Christian Nationalism: A Dangerous Manifestation of a Deeper Problem

Christian Nationalism is a political ideology and movement that understands the United States as founded as a White Protestant Evangelical Christian Nation. Believers feel that secular liberal democracy has failed God’s America by taking their version of Christianity out of government and the public schools, tolerated ethnic, religious, and sexual diversity, and enabled the decline of Christianity in America. The result is decadence, decline, and division in their understanding of God’s America. White Evangelical Christian Nationalists are called by God to restore righteousness in America. That means that the United States should be declared a Christian Nation according to their understanding of Christianity. White Evangelical Protestant Christians and their churches should be restored to their rightful privileged position, and the rule of law in America and in public education should be guided by conservative evangelical Christian beliefs and values. How did this movement come about and is it the future of America? Should we fear it or see it as an expression of the beliefs of one of many groups in this country? Do we see positive value in at least part of its message? Why is Christian Nationalism such a force in politics and thought?
Grant Abbott is the former executive director of the Saint Paul Area Council of Churches and an Episcopal priest. He’s the convener of the “Real American History Book Group: Learning the Whole Story.” He lives in St. Paul.