Is Christian Nationalism Biblical?

Christian Nationalism is Having a Moment

Let’s just say it: Christian Nationalism has gone from fringe to front row.

It’s in our pulpits. Our policies. Our memes. It’s waving Bibles in one hand and flags in the other, baptizing political platforms with verses ripped out of context and shouting “God bless America” like it's a theological mic drop.

But here's the uncomfortable question we have to ask: Is Christian Nationalism biblical?

• Not "Is it effective?"

• Not "Is it trending?"

• Not "Does it own the libs?"
  

Is it Christlike? Is it consistent with the Kingdom Jesus came to bring?

Because if it isn’t, then we’re not just misrepresenting our faith. We’re building golden calves in the shape of red, white, and blue.

So let’s dig in. No political spin. No party loyalty. Just Scripture, history, and a whole lot of uncomfortable honesty.

Defining Christian Nationalism (Without Needing a Degree in Theology or Cable News)

Christian Nationalism isn’t the same as being a Christian who loves their country.

Loving your country? Great. Worshiping your country? Problem.

Christian Nationalism goes further. It’s the belief that America is a divinely chosen nation, that our laws and leaders should explicitly reflect Christian doctrine, and that to be truly American is to be Christian.

It’s not patriotism. It’s political theology with a messiah complex.

And let’s be honest: it sells. It gives people a sense of moral high ground, national pride, and spiritual purpose. But we have to ask: Does it reflect the mission of Jesus?

Jesus Refused Power. So Why do Evangelicals Thirst for It?

Jesus wasn’t apolitical. But He also didn’t campaign for Caesar’s throne or try to legislate the Kingdom of God through Roman law.

When Israel expected a political Messiah to overthrow Rome, Jesus showed up with a towel to

wash feet, a cross, and a command to love enemies. Not exactly campaign material that sends a surge of red, white and blue adrenaline through your veins, right?

Jesus didn’t cater to the zealots. He didn’t bow to the empire. And He definitely didn’t equate His Kingdom with any nation-state—even the one His followers hoped He’d restore.

John 18:36: “My kingdom is not of this world.”

Jesus made this even more explicit in Luke 4:5-8, when Satan tempted Him by offering "all the kingdoms of the world" in exchange for worship. Jesus refused. He didn’t take the bait of political power—even though He could have had it all. That wasn’t His mission.

The irony is hard to miss: Jesus was offered control of the kingdoms of this world and turned it down. Christian Nationalism grabs for them with both hands.

Christian Nationalism says the nation is the vehicle for God’s will. Jesus said the Church is. We are. To my knowledge, not a single person, in the history of God's creation, has been "legislated to Heaven."

Scripture vs. Slogans

Christian Nationalism loves quoting Scripture. But it loves quoting it out of context even more. The reality is that Christian Nationalism can't be supported unless it involves manipulating God's word.

They falsely compare their chosen leader to King David, offering him grace for moral failings and claiming God still uses him — but that grace rarely extends to political opponents or to people outside their tribe.

Romans 13 gets used to demand obedience to political leaders, until a different party wins. They render unto Caesar, but only if it's their Caesar. The very verse used to defend obedience to government (Romans 13) is often weaponized — celebrated under their party, rejected under another.

They weaponize the book of Romans against LGBTQ+ individuals while ignoring their own issues with sexual sin, greed, and pride.

Christian Nationalism runs on the fumes of fear—always needing someone to blame, shame, or fight. But real Christianity? It runs on grace. Fueled by God, led by Jesus, and aimed at redemption—not retribution.

It’s not Christian. It’s just plain ol’ nationalism, wrapped in spiritual language and baptized in selective Bible verses.

Verses like 2 Chronicles 7:14 (“If my people, who are called by my name...”) are often slapped on political rallies like a divine endorsement to point fingers at "them." But that was a promise to ancient Israel under a theocratic covenant—not a blank check for modern America. When Jesus says in John 13:35 that we will be known as His disciples by our love for one another, many of the Evangelical Right Christian Nationalists interpret "one another" as just the in Christians.You know—just loving the insiders. Our own tribe. The ones who already believe, already belong. Not those "other" people - you know, "the real sinners." But that’s not what Jesus modeled. NOT. EVEN. CLOSE.

If we have to twist Scripture to fit our nationalism, maybe it’s not Scripture we’re following.

The Fruit Test (Spoiler: It’s Not Good)

Jesus said we’d know false prophets by their fruit (Matthew 7:15-20). So let’s look at the fruit of Christian Nationalism:

• Division in the Church

• Idolization of politicians

• Demonization of outsiders

• Excusing sin for the sake of power

• Confusing kingdom work with culture wars

• Ignoring or oppressing the least of these

• Bearing false witness (MAGA falsehoods have become a feature, not a flaw)
  

Christian Nationalism doesn’t produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control.

It produces fear, pride, anger, and control—the exact things Jesus came to free us from.

Worse yet, it echoes the very spirit of the Pharisees: obsessed with national purity, threatened by outsiders, and convinced that God's Kingdom could only be restored through external power and strict rule enforcement.

Jesus rebuked that spirit over and over. He told the Pharisees they were like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but full of death (Matthew 23:27). He accused them of shutting the door of the Kingdom in people's faces (Matthew 23:13). If your theology builds walls instead of opening doors to grace, you're not walking in the way of Jesus.

So Is Christian Nationalism Biblical?

Let’s be clear: wanting a country to reflect godly values is not unbiblical.

But when we:

• Tie God’s plans to a nation’s success,

• Merge our faith with political identity,

• And confuse winning elections with advancing the Gospel...

...we’re no longer serving Jesus. We’re using Him.

Christian Nationalism is not biblical. It is an ideology that replaces the upside-down Kingdom of Jesus with a top-down system of control and cultural dominance. It exchanges the suffering servant for the conquering king that Jesus refused to be.

We should absolutely care about justice, righteousness, and leadership—but only when they're driven by the Spirit, not political theater.

Micah 6:8 still says what God requires: to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. Christian Nationalism fails on all three.

What Do We Do Instead?

We get back to the Gospel. We remember the Kingdom is bigger than America. We follow a King who laid down power instead of grasping for it.

Be patriotic. Vote your conscience. Serve your community.

But never confuse the nation with the Kingdom. And never replace your witness with a political weapon.

When we wrap the cross in a flag, we don’t elevate Jesus — we replace Him.