Christian Nationalism Is Counterproductive

Evangelical Reflections On Our Melting Pot

As an evangelical, I’ve always adamantly opposed those within evangelical circles who advocate for Christian Nationalism—or Dominionism or Reconstructionism or whatever label one might assign to the notion that Christians should rule the nation in a theocratic manner. I’ve always contended that the movement is counterproductive to the true evangelical calling, which very plainly is to “make disciples.”

Photo by Alicia Quan on Unsplash

Nowhere in the New Testament is there any command, demand, or even request for Christians to seize control of local, state, or national governments. Yet doing so has become the principal goal of most modern, white evangelicals. They follow this course not based on any New Testament teaching, but rather on the mistaken notion that the United States of America is the modern-day equivalent of Old Testament theocratic Israel.

The Abortion Rights Example

The United States of America is not and never has been a theocratic or even Christian nation. Ours is a nation open to all, a nation that welcomes the free exchange of ideas in the open marketplace of beliefs and philosophies. It is a nation that allows Christianity to thrive, but its founders clearly never meant for it to be controlled by any single religion.

Nor, obviously, do the majority of Americans want to be ruled by a pseudo-theocracy. They made that clear in several elections over the last few years. In a sharp rebuke to the recent Supreme Court ruling ending federal abortion rights protections, voters in California, Michigan, and Vermont passed bills granting abortion rights. Even conservative Kansas defeated a proposed constitutional amendment to, essentially, end abortion rights.

Evangelicals’ and Catholics’ attempts to end abortion through legislation is counterproductive on two levels. First, it’s counterproductive at the most fundamental level because those who favor the preservation of abortion rights outnumber those in opposition. Every step to the right on the legislative front will inevitably be followed by two steps to the left. These legislative attempts are futile, and they must end.

They’re Not Interested in What You’re Selling

The other reason these statutory attempts are counterproductive is their effect on those whom Christians are called to “make disciples.” From the beginning, the one tried-and-true method of making disciples has been through what is commonly called “friendship evangelism.”

Trying to share the gospel message with one’s literal or figurative neighbor while literally or figuratively fighting with him or her over a hot-button issue like abortion is about as effective as asking the boss for a raise right after insulting her.

Evangelicals need to jettison imprudent attempts to legislate a “Christian lifestyle.” We need to unreservedly reject any attempt at Christian nationalism. We need to look again at the life of Jesus, who said of Himself, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” We need to reflect on passages such as Proverbs 25:21, which says, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.” We need to remember Jesus’ call to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

The true Christian calling is in direct opposition to the screeches for Christian domination from hypocrites like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert. Our goal should not be to force unbelievers to live what we perceive to be a Christian lifestyle—and all too often violate. Our goal must be to reflect to everyone we meet the unconditional love of God as evidenced in Christ’s sacrificial death for them. Then, it just might be possible that one day those neighbors to whom we’ve shown Christ’s love will be more willing to engage in a gracious exchange of ideas and values.


Post submitted by Jerry Gramckow
Jerry Gramckow is a volunteer with The Union from Colorado Springs, Colorado. You can read more from Jerry on his blog, Grumpy’s Grumblings.

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