On September 28th, The Idaho Statesman ran an opinion piece by Chenele Dixon entitled “Christian Nationalism Is Not Christian.” Dixon, a former state legislator, raises concerns about the intersection of Christianity and politics. Another Idaho politician defended her article to me, prompting this response. I recommend reading her article before considering my reply.
Two points worth noting:
First, in my view, Dixon’s article does not sufficiently define “Christian Nationalism” or clarify who precisely the “Christian Nationalists” are.
Second, the article’s core premise is flawed. Christian conservatives do not allow politics to inform their faith—the reverse is true. Our faith, as Paul Ryan once said, “informs every aspect of our lives,” including our politics.
The crux of the argument is misplaced.
What Is “Christian Nationalism”?
Here is a commonly used definition of Christian Nationalism, offered by PBS and echoed in academic literature:
“Christian Nationalism is a political and cultural ideology that seeks to merge a nation’s identity—most often, the United States—with Christianity, advocating for the government to promote or enforce Christian values, symbols, and narratives as central to national life. Supporters typically believe that the country’s success and true identity are rooted in Christianity, and that the government should reflect and protect this heritage.”christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org
The core problem with this ideology is that it blurs the lines between faith and politics. Religion should not be informed by politics; rather, politics should be informed by religion. While individuals should advocate for government policies that align with their convictions, the government itself should never enforce one particular religious philosophy or politicize faith—just as it should avoid weaponizing institutions like the DOJ. Alongside reason, the inherited traditions of Western culture have shaped social and political institutions designed to safeguard liberty. Institutions such as the Mormon church, Catholic parishes, Jewish synagogues, and Protestant congregations each contribute to this civic life.
Let us remember that many forefathers risked their lives to secure the right to worship freely and follow their own “voice within,” as my Quaker ancestors would say. Christians led movements to abolish slavery and secure women’s suffrage—both here and abroad. For those interested in the Christian response to slavery, a reading of the Book of Philemon can provide perspective. When considering other accusations against Christian tradition, the Book of Ruth is also instructive. The Beatitudes, referenced by Dixon, speak to these issues, but must be understood within the wider context of the Old Testament Law and Christ’s teachings. Christians are called to confront evil in all its forms—not merely those that are obvious, but even those masquerading as good. Jesus’ expulsion of money changers from the Temple exemplifies a call for spiritual integrity, rejecting the commercialization and politicization of faith, and ensuring that worship serves justice and prayer for all.
Equating “Christian Nationalism” with totalitarianism or using terms such as “Nazi,” “bigot,” or “racist” to tar all Christian conservatives is as unfair as ascribing the political philosophies of Bernie Sanders or AOC to all progressives. Aristotelian logic reminds us that “what’s true of the part is not true of the whole, and vice versa”—a principle worth applying to today’s political debates.
I am a proud Christian conservative, committed to letting my faith inform every aspect of my life—including my politics.
Historical Notes on Faith and the Founders
In response to the defender’s points about the founders’ “Deism,” it is true that Jefferson and Franklin are frequently cited as Deists. However, Adams, Hamilton, Washington, and John Jay were outspoken about Christian principles. At the time of the Declaration and through the Articles of Confederation, every state constitution except Pennsylvania (with its Quaker heritage) explicitly referenced a Christian God. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 also included such a reference. ebsco+1
Every U.S. state constitution contains at least one reference to God or a divine being, with wording that varies by state. Most states use “God,” but states such as Colorado, Iowa, Hawaii, and Washington reference a “Supreme Being” or “Divine Guidance”. Idaho’s constitution, for example, begins: “We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare do establish this Constitution.” Does anyone seriously suggest that this preamble should be stripped of its spiritual roots? pewresearch+1
Governments not grounded in faith—consider communist states or even some seemingly “goodful” nations—have often slipped into generational bondage. As F.A. Hayek argued, enduring moral values must be rooted in tradition, not fleeting human desire; even Ayn Rand, an atheist, recognized as much.
Idaho’s constitution and those words reflect the belief that freedom, or “liberty with duty,” is humanity’s second greatest gift from God. The U.S. Constitution, for the first time in history, asserted that rights come not from government but from the Creator. No government can legitimately revoke those rights. ebsco+1
The moral pillars of our Republic rest on Judeo-Christian principles. Failing to uphold these threatens liberty for all.
P.S. I used to admire David Brooks as a “Burkean Republican Whig,” but have found his recent work more gnostic in tone.
Thank you for the thoughtful discussion.
One reply on “On Christian Nationalism”
“Christian Nationalism” is nothing more than a dog-whistle. But instead of laughing at the whistle, we should be pointing out the absolutely naked moral character of those blowing it.
Christianity itself holds up the absolute highest standards of personal morality as that which society should strive for. It recognizes the fallibility of humanity and offers mercy, but points out that there is a better way of doing everything. Contrast that with the absence of morality by those blowing the dog whistle – the secular humanists who are offended by Christianity’s call to reach for perfection. To those who prefer moral relativism in order to justify their corruption, Christianity is a direct threat because it openly challenges their selfishness and reminds them that ultimately they will be held accountable for their actions.
Our Founding Fathers recognized the moral superiority of Christianity when they adopted the Declaration of Independence. By holding “these truths self-evident, that all Men are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights”, they established several critical truths about the American principles of governance.
First, the principle that rights do not come from government. A representative government under God seeks truth and reflects that in the laws adopted and enforced by society. It brooks no self-deception, dishonesty, or corruption that will not eventually be held to account by God Himself. For the self-conscious, this is a powerful moral reminder to those in positions of power.
Second, that because all of humanity are God’s Creations, that we are all on equal footing before Him and His Law, and consequently that everyone should be held to the same standards in mortality. We are all equals before the law. And this extends to those charged with administering our laws as well: favoritism is not to be tolerated in the halls of Justice.
Our nation was indeed founded by nationalists who all believed in a Judeo-Christian God and the beauty, simplicity, tolerance, and equality present in the Christian theology as a model for societal governance. And they sacrificed much to “brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
What do the secular humanists and moral relativists have to offer? They offer only a bottom-of-the-barrel mentality which favors “might makes right” and eschews the dignity of man. Let them blow their little dog whistles if they choose. Just stare them down and point out they have no clothes, then watch them slink off to hide in the shadows.