Christian Nationalism: Why Blending the Cross and the Flag Damages the Gospel

Bible Believing Christian
Sep 23
5 min read

Updated: Sep 24

Christian Nationalism: Why Blending the Cross and the Flag Damages the Gospel

“Christian nationalism” promises cultural renewal by wedding Christian identity to national identity. It sounds noble—who doesn’t want a “Christian nation”?—but history and Scripture warn that mixing the kingdom of God with the kingdoms of this world distorts both. The gospel cannot be reduced to a party platform or enforced by state power without being disfigured.

What Is Christian Nationalism?

Christian nationalism is the belief that a particular nation (often one’s own) has a special divine mandate to be Christian in identity, symbols, and laws—and that the state should privilege Christianity to secure that mandate. In practice, it:

treats national identity as if it were covenant identity,

turns political victories into quasi-spiritual triumphs,

and measures faithfulness by loyalty to the nation rather than loyalty to Christ.

Why It’s Theologically Wrong

It confuses two kingdoms.
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36 NASB)

The church advances by the Word and Spirit, not by the sword or statecraft: “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh.” (2 Corinthians 10:4 NASB)

It swaps heavenly citizenship for earthly passports.
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20 NASB)

It narrows the gospel to one tribe.
The church is multiethnic and supranational: “There is neither Jew nor Greek… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28 NASB); “a great multitude… from every nation.” (Revelation 7:9 NASB)

It tempts the church to idolatry.
“You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3 NASB) and “Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21 NASB)

When the nation becomes the functional savior, it has taken God’s place.

It betrays our mission.
The church is sent to make disciples, not to conquer electorates: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matthew 28:19 NASB)

A Brief Historical Sketch

The Suspicion of the Early Church (1st–3rd centuries)

The earliest Christians refused civil religion. They honored rulers (Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13–17) yet rejected emperor worship and violent coercion. Their growth came through witness, holiness, and martyr-courage, not political privilege.

Constantine and the Imperial Turn (4th century)

With Constantine (A.D. 312) and Theodosius (A.D. 380), Christianity gained imperial favor. Benefits abounded (an end to persecution), but so did compromises: bishops became imperial administrators, and the church learned to lean on the state. Over time, coercion crept in—heresy punished by law—and the logic of the cross began to be eclipsed by the logic of power.

Medieval & Early Modern State-Churches

Across Europe, church and crown intertwined. The magisterial Reformation often retained state control of religion, and “confessional states” fought brutal wars. Whenever baptism rolls and census rolls were treated as the same list, discipleship was diluted.

Modern Nationalisms

Nazi Germany: “German Christians” fused nationalism, race ideology, and religious symbols; the confessing church resisted by insisting Christ alone is Lord.

Apartheid South Africa: biblical language was twisted to sacralize racial hierarchy; faithful believers rejected this as heresy.

Soviet & post-Soviet contexts: state manipulation of churches as soft power shows that whenever the church is a client of the state, truth gets muzzled.

How It’s Emerging in America

Churches importing campaign rhetoric into sermons.

Making party loyalty the test of Christian faith.

Civil-religion pageantry in worship that confuses patriotism with piety.

Treating political victories as if they were kingdom come.

What Scripture Actually Commands

1) Honor the State—Don’t Marry It

“Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God…” (Romans 13:1 NASB)

“For the Lord’s sake, submit to every human institution… Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:13, 17 NASB)

Submission is civic virtue, not theology of fusion. When the state commands what God forbids, we obey God: “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29 NASB)

2) Seek Justice—God’s Way

“He has told you, O man, what is good… to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8 NASB)

Justice is pursued through truth, mercy, and humility, not vengeance or propaganda (Romans 12:17–21 NASB; 1 Peter 2:23 NASB).

3) Keep the Mission Central

Paul removed every avoidable obstacle to reach as many as possible:

“I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:22 NASB)

Turning the pulpit into a stump speech alienates half the mission field and becomes, practically, an impediment to the gospel.

Why Christian Nationalism Is Pastorally Dangerous

It disqualifies shepherds who divide the flock.
Elders must be above reproach, not quarrelsome or self-willed (1 Timothy 3:2–3 NASB; Titus 1:7–9 NASB). Making partisan allegiance a test of fellowship splits Christ’s body.

It replaces the cross with a coalition.
The church’s unity is in Christ crucified and risen, not in party platforms (1 Corinthians 2:2 NASB; Ephesians 2:14–18 NASB).

It disciples people in outrage, not in holiness.
James warns against demonic wisdom marked by jealousy and selfish ambition (James 3:14–15 NASB). Political rage catechizes souls away from the fruit of the Spirit.

It confuses witness with dominance.
Jesus rejected power-grabs (John 6:15 NASB). The New Testament church conquered the empire by love and truth, not legislation.

Misconceptions / Objections

“But Israel was a nation under God.”Yes—and Israel pointed beyond itself to Christ. In the new covenant, God’s people are a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9 NASB) scattered among all nations, defined by faith, not a flag (Galatians 3:7–9 NASB).

“If we don’t take power, evil will.”The call is to faithful presence—salt and light—not to messianic politics. Christians can serve in public life with integrity, but the church must never become a party’s chaplain (Matthew 5:13–16 NASB).

“Isn’t patriotism good?”Gratitude is good; idolatry is not. Give Caesar his coin and God your heart (Matthew 22:21 NASB). When love of country overtakes love of God and neighbor, we’ve crossed the line.

A Better Way: Citizens of Heaven, Good Neighbors on Earth

Pray for rulers (1 Timothy 2:1–2 NASB).

Obey just laws and do good (1 Peter 2:15 NASB).

Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15 NASB).

Refuse partiality (James 2:1 NASB).

Pursue justice God’s way (Micah 6:8 NASB; Romans 12:18–21 NASB).

Preach Christ—not party—so that the cross remains the offense and not our politics (Galatians 5:11 NASB).

Christ-Centered Conclusion

Christian nationalism promises cultural salvation, but only Jesus saves. The church does its best public work when it keeps the gospel central, loves the least, honors authorities without worshiping them, and embodies a kingdom not of this world. Nations rise and fall. The crucified and risen King reigns forever.

“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude…” (Hebrews 12:28 NASB)