This post is part 37 of a series on Christian citizenship, and why I believe mixing Christian identity with American identity is bad for both. I hope to give you little bite-sized thoughts, which represent themes you'll find throughout the Bible and historic Christian teachings.
Today's reason I want to live as a Christian in a multi-faith nation: Because the teachings of my church, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, are at odds with Christian Nationalism.
In a draft social statement coming up for a vote next summer, our church says, "The ELCA understanding of civic life and faith is at odds
with Christian nationalism because the latter seeks to fuse the exercise of
political authority with a selected set of supposed 'Christian' ideals. It also
asserts that Christianity should be a privileged religion in the United States...Christian nationalists pledge allegiance to their version
of the United States, first making the U.S. into an idol and seeing God’s plan
in U.S. society as including only those whose religious beliefs fuse with a
certain view of that society.” (article 37)
"Christian Nationalism" is a term being used a lot more in the last 5 years than ever before. But that doesn't mean it only began recently. It's been around for a long time, and it has never been faithful to scripture or Christian teachings.
When we attempt to fuse our Christian beliefs with our political ideology, and when we suggest that God has a special plan for the United States above other nations, we are committing the sin of idolatry. We can't both know Jesus as Lord, and give divine status to our own vision for our country.
God is the Lord of all nations, and God's plan is to make peace with the whole creation through Christ. No nation comes first or last in that scheme: the shortest distance to peace with God is not over any country's border, but the one step in our hearts, to the foot of the cross.
Learn more about our draft social statement and provide feedback HERE.
For more background information read this statement from the ELCA's presiding bishop, or learn about Christians Against Christian Nationalism.
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