More Than a Left and Right Issue: The Weaponization of ‘Christian Nationalism’
By Matthew Maher
As Christians, how we view the world is not confined to the narrow spectrum of the right and left but the biblical standards of right and wrong (Hebrews 5:14).
Again, our thoughts and actions are not measured on a line of right and left politics but a paradigm of up and down; they are either in alignment with heaven or with hell – the Word or the world (2 Corinthians 2:12-16). And knowing this distinction will keep you from being silenced or intimidated by those who seek to deploy identity politics, using labels or name-games as a weapon of their warfare.
You cannot place a true Christian on a political spectrum because they are partisan to a Person and not to a party.
For example, the term "Christian Nationalism" has recently been increasingly wielded by “elites” with deceptive motives as a weapon to demonize and marginalize those with traditional Christian values. The concept of Christian Nationalism is being twisted and distorted to fit a narrative that equates with extremism, bigotry, and authoritarianism. The propaganda machine of the media wants the masses to believe that if you are labeled a Christian Nationalist that it is somehow synonymous with Nazism or fascism. They have deliberately hijacked those words to enjoin them into something sinister.
And here is why this matters
This label seeks to delegitimize Christian influence from government by associating it with extremism or an attempt to impose religious beliefs on others.
Yet, history attests to the foundational role of Christian principles in shaping concepts of liberty, justice, and governance. As Noah Webster, one of America's Founding Fathers, aptly noted, "The Christian religion… is the basis, or rather the source, of all genuine freedom in government… I am persuaded that no civil government of a republican form can exist and be durable in which the principles of Christianity have not a controlling influence."
Both the term Christian and Nationalism should not be redefined to paint an evil caricature in our minds. Mind you, they cannot even define “what is a woman,” so now we are supposed to accept their definition for “what is a Christian Nationalist?” I will biblically define both, remember, up or down not left or right.
First of all, being a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, makes us ambassadors of His Kingdom, sent to represent Him where we are (2 Corinthians 5:20). This does not mean we are trying to make earth heaven, but we are commissioned to bring heaven to earth (Matthew 6:10). We know this world is not our home, but we also know that we are to impact this world until the Lord calls us home (1 Peter 2:11-12).
Thus, a Christian is salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). Both these agencies bring a heavenward influence to bear. Darkness cannot exist where light chooses to persist. And salt preserves that which would otherwise spoil and pervert. It works as a preservative of righteousness and delays the spreading of unrighteousness. History proves that wherever Christians were active in their faith, it was in that place where society flourished because souls were saved. And a saved soul lives by God’s creative order. In other words, they know what is up or down (Romans 12:1-2).
In the Scriptures, we see how God is sovereign over the nations and one day “every nation, tribe, people, and tongue” will be represented before the throne (Revelation 5:9-10; 7:9-10). This means God Himself is not for globalism and He clearly has a heart for nationalism. I repeat, “every nation, tribe, people, and tongues.” Thus, we are called to disciple our nation and its rulers, or we will be discipled by our nation and its rulers. That’s a fact.
Ironically (or more like hypocritically), those purveyors of misinformation betray the very values of tolerance, diversity, and inclusivity they tout to their advantage, while actively trying to demonize a large population of our nation. They push tolerance of everything unless you are a Christian that happens to love your nation.
Thus, the labeling of Christian influence in politics as "Christian Nationalism" is a deceptive tactic aimed at eroding the rightful place of Christian values in shaping public policy and discourse. And mark my words, you will begin to see how those who “control the news” will begin to exponentially parrot this term in a deliberate effort to disarm Christians from living out their faith in the public space (John 15:18-19).
Do not let the fear of being called a Christian Nationalist silence you—because you unashamedly love your God and have a high esteem for the values that built this country.
The entire Old Testament is God’s prerogative and plan for a nation, Israel. His prophetic plan for their redemption is still at work. I guess that makes Him a Nationalist, or dare I say a Zionist. I think you get my point. But to be clear, the New Testament assures us that He wants to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20).
Therefore, if the Lord has allowed you to be alive for such a time as this, then live for Christ and impact your nation (Proverbs 25:5). If you don’t, then believe me when I say that those who are weaponizing the term Christian Nationalism will continue to remove every trace of what is Christian from this nation. And that is not a right or left thing, that is a heaven versus hell thing.
Matthew Maher is one of the regular contributing writers for Think Eternity. Go to www.TruthOverTrend.com to navigate the ministry and messaging of Maher.
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