Recently I described Christian nationalism as a betrayal of the gospel. An objection I received from some was that I was simply criticising Christians for loving their country or wanting biblical values to shape society. But that misunderstands both my argument and the meaning of Christian nationalism. Loving God, loving your country, praying for its leaders, and wanting justice and moral integrity in public life do not make someone a Christian nationalist. The issue is not patriotism. It is what happens when Christian faith becomes fused with national identity and political power. Here are some signs to look for:
What does not make someone a Christian nationalist
- Loving God — Seeking to follow Jesus and live faithfully as a Christian.
- Loving your country — Wanting your nation to flourish and its people to prosper.
- Honouring heritage — Appreciating your nation’s history, culture, and traditions.
- Engaging publicly — Bringing Christian convictions into conversations about society and politics.
- Serving others — Working for the good of your neighbours and community.
Christian faith + patriotism ≠ Christian nationalism.
What can make someone a Christian nationalist
- Fusing Christian and national identities — Treating Christian identity and national identity as inseparable.
- Sacralising the nation — Believing a particular nation has a unique place in God’s purposes or a special divine status.
- Politicising Christian identity — Treating Christianity as the defining basis of the nation’s political identity, institutions, or public life.
- Limiting equal citizenship — Treating Christians as more fully belonging, or more entitled to shape the nation’s future, than non-Christians.
- Elevating national allegiance — Giving the nation the loyalty, identity, or hope that belongs to Christ and his kingdom alone.
Christian nationalism is not simply loving both Christ and country. It begins when Christianity becomes a national identity project rather than a community centred on our heavenly King and his kingdom.
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