalism makes national identity and political power central to your faith.

What’s the difference between Christian nationalism and having faith-informed political views?

Having faith-informed political views means your values shape how you vote and engage politically—this is natural and appropriate. Christian nationalism is different because it claims that being a “real Christian” requires supporting specific political positions, treats political opponents as enemies of God, and seeks to impose Christian practices through legislation. You can vote according to your Christian values without embracing the ideology of Christian nationalism.

Can you be a Christian and not support Christian nationalism?

Absolutely. In fact, many Christians argue that rejecting Christian nationalism is essential to authentic discipleship. Throughout church history, Christians have thrived without political power—including during persecution in the Roman Empire. Following Jesus doesn’t require supporting Christian nationalism; it requires loving God and loving your neighbor, regardless of their faith, nationality, or political views.

What do scholars say about Christian nationalism?

Sociologists and theologians define Christian nationalism as a cultural framework that idealizes a fusion between Christianity and American civic life. Research shows that Christian nationalism is strongly associated with opposition to immigration, increased prejudice against religious minorities, and support for authoritarian leadership. Scholars distinguish Christian nationalism from both patriotism and religious commitment, noting that it’s possible to score high on religious devotion while rejecting Christian nationalism entirely.

How do I talk to family or friends who support Christian nationalism?

Lead with love and curiosity rather than judgment. Ask questions like: “What does Jesus’s kingdom look like to you?” or “How do you understand Jesus’s statement that His kingdom is not of this world?” Share your own journey and concerns rather than attacking their position. Focus on Jesus’s teachings rather than political arguments. Remember that many people embrace Christian nationalism without fully understanding what it is—education, not confrontation, often opens hearts. To go deeper on this topic I highly recommend the podcast Disarming Leviathan – Missionally Engaging Christian Nationalist.

What are examples of Christian nationalism in American history?

Christian nationalism has appeared throughout American history: the “Manifest Destiny” ideology used to justify westward expansion and displacement of indigenous peoples; to justify the pro-slavery Christian movement; Jim Crow laws defended using Christian rhetoric; opposition to the Civil Rights Movement framed as defending “Christian values”; and more recently, the January 6th attack on the Capitol, which featured prominent Christian nationalist symbols and rhetoric. Understanding this history helps us recognize Christian nationalism’s patterns today.

Ready to Go Deeper? Move Beyond Christian Nationalism

If this post resonated with you—or challenged you—you’re not alone. Many of us are wrestling with what it means to follow Jesus authentically in a politically charged world shaped by Christian nationalism.

The Beyond Comfort Workbook is designed specifically for this journey. It provides:

✓ Guided reflection questions to examine where faith and cultural assumptions (including Christian nationalism) intersect
✓ Practical exercises for discerning God’s voice from political noise and Christian nationalism
✓ Biblical frameworks for engaging with justice without compromising Christ’s way
✓ Space to process your doubts, questions, and evolving understanding of what Christian nationalism really is

This isn’t a workbook that gives you easy answers. It’s a companion for those brave enough to ask hard questions and seek a faith that looks more like Jesus—even when that means rejecting Christian nationalism and the comfort of certainty.

Get the Beyond Comfort Workbook →

Continue the Conversation About Christian Nationalism

Have you found yourself wrestling with where faith ends and nationalism begins? How have you recognized Christian nationalism in your own community or faith background? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Christian Nationalism vs. Jesus