To write a series like this, I must recognize and admit that I too find it difficult to navigate to the middle, away from extreme radical views on a specific subject. The difficulty comes from a couple of directions; one is that I have strong opinions, like most of you, and an equally strong desire to be right, and the other is that I do not want to stray from any absolute truth where absolute truth does exist.

I say all of this to introduce today’s topic, Christian Nationalism. I am a citizen of the United States of America by natural birth, and I am a follower of Jesus Christ by spiritual rebirth. Further, I consider myself blessed on both counts. Christian Nationalism, though, is not as simple as a bringing together of those two heritages. Because, as a label, it has come to mean things beyond each of the two definitions and often lacks characteristics of the definition of the term Christian.

God established a theocracy when he pulled Abraham aside and established a covenant with him that a certain family lineage would become God’s “chosen people”. This turned out to be the nation of Israel. It was necessary for God to establish borders within which this people could live. Why? For them to be shielded from the idolatry and evil practices of mankind outside those borders. Further, to establish this nation from whom God would send the Messiah, which we know as Jesus Christ.

With Jesus came a New Covenant, another reason I consider myself blessed. I am counted among God’s chosen people, NOT because I was born of the nation of Israel, but because Jesus established a new theocracy made up of those who believe in Him. This global “people” is without national borders.

Christian Nationalists consider themselves both “right with God” and “patriots” and believe that these two labels put together are the ideal identification. Herein lies my own difficulty because I recognize and admit that I would like both of those identities to be true for me. The tension of the middle on this issue, though, recognizes several key truths:

1. The happenstance of being born in America pales to the significance of being reborn into the global family of God. My brothers and sisters around the world happened to be born within other national borders, but they remain my brothers and sisters. Their needs are my felt needs and I cannot withdraw inside the borders of this nation and ignore them.
2. America was founded by people who largely believed in God and understood the benefit of godly values. Equally, they understood the need for a government that was not a theocracy and therefore allowed for religious freedom for all its citizens. Of this, we can be proud.
3. America was also founded on the backs of people held in slavery, widespread discrimination, war, and genocide. For this, we must be humble.

Let me end with this thought if I may be so bold. Christian Nationalism is misguided and dangerous. It looks to the past, seeking to recreate something that never really existed, rather than being focused on our heavenly citizenship. It also serves to isolate itself from those outside our borders, and increasingly from those within. These factors will ultimately lead us back to slavery, widespread discrimination, war, and genocide. God’s chosen people were, and are, called to do better. Our Messiah requires of us the opposite of isolation; he gives us a ministry of reconciliation.