Is Christian Nationalism Biblical, is it the Same as Patriotism?

This series tackles the thorny question of Christian nationalism, commonly explained as the fusion of church and state. A cursory analysis of the defining characteristics of Kingdom citizens, contrasted with those who remain in the domain of darkness, reveals their utter incompatibility. Kingdom citizens are marked by “righteousness, peace and joy in the holy spirit,” (Romans 14:17) while unbelievers are controlled by “the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life.” (1 John 2:16) Fusion of these 2 citizenships, so described in a so-called Christian state, is both demonstrably unbiblical and adverse to Kingdom goals, as the history of Christian nationalism demonstrates. The series initially provides the Biblical evidence explaining the incompatible nature of the 2 opposing kingdoms and then presents the history of Christian nationalism as further evidence why mixing the kingdoms is a bad idea. The author of the U.S. Constitution, James Madison, is cited throughout in his opposition to a church-state “establishment,” and interestingly his conclusions are more Biblically sound and historically tethered than the arguments of most Christian nationalists. The series emphasizes the corrupting effects of Christian nationalism, where, informed by a “culture war” mentality, RULING unbelievers has become more of a priority than sanctification and making disciples. C.S. Lewis would arguably agree that Christian nationalism is a demonically-inspired stumbling block of American Christianity.

The Full Series

Definitions, Definitions..

December 7, 2025 No Comments

The answers to these questions largely depend on the definition of Christian nationalism, which largely determines the connection between the 2 questions. In its most innocuous sense, Christian nationalism refers to Christians loving and seeking the betterment of their country through prayer and persuasion. So 1 Timothy 2:1-2 commands us to pray for all men, particularly for those in authority. This “patriotic” dimension of Christian nationalism is definitely Biblical. Most nevertheless understand Christian nationalism in terms of a state promoting explicitly Christian laws. The episode differentiates between Christian law and common moral law, the latter to which most secularists adhere. Future episodes will address whether Christians nationalism in this sense is Biblical. The program lastly identifies an aggressive variation of Christian nationalism that goes beyond adopting explicitly Christian laws and promotes a Christian takeover of society, undermining pluralism.

Christians: a Holy Nation Composed of Aliens

December 7, 2025 No Comments

The first part of this episode urges believers to promote the betterment of society through persuasion. This kind of “Christian nationalism” is certainly Biblical. Many however assess that Christian nationalists are those who would impose specifically Christian laws on the rest of society, going beyond the means of mere persuasion. The latter half of this episode provides Peter’s assessment of kingdom citizenship in light of earthly citizenship. Believers’ fundamental identity is that of a “holy nation” (1 Peter 2:10), and earthly citizenship status by comparison is demoted to that of “aliens.” (1 Peter 1:1)

Christianity: the Recasting of Earthly Citizenship

December 7, 2025 No Comments

The most common definition of Christian nationalism is the merging of fleshly and spiritual identities, even to the point where one’s fleshly (national) citizenship is on par with that of one’s heavenly citizenship. Yet this marrying of the 2 citizenships doesn’t take into account the Biblical consequences of heavenly citizenship, in which all other identities (nationality, race, class, sex, etc.) become secondary and so-called obligations to those identities should be renegotiated. Paul insists that kingdom citizenship amounted to a transfer from the kingdom of darkness into kingdom of His beloved Son. (Colossians 1:13) The kingdom of darkness that we once participated in was headed by Satan who wielded his power through people dominated by “the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life.” (1 John 2:16) The vast majority of people at any given time in history are enslaved to their lusts, so John isn’t exaggerating when he contends that “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19) The nation-state is the natural place for the exercise of power by lust-driven, demonically manipulated members of the kingdom of darkness. Since Christians have been transferred from this kingdom into Christ’s kingdom, their primary identity is that of kingdom citizens and all secondary identities come under the Lordship of Christ in the process of sanctification. Our national citizenship obligations are renegotiated, rendering us “aliens” (1 Peter 1:1), who partake of Christ’s otherworldly kingdom (John 18:36), and “ambassadors” to worldly members of the kingdom of darkness. (2 Corinthians 5:20) Christian nationalism therefore amounts to an insurmountable conflict of interest of 2 opposing kingdoms with completely different goals and means.

An Easy Answer, The World and Christians Want Different Things

December 7, 2025 No Comments

This episode contrasts the essential characteristics of the kingdom of darkness with the kingdom of Christ, concluding that Christian nationalism is untenable. Those who make up the kingdom of darkness are dominated by the big 3, “the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life.” (1 John 2:16) The characteristics of those participating in the kingdom of God are “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17) Presuming that Christians were in the majority (51%) and all advanced in sanctification (an absurdly optimistic assessment), how would a “Christian state” govern where the remaining 49% are still dominated and controlled by the flesh? Specifically Christian laws would be untenable. Interestingly, Peter did not call Christians who now made up a “holy nation” to make secular nations Christian. He virtually acknowledges that true Christians will always be in the minority, describing them as “aliens” coming from respective countries (1 Peter 1:1, 1 Peter 2:10-11). Their obligation is rather to abstain from fleshly lusts, the defining characteristics of those still in the kingdom of darkness. Is it possible that many who obsess over culture wars and making America a Christian nation are vicariously participating in a version of the “boastful pride of life,” in which a Christian state rules over its secular enemies? Rule by compulsion through a Christian nation-state becomes a power grab more aimed at punishing secularists than at persuading people to be reconciled to Christ. And Christian nationalists shouldn’t be surprised that their “enemies” in the culture war reject Christ, as they push their “boastful pride of life” agenda.

Government, its Institution and Purpose

December 7, 2025 No Comments

To properly answer a question on Christian nationalism, one needs to know the Biblical reason behind the institution of government along with its purpose. Government was instituted in Genesis 9:6 in response to the astronomical murder rate prior to the flood. Government was called to execute murderers, and Paul would later describe its purpose, “to bring wrath on the one who practices evil.” (Romans 13:4) Very critically, the government that Christians were called to submit to was the Roman Empire led by Nero, and all examples of government authority instituted by God in the New Testament are secular. Nevertheless Christians are obliged to submit themselves based on universal apprehension of the moral law. Based on the moral law alone (apart from “Christian” law), secular princes execute justice, which prescribes penalties for breaking the law. Additionally, Christ Himself, facing unjust execution, nevertheless acknowledged Pilate had authority over Him because it was given ultimately by God. (John 19:11) The biblical description of government that emerges is one in which God accomplishes His purposes of restraining evil through secular governments, and this conclusion should inform the answer regarding Christian nationalism.

Clash of the Kingdoms

December 8, 2025 No Comments

This episode mostly contrasts the essential characteristics of the kingdom of darkness and those of the kingdom of Christ, pointing to inevitable conflict in a so-called “Christian state.” All men are naturally born into the kingdom of darkness, driven by “the big three,” “the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life.” (1 John 2:16) Once a person becomes a Christian, he/she progressively identifies more with the Kingdom “big three”: “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17) Unfortunately many believers in the U.S. are at best “carnal Christians,” in which worldly identity markers largely predominate over Kingdom characteristics. The episode then posits a grossly optimistic scenario in which 51% of American believes are substantially sanctified, motivated and identifying with the kingdom of Christ. Specifically Christian laws generated by a “Christian state” would inevitably produce a clash of the kingdoms, where the Big 3 of each would naturally collide in the public sphere. The ostensible solution, enshrined in the establishment clause of the Constitution, prohibits Congress from setting up a national church-state establishment presiding over all.