Nine Contrasts Between His Kingdom and Christian Nationalism by Joseph Mattera
I am posting this essay by Joseph Mattera, one of my spiritual sons, because we are in oneness about the issue of Christian Nationalism! Please read it prayerfully and seriously consider these truths… John P. Kelly
Nine Contrasts Between His Kingdom and Christian Nationalism Part I & II by Joseph Mattera
There has been much talk and concern regarding so-called Christian Nationalism in the past several years. I realize that there is a fine line (almost indiscernible) between extreme Christian nationalism and being patriotic.
For the record, I am willing to die for my nation. I believe it is the greatest nation on earth in spite of all its flaws and sins. Hence, I am a patriot. I support our right to have a strong military, and I believe God had a special plan for the nation from its inception. I am also strongly pro-life and pro-biblical marriage, and I advance a biblical worldview in my teachings.
I would also love to see the USA build its laws on the moral ethics of the Scriptures regarding morality and justice.
But the above does not make me a Christian nationalist since I am more committed to advancing the Gospel of the Kingdom of God than I am to the correct policies in American politics. (If a person is not born from above, they are not in the kingdom, even if they are a patriot. (John 3:3-8)) I am first a Christian and secondarily an American. Also, as a follower of Christ, I am a citizen of the world with a global concern for His kingdom to influence every nation, not just the USA.
To be fair, in the context of this article, most of the concerns related to the rise of Christian nationalism in the USA come from the radical left related to Evangelicals supporting President Trump and his goals. (This is the same radical left that already enjoys forms of “top-down dominion” over the nation in many spheres, such as mainstream media, public education, politics, entertainment, the movie industry, and health care.)
Thus, the radical left utilizes a lens of interpretation that is skewed against anything conservative evangelicals attempt to advance in public policy since they want to continue to control the public sphere and view activist biblical Christians as a threat to their desire for global domination.
However, there are also important concerns coming from conservative Evangelicals related to extreme expressions of Christian nationalism. (See our NAR and Christian Nationalism statement here.)
Consequently, this article aims to further clarify the issue by contrasting the Kingdom of God (KOG) with Christian nationalism (CN), which can be applied to any nation, not just the USA.
The KOG focuses on advancing the gospel, while CN focuses on advancing the nation’s politics.
Although politics and economics are vital and can express biblical ethics, I am much more committed to making disciples who permeate the marketplace with biblical values and result in human flourishing.
However, it is also possible for a committed Christian to be a faithful witness to Jesus while serving in public life as an elected official.
2 The KOG produces loyalty to Christ above all else, while the CN produces loyalty to their country above all else.
The KOG transcends all nations and ethnic identities (Psalm 103:19). This issue is still significant because it was only in the mid-20th century that we witnessed so-called “Christian nationalists” turn a blind eye to the 3rd Reich when the majority of the German church aligned with Hitler against the world. If it happened once, it can and will continue to happen again to a non-discerning church that aligns with totalitarianism from the left (Hitler, who was a national socialist Fascist) not the right.
3. The KOG produces martyrs for the cause of Christ. CN produces citizens who are willing to die for their nation above all else.
Although I am willing to defend my neighbor and die for my nation, the greatest honor is to die for the sake of Christ and His kingdom. Of course, the argument can also be made that my faith in God makes me an even better citizen who would be willing to die for their nation. (Hence, it concerns motive, not merely actions.)
4. The KOG raises the banner of Jesus above all else. CN raises the national flag above all else.
During this bitter political season, I have witnessed Christians fight on social media, getting nasty and condescending towards those with a different political view. (Consequently, said Christians are jeopardizing the eternity of unbelievers who may be the recipients of their acerbic political rants!)
5. The KOG promotes God’s interests above the world, while the CN promotes the interests of the nation above the kingdom.
In the Old Testament, prophets like Jeremiah, Amos, Jonah, Micaiah, Isaiah, Elijah, and more declared words from the Lord that were not politically expedient for the nation of Israel. (IE, They prophesied looming captivity and destruction for their disobedience to God.) Consequently, we in the KOG should have our essential allegiance to Christ and His gospel, even if it does not comport with our nation’s rank-and-file policies and economic health.
6. The KOG views the world through a biblical lens, while CN does so merely through a geopolitical lens.
As Christians, we are called to interpret national politics through the lens of Scripture. Unfortunately, nationalists interpret the bible through the lens of their political and national identity.
7. The KOG is dependent upon Christ as King of kings. CN is dependent upon both the ideology of its nation and its rulers.
Some Christian nationalists act as though their choice for a leader (president or prime minister) is some Messianic figure that their nation depends upon to rescue it from the hands of the evil one single-handedly. In the USA, no matter who ultimately gets elected president, the nation is in trouble unless the church passionately seeks God for an awakening that will organically transform our ethos.
8. Followers of the KOG are passionate about a Christ-centered global awakening, and adherents of nationalism are passionate about an ideological awakening.
Politically active Christians can be kingdom-centered even while they are campaigning for a leader or a cause. It is okay to be passionate about politics, policy, and the economy for the sake of our country’s well-being. That being said, it is truly a fine line to discern the difference between passionately loving our country and an unhealthy expression of nationalism (that is blind to everything else except reclaiming national greatness while being dispassionate about advancing the gospel).
9. Christ’s followers are primarily identified with the KOG. Nationalists derive their identity from their nation.
At the end of the day, Christ’s followers are called to derive their primary identity from their sonship with the Father (Romans 8:14-17). This makes them a partaker of the Kingdom of the Father, out of which they live and move and have their being (Acts 17:28; Colossians 1:13). This is different from those who wrap the gospel with the flag of their nation, which gives the impression that their primary identity is derived from their country, not the kingdom.
Part II - Contrasting the Kingdom of God and Christian Nationalism
6. The Kingdom of God views the world with a biblical lens. Nationalism views the world with a geo/political lens.
As Christians, we are called to interpret national politics through the lens of Scripture. Unfortunately, nationalists interpret the Bible through the lens of their political and national identity. This interpretation skews the way they treat people who do not politically identify with them. Thus, for nationalists, they have a narrow view of the Bible. They highlight only biblical passages that back up their ideology while ignoring the rest of Scripture that they may deem to be “uninteresting.”
7. The Kingdom of God is dependent upon neither an earthly kingdom nor an earthly ruler. Nationalism is dependent upon both the ideology of a nation and its ruler.
Some Christian nationalists act as though their choice for a leader (president, prime minister, etc.) is some Messianic figure that their nation depends upon to rescue it from the hands of evil people. While God does command us to pray for our rulers, the main focus is so there can be peace. This peace is to pave the way for the gospel to go forth so people can be saved (1 Timothy 2:1-5). In the case of the United States, no matter who ultimately gets elected as president, the nation will be in trouble unless the Church passionately seeks God for an awakening. An awakening will be the only thing that will transform our ethos.
Conservative Christians may correctly assume that a Trump presidency must maintain religious liberty for churches and Christian-owned businesses. However, what good is this liberty if Christians are not passionate about utilizing their freedom to share the gospel? The Church is growing exponentially in many nations where Christ-followers are being persecuted (i.e., China, Iran, North Korea, Nigeria, Sudan, India).
To quote the Lord Jesus, “My kingdom is not of this world” (does not emanate from this world, John 18:36).
8. Followers of the Kingdom of God are passionate about a Christ-centered global awakening. Adherents of nationalism are passionate about an ideological awakening.
I have observed that even politically active Christians can be Kingdom centered, even while they are campaigning for a leader or a cause. It is okay to be passionate about politics, policy, and the economy for the sake of our country’s well being. For example, some Christ-followers express their commitment to the Kingdom through their assignment in politics in the same way a plumber can be committed to the Kingdom while fixing pipes.
That being said, there is indeed a fine line in discerning the difference between passionately loving our country (which has more to do with being a patriot committed to the good of their nation) and an unhealthy expression of nationalism. (Nationalism is blind to everything else except reclaiming national greatness. It is dispassionate about advancing the gospel).
Consequently, even a Christian activist should have as their primary goal a spiritual awakening that will transform millions of hearts from the inside out.
9. Christ-followers are primarily identified with the Kingdom of God. Nationalists mostly derive their identity from their nation.
Christ-followers are called to derive their primary identity from their sonship with the Father (Romans 8:14-17). This makes them a partaker of the Kingdom, out of which they live and move and have their being (Acts 17:28; Colossians 1:13). This is different from those who wrap the gospel with the flag of their nation. It gives the impression that their primary identity is derived from their country, not the Kingdom. Christian nationalists are obsessed with the political causes they think will bring Christian utopia to their country. They rarely talk about Scripture unless connected to a particular reason like justice, abortion, or the family.
This contrasts with the great commandment that tells us to “love the Lord with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength”. Although the second commandment to love our neighbor can fit in the construct of political engagement, it is still second to being passionate about God (Malachi 3:16-18, Matthew 22:37-40).
May the Church put His Kingdom and His righteousness first so that God can trust believers, who genuinely represent His heart to the world, to be the gatekeepers of culture.
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