Christians in Politics, Part Two - How the Label “Christian Nationalist” Is Used to Silence Christian Conservatives

In my last column, I wrote about the importance of Christians being involved in politics, especially local politics. My goal in this series of articles is to encourage more Christians to be involved in the local political process. Christians are legally, morally, and biblically allowed to bring their faith with them everywhere they go, including into government.

But there are some who do not like it. In fact, they hate it.

A loud and vicious minority rails against Christians who desire to influence the political process. They barrage us with ad hominem attacks in an effort to silence the voice of Christian conservatives. They commonly use name-calling tactics to make us quiet down. Though they have a war bag of labels prepared, their current favorite is “Christian nationalist.” If you hold government office and are an outspoken Christian, if you believe Christian values should be reflected in the laws of this nation, or if you believe your faith can be part of the governmental process, you will eventually be labeled a Christian nationalist.

The term “Christian nationalist” has a long history that I will not attempt to recount in this column. It means different things to different people and has had a variety of meanings throughout history. But most Christians who love our country and want to be involved in government are not Christian nationalists. They are Christian conservatives. There is a significant difference between the two.

A Christian conservative is a certain type of conservative. They are conservatives because they support limited government, controlled spending, a free market, the rule of law, states’ rights, and individual liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. They adhere to an originalist interpretation of the United States Constitution. They want less government, not more.

In addition, they are Christian conservatives because they desire for government policies and laws to reflect traditional values long held by our nation since its founding. They want to remain “one nation, under God,” as stated in the Pledge of Allegiance. They believe in the motto of our nation, “In God We Trust.” They believe in traditional families, the pro-life movement, and that moral laws established by government should reflect God’s expectations for mankind. They believe God has given mankind certain inalienable rights and that government exists to protect those rights and acknowledge that those rights originate from a Creator. That is not Christian nationalism.

Christian conservatives look to God and to the United States Constitution, in that order, as the two guiding sources by which government policies and laws are shaped. That is not Christian nationalism. That is historic Americanism.

It is simply untrue that Christian conservatives want to force religion upon all citizens of America through government power and coercion. Christian conservatives are not trying to establish a state religion, impose religion upon others, or use government to favor Christians over non-Christians. However, it is true that we desire to be an influential part of government, and we have every right to do so.

Yet, in the minds of people who oppose Christian conservatism, you are the “greatest threat to America.” That’s right, a threat. These words were spoken from the steps of the Putnam County Courthouse on March 28 of this year during a No Kings Rally. The main speaker was an outspoken opponent of Christianity. She spoke words of hate for 18 minutes toward people she called “Christian nationalists.” But if you listened closely, she was talking about Christian conservatives just like you. The crowd cheered. Many candidates running for city and county offices were present and supportive.

People like this oppose you because you are a conservative Christian and see you as “the greatest threat to America.” Perhaps one day the term “nationalist” will be dropped, and they will simply say “Christians” are a threat.

For some reason, people of this world have always opposed Christians and our message. In fact, during the first century A.D., the term “Christian” was first used in Antioch by those who opposed the followers of Jesus. They labeled them with the term “little Christs.” Most scholars believe it was used as a dismissive slur.

People in this world will never stop calling you derogatory names because of your faith in Christ: judgmental, homophobic, bigot, unloving, and now “Christian nationalist.” If you cannot handle being falsely labeled and attacked for being a Christian in the public square, you cannot be a disciple in the public square, or anywhere for that matter.

What should be your response to name-calling and mislabeling? Scripture is clear:

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
 Luke 6:27-28

“When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure.”
 1 Corinthians 4:12

“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”
 1 Peter 3:9

These verses perfectly articulate our calling from our Savior. When reviled, bless. When cursed and abused, pray. When hated, do good. When persecuted, endure.

I know it is easier to fight back, but that is not what Jesus told us to do. You do not have to be a keyboard warrior on social media. You are not called to return evil for evil and hate for hate. As Christians, we must be bold with our faith, but we must do it in a way that reflects the nature of Christ.

You do not need to defend yourself. Just be yourself. Never stop expressing your views simply because someone berates you. Be bold, but also be a blessing.

This is difficult for many Christian conservatives. But discipleship is hard, especially in the realm of politics. Be bold. Shine the light of Christ everywhere you go. When you are reviled, scorned, hated, and mislabeled, bless.