Every day, followers of Christ face various challenges in a culture that is increasingly hostile to our faith. While our citizenship is indeed in Heaven, we have responsibilities and work to do in the time and place God has placed us. (Ephesians 2:10) Our faith is not meant to be confined within the walls of our churches and homes. Our Christian witness should be lived out in every sphere of life, including the political arena.
Recently, the phrase “Christian Nationalism” has been in the headlines. Left-wing political activists and corporate media types want us to regard Bible-believing people as extremists (and even racists). To think that the United States was founded as a Christian nation, and, therefore, should remain a Christian nation today and in the future, is a ridiculous notion in their eyes. Yes, they unwittingly denigrate and disparage Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 28:16-20 to “make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (also known as The Great Commission).
The problem is not only in how they define “Christian Nationalism,” but in the Left’s assumptions about how it is to be fulfilled. They worry that Christians would use the heavy hand of government to coerce and mandate Christian faith and obedience. But this could not be further from the truth.
Unlike the way that Marxists, Wokeists, and other humanists use political authority to mandate their agenda, sincere, Bible-believing Christians are not interested in outward conformity, but rather genuine conversions of the heart and mind. The secular world does not seem to understand that the core mission of Christianity is spiritual redemption (repentance and reconciliation with God) — not political power.
As we contemplate this contrived controversy, the question arises: How are we to think about so-called, “Christian Nationalism?” Should we blindly accept the way non-Christians are defining it? How should Christians seek to influence our national identity, culture, and politics?
We are so very grateful that Reverand Dr. Erwin Lutzer, a prominent evangelical Christian speaker and former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, has taken time to address this topic in an important video message you should watch and share with your family, friends, and neighbors.
In his message, Dr. Lutzer emphasizes that national identity or political engagement should never supplant or redefine the Gospel’s message or the church’s mission. He encourages Christian engagement in the public square as we prioritize our allegiance to Christ above all else. The Kingdom of God is not of this world, but eternal. He highlights the dangers of compromising Christian values and the importance of standing firm against evil, even in the face of persecution.
