What does it mean to have a Christian government?

It's not uncommon today to hear the words "Christian Nation" thrown around. Whether in local communities or across media platforms, the phrase is used in various ways, often with positive intent—such as advocating for prayer in schools by claiming, "This is a Christian nation." The broader idea of structuring a government around Christian principles is known as Christian Nationalism. There was a time when this term would cause hesitation and backpedaling. But today, the idea of Christian Nationalism resonates with more people than ever. Given this shift, it's worth taking a deep dive into what Christian Nationalism means—both in intent and in implication.

Defining Christian Nationalism

According to Merriam-Webster, Christian Nationalism is defined as:

"An ideology calling for a government that incorporates or endorses aspects of Christian religion (as by making decisions, laws, policies, etc., in accordance with Christian beliefs, by engaging in government promotion of Christianity, or by legally enforcing Christian doctrine)."

Sociologists Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry expand on this in their book "Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States" (2020), describing it as "a cultural framework that idealizes and advocates a fusion of Christianity with American civic life."

At first glance, this definition may not seem controversial. However, I want to examine a few aspects of it that I find concerning, particularly when religious principles become codified into law.

When Christian Ideals Become Law

The most immediate issue is the idea that Christian principles should automatically become law simply because they are Christian ideals. While this might sound appealing on the surface, a quick look around at the diversity within Christianity itself reveals a major complication. Take a drive through any town and count the different denominations of churches—each with unique interpretations of Christian doctrine. If Christians can't even agree on key theological issues, what happens when these differences become codified into law?

There are two ways this usually plays out:

1. A Single Interpretation Becomes the Official Stance – The government picks a specific Christian interpretation to uphold, and all others must fall in line. This is exactly what happened with the Church of England, leading to divisions within Christianity itself and religious oppression. As historian Diarmaid MacCulloch details in "The Reformation: A History," such state churches inevitably led to persecution and religious wars throughout Europe. History has already shown the consequences of intertwining government and religious doctrine—often leading to persecution of both those within the faith and those outside of it. The French Wars of Religion (1562-1598) provide a sobering historical example of the bloodshed that can result.
2. A Watered-Down Version of Christianity Becomes the Norm – Instead of choosing a single doctrine, a government might attempt to make Christian laws broad enough to satisfy most people. However, when you compromise on everything to be widely accepted, you dilute the faith to the point where it loses its true meaning. The result? Hollow policies that satisfy no one and fail to reflect the true gospel.

These are just the immediate dangers of institutionalizing Christian Nationalism, but they are not my primary concerns. Beyond the practical complications of implementation lies a more fundamental issue at the intersection of faith and governance.

The Real Danger: Mixing Religion and Politics

Politics is inherently a system of compromise—deals are made, positions are negotiated, and stances are adjusted for political gain. Christianity, on the other hand, is supposed to be uncompromising in faith and truth. When the two mix, the result is not a purer government—it's a corrupted version of Christianity that prioritizes power over faithfulness.

Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr explored this tension in his influential work "Moral Man and Immoral Society," arguing that the application of religious ideals to political institutions often leads to their corruption. Similarly, French philosopher Jacques Ellul warned in "The Political Illusion" about how political power inevitably distorts religious principles.

When religion becomes a political tool, the focus shifts from the gospel to political agendas. Instead of faithfully following Christ in all areas of life, many Christian Nationalists select a handful of "key" issues to prioritize—often at the expense of everything else.

The result? Christians passionately advocate for prayer in schools, opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, and anti-abortion policies, while remaining silent on greed, injustice, care for the poor, and the love of enemies—the very things Christ consistently spoke about.

Matthew 25:35-36: "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."

Luke 6:27-28: "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you."

James 2:14-16: "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?"

A compromised Christianity is far more dangerous than a secular government. Jesus never sought political power, yet many today seem willing to sacrifice Christian principles to achieve it.

John 18:36: "Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.'"

The philosopher John Locke, in his seminal work "A Letter Concerning Toleration" (1689), similarly argued that attempting to enforce religious belief through governmental power corrupts both the state and the church. This historical perspective reminds us that the dangers of merging religious and political authority have been recognized for centuries.

Christian Nationalism and White Supremacy

While most supporters of Christian Nationalism do not identify with white supremacy, there are fringe elements within the movement that have exploited Christian identity to promote racial hierarchy.

Historically, Christianity has been misused to justify slavery, segregation, and systemic racism, and today, certain nationalist rhetoric subtly aligns Christian identity with Western, white cultural norms. Jemar Tisby's "The Color of Compromise" documents this troubling historical relationship in detail, while Robert P. Jones's "White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity" provides sociological analysis of the ongoing impact.

As historian Kristin Kobes Du Mez argues in "Jesus and John Wayne," certain strains of American Christianity have transformed faith into a cultural and political identity that often reinforces racial hierarchies.

• Misuse of Scripture: Ephesians 6:5: "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ." – This verse was historically misinterpreted to justify slavery.
• Equality in Christ: Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Many modern Christian Nationalists claim to defend "traditional American values," but often, these values are rooted in a historical narrative that ignores the contributions, struggles, and rights of non-white communities. Political scientist Colin Woodard's "American Nations" reveals how regional cultural differences, including religious interpretations, have shaped competing visions of American identity. The implication is clear: to be a "true Christian nation," one must conform to a particular cultural identity—one that centers white, conservative, and often exclusionary interpretations of faith. This is a distortion of the gospel, which calls for a kingdom of all nations, tribes, and tongues.

Revelation 7:9: "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb."

Christianity is not about dominance or exclusion—it is about love, justice, and humility.

Micah 6:8: "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Proverbs 31:8-9: "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy."

When faith is used to enforce racial superiority or cultural hegemony, it is no longer Christianity—it is idolatry of power.

Forcing Morality Undermines Free Will

Perhaps the most significant issue is this: God does not force us to follow Him. Free will is central to Christianity. Again and again, scripture presents God's laws as an invitation to obedience, not a demand enforced by government power.

This principle aligns with philosopher John Stuart Mill's arguments in "On Liberty," where he contends that forcing morality upon people not only violates their autonomy but ultimately fails to produce genuine virtue. Early American Baptist Roger Williams, who founded Rhode Island on principles of religious liberty, argued in "The Bloody Tenet of Persecution" (1644) that forced faith is no faith at all.

Deuteronomy 30:19: "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life."

Jesus taught truth and called people to righteousness, yet He never used force or coercion.

John 6:66-67: "After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, 'Do you want to go away as well?'"

Laws exist to prevent harm, not to enforce faith. Creating a system where biblical principles are legally mandated might control actions but never hearts. Worse, it often backfires—the easiest way to turn people against Christianity is to attempt to force them into it.

As moral psychologist Jonathan Haidt explains in "The Righteous Mind," attempts to force morality often trigger resistance and resentment rather than genuine ethical development.

History is clear: faith thrives when it is chosen, not when it is imposed.

Conclusion

Christian Nationalism is often framed as a noble effort to "restore" Christian values in society. But in reality, it risks corrupting faith, dividing believers, and turning Christianity into a weapon of control rather than a message of grace.

As theologian Gregory Boyd argues in "The Myth of a Christian Nation," when Christians pursue political power as their primary means of cultural influence, they often sacrifice the very principles that give Christianity its transformative power. The quest for governmental authority frequently undermines the radical, self-sacrificial love that should characterize followers of Christ.

Instead of seeking power to enforce Christian ideals, we should follow Jesus' example—living out our faith in a way that transforms hearts, not just laws. This approach respects the dignity and agency of all people while remaining true to the gospel's call for authentic, chosen faith.

The founding principles of American religious liberty, championed by figures like Roger Williams and later Thomas Jefferson, recognized that genuine faith cannot be coerced. As Robert Boston documents in "Separation of Church and State: Historical Fact and Current Fiction," this separation was designed not to diminish religion but to protect it from the corrupting influence of governmental power.

True Christian influence comes not through legal mandates but through faithful witness, serving others with humility, and embodying the love of Christ in all aspects of life.

Supporting Evidence and References

Books and Academic Works:

• Whitehead, Andrew and Samuel Perry. "Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States" (2020)
• Stewart, Katherine. "The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism" (2020)
• MacCulloch, Diarmaid. "The Reformation: A History"
• Niebuhr, Reinhold. "Moral Man and Immoral Society"
• Ellul, Jacques. "The Political Illusion"
• Tisby, Jemar. "The Color of Compromise"
• Jones, Robert P. "White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity"
• Du Mez, Kristin Kobes. "Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation"
• Mill, John Stuart. "On Liberty"
• Williams, Roger. "The Bloody Tenet of Persecution" (1644)
• Haidt, Jonathan. "The Righteous Mind"
• Boyd, Gregory. "The Myth of a Christian Nation"
• Woodard, Colin. "American Nations"
• Emerson, Michael and Christian Smith. "Divided by Faith"
• Boston, Robert. "Separation of Church and State: Historical Fact and Current Fiction"
• Locke, John. "A Letter Concerning Toleration" (1689)

Historical Examples:

• The Church of England and religious persecution
• The French Wars of Religion (1562-1598)
• The Salem Witch Trials
• Historical misuse of Christianity to justify slavery and segregation

Biblical references:

• Matthew 25:35-36, Luke 6:27-28, James 2:14-16, John 18:36, Ephesians 6:5, Galatians 3:28, Revelation 7:9, Micah 6:8, Proverbs 31:8-9, Deuteronomy 30:19, John 6:66-67