Christian Nationalism: A new Biblical critique of its dangers

In the past six years as a church planter, I have met several unchurched young white men who want to investigate the gospel because they reject secular liberalism and the rainbow agenda.

They think we are throwing away our Christian heritage, but don’t really know what it is. Their starting point includes a suspicion of mass immigration (one called it a form of genocide), a fierce patriotism, a fear of Islam, and a strong antipathy to alternative sexualities. Some of them had already connected online with Christian men in other countries who run forest training camps to build physical and spiritual muscle. As we explored the gospel together, this strong nationalism faded as they grasped God’s grace in Christ and came to faith.

However, are they part of a bigger trend? Christian Nationalism is a movement that has gained traction in the USA, gaining attention after the January 6 protests in Washington in 2021. It takes various forms and is more a rebel militia than an organised army. Readers may be familiar with the work of Douglas Wilson or Joe Rigney. Here I limit myself to a review of Stephen Wolfe’s book The Case for Christian Nationalism, seen as a definitive statement of their position.