We Are Not a Christian Nation, But You Can Be a Christian in Politics

Politico reports on a survey that most Republicans think we are a “Christian nation.” The academic writers have an ax to grind, of course. But it is worth noting that a lot of people, including friends of mine, are embracing the phrase “Christian nationalism” in the whole “own the left” era of conservative politics. Because the left screams about it, some on the right will embrace it even as they don’t define it in ways the left would.

Most mean just that they’re both American patriots and Christians, and Christians have a right to be involved in politics, guided by the moral and ethical tenets of their faith. If that’s Christian nationalism, I am one.

But ultimately, we are a post-Christian nation, and screaming about being a Christian nation is the Wilhelm scream of Christians in American politics who sense the nation is falling off the post-Christian cliff.

The Book of Amos is where Christians should go at times like this. We should remember to do good, hate evil, and seek justice.

Most importantly, as I told a group of pastors last Friday, our job as Christians in politics is not to carry water for a party or make excuses for a politician but to bear a cross for Christ. If we cannot hold our own side accountable, we will twist our faith to align with our party preference. No church once signed on to join a state has ever not been co-opted by the state. But no Christian must be co-opted by partisan politics so much that he cannot still be bold for Christ, even speaking inside his own political tribe.

Take a listen.