Christian Nationalism

American Christian Nationalism is a toxic theology that has jettisoned the Jesus of the Gospels for a few verses in the book of Revelation (Revelation 19:11-16). A question to ask is, if the Jesus of the Gospels has no place in your faith, are really Christian? Does Christ have be a part of the Christian understanding of God?

The verses read, “Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies of heaven wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, “King of King and Lord of Lords.” NRSV

American Christian Nationalism likes this depiction of Jesus because he is manly, a warrior and feels focused on war and judgment. I believe that those who lead the agenda of Christian nationalism also think they are the ones following on their own white horses.

Why does this matter? First, Revelation is a book that barely made it into the cannon and is the record of a vision. It is the foundation of the discredited theology of the rapture and the Left Behind series’. Christian nationalism believes that the nation will be blessed if all are Christian (according to their flavor), and that it is their task to convert all people. Second, this image of Jesus is manly and loves war. The military are saturated with this sort of Jesus. For Christian nationalists, warriors are better than disciples. Third, these few verses of a disputed book that shows a vengeful Jesus (The Word) who is going to judge means that some people will win while others will lose. And for some, it is more important to win if others lose.

Project 2025 is a manual for making America “Christian.” It bears no resemblance to the gospels in any way. It removes safety nets, vilifies education, shames those who need food, keeps women in their place (home and hearth), strengthens the military, threatens the creation to which Jesus often directs us, Increases a system of incarceration, hates and vilifies the immigrant, exploits resources we share for privatized profits, and puts American first (which obviously Jesus never mentions but he does exhort us to see each other as one family). Below is a link the progress Project 2025 has already made.

Included under this Christian nationalism heading is information regarding Indigenous people concerns and Diversity-Equity-Inclusion (DEI) resources. Christian nationalism and colonialization are tightly bound so its implementation has an impact on human rights for anyone who does not fit into the white, cis, male “Christian” narrative. The Doctrine of Discovery is the original colonizer manifesto for Christian nationalism and from it has come human rights violations from Columbus to Project 2025.