A
working definition
Christian
nationalism is a political-cultural ideology that identifies the nation with a
particular Christian identity and seeks, to varying degrees, to preserve,
restore, or institutionalize that identity in the nation's public life, laws,
symbols, and governing institutions.
That
definition has three important components:
- Christian identity: Christianity is regarded as
constitutive of the nation's identity rather than merely one religion
among many.
- National identity: The nation is understood as
having a distinctive religious heritage or divine purpose.
- Political implications: Christian beliefs, symbols,
institutions, or moral norms are given some degree of privileged influence
over public policy and government.
Andrew
Whitehead and Samuel Perry, whose work is influential in the social-scientific
study of the subject, define Christian nationalism as a framework involving a fusion
of Christianity with American civic life. They emphasize that it is not
synonymous with Christianity, personal religiosity, conservatism, racism, or
authoritarianism.
That
distinction is important: Christianity is a religion; Christian nationalism
is a political ideology drawing upon Christianity.
The
strongest arguments in favor — steel-manned
1.
Nations inevitably embody moral commitments
2.
Christianity has genuinely shaped American institutions
3.
Democracy does not require citizens to privatize their religious convictions
A
Christian nationalist might argue:
If
secular citizens are entitled to bring their philosophical convictions into
democratic debate, why should Christians be required to leave their deepest
convictions at the door?
4.
Christian moral principles can provide a coherent account of the common good
A
defender might contend that concepts such as:
·
human
dignity,
·
responsibility,
·
fidelity,
·
care
for the poor,
·
family
stability,
·
forgiveness,
·
limits
on governmental power,
·
and
the equal worth of persons
are
not merely private religious preferences. They can constitute a coherent public
philosophy.
5.
National solidarity requires a shared story
6.
It can be understood as resistance to aggressive secularization
7.
The Christian tradition itself contains resources for limiting political power
8.
Political action motivated by Christianity has sometimes produced genuine
social reform
The
strongest arguments against — steel-manned
1.
It risks confusing the Kingdom of God with a particular nation
2.
It can turn Christianity into an instrument of political power
3.
It creates a serious religious-liberty problem
4.
"Christianity" is not politically self-interpreting
Even
within Christianity there are profound disagreements about:
·
abortion,
·
war,
·
immigration,
·
capital
punishment,
·
poverty,
·
economic
policy,
·
environmental
stewardship,
·
sexuality,
·
criminal
justice,
·
welfare,
·
racial
justice,
·
and
the proper role of government.
5.
American history complicates claims of a uniquely Christian nation
America
undeniably has a profound Christian history. But it also has:
·
Enlightenment
influences,
·
classical
republican influences,
·
Jewish
contributions,
·
dissenting
Protestant traditions,
·
Catholic
traditions,
·
religious
pluralism,
·
deism,
·
secular
constitutionalism,
·
and
indigenous and immigrant traditions.
6.
It can encourage exclusionary forms of nationalism
7.
It may undermine the Church's prophetic independence
Ten
identifying characteristics
1.
A belief that the nation has a distinctively Christian identity
2.
A belief that Christianity should occupy a privileged public position
3.
A belief that America's political order rests upon Christian foundations
4.
Support for government reflecting Christian moral principles
5.
A strong connection between Christian identity and American identity
6.
A providential understanding of the nation's history
7.
A desire to preserve a specifically Christian cultural heritage
8.
A belief that Christians have a special responsibility—or mandate—to govern
9.
Resistance to secularization and religious pluralism as organizing principles
10. A tendency to fuse
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