Loving America Without Losing the Gospel

Dr. John Hill

Christian Patriotism Vs Christian Nationalism

Some words get thrown around so much that they begin to lose their meaning. “Christian nationalism” is one of those words.

For some people, it means any Christian who votes conservative. That is unfair. For others, it means loving America, honoring the flag, supporting the military, or believing Christian values should shape public life. That is also too broad. Christians have every right to vote, speak, serve, pray, and bring biblical convictions into public conversations.

So what is Christian nationalism?

Christian nationalism is the belief that America is meant to be a Christian nation in a special political sense, and that the government should protect or restore that identity. It often blends Christianity and American identity so tightly that being a “good Christian” and being a “true American” start to sound like the same thing. That is where the danger begins.

A Christian can love America. A Christian can be thankful for the Constitution, religious liberty, free speech, and the sacrifices of those who served. A Christian can believe our laws should protect life, honor the family, defend religious freedom, punish evil, and encourage what is good. None of that is wrong. But America is not the kingdom of God.

America is a nation. The church is the body of Christ. America has a flag. The church has a cross. America has founding documents. The church has Scripture. America has presidents. The church has a King. When we confuse those things, we weaken our witness.

The Bible teaches us to pray for rulers and live as good citizens. Paul told believers to pray “for kings, and for all that are in authority” so that people might live quiet and peaceable lives. Peter told Christians to “honour the king.” These commands matter. Christians should not be careless, bitter, or detached from public life.

But the Bible also teaches that our highest loyalty belongs to Christ. When Peter and the apostles were ordered to stop preaching, they answered, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” That means the government has a real place, but not the highest place. This is the line Christians must hold.

Patriotism says, “I love my country, and I want to serve my neighbors.”

Nationalism says, “My country, my people, and my tribe must come first.”

Christian patriotism can be humble. Christian nationalism usually becomes proud. Patriotism can admit national sins. Nationalism often hides them. Patriotism thanks God for blessings. Nationalism starts acting as if God needs America to accomplish His will. He does not.

God was God before America existed. The gospel was changing lives before 1776. The church was already alive long before the United States was born. And if the Lord tarries, the kingdom of God will still stand long after every earthly nation has passed away. That does not mean America is bad. It means America is not ultimate.

Conservative Christians should be careful here because we have real concerns. We see moral confusion in our culture. We see attacks on religious liberty. We see the breakdown of the family. We see unborn life treated cheaply. We see schools, media, courts, and corporations often pushing ideas that conflict with Christian faith. Those concerns are not imaginary. But fear can make Christians reach for the wrong tools.

Fear can make us think political power will save us. Fear can make us excuse bad character if someone promises to fight for our side. Fear can make us treat our neighbors as enemies instead of people made in the image of God.

That is not the way of Christ.

The answer to a secular culture is not a baptized power grab. The answer is faithful Christian presence: strong churches, courageous preaching, serious discipleship, Christian families, moral clarity, public service, and patient witness.

We should vote. We should speak. We should organize. We should defend life and liberty. We should run for office if called. We should argue for laws that protect the weak and restrain evil. But we must never confuse political victory with gospel faithfulness.

One major problem with Christian nationalism is that it can create second-class citizens. If being truly American requires being Christian, then what are Jews, Muslims, atheists, Hindus, and others? Are they less American? Do they deserve less freedom? A Christian should answer no.

Religious liberty is not just for us. It is for everyone. If we only defend religious freedom when Christians benefit, then we are not defending liberty. We are defending privilege.

This does not mean all religions are true. Christians believe Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.” But the government should not force faith. Forced religion does not produce disciples. It produces resentment, hypocrisy, and false security.

The church does not need the sword of the state to preach the gospel. The church needs the power of the Holy Spirit.

Another problem with Christian nationalism is that it can turn America’s history into a myth. Yes, Christian ideas deeply shaped American life. Many founders knew the Bible. Many early leaders believed religion and morality were important for public virtue. Churches helped build communities, schools, charities, hospitals, and reform movements.

We should not erase that history.

But we should not clean it up too much either. America also has a history of slavery, injustice, broken treaties, racism, and moral failure. Love of country does not require pretending. In fact, honest love tells the truth.

A father who loves his child does not deny the child’s mistakes. He wants the child to do better. In the same way, Christians can love America enough to thank God for her blessings and still call her to repentance where she has sinned. That is patriotic. That is biblical. That is mature.

So how can conservative Christians be patriotic without becoming nationalists?

First, keep the cross above the flag. Display the flag if you wish, but do not let national symbols become holy objects.

Second, keep the church’s mission clear. The mission of the church is not to save America. The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Third, vote with conviction, but do not worship a party. Parties are tools. They are not churches. They are not the kingdom.

Fourth, defend religious liberty for all people. Christians should want a public square where truth can be spoken freely, not a government that plays favorites with religion.

Fifth, tell the truth about America. Give thanks for what is good. Grieve what is evil. Work for what is just.

Sixth, refuse fear. The future of the church does not depend on an election. Christ said, “I will build my church.” That promise is stronger than any political movement.

The Christian should be patriotic, but never idolatrous. We can love America, serve America, pray for America, and sacrifice for America. But we cannot confuse America with Zion, the Constitution with Scripture, or the president with Christ.

The best Christian citizen is not the one who shouts the loudest about taking the country back. It is the one who follows Jesus faithfully, loves his neighbor honestly, tells the truth courageously, and remembers where his final citizenship is.

America is our earthly home. Christ is our Lord. That order must never change.

Resources Used

Paul D. Miller, “What Is Christian Nationalism?” Christianity Today, February 3, 2021.

Brad East, “How (Not) to Talk About ‘Christian Nationalism,’” Christianity Today, March 13, 2024.

Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, “Christian Nationalism.”

Christians Against Christian Nationalism, “Statement from Christians Against Christian Nationalism.”

Pew Research Center, “How Americans Feel About Religion’s Influence in Government and Public Life,” May 14, 2026.

Thomas S. Kidd, “Christian Nationalism vs. Christian Patriotism,” The Gospel Coalition, December 18, 2020.