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“Christian nationalism” is the boogeyman du jour to a certain class of evangelical influencer.
Though their stated complaints center on recent election-related matters, these critics intentionally frame the real issue as this supposedly sinister concept. 1/6
Though their stated complaints center on recent election-related matters, these critics intentionally frame the real issue as this supposedly sinister concept. 1/6
The definition is typically left vague, but some evangelical influencers seem to associate it with almost any suggestion that Christians should defend America’s national interest and seek to see political decisions informed by Christian concepts of truth and justice. 2/6
These critics decry this as a quest for “Christian power,” but are less clear what alternative they prefer—they talk of respecting “norms” and “expertise,” and promoting forms of justice that align with secular priorities and preserve “unity” and “Christian witness.” 3/6
The exercise of power is inherent to any political action (no matter how polite). Yet evangelical influencers do not explain why populist efforts are problematic attempts to gain “Christian power,” while establishment-aligned Christian political “engagement” is laudable. 4/6
Re nationalism: @aaron_renn observed that these evangelical influencers express endless love and concern for “the city,” but get oddly uncomfortable if Christians express the same love for or desire to promote the interests of the nation. 5/6
Broadly these evangelical influencers seem to lack a clear conception of the “Christian nationalism” they decry, and of why—besides aligning with cultural elites—their advocacy for “justice” and “the city” differs from support for Christian values and America’s interests. 6/6
