Christian Nationalism: The Word Found Next to Oxymoron
Reverend Monica C. Jones, Ph.D.
I heard it said once that if Jesus were here today, he would be pro-choice. We obviously cannot make substantive statements about what Jesus would or would not say today, but we do know what he said when he walked the earth. He gave people a choice to accept redemption. He gave people a choice to accept salvation. He gave people a choice to accept the Faith. “Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking” (Revelation 3:20) would indicate that the Lord had no intention of forcing himself on anyone. We must make our minds up about who we will serve and what kind of life we will live.
Although the separation of church and state may be controversial and sometimes difficult, one thing is very clear: religion cannot be legislated. We all have free will to follow the path that we choose. When we attempt to define the Christian faith or the status and identity of a nation based on one’s belief in that faith, then we do not have Christianity, but rather politic-anity. Politics have replaced Christ.
As a proud member of the African Methodist Episcopal tradition, I am quite experienced and utilizing the resources of the church to bring about social change and individual self-reliance among my people. However, I am also quite aware that that does not give me the right to pass judgment on persons who do not believe as I do. My only task is to preach the Word, teach the Word, and do as the Word says to do. Beyond that, those who hear me have the same choice Jesus gave his followers.
Dangers on the Horizon
“Jesus. Guns. Trump.”
What is wrong with that picture? Do we equate a human being, any human being, with the Son of God (especially one standing with an upside-down Bible for a photo op while innocent protesters are gassed)? Do we see guns as a part of what we believe in as we focus on our relationship with Jesus Christ? It is not much different than when racist, greedy slave owners used the Bible and miseducation, twisting it to their benefit to justify and rationalize slavery.
Likewise, Christian nationalism is dangerous and very volatile, especially today, as we see more and more pulpits preach white supremacy and bigotry under the guise of Christian principles. The organization, Christians Against Christian Nationalism and other like groups, have called attention to the need for all Christian believers to resist this destructive movement. As we join the fight, the Black Church has a special role to play as we continue to protest institutional racism joined, now, by her cousin Christian nationalism. This we must do, for any principle that teaches hate, irrespective of what banner that teaching is under, is evil. If we do not, we face two very real dangers.
First, our people who listen to or who in the past have supported misguided TV and media evangelists who teach Christian nationalism can fall into unexpected advocacy traps. By signing on to these popular preaching voices, they inadvertently align themselves with the platform of nationalist-fueled hate in the church.
In addition, by subconsciously accepting a concept that includes the word Christian, some listeners may ignore the actual danger that this movement represents. For, believe me, Christian nationalism is definitely the first expression in the dictionary next to the word “oxymoron.”
Christian nationalism has already sneaked up on the Black community, and we cannot afford to let it go unabated. We must speak out and speak against this evil. We must teach about it and preach about it. We must resist it in all forms. There is nothing about Christ in a movement that purports to be superior to any other belief, organizes violence and white supremacist groups against other human beings, or preaches hate and rejection toward anyone who does not see religion through its lens.
The Black Church generally understands its position and responsibility as it regards liberation. The African Methodist Episcopal Church, in particular, is quite clear on our task to embrace justice, decency, respect, and equality for all people. We do that with biblical principles that support us every step of the way. Jesus was an activist; Jesus was anointed to preach to the oppressed; Jesus was sent to set the captives free–but Jesus was not a Christian Nationalist.
The Reverend Monica C. Jones, Ph.D., is the director of Christian Education Ministries and an associate minister at Big Bethel in Atlanta
