Why Christians Should Not Be Christian Nationalists
“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you…”—2 Chronicles 20:17
Ever since the new House representative, Republican Mike Johnson, was elected, there has been a lot of talk about Christianity, nationalism, fascism, white supremacists, theocracy, and religion fundamentalists. In this article, I intend to focus particularly on Christian nationalism.
As a Jehovah’s Witness wannabe, I should remain entirely neutral about the topic. I should. But as an observer as well as a very opinionated person, I find I cannot dismiss nor suppress my viewpoint so definitively.
To that end, I will start an explanation of Christian Nationalism as I understand the phrase.
Christian Nationalism seems to embody the idea of including and even intertwining Christian values and belief systems with governance of the masses. It posits things like prayer, religious symbolism and holy objects in places of legislature, in schools, military buildings and even some secular institutions. It presses against tolerating statutes, rights or civil liberties which do not adhere to the principles set forth in holy scripture—The Bible.
Is that about right? If not, please feel free to correct or comment on whatever I misstated or left out.
As a believer, I cannot fault Christians for their underlying intentions. When you believe so passionately and sincerely that a certain system for living one’s life is the one and only true and righteous way, it’s hard to keep at bay the desire to convince (even with intensity and a measure of gas-lighting if necessary) others to embrace the same. After all, souls are at stake. Everlasting joy verses everlasting damnation is at stake.
Yet, there is a saying that goes: “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.”
In the effort to save peoples’ souls, we as Christians have managed to divide, to foment intolerance and hate, to create the most epic Us-and-Against-Them mentality the current generation of humankind has ever known. The danger is real. It’s almost tangible.
And, Jesus, if he took on a physical body and came down to access the depths of our unholy frame of mind, would yank out his hair to the point of baldness. He’d cry a river of heartfelt hurt—overflowing its bank. He’d be deeply ashamed to claim us as his own. As his followers.
Physical force nor mental and psychological manipulation nor even government legislation—none of these are the way to turn people to Jesus.
I implore everyone professing to be Christian to read 1 Corinthians chapter 13. Ruminate over it. Memorize it. Then, let that be the guide as to how we attract those who are lost to the Christian faith. Let that chapter in the Holy Word influence the way we act, the way we talk, and what we think about our fellow humans.
Take verse 5 of the Chapter, for instance. In the New International Version (copyright 1988 by The Zondervan Corporation) it says: “It is not rude.” The “it” referred to is LOVE.
Now, there are many, many things that one may consider to be rude. I, for one, consider it to be extremely rude to interrupt someone with whom you’re conversing. And I cannot tell you how much it irks me if I’m the one talking but I don’t get to finish my sentence because the person I’m talking to interrupts. Like, what I have to contribute to the discussion is as least as important as what you may have to say, even though it might not be as interesting.
Granted, because of not wanting to interrupt someone, it means I may not hear all the words coming out of your mouth due to being too focused on what-I-have-to-say-next-lest-I-forget, I may sometimes need you to repeat what you just said. Which is a little rude. Still, it is less rude than interrupting, in my head anyway.
It is also rude to interrupt another’s day by knocking on their door uninvited to talk about religion. Yet, it is more rude to yell at the knocker, hurl insults at them, slam the door in their face or call the po-po to chase them away. Just saying.
It’s rude to cut someone off while driving. Rude to cut in line. Rude to eat a fast-food meal, then go home and snub the dinner your wife cooked because you’re too full.
Yeah, I could write volumes on the innumerable ways one can be rude. But I don’t want to continue to digress.
My apologies.
Think on this, though. Wouldn’t it be extremely rude for a man or woman to presume to direct another woman about whether or not they should birth a child? Especially considering the fact that raising a child or children will radically and irrevocably change that woman’s life? The level of rudeness this demonstrates is…well…unchristian. Such Unchristianity is compounded in a case where the conception not the result of carelessness nor reckless stupidity but is due to being a victim of criminal assault, manipulation, intimidation, deceit, etc, etc. It is rude to the point of cruelty in the case where the conception is likely to lead to the woman’s own untimely death.
Some would argue: well it is most definitely rude to end the child’s life.
Yes. Yes, it is most definitely rude to end the child’s life.
However, since when is it the Christian’s place, job, appointment to execute God’s ruling on such matters?
If a murder is committed by anyone it is not the Christian’s duty to be judge, jury, and/or executioner. Or, do we not believe in the Hell we preach? Be it an inferno of eternal torture and suffering or—as Jehovah’s Witnesses contend—simply a place of nothingness where there is an utter lack of breath, of thoughts, of hopes, of the gift of life, it is and always will be God’s decision to condemn anyone to such a place or state of nonexistence. Am I right?
Here’s the crux of it: God does not need our help.
I repeat: God does not need our help.
There is going to be a Theocracy. Sooner or later. (God, I hope sooner rather than later. Amen,)
But God’s got this!
Christians do not need to do a thing but be still. And in the meantime, make sure we have our mind, body, and soul in line. That’s it!
We don’t need to get all up in politics. Do all this crazy protesting. Shooting up places. Shouting and a-hooting and a-hollering. Passing laws. Dragging pro-choice folks before the courts. Throwing ‘em in jail.
Daniel chapter 2 verse 44 tells us (in summation) that the ‘God of Heavens will set up a kingdom which will never be brought to ruin. A kingdom which will not pass unto any other kingship and will stand until times indefinite.’
And, Jesus thought us to pray: “Let thy kingdom come.”—Matthew 6:10
A kingdom is none other than a form of government. Jesus would not teach his disciples to pray for some government God has no plans of establishing. Theocracy is inevitable.
To presume we need to help God to this end is the epitome of hubris. Hubris, as we know is one of several deadly sins.
So, we as Christians need to stop it.
Just stop.
Let us take note of Jesus—how he never forced his way into a position of rulership, though he certainly could have. In fact, he did just the opposite. (John 6: 15) He never put a hand on anyone, except to heal. Even when he ripped the religious class up one side and down the other (Matthew 23:13-36) he did not touch them in any other manner (although I imagine he might have wanted to). Not once did he ever rally up a mass of people and say: “We have to protest and storm the capitol or our nation as we know it is lo-o-ost!”
No. He knew the world, even in his day, was already under Satan’s power.
Better yet, he knew who would be the One and only One to set things right.
partly cloudy day
choosing which battle to fight–
umbrella truce
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