Graphic by Logan McQuaid, Graphic Design Intern
By Lemuel Kemp, Staff Writer
Modern day American society consists of endless dangerous ideologies. Such ideologies contagiously build off of each other, creating a socially ill and distant society. One such ideology in the US currently is that of Christian Nationalism, which tries to disguise itself as Christianity, but is actually antithetical to the words and actions of Jesus Christ. It operates under the premise that the US was founded as a Christain nation, and therefore all religions except Christiainty should be excluded from practice and Constitutional protection in the US. In actuality, the Founders included in the First Amendment that the state (government) should not establish or prefer one religion over another. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” – Library of Congress – Constitution Annotated (.gov)
“Do people pick grapes from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles?” This a question posed by Jesus in Matthew 7:15-20. Jesus, in his famous Sermon on the Mount, explains that the listener must be aware of false prophets because they are ferocious wolves in reality. Jesus gives the listener a solution to this problem and says to look at the fruit, meaning to see what they produce, what does their conduct reveal about them.
Many people today in the US have been bewitched by bad trees, because they’re not checking for fruit. Though the verse speaks about people in particular, the same concept can be applied to ideologies, and Christian Nationalism is a thorn bush bearing no fruit, being associated with true Christianity.
In his autobiography, Fredrick Douglass said, “What I have said respecting and against religion, I mean strictly to apply to the slaveholding religion of this land, and with no possible reference to Christianity proper; for, between the Christianity of this land, and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference — so wide, that to receive the one as good, pure, and holy, is of necessity to reject the other as bad, corrupt, and wicked.”
Essentially, there is no righteousness is stating that Christianity in itself produces harm. As the United States prides itself in being a cultural melting pot, religious expression is important in upholding such a standard. That being said, the ever growing ‘practice’ of Christian Nationalism greatly differs from Christian standards. It is antithetical to Christ and is a self-defeating practice which disregards the issues of freedom of religion.
The difference between true Christianity and Christian Nationalism is a clear night and day difference. Simply put, Christian Nationalism is devoid of Christ, and because of that fact, it has made a version of Christianity that fits into American culture rather than a Christianity that changes American culture. Because it is used by political figures to gain and cultivate political power, robbing people from knowing true Christianity and furthermore knowing Christ, it is not true Christianity and is opposed to Christianity. The scriptures describe the phenomenon as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but that nuance may be the only thing resembling biblical truth in American Christian Nationalism.
| Gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ | “Gospel” of Christian Nationalism |
| Rooted in God’s kingdom, which surpasses national, ethnic and cultural limits | Rooted in a particular nation’s identity, history, and political power |
| Advanced through sacrificial love, service and humility | Advanced through political control, cultural dominance, and coercion |
| Welcomes the stranger, loves enemies, and includes the marginalized | Often prioritizes insiders, national loyalty, and cultural conformity |
| Measures faithfulness by alignment with the way of the cross | Measures faithfulness by alignment with political or national goals |
| Seeks transformation of hearts and communities by the Holy Spirit | Seeks preservation of “Christian” cultural influence through legislation and power |
| Finds hope in Christ’ resurrection and God’s renewal of all things | Finds hop in securing and defending a specific political and cultural order |
| Defines victory as lives restored, enemies reconciled, and justice rolling down for all people | Defines victory as political wins, cultural dominance, and national security |
It’s clear that the devotion of Christian Nationalism that replaces God and Jesus with America as an item to be worshiped is misplaced, and should be replaced with worship of Christ. If the devotion was put in Christ, we’d see it produce things such as compassion, peace, and most importantly, love. However, Christian Nationalism lacks the love that should be found in anyone who follows Christ. The Christian is called to love everyone and treat another how one’s self would like to be treated.
Using Jan. 6, 2021 to examine the presence of love, in an act perpetrated by some who were adherents to Christian Nationalism, we see savagery in the way they forcibly invaded the Capitol building. We see pride on faces as they do it; we see them seeking their own self-interest to find Congressional members and put their heads on pikes for their own satisfaction. We see an angry crowd seeking their own way to enact their own sense of justice. We see no attribute of love fulfilled on Jan. 6, 2021. The lack of love in the actions of those who took part in the attack on the Capitol indicates that God was not in the midst of them. The idea that members of Congress and even the current President have described the day as one of love is appalling, and a case of trying to rewrite the facts and history of the day with their own false narrative.
The image of Jan. 6, 2021 is made laughable when seeing the life of Jesus Christ because of his service to people through his ministry. In the washing of feet, feeding of the hungry, and healing of the sick, we see Christ’s love. Ultimately his love is shown through the torture he went through on his way towards and on the cross. The prophecy in Isaiah 52:14 “his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness” is spot on for the extreme torture Christ endured in the Roman crucifixion.
Christian’s believe that because of his death on the cross, believers, who should have suffered the consequences of our wrongful deeds and sins, are now forgiven of their sins and given a chance to live rightfully. When met with this message, those who believe in it can be seen to possess the same level of love manifested in sacrifice.
Another shortcoming we see in Christian Nationalism as opposed to Christianity proper is the lack of change and the coexistence of things condemned by true Christianity. This is due to the Biblical theology being watered down. Christian Nationalists have lessened Christ to raise up their own ideas revolving around the self-interest of America. We see a type of self-serving theology in American history, specifically when looking at the coexistence of some American Churches regarding racial difference and their justifications for slavery in centuries prior. No true biblical theology could support this behavior and scripture goes against it. This isn’t to claim that true Christianity during American slavery was nonexistent; we see Christians in the Underground Railroad, abolitionists, and in everyone who was opposed to Slavery because of their allegiance to Christ. Rather this is to point out a pattern of behavior. The behavior being, the ignoring and misunderstanding of scripture for self-gain. We see this behavior in full display today. In this way they associate promises given to Israel and assign them to America. We see their interpretation of scripture is taken through an American lens rather than what is truly meant.
Another example we see is in what is not said, implied or even briefly mentioned. The idea of America not taking priority over upholding Christ is not mentioned. This is because Christ is being used as an object but not the subject of Christian Nationalism. Christian Nationalists not being Christian is an issue. If they don’t know the scriptures, they are falsely claiming to believe in God and misrepresenting Christ and Christianity proper. With this they are misleading people who think they’re being led by a person who believes in the Christian God. If they do, they are actively going against the commands that they claim to believe come from God, and encouraging others to do the same. In either scenario, Christ is not being represented, but power and authority that is associated with God is being claimed falsely. Christianity is being used as a religion to manipulate the masses to commit acts of violence, hate, and exclusion.
To conclude, on account of the idolatrous self-serving nature found in putting America first over God, the lack of a loving nature found in the disregarding of others and their needs, the changing nature found in the watering down of the commands of God, and the manipulative nature found in the way that it’s used for political power, we see the truth. For all the previous reasons mentioned, Christian Nationalism is antithetical to Christ. The fruits that it produces shows it to be its own American idol. This does not have to be the case, for every one who was fooled by Christian Nationalism, there is hope for recovery. The recovery is found in realizing that there are still good trees bearing good fruit; There is a chance to receive good fruit. To find these trees, their fruit must be throughly checked by seeing if they possess the attributes of love in their treatment of others.
