Recently, a church member reached out for guidance about a conference she had been invited to that blended Christian language with strong political rhetoric. She felt tension in her spirit, and she wanted to process it biblically. My responsibility as a pastor was to help her slow down, reflect, and return to the words of Jesus.
I wasn’t familiar with that specific conference, but I am familiar with the broader movement on both the right and the left to politicize the church in an attempt to “win the culture war.” That impulse isn’t new, and it doesn’t belong to one political tribe. But as a follower of Jesus and a pastor (not a pundit), I need to name what’s happening and point us back to the better way – Christ and His Kingdom.
What follows is an expansion of my response to this church member. I am sharing more broadly, hoping it will be helpful to others wrestling with the same questions. I am also aware that I am kicking a beehive. 🙂
How the Kingdom Comes (and Doesn’t Come)
A few weeks ago, I preached on the Lord’s Prayer and Jesus’ words: “Your kingdom come.” One of the clearest teachings of Jesus is that His Kingdom does not come by power, force, or political conquest. Go read Matthew 13. Jesus says His Kingdom is like a mustard seed, a treasure hidden in a field, yeast hidden in dough. It comes quietly, surprising, slow, and unexpected. It grows not through domination, but through faithful presence. Not by coercion, but by love. Not by controlling the cultural levers, but through holiness, prayer, evangelism, and disciple-making.
Can political decisions shape culture? Of course. But political influence is not the same as Kingdom fruit. True Kingdom change is spiritual first. It begins with revival. It’s marked by repentance, humility, and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that produces a hunger for personal holiness above all. Revival sounds like “Your will be done,” not “We have to win.” It feels like mercy, not outrage. It produces ambassadors of Christ, not combatants for culture.
Culture wars, on the other hand, play on fear and promote “us vs. them.” That is the opposite of the way Jesus taught His disciples to live.
This is of first importance.
When Politics Becomes Idolatry
Second, we need to define terms and understand idolatry. The term Christian Nationalism gets used so broadly that it’s often unhelpful. So let me define it as clearly and simply as I can:
Christian Nationalism is the blending of Christian identity with national identity in such a way that assumes the best way to advance God’s Kingdom is through political or cultural control.
The core issue is not patriotism or political involvement – it’s the assumption that a political movement or party carries the keys to the Kingdom of God. That temptation takes multiple forms: right-wing triumphalism, left-wing liberation ideologies, or any attempt to wed Christian mission to political power.
Now, let’s clarify what Christian Nationalism is not. It is not simply Christians expressing patriotism, engaging politically to advocate for good laws, or serving in public office. In fact, all of these are commendable actions. Christians ought to love their nation — this aligns with loving the neighbors God has placed around them. Christians should be concerned with politics and actively seek the welfare of their communities and country. Furthermore, Christians should seek political office to serve their city, school district, state, or nation.
But politics becomes spiritually dangerous when it becomes an ultimate thing in our lives. When politics begins shaping our loves and loyalties more than Scripture and the Spirit we’ve lost our way.
- When political identity gets blended with Christian identity.
- When political hope replaces gospel hope.
- When political ethics replace kingdom ethics.
- When Scripture becomes a tool to defend our tribe instead of a lamp to search our hearts.
This is idolatry — political idolatry.
Whenever any political movement — right, left, or anything in between — wraps itself in Christian language and claims to be the way the Kingdom advances, we should pause. This should make us suspicious – because our hope is not in our nation but in the reign of Jesus. The church’s mission is not to seek political power but to bear faithful witness to Christ and His coming kingdom.
Remember, Jesus’ first disciples struggled with this too. They expected Him to restore political rule to Israel (Acts 1:6). Jesus re-directed their hope away from Herod’s palace and toward the Spirit’s power and the nations’ salvation. His Kingdom comes, just not the way they thought it would.
What Does Faithful Engagement Look Like?
So how should Christians engage public life? Not through withdrawal. Not through panic. And not through culture-war fury. We engage with conviction and with Christlike character. The way we engage matters… and the way we engage will tell the tale of our hearts.
Kingdom-shaped engagement look like:
- Humility, not triumphalism
- Truth, not propaganda
- Compassion, not contempt
- Courage, not fear
- Peace, not panic
- Witness, not warfare
- Service, not conquest
In other words, if our political engagement is not bearing the fruit of the Spirit, we are participating in the works of the flesh. If we grow more angry and defensive than prayerful and hopeful, our politics—not Jesus—may be discipling us (our idolatry is showing).
Kingdom ethics are not a call to be passive; they’re a call to be distinctly Christlike in how we speak truth, how we advocate for justice, how we treat political opponents, etc.
The fruit of our life will always show us the root of our faith.
Fix Your Eyes on Jesus
Finally, what do we do when we realize we are easily tempted toward political idolatry? We repent and we look to Jesus. We fix our eyes on him (Hebrews 12:2).
Christian Nationalism is tempting not because it’s blatantly wrong, but because it offers shortcuts. It promises clarity, security, and control. It promises moral restoration, national renewal, and protection from cultural decline. But it cannot deliver what it promises. It calls for Christian values without Christian repentance. It seeks the Kingdom without the King. Nations rise and fall. Parties shift. Movements fade. But the Kingdom of God endures forever.
And that Kingdom comes not by political party but by the Spirit and the Word; through everyday obedience of ordinary disciples; in faithful Christ-exalting churches; through faithfulness to the Great Commission; by true worship and bold witness. So… fix your eyes on Jesus.
Yes, pay attention to what’s happening in the world. Vote your conscience. Pursue the common good. Speak truth. Engage with wisdom. But keep your eyes on King Jesus. Keep first things first. Love your literal neighbors. Invest your energy into your local church. Live for the name of Jesus.
His Kingdom is coming.
His way is our guide.
His gospel is our hope.
Ministry That Matters 