Christian nationalism has emerged in recent years as a potent and dangerous force in American politics. While some try to paint it as a natural fusion of faith and patriotism, the reality is far more troubling. As former minister and Texas State Representative James Talarico explains, Christian nationalism is not about following the teachings of Jesus Christ, it’s about using Christianity as a tool to gain power.
Top Three Takeaways from the Article:
Christian Nationalism Is About Power, Not Faith: It uses Christianity as a vehicle to gain social, political, and economic power, often at the expense of marginalized communities, rather than following the teachings of Jesus.
Jesus Taught Servant Leadership, Not Domination: Biblical passages show that Jesus consistently rejected the pursuit of earthly power and instead emphasized humility, service, and compassion for others.
Christian Nationalism Contradicts the Gospel: Policies associated with Christian nationalism, such as banning abortion, enforcing religious displays in schools, and persecuting LGBTQ people, are fundamentally at odds with the message of liberation, love, and justice that Jesus preached.
Christian nationalism is not rooted in love, service, or humility, the virtues that Jesus embodied. Instead, it worships control. It seeks to dominate others through political, economic, and social power, all while cloaked in the language of religion. As Talarico put it, it’s about “the worship of power in the name of Christ.” And in that pursuit of power, Christian nationalism has pushed policies that hurt rather than help in the form of total abortion bans, mandatory posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools, and the promotion of deeply oppressive ideologies targeting women, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and religious minorities.
The Teachings of Jesus Stand in Opposition
Over and over again in the Gospels, Jesus rejected power and control. In Luke 9:51–56, when his disciples asked if they should call down fire from heaven on an unwelcoming village, Jesus rebuked them. He chose mercy over punishment, and compassion over dominance.
In Matthew 20:20–28, Jesus directly contrasts the pursuit of power with the calling of his followers. When the disciples’ mother asks Jesus to place her sons in positions of authority, Jesus explains that greatness in his kingdom comes through service, not status. “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant,” he says, turning worldly power structures upside down.
And in one of the most direct rebukes of political domination, Luke 4:5–8 tells us that Jesus rejected Satan’s offer of control over all the kingdoms of the world. Power, even over nations, was not his goal. Worship of God and service to others was.
The Gospel of Liberation, Not Domination
Christianity, at its core, is about liberation, both spiritual and social. Jesus spent his life ministering to the poor, healing the sick, eating with outcasts, and challenging the religious elite. His ministry was a direct challenge to those who used religion to elevate themselves while ignoring the suffering of others.
Christian nationalism twists this message by building walls where Jesus tore them down. It imposes laws and policies that cause harm, especially to the most vulnerable. It promotes a version of Christianity that is more concerned with control than with compassion. And it replaces the cross, a symbol of sacrificial love, with the sword.
A Call to Reclaim Faith from Nationalism
If Christians are to remain true to the teachings of Jesus, they must reject Christian nationalism in all its forms. Faith should never be a tool for domination. It should be a force for justice, for mercy, and for the dignity of all people.
We live in a time when political movements are trying to blur the lines between faith and authoritarianism. It is more important than ever to remember that Jesus did not come to claim earthly thrones. He came to wash feet.
Christianity must return to its roots, not in power, but in love.