Various authors and commentators continue to address the issue of Christian nationalism. Christian nationalism is not to be confused with patriotism, which is an individual’s love and loyalty to the nation in which they live. In the most basic sense, one would think Christian nationalism is a desire to have a God-centered nation governed by God-centered people.
For many, the problem with that definition of Christian nationalism is that “God-centered” is interpreted as distinctly Christian, and that implies legislating Christianity upon everyone, which then implies man’s interpretation of Christianity in deference to all the other religions. This evokes some serious questions.
What is the meaning of “Separation of church and state?”
Should our nation’s government promote Christian moral values? Scripture instructs us in 1 Timothy 2:1-5 to pray for our leaders. Romans 13:1-4 tells us that there is no authority except from God, so praying for our government is certainly Christian.
But how can our government promote Christian values without declaring our country a Christian nation? Should the Bible or the will of the people take precedence in our government and in our nation?
What is the meaning of “One nation under God?”
Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to “trust in God and lean not on our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge God and He will direct our steps.” But then the question becomes “which God?” Is it the God of the Christians and the Jews, or the god of the Muslims, or the gods of the Buddhist and Hindus? And what about those who don’t believe in any God?
The mandate of our culture today seems to lean toward redefining everything, including God, which in turn is subject to interpretation. Maybe we should pause and revisit our country’s historical foundations and the words of the Declaration of Independence to understand our beginnings in relation to where we are today as a nation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among them are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
This article doesn’t offer a definitive position on Christian nationalism but points out the complexity of the issue and instead humbly offers “food for thought.” As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).
Dr. Pat Polis
Joy 620 WRJZ
The Church Mechanic
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