Two years in the past on this website, I outlined Christian nationalism and warned of its risks. Final yr I revealed my guide on the topic. Regardless of that, there nonetheless appears to be a persistent refrain of voices complaining that the time period lacks clear definition and is generally ineffective.

This turns into an actual drawback after we’re making an attempt to evaluate the precise menace Christian nationalism poses in our nation. As an example, Faith Information Service ran a bit final month saying the outcomes of a current Public Faith Analysis Institute ballot, which discovered that just about a 3rd of Individuals—most of them white evangelicals—had been Christian nationalists.

Nonetheless, former religion coordinator for the Obama administration Michael Put on identified on Twitter some flaws with the best way this ballot was carried out and the conclusions drawn from its outcomes.

That is due, partly, to the truth that the ballot questions had been worded in a method that was ambiguous at greatest and deceptive at worst. It seems that a number of the respondents included in that “one-third” statistic didn’t, in truth, perceive what the time period Christian nationalism even meant.

That ballot, in addition to the Twitter controversy surrounding it, additional highlights the truth that a problem as severe as Christian nationalism calls for a transparent and unequivocal definition.

No matter we consider the time period Christian nationalism, the factor it refers to is actual, and the factor wants a label. The factor I’m making an attempt to label is straightforward: Individuals who consider that America is a “Christian nation” and that the federal government ought to preserve it that method.

After all, that does depart lots to unpack, so it’s value spending a while making an attempt to make it extra particular. What precisely does Christian nationalism (or no matter you wish to name it) appear like in observe? How do we all know the distinction between (dangerous) Christian nationalism and (good) Christian political engagement?

Christian nationalism seems to be just like the 45 % of Individuals who consider the USA must be a Christian nation and the 44 % who consider that “God has granted America a particular function in human historical past.” Christian nationalism seems to be just like the 35 % of Individuals who consider {that a} citizen must be a Christian to be “actually American.”

Christian nationalism seems to be like citing Psalm 33:12 (“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord”) or 2 Chronicles 7:14 (“If my individuals, who’re referred to as by my identify…”) in reference to the USA, implying that America is the nation whose God is the Lord, that we’re God’s individuals referred to as by his identify—a typical observe in white evangelical circles.

Christian nationalism seems to be just like the American Patriot’s Bible, which “reveals how the historical past of the USA connects the individuals and occasions of the Bible to our lives in a contemporary world. The story of the USA is splendidly woven into the teachings of the Bible.” Christian nationalism seems to be like placing the American flag on central show in your native church.

Such photos of Christian nationalism present a broadly well-liked, mainstream, peaceable motion that’s wrongheaded, silly, and each theologically and constitutionally suspect. However in addition they present that American evangelicals want a greater understanding of political theology and American civics.

You will need to add, nevertheless, that Christian nationalism can even present up in additional sinister guises. For instance, Christian nationalism seems to be like a xenophobic candidate for the US Senate tweeting his opposition to welcoming Afghan refugees as a result of, he argued, they endanger our “Judeo-Christian lifestyle.”

Christian nationalism seems to be just like the ReAwaken America Tour, during which hundreds of Christians packed church buildings for political rallies to cheer on conspiracy theories in regards to the 2020 election or the COVID-19 pandemic.

And Christian nationalism seems to be like invoking Jesus’ identify and providing a prayer to God on January 6, 2021, thanking him for the chance to storm the US Capitol to point out “that that is our nation,” for “filling this chamber with patriots … that love Christ” in order that “the USA [could] be reborn.”

Christian nationalism is an angle, a stance towards America and the world—a method of situating ourselves and our nation in an ethical and theological framework. On this framework, Christianity and America go hand in hand: They’ve gone collectively because the founding of our nation, and they need to proceed to remain in sync for so long as trustworthy American Christians can handle it.

Christian nationalism is a presumption that Christians are America’s first residents, architects, and guardians and that we’ve the appropriate to outline the nation’s tradition and identification. It’s a sense of possession, a proprietary or possessive feeling: Christians invented America and subsequently have the appropriate to remain on high.

Christian nationalism may be oddly tough to translate into particular coverage positions. It focuses far more on demanding symbolic recognition for Christianity. “Public life must be rooted in Christianity and its ethical imaginative and prescient,” in accordance with the Nationwide Conservatism web site, “which must be honored by the state and different establishments each private and non-private.”

Insurance policies pushed by Christian nationalist targets give attention to issues like bringing again teacher-led prayer and Bible research in public colleges, proscribing immigration solely to individuals who share our values, or mandating the instructing of American historical past as a Christian nation. It would ultimately embrace an try and revise the US Structure to acknowledge Christianity, as a gaggle of ministers proposed in 1863.

Christian nationalism additionally advocates for a lot stronger and extra strong morals laws—which, by itself, generally is a good factor, however not if it appeals to a sectarian or discriminatory customary of morality. Christian nationalists are likely to overestimate the recognition of their view of morality and the competence of the state to implement it and to underestimate the risks of blowback (as with Prohibition).

That mentioned, not one of the risks of Christian nationalism preclude patriotism, Christian involvement in politics, or working for justice within the public sq.. Being pro-life or pro-religious liberty just isn’t Christian nationalism. Being grateful for America, honoring the founding fathers, recognizing the blessings of the US Structure (as amended) and Declaration of Independence, and recognizing the optimistic affect of Christian ideas on American life are all good issues.

In between, there’s a grey space of America’s “civil faith,” the traditions and pageantry of our civic life that usually borrow generically non secular language and symbolism. Political leaders typically invoke God of their addresses, ceremonial events start with prayers, there are crosses on public grounds throughout America, and lots of church buildings rejoice American holidays, just like the Fourth of July and Memorial Day.

I are likely to suppose that such situations can, in precept, be innocent however have the potential to develop into dangerous. Loads relies on the specifics and on the guts attitudes of these main the best way. Is public prayer actually meant to honor God or to troll secular progressives? Are crosses on public lands a real and inclusive reflection of American historical past that may additionally embrace different non secular symbols, or are they meant as exclusionary symbols of Christian supremacy?

Crucial distinction between dangerous Christian nationalism and good Christian political advocacy is in our coronary heart posture. Are we in search of to advance Christian ideas or Christian energy? Are we in search of equal justice for all or privileges for our tribe? Are we in search of to like our neighbor with our political witness or present our neighbor who’s boss?

Christians are referred to as to hunt the welfare of the town during which we’re presently exiled (Jer. 29:7). In a nation during which we’ve the privilege of democratic citizenship, in search of our metropolis’s welfare means loving our neighbors by voting for justice and righteousness. It doesn’t imply securing our tribe’s predominance or making certain the nation makes our tradition central to its identification.

Paul D. Miller is a professor of the observe of worldwide affairs at Georgetown College, a analysis fellow with the Ethics and Non secular Liberty Fee, and a veteran of the conflict in Afghanistan. His most up-to-date guide is The Faith of American Greatness: What’s Incorrect with Christian Nationalism.