The Greatest Challenge to Democracy

Evangelical. Conservative. Christian. The meaning of these words has changed drastically in the past couple of years. A non-Christian friend recently asked me how Christians could justify Christian nationalism. That question stuck in my head for days afterward.

Christian nationalism bears little resemblance to the faith I have grown up with. At church, we were taught “to love your enemy”, “to turn the other cheek”, and “that the meek shall inherit the earth”. We learned that “there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all”. Yet in today’s divisive environment, many purported faith leaders are combative, degrading, and angry. Even the word “evangelical” is no longer about spreading the love of Christ. Rather, it is used as a political identity—a cudgel used to attack others. As a Christian, I am wounded by how the love of God has been twisted into hatred and division. In the past two decades, Christian nationalism has skyrocketed from a fringe political ideology to being proclaimed and supported by mainstream elected political leaders. Today it’s a threat to our political system, societal cohesion, and even democracy itself.

On January 6, 2021, over one-thousand people stormed the Capital Building in Washington, D.C. Many held Bibles, and some even held pictures of Jesus with a MAGA hat. Not only were Christian nationalists participants in the storming of the capital, they were also instrumental in organizing the insurrection itself. Over a year later, Christian nationalism still is thriving with more than half of Republicans believing that the U.S. ought to be a Christian nation. Political figures such as Majorie Taylor Greene proudly declare themselves to be Christian nationalists while many other Republicans are sympathetic to Christian nationalist ideals. Christian nationalists pose the greatest threat to our nation because their overarching goal is to ensure that conservatives and white evangelicals stay in power no matter the cost. It follows that true adherents would even choose to give up democracy to make America a Christian nation. In addition, Christian Nationalists hold a “win-at-all-costs” mentality. This is exemplified by the passage of multiple voter suppression bills in red-leaning states that intentionally target young or minority voters who predominantly vote for Democrats—and make it easier for leaders among the religious right to retain power. When people leverage their faith to take away the votes and rights of others, that is when we know our democracy is at risk.

In early 2008, the Pew Research Center released a projection that showed that America’s white population would no longer be the majority by 2050. In November of that year, America elected its first Black president, Barack Obama. America was changing, and many of those in power saw themselves losing their position in an increasingly diverse and pluralistic society, leading to the rise of the Christian nationalist movement. Not surprisingly, the protestors at Charlottesville’s Unite the Right Rally in 2017 chanted, “You will not replace us!” White evangelical Christians made up a key voting bloc that brought Donald Trump into power in 2016, voting for him 80% to 16% for Hillary Clinton, who was seen as Obama’s chosen successor. The rejection of the legacy of our first Black president, a practicing Christian, led many Christians to vote for Trump, a man decidedly not of any faith.

Thomas Johnson, a senior theological advisor to the World Evangelical Alliance, notes:
According to Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus encouraged people to ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.’ In that statement, Jesus distinguished between two realms: the kingdom of God, to which his followers owe their ultimate allegiance, and human kingdoms, to which we owe obedience unless their requirements are in direct conflict with our allegiance to God.

Jesus differentiates between church and state because the two realms are simply incompatible. Christian nationalist ideology runs directly against this teaching. Fundamentally, Christianity is about the personal relationship between God and people of faith — individuals who choose to live in a way that pleases God daily. Forcing Christianity on people by using state power to make them obey God’s laws does not work and only instills fear or resentment. In order to truly stop Christian nationalism, churches must change the mindset of their congregations by emphasizing a different aspect of Christian theology. Instead of focusing on a “Warrior Christ”—a savior willing to use force to destroy his enemies—it is more important to look at the actual teachings of Jesus, which emphasize grace, openness, and humility. After all, that is how Jesus lived. Jesus would not recognize the Christianity that Christian nationalists profess. They use the name of Christ but listen to none of his teachings. And they risk destroying this great nation along the way.

Jesus would not recognize the Christianity that Christian nationalists profess.

Christian nationalism has taken root in the Christian faith and spread across churches and communities. It has become an identity, a rallying cry, and a reactionary movement against an America that has grown more pluralistic and diverse. It has evolved from a fringe movement to one which has gone mainstream, even resulting in an attempt to overthrow the government.

Christian nationalism can only be stopped by truly following God’s words and actions. Churches and Christians must underscore the importance of seeking justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly. After all, that is the only way to truly Make America Great Again.