The Fallacy of Christian Nationalism
A Call to the True Kingdom
Moe Bergeron
Of late, Christian nationalism has emerged as a movement that attempts to merge Christian identity with national identity, advocating for a society governed by laws that reflect a specific interpretation of Christian values. Alongside this, theonomy—the belief that civil government should be based on God’s law—has also found renewed support. Both of these ideologies, while seemingly well-intentioned, are deeply flawed and contrary to the teachings of Christ.
At their core, Christian nationalism and theonomy misrepresent the gospel and the nature of Christ's kingdom. They introduce the dangerous notion that human authorities can rightly interpret and enforce God's law on a national level, an idea that runs counter to the freedom and heart transformation offered by the gospel.
Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World
When Jesus stood before Pilate, falsely accused of seeking political power, He made it clear that His kingdom was not earthly:
"My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm" (John 18:36).
Jesus' mission was never to establish an earthly government but to usher in a spiritual kingdom that transcends all nations and political systems. His rule is over the hearts of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation, not over the institutions of this world. In contrast, Christian nationalism attempts to enforce a version of God's kingdom through political and national power, distorting the gospel’s call to salvation for all people, regardless of nationality or political affiliation.
This misunderstanding also plagued the early disciples, who initially thought Jesus would restore Israel’s political power. Yet Jesus’ focus was always on something much larger and more profound: the redemption of souls and the inauguration of His eternal kingdom. As believers, we are reminded that:
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20).
Christians belong to a heavenly kingdom, and our hope is not in political leaders or national governments but in Christ alone.
The Temptation of Political Power
Throughout history, the temptation to use political power to advance Christian principles has been strong. Even in Jesus' day, Satan offered Him all the kingdoms of the world if He would bow down to him (Matthew 4:8-10). Yet Jesus rejected this offer, choosing instead the path of humility and sacrifice. His kingdom would not be built through coercive power but through the transformation of hearts.
Paul and the apostles understood this. They didn’t seek to establish a Christian political state under Roman rule but preached the gospel, knowing that the true power of the church lay in the Spirit, not in earthly authority. Paul’s words to the Corinthians reflect this truth:
"For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power" (1 Corinthians 4:20).
This is the power of the gospel to change lives, not through laws or political movements, but through the Holy Spirit’s work in the hearts of believers.
The Problem of Enforcers in Theonomy
Theonomy takes this desire for power a step further by advocating for governance based explicitly on God's law. However, the fundamental problem with theonomy is its reliance on human enforcers to interpret and apply these laws. Inevitably, someone must decide which biblical commands are applicable in today’s context and which are not. This creates a class of religious leaders or authorities who wield great power over society, deciding what is “righteous” and what is “subversive.”
The danger here is profound. Human judgment, no matter how sincere, is prone to error and bias. History shows us that when religious leaders are given political power, they often stray from the gospel’s heart, using religion to justify their own control or suppress dissent. Jesus strongly rebuked such gatekeeping in His time:
"They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them" (Matthew 23:4).
Like the Pharisees, those in power under a theonomic system could become more focused on external conformity to the law than on the true justice, mercy, and faithfulness that God desires (Matthew 23:23). No human authority is capable of perfectly interpreting or applying God's law because, as Jesus said,
“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone” (John 8:7). The very essence of the gospel is grace and mercy, not rigid enforcement of rules by fallible human leaders.
The Dangers of Defining "Subversive"
A theonomic society also faces the issue of determining what constitutes “subversive” behavior. Those in power would be tasked with deciding which beliefs or practices oppose the biblical order. This places immense control in the hands of a few, leading to the potential for suppression of dissenting views or even labeling certain behaviors or beliefs as heretical.
Jesus' ministry itself was viewed as subversive by the religious authorities of His time. He ate with tax collectors and sinners, healed on the Sabbath, and challenged the Pharisees' interpretations of the law. If a system of human enforcement had been in place then, Jesus Himself would have been deemed subversive. The gospel message often upends human expectations and power structures. Therefore, any system that seeks to define what is subversive to God's law risks missing the radical grace and freedom Christ offers.
The kingdom of God, unlike theonomy, does not operate through external control or coercion. Paul makes it clear that the law of Moses, while good, is not the ultimate means of righteousness. That comes through faith in Christ:
"For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes" (Romans 10:4).
Righteousness in Christ is not enforced from the outside but flows from the inner transformation of the heart by the Holy Spirit (Jeremiah 31:33). This renders enforcers unnecessary because the Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth (John 16:13).
Christian Engagement Without Nationalism or Theonomy
This is not to say that Christians should disengage from politics or societal issues. We are called to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16), advocating for justice and living out the values of the kingdom. However, we must do so in a way that reflects the character of Christ—through love, compassion, and personal witness, not through political coercion or enforced legalism.
Christians are called to influence society through godly character and service, not by wielding power. The early church did this through acts of charity and love, caring for the poor and marginalized, and showing the world the transformative power of Christ. They did not seek to impose their beliefs through political means, but lived them out faithfully in a hostile world, demonstrating the truth of the gospel through their lives.
The Call to a Higher Allegiance
Both Christian nationalism and theonomy fall short because they place earthly power above the eternal kingdom of God. They rely on flawed human systems of interpretation and enforcement, creating authorities who may distort the gospel’s true message. But Jesus calls us to a higher allegiance—to a kingdom that transcends all earthly governments and laws.
As followers of Christ, our mission is not to establish a Christian nation or enforce biblical laws on society. Instead, we are to proclaim the good news of salvation, living as citizens of heaven and ambassadors for Christ. Let us be careful not to confuse political power with spiritual authority. Christ’s kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), and our ultimate hope is not in earthly nations or governments, but in the coming kingdom of God.
In this heavenly kingdom, there are no human enforcers—only Christ, the true and righteous King, who leads us by His Spirit into all truth. May we live in the freedom of His grace, demonstrating His love to a world that desperately needs it.
How Then Are We to Be Good Citizens?
As followers of Christ, living in a world that often operates according to values that differ from the gospel, the question naturally arises: How should Christians live as good citizens? If we reject the notion of Christian nationalism and theonomy, what does it look like to fulfill our responsibilities in society while maintaining our ultimate allegiance to Christ? The answer lies in Scripture, which provides clear guidance on how believers can live faithfully within earthly systems while keeping their focus on the eternal kingdom of God.
Obedience to Earthly Authorities
The New Testament provides a foundational principle for Christians living under earthly governments: we are called to obey civil authorities, recognizing that their authority is permitted by God. Paul writes in Romans:
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God" (Romans 13:1).
This verse, along with similar teachings in 1 Peter 2:13-17, calls believers to submit to rulers, not out of blind allegiance, but as a matter of faithfulness to God. This obedience reflects our understanding that God is sovereign over all human institutions, and our submission to these authorities is an expression of our trust in Him. However, this submission has limits, as we’ll explore below.
Seeking the Good of Society
Christians are not only called to obey the law but to actively seek the welfare of the society in which they live. In the Old Testament, when Israel was in exile in Babylon, the prophet Jeremiah delivered a message from God:
"Seek the welfare of the city to which I have carried you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your own welfare" (Jeremiah 29:7).
Although Israel was far from home and living under a foreign power, God called them to be a blessing to the society around them. In the same way, Christians today, though citizens of heaven, are called to engage in their communities, promote justice, care for the needy, and contribute to the common good. This means participating in civic life, whether through voting, volunteering, or simply loving and serving our neighbors.
Jesus' command to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39) applies to how we engage in society. Being a good citizen involves using our freedoms and opportunities to serve others and promote peace, justice, and righteousness in a way that reflects the love of Christ.
Respecting Freedom of Conscience
A key aspect of being a good citizen is respecting the freedom of others, even when we disagree with them. Jesus did not seek to impose His teachings by force but offered them freely, allowing people to respond in faith or reject Him. As Christians, we are called to follow this example. Paul reminds us:
"Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is Mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord" (Romans 12:19).
We should not try to coerce others into adopting Christian values through legal or political means but instead trust that God will accomplish His purposes through the transformation of hearts. In a pluralistic society, this means allowing others the same freedom of conscience that we enjoy, while living out our faith boldly and respectfully.
Discerning When to Disobey
While Scripture calls for obedience to earthly authorities, there are moments when Christians must respectfully disobey. When human laws conflict with God’s commands, believers are called to obey God rather than man. In Acts, when the apostles were ordered by the authorities to stop preaching in Jesus’ name, Peter responded:
"We must obey God rather than men!" (Acts 5:29).
Civil disobedience is not to be taken lightly, but when governments or laws require actions that are contrary to God’s will—such as endorsing sin or forbidding the proclamation of the gospel—Christians must stand firm in their faith. This may involve suffering or persecution, but Jesus promised that those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake are blessed (Matthew 5:10).
Living as Ambassadors of Christ
At the heart of Christian citizenship is the understanding that we are ultimately citizens of another kingdom. Paul calls us “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20), meaning that we represent Jesus in the world, wherever we live. Our role is to reflect His character and priorities in every aspect of life.
This means that while we participate in civic duties and contribute to society, we do so with a clear understanding that our highest allegiance is to Christ. Our lives should reflect the values of His kingdom—love, humility, service, and grace. We are called to bring the peace of Christ into a world of division, to show mercy where there is injustice, and to be peacemakers in the midst of conflict (Matthew 5:9).
Balancing Earthly and Heavenly Allegiance
To be a good citizen as a Christian means balancing our earthly responsibilities with our higher calling as followers of Christ. We obey laws, seek the good of society, and engage in civic life, but we do so with the understanding that our true citizenship is in heaven. While Christian nationalism and theonomy attempt to merge political and spiritual power, the gospel calls us to a different path—one that does not seek to control or dominate but to serve and love.
Ultimately, our hope is not in any government or nation, but in the coming kingdom of God. As we wait for that day, let us be faithful in our responsibilities here on earth, shining as lights in a world that needs the truth and love of Jesus Christ.
Hear Paul's counsel to Timithy, 2 Timothy 2:3-4:
Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.