The kingdom that Jesus spoke of is not built by force but by faith, not ruled by coercion but by compassion. Yet in many places today, particularly in the West, this kingdom is being confused, co-opted, and compromised. The name of Jesus is being carried into political battles — not as a message of grace but as a rallying cry for cultural dominance.

This is what we call Christian Nationalism. As defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica, it is “an ideology that seeks to create or maintain a legal fusion of Christian religion with a nation’s character.” Its advocates want governments to promote, enforce, or at least privilege Christianity in public life and law.

It bears striking resemblance to the dominion theology I encountered years ago. Its popularity has surged in recent years, particularly with the rise of Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. But it is not the way of Christ. Here are nine reasons why.

1. It Fails to See That God’s Kingdom Is a Different Kingdom

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). His rule is from a different source, grounded in a different kind of power, and points us to a different way of living.

Greg Boyd captures the contrast beautifully:

“Participants in the kingdom of the world trust the power of the sword to control behavior; participants of the kingdom of God trust the power of self-sacrificial love to transform hearts… The kingdom of the world is characterized by judgment; the kingdom of God is characterized by outrageous, even scandalous, grace.”
— Greg Boyd, The Myth of a Christian Nation

God’s kingdom isn’t about winning elections or preserving cultural traditions. It’s an alternative kingdom, shaped by sacrificial love — cross-shaped love. It grows in mustard-seed ways: small, hidden, subversive. Not built by violence or law, but through the power of love.

As N.T. Wright puts it, “God’s kingdom is about the power of love, not the love of power.” (How God Became King)

2. It Creates Cultural Christianity and a Distorted, Nominal Faith

When we fuse God’s kingdom with the agenda of a nation, we inevitably distort it. The cross is replaced by the sword.

Christian Nationalism often wears the clothing of Christian language — family values, freedom, truth — but beneath lies a very different spirit. It promotes a cultural Christianity or “civil religion,” a vague allegiance to Christian ideas without the costly call of discipleship.

Some claim this cultural framework might eventually lead people to real faith. Perhaps for a few. But more often, it leads to confusion, compromise, and nominalism.

“Nationalism often gives people a substitute for a lost religious identity. But when religion is subsumed into nationalism, it ceases to be the gospel.”
— Miroslav Volf, Exclusion and Embrace

The gospel was never meant to be enforced by power. The way of Jesus is not imposed. We are invited to it — through love, through witness, through grace-filled lives.

3. It Gives In to the Tribal Temptation

Christian Nationalism thrives on dividing lines — political, racial, cultural. It fuels an “us versus them” mindset. The other is not welcomed but feared. The stranger is not embraced but excluded.

Some claim tribalism is part of God’s design. But they forget the Fall. While tribes may reflect God’s creative diversity, tribalism — the fear and hostility between them — reflects our rebellion.

That’s Babel, not Eden.

But Pentecost (Acts 2) reverses Babel. The Spirit begins gathering all nations. Ephesians 2 reminds us that Christ is our peace, who has “broken down the dividing wall of hostility.” And Revelation 7 shows us the destination: “every tribe, nation, people, and language” worshipping together.

4. It Misdirects Our Hope

Christian Nationalism places hope in the wrong place — in elections, legislation, and leaders. It feeds the illusion that if Christians could just gain control, the world would be made righteous.

But that is not gospel hope.

Hope in political power is not hope in Christ. It confuses the heavenly Jerusalem with earthly empires. God is making all things new — and it not look like our political ideals.

“When Christians put their hope in the nation-state, they commit idolatry. The church is not called to save the state but to be the visible sign of the kingdom of God.”
— Howard Snyder, The Community of the King

5. It Is Based on Power Rather Than Character

Christian Nationalism often breeds a macho spirituality. The meekness and gentleness of Christ (Matthew 11:29; 2 Corinthians 10:1) is replaced with battle cries, political aggression, and us-against-them posturing.

We saw a vivid and dangerous expression of this in the January 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol — with its worrying blend of Christian rhetoric and symbols with weapons and violence, crosses and flags carried together in a strange and troubling fusion of faith and force.

In this kind of atmosphere, character becomes optional. The question is no longer, ‘Is this Christlike?’ but ‘Is this politically effective?’ But Jesus never took shortcuts to glory. He was offered worldly power (Luke 4:5-8) but instead took the way of the cross.

“While all the versions of the kingdom of the world acquire and exercise power over others, the kingdom of God… advances only by exercising power under others. It expands by manifesting the power of self-sacrificial, Calvary-like love.”
— Greg Boyd, The Myth of a Christian Nation

6. It Alienates People and Undermines Evangelism

There are signs of a quiet revival among many young people who long for meaning, compassion, and justice. But too many have also been driven away by a gospel distorted by political agendas.

The blending of Christianity with political nationalism is turning people away. It erodes trust. It confuses the mission of the church.

If we care about evangelism, we must care about the church’s integrity.

7. It Ignores the Warnings of History

Nationalism has a history and it’s not a good one. In the twentieth century, we have seen repeatedly what happens when religious fervour is fused with national pride – the persecution of minorities and the marginalised, lies and propaganda replacing truth, the stifling of debate, restrictions on freedom. We know that this can lead to the most awful atrocities.

As historian Martyn Whittock notes, “You can tell a tree by its historical fruit.” And when Christians become entangled in far-right nationalism, the fruit is bitter. Whittock’s article in Christianity Magazine is a sobering read about this very trend.

After WWII, a generation sought peace through international cooperation — it has been imperfect, yes, but it was a movement away from the horrors of extreme nationalism. Now, disturbingly, some Christian groups are flirting with that darkness again.

Do we really want to go back?

8. It Springs from Reaction, Not Revelation

Christian Nationalism is often driven by fear — fear of cultural change, of the rise of Islam, of progressive secularism. But reaction is not revelation.

Fear is a poor guide for the people of God.

God is not alarmed by change. He doesn’t call us to panic, but to trust. He doesn’t ask us to dominate the culture, but to bear faithful witness within it.

9. It Is a Form of Identity Politics

Ironically, many Christian Nationalists condemn the ‘identity politics’ of the progressive left while practising their own — one rooted in national or ethnic identity.

But the gospel transcends identity politics. Our identity is in Christ, not in our nation, tribe, or political party. In Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile… (Galatians 3:28).

Wherever Christian Nationalism arises, concern for the poor, the refugee, and the vulnerable tends to decline. They tend to be scapegoated for a nation’s troubles, in fact. That’s no coincidence. It’s a sign we’ve left the way of Jesus behind.

A Better Way

The early Christians didn’t seek power. They sought Christ. They didn’t try to control the culture. They lived within it, sometimes persecuted, often misunderstood but always as a faithful presence, as those living sacrificial lives.

We need to return to that way. To repent of our power games. To embrace the foolishness of the cross.

We are called to follow Jesus — not to a throne, but to a cross. Not to rule, but to serve. Not to win, but to love.

Howard Snyder said it well:

“The church’s mission is not to take over the world for Christ but to be the faithful presence of Christ in the world, pointing beyond itself to God’s kingdom.”
— Howard Snyder, The Problem of Wineskins

May we stay focused on this mission. To faithfully witness to the way of Jesus in our world. To point to a different kingdom.

Note: If this article interested you, you might like to have a look at my review of the book, Jesus and the Powers, where two top theologians wrestle deeply with some of these issues and the Church’s political witness. I have also written a summary of the book.