Let’s Call “Christian” Nationalism What It Is

False prophets of a false god

The concept of “Christian” nationalism has been in the news lately. That’s understandable given how often and how much certain groups are pushing the belief that America is a Christian nation and even that it should be an exclusively Christian nation. At least, that’s what they say on their external packaging.

“Christian” nationalism is a convenient term for both advocates and detractors, but like most convenient terms, it is not very accurate. The movement so labeled is advancing a belief system that isn’t so much a religion as it is a chauvinist political movement.

There Is No “Christian” nationalism

The reality is that there is no such thing as “Christian” nationalism and not just because Christianity is the opposite of nationalism. The apostle Paul wrote in Galatians, “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28) By every other conceivable measure, these “god, guns, and country” people are not Christian. These people are nationalists, but the type of nationalist that they are is important.

The “god, guns, and country” people are American nationalists. They are devotees of the myth of American…