Are you a follower of the Christian nationalist ideology?
Article Title: Am I a Christian Nationalist? Understanding the Controversial Ideology
In a recent article published in Evangelical Focus under the title "North American perspectives", author Bruce Barron delves into the complex and contentious issue of Christian nationalism.
Bruce Barron, an accomplished author and editor with a deep interest in religion and politics, encourages readers to explore Thomas K. Johnson's article on Christian extremism, published shortly after the 2021 mob attack on the U.S. Capitol. Barron's own body of work includes seven books on the subject and his tenure as the editor of the World Evangelical Alliance's theology journal from 2018 to 2024.
So, what is Christian nationalism? Broadly speaking, it is a political and social ideology that merges Christian identity or values closely with national identity. Proponents of this ideology argue that a nation should be defined by, governed according to, or favour the interests of Christianity as the foundational cultural and political framework.
However, the term applies variably depending on national contexts, historical traditions, and the specific Christian groups involved. While explicit studies on Christian nationalism per se are limited, related concepts such as Christian Zionism illustrate a form of Christian religious nationalism. This form of nationalism supports the political state of Israel as divinely chosen and central to biblical prophecy, and is particularly prominent in the United States and has some influence in Israel itself.
In the United States, Christian nationalism is often associated with segments of evangelical and conservative Protestant groups who advocate for policies and a cultural identity that privilege Christianity in public life. This can manifest in efforts to influence government, legal systems, and education to align with certain Christian beliefs.
In Brazil, Christian nationalism is often associated with certain evangelical Pentecostal groups that have gained political power, sometimes pushing for laws and policies that embed Christian moral values into the state.
It's important to note that not all Christian groups fit the label of Christian nationalism. For example, Christian Zionism is a specific variant, focusing on theological support for Israel's Jewish state rather than nationalism based on a particular country's Christian identity.
The term is often used with greater precision in contexts like the United States, where the ideology is associated with concrete political movements, whereas in some other countries, Christian political influence may be more diffuse or tied to religious conservatism rather than explicit nationalism.
One of the survey questions asked respondents for their opinion on whether U.S. laws should be based on Christian values, which the survey considers an indication of Christian nationalism. However, Barron expresses concern about the use of the term "Christian nationalism" to demonize the majority of Christians who have no intention of taking over government. He believes that four out of the survey's five questions did not clearly distinguish "Christian nationalists" from other Christians.
Matthew 22:21, a quote from the Bible, encourages separating secular and religious matters. In light of this, it's crucial to approach the concept of Christian nationalism with discernment and nuance.
A Pew Research Center survey found that the two countries with the highest percentage of people supporting "religious nationalism" are Kenya (32%) and the Philippines (21%). The Wikipedia article on Christian nationalism claims evidence of such movements in 13 countries.
Barron's blog can be subscribed to at brucebarron.substack.com. For those interested in delving deeper into the topic, Barron's writings on Christian views of government are cited in the Wikipedia article on dominion theology.
In conclusion, Christian nationalism is a political-religious ideology where Christian identity shapes national identity and policy, varying in form and presence across countries. It is predominantly linked with evangelical political activism in the U.S., while in places like Israel, Christian Zionism represents a related but distinct variant concerning support for the Jewish state. The term applies accurately primarily to those Christian groups that explicitly intertwine their faith with nationalistic aims, not to all Christians or Christian traditions broadly. This framework helps distinguish between faith-based communities and those engaging in Christian nationalist politics.
- Christian nationalism's political and social ideology intertwines Christian identity with national identity, a concept that has been prevalent among certain evangelical groups in the United States.
- In other countries, such as Brazil, some evangelical Pentecostal groups have gained political power, promoting laws and policies that embed Christian values into the state, which can also be considered a form of Christian nationalism.
