Christians and Christian Nationalism

There’s been a lot of attention this week about the phrase “Christian nationalism” after a member of Congress said that “we” (ie, her party) “should be Christian Nationalists.” She explained. “I love my country and I’m a Christian … and there’s nothing wrong with leading with your faith.”

She’s absolutely right: Christians should lead with their faith. But “Christian nationalism” is so much more than that — a phrase that comes with a ton of historical baggage.

… which is why I wasn’t surprised when she was immediately accused on social media of being a “Nazi.” Nor was I surprised when she scoffed at her accusers: “They hate America, they hate God, and they hate us.”

Um, not a good way to start a good conversation … if, in fact, that’s what they wanted to start, which I doubt. After all, tribalism (ie, modern day politics) depends on angry demagoguery, not healthy conversation.

So how do we talk about “Christian nationalism?” Is it good, bad, worth our concern? It’s definitely worth our concern, but first let’s clarify what we mean by the phrase. Christianity Today (CT) published an excellent article on the topic in 2021. CT was founded by Billy Graham, so it’s always had a rather conservative bent to it; but it also has a strong reputation for tackling tough topics with great care. This article is a good example, diving deeply into the complexities and history of a phrase that, on the surface at least, sounds rather innocent.

Just click Christian Nationalism

What speaks to you in that article? Do you have a clearer understanding of Christian nationalism? Is there cause for concern? Why or why not? These are important questions, especially for Christians, so let’s be the ones who model healthy, informed dialogue rather than mean-spirited, uninformed rhetoric.

It’s a start … but any good movement has to start somewhere.

Abortion Woes

This is the time of year when Supreme Court rulings are rolled out, and boy was this a particularly challenging week. As you know, the court overruled Roe v Wade, leaving decisions about abortion up to the states, preferring legislative rather than judicial action. The question, of course, is whether a woman’s right to an abortion is a fundamental human right that is protected by the Constitution, in particular the 14th amendment. 

What matters to me a great deal is that we make room for moral and theological conversation when it comes to abortion. It’s far too easy to demonize one side or the other, making broad assumptions about political motives and core beliefs. That’s not helpful. In fact, it’s lazy. As a pastor, I’m always hopeful that “my” folks will make their own moral and faith informed decision about their body, health, and future. Those decisions should be rooted in several precepts: that we are created in the image of God, loved deeply by God, and called to be embody that love for the sake of the world. Can Christians arrive at different points of view while closely adhering to those precepts? Absolutely.

For example, conservatives and Catholics celebrated the ruling, while progressive Christians protested against it. Unfortunately, national media lumps “the church” and “Christians” into a single category. That’s hardly a correct – or helpful – reading of Christians in America today. There are many factors that inform one’s opinion on abortion, including political affiliation, race, gender, region, and, yes, religion. 

… although “religion” doesn’t simply mean Christian. Jews have long held that life doesn’t begin at conception, while the Catholic church believes it does. Islam teaches that the soul doesn’t enter the fetus until 120 days, thereby leaving room for abortion prior to but not after that moment, unless the mother’s health is in danger. Both Islam and Judaism defer to the mother’s health in all circumstances. Christians differ.

Clearly there’s no single “religious” response to abortion. So how should we approach the conversation? I wish I had an easy answer, but I don’t. 

When I have questions about my health, I seek the advice and expertise of health care professionals. Likewise, when wrestling with moral and ethical questions, it makes sense to seek the input of those who spend their lives and careers wrestling with such matters. If you’re ready to dive more deeply into the moral conversation surrounding abortion, I’d recommend the following. It’s not an exhaustive list, but a starting point. Kudos to by friend Trevor Eppehimer at Hood Seminary for his input. 

• Abortion Rights: For and Against, by Kate Greasley

• Abortion Policy and Christian Social Ethics in United States, by Mako Nagasawa

• A Critical Introduction to the Ethics of Abortion, by Bernie Cantens (a purely secular study)

• Defenders of the Unborn: The Pro-Life Movement Before Roe v. Wade, by Daniel K. Williams, which presents a balanced look at the pro-life argument.

May God bless us as we continue to wrestle with these critical issues.