We live in an age of schisms and divisions, suspicions and attributing the worst of motives on those with whom we disagree. Kindness and gentleness are beyond the pale, and considered conversation is slammed as a betrayal to the pursuit of truth and justice. 

Christians and non-Christians alike across the social and political spectrum are frustrated. We see a culture dumping Christian thought and ideals as though it’s nuclear waste.  Many feel the need to lob rhetorical grenades across the trenches and snipers sit at the ready to shoot any messenger who dares motion into no man’s land. 

Of course, I’m using hyperbolic language…but only just. The tectonic plates of belief and hope are moving and causing major disruptions to every sphere of life. Of the answers being proposed by Christians (in some circles) is one gaining some traction in some areas of American and European Christianity, and it’s finding its way onto Australian shores as well: Christian Nationalism. 

It’s not as though Christian Nationalism is brand new; iterations have existed at different points in history, often with long-term disappointment, bloodshed, and Gospel compromise.

I understand why Christians across the United States are concerned and even angry at the some of values and views that have captured hearts. I appreciate why Aussie believers are troubled by various moral agendas that have been normalised in our political and educational institutions. However,  frustration and concern with politicians and the political process is not a reason for reactionary theology and poor exegesis.

We don’t fix one problem by adding another one; that way we end up with a bigger mess!

Stephen Mcalpine has begun a series of articles examining, Stephen Wolfe’s The Case For Christian Nationalism’. It’s not that McAlpine is itching to read Wolfe, but he notes how ideas like Wolfe’s are crying loud in both America and Australia, and a sizeable pack of mostly younger Aussies are hearing and repeating these ideas.

I encourage people to read McAlpine on this.

One of the standard bearers of Christian Nationalism in America is a pastor by the name of Doug Wilson. He serves at a church in Moscow (Idaho) and he offers a politico-religious rhetoric that could almost find a home in that other Moscow.

This week a 2021 video with Douglas Wilson has been doing the rounds again on social media. As Wilson exhorts an audience to pray for family and country, he says, 

“When God raises up the right stand bearer…now is the time, don’t take the bait, wait until God’s deliverance arrives, and when that happens we will know”

Who is this deliverer Wilson is waiting to arrive and to deliver America from what? 

To quote one friend, “Errmmmm. Pretty sure God’s deliverance already arrived about 2000 years ago?”

Grabbing Biblical words may appear strong and compelling but fusing Christological promises and categories with political identities is one bad technique.  There is only one Saviour of the world, and his name isn’t Donald Trump or Joe Biden or any world leader. There is one ultimate deliverer, the one whom the Israelites in Egypt waited and for whom the Exiles prayed and who finally came and is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. 

This is what happens when we grab OT language and remove it from its context and ignore how the Bible’s own logic tells us that OT promises are pointing to and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. American theology too often falls down on account of weak Biblical Theology. Whether it’s prosperity teaching, Christian nationalism, or even sexual ethics, ignoring the Bible’s big storyline leads to misusing words and categories, and that leads to all manner of problems. Thanks to theologians like Graeme Goldsworthy, Barry Webb, and many others, we ought to know better here in Australia. It’s not that Biblical theology is a new idea, just read Paul in Romans 9-11 for a masterclass in biblical theology. The story of redemption and how the various threads and themes of the Old Testament come to their climax and fulfilment in Christ is all there on the pages of the New Testament. But like its cousin prosperity teaching, Christian Nationalism has the bad habit of taking Old Covenant promises to Israel and misapplying them straight into modern day political systems, as though America is the new Israel (or Australia).

The topic of Christian Nationalism is on my radar this week as I’m preaching tomorrow on 2 Chronicles ch.7. It is a sublime passage that features the Temple and sacrifice and the presence of God. It is a chapter that gives both a word of warning and blessing to Israel. 2 Chronicles 7 contains a verse that is often used (or rather misused) as a call to a nation to abide by. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says,

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Russell Moore notes how this verse is sometimes torn from its intended purpose and used by American Nationalists to claim Divine blessing should America wear more Jesus t-shirts and grow bigger beards, 

“But the fact is 2 Chronicles 7:14 isn’t talking about America or national identity or some generic sense of “revival.” To apply the verse this way is, whatever one’s political ideology, theological liberalism.”

He’s right. This verse was addressed to God’s covenantal people, Israel. The fulfilment of God’s promises to Israel is found in Christ. The people of God in the new covenant aren’t any given nation, but the church and the church is international. The fulfilment of God’s promises to Israel no longer carries physical terrain and border and a nation’s sovereign political and judicial system. Citizenship is about belonging to the church. 

The book of Hebrews wonderfully explores how these themes in 2 Chronicles 7 are made perfect and permanent in Christ.  In another place, the Apostle Paul explains what the Gospel accomplishes in redeeming a people for God. The Gospel bursts barriers and borders and builds a church, 

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

We may grieve how people in our suburbs and streets are turning their backs on God, but how amazing is it that the Gospel is booming in places like Nigeria and Iran and Korea and Brazil and China. The Gospel’s flavour is multi-ethnic and international and bursts through political barriers and national borders. Praise God!

I’m not saying that Christians in Australia walk away from the public square and sit tight on uncomfortable pews behind stained glasses windows. It’s not that Christians shouldn’t participate in the political process. It’s not that we should ignore social issues and cultural debates. Such things are part of common grace and ways we can love our neighbours. It’s not however the main game. The halls of Parliament and legislative offices are not the places where God is working out his redemptive plans. It’s not just Christian Nationalists who are making that grave mistake, but some of our (theological) liberal friends who see Governmental involvement as the way to tear down sinful structures and build the Kingdom of God. In that sense, both left and right can be guilty of rubbishing due diligence with biblical theology and therefore distorting the gospel itself.

Christian Nationalism is a scourge and it will serve no good for the future of God’s Kingdom. Christian Nationalism ends up making the State into the Church and the church into a political party and turning the Gospel of grace into a weapon to beat down political opponents. Instead of being God’s message of reconciliation, it distorts the gospel into a message of social conservatism and one that sees political progressivism as the great Satan. Social and moral conservatism can be as dangerous to spiritual health in its intentions to create new forms of legalism and allegiances.  

The Apostle Paul engaged with the Gospel Governors and doorman, soldiers and businesswomen,  intellectuals and slaves. Where he preached, small communities sprung up, called churches. These communities, filled with men and people transformed by God’s gracious gospel,  lifted up something beautiful and good, making people envious to see the beauty and grace and goodness of God,

“You will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,
    was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
    was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
    was taken up in glory.” (1 Timothy 3:15-17)

If you want to impact society, believe the Gospel, serve your local church, and love your neighbour.