This essay describes my understanding of the proper place for the Kingdom of God in the world in contrast to the politics of Christian Nationalism. Tim Isbell, March 27, 2024.
The world’s nations operate within geographic boundaries. God’s Kingdom has no geographical boundaries. It’s a spiritual Kingdom comprised of disciples of Jesus, connected by the Spirit of Jesus, organized in small communities called churches distributed across the nations.
God’s Kingdom has a different goal than ordinary nations: its citizens work to reconcile people of all races and nations to God through relationships with Jesus Christ. It's not about taking over the political power of the nations; it’s about working toward peace and reconciliation within and among nations.
Saint Paul gives us a hint in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. We are to live as reconciling agents of our reconciling Lord. This unique role begins with personally reconciling with God by putting our faith in Jesus and allowing his Spirit to help us reconcile with other Christ-followers. This new community grows as we encourage others to reconcile with God and each other. We do this daily as citizens of His Kingdom while residing in the world. All the while, we are to trust God for the eventual restoration of all creation.
So, we gather with other believers, empty ourselves, lovingly deliberate, humbly discern, and live reconciled lives. Then, we engage the world according to the ways of Christ Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit, taking our vision from the ancient stories of our faith.
Christian Nationalism, in my view, is bogus theology in which people use the ways of the world to try to enforce on their nation what they think are Christian Laws.
Old Testament prophecy says God’s Messiah would eventually come and forcefully set the world right. Christians believe the Messiah came as Jesus of Nazareth. But instead of subduing the world to his ways, he willingly went to the cross to atone for the human sin of misusing power. After the resurrection, Jesus taught his disciples to follow his example by living redemptively until his return. Then he ascended to heaven.
Within weeks, the Spirit of Jesus launched the present age of God’s Kingdom. It shaped an ever-expanding worldwide collection of local churches open to the full participation of women and men of all races. (So, White Christian Nationalism is even more bogus than Christian Nationalism.)
The above raises the question of whether the Old Testament prophets were wrong. I don't think so. The ancient scriptures prophesied a Messiah coming once but not twice—though carefully reading their prophecies allows that interpretation. The New Testament clarifies that Jesus was the promised Messiah and that he would return a second time. Then, God will exert power and set right the world's injustices, past and present. The timing is not for us to know.
So, I cringe when I see Christian churches fly national flags, celebrate national holidays, or claim God somehow favors their nation above the others.
(Note: I taught a series in our local church about this topic in 2020. The notes are in the Kingdom Politics lesson series. Also see Politics - the Way of Jesus.)