As an evangelical, I’ve always adamantly opposed those within evangelical circles who advocate for Christian nationalism—or Dominionism or Reconstructionism or whatever label one might assign to the notion that Christians should rule the nation in a theocratic manner. I’ve always contended that the movement is counterproductive to the true evangelical calling, which very plainly is to “make disciples.”
Nowhere in the New Testament is there any command, demand, or even request for Christians to seize control of local, state, or national governments. Yet doing so has become the principal goal of most modern white evangelicals. They follow this course—as I’ve written elsewhere—not based on any New Testament teaching, but rather on the mistaken notion that the USA is the modern-day equivalent of Old Testament Israel.
“You’ve Gone Too Far”
The United States of America is not and never has been a theocratic or even Christian nation. Ours is a nation open to all, a nation that welcomes the free exchange of ideas in the open marketplace of beliefs and philosophies. It is a nation that allowed Christianity to thrive, but its founders clearly never meant for it to be controlled by any single religion.
Nor, obviously, do the majority of Americans want to be ruled by a pseudo-theocracy. They made that clear in Tuesday’s elections. In a sharp rebuke to the recent Supreme Court ruling ending federal abortion rights protections, voters in California, Michigan, and Vermont passed bills granting abortion rights. And even in ultra-conservative Kentucky, a bill to ban abortions appears certain to be defeated. Earlier, the similarly conservative Kansas also defeated a proposed constitutional amendment to, essentially, end abortion rights.
As I wrote in an earlier post, evangelicals’ and Catholics’ attempts to end abortion through legislation is counterproductive on two levels. First, it’s counterproductive at the most fundamental level because those who favor the preservation of abortion rights outnumber those in opposition. Every step to the right on the legislative front will inevitably be followed by two steps to the left. These legislative attempts are futile, and they must end.
“I’m Not Interested in What You’re Selling”
The other reason these statutory attempts are counterproductive is their effect on those of whom Christians are called to “make disciples.” Knocking on strangers’ doors to hand out “evangelistic” tracts, inviting neighbors to church, sending money to firebrand “evangelical” preachers, and old-fashioned “come-to-Jesus” tent meetings are inefficient and unproductive—sometimes counterproductive—means of evangelism. From the beginning, the one tried-and-true method of making disciples has been through what is commonly called “friendship evangelism.” (However, there’s no shortage of Christian leaders and pundits who oppose this method. But this is not the place to argue with those naysayers.)
My point is this: Trying to share the gospel message with one’s literal or figurative neighbor while literally or figuratively fighting with him or her over a hot-button issue like abortion is about as effective as asking the boss for a raise right after insulting her.
Evangelicals need to jettison imprudent attempts to legislate a “Christian lifestyle.” We need to unreservedly reject any attempt at Christian nationalism. We need to look again at the life of Jesus, who said of Himself, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” We need to reflect on passages such as Proverbs 25:21, which says, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.” We need to remember Jesus’ call to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
The true Christian calling is in direct opposition to the screeches for Christian domination from the likes of Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert. Our goal should not be to force unbelievers to live what we perceive to be a Christian lifestyle. Our goal must be to reflect to everyone we meet the unconditional love of God as evidenced in Christ’s sacrificial death for them. Then, it just might be possible that one day those neighbors to whom we’ve shown Christ’s love will be more willing to engage in a gracious exchange of ideas and values.
Consider becoming a member of Christians Against Christian Nationalism.