Christ’s Reign, Our Exile, and the Question of “Christian Nationalism”

“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” - Jeremiah 29:7

Dear New Life in Christ Church Family,

Over the past several years, the term Christian Nationalism has appeared more frequently in public discussion. It has surfaced in news outlets, conferences, and theological conversations. Within our own Presbyterian Church in America, a study committee has been appointed to examine the term carefully and to help the church think through both its historical background and its contemporary expressions. That work is ongoing.

In moments like this, it can feel as though people are using the same word while meaning very different things by it. One person hears the phrase and thinks of historic Protestant political theology. Another hears it and thinks of racism and ethnonationalism. Another hears it and assumes it is simply a label used to discredit Christians who hold traditional moral convictions. When a word carries that much freight, clarity becomes difficult.

Because this conversation has been developing for some time, I want to offer a brief clarification about how I think about these matters as your pastor.

First, I do not take the label Christian Nationalist to myself. The term is used in a wide variety of ways, and in many contexts it carries assumptions that I do not share. Because its meaning shifts depending on who is using it, I do not find it helpful as a self-description.

But, declining a label does not mean declining convictions.

I believe that Jesus Christ reigns now over every nation and every ruler. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). He is “the ruler of kings on earth” (Revelation 1:5). Psalm 2 reminds us that the nations belong to Him and that earthly rulers are called to serve the Lord with fear.

I believe civil leaders are accountable to God and are called to rule justly. Scripture calls them “God’s servant for your good” (Romans 13:4). The Westminster Confession of Faith teaches that God has ordained civil magistrates “for His own glory and the public good” (WCF 23.1). Civil authority operates under God’s moral government. That does not mean the state administers religion, but it does mean rulers are accountable to God’s moral order. 

At the same time, Scripture and our Confession make important distinctions.

Old Testament Israel occupied a unique covenantal role in redemptive history. The judicial laws given to Israel were tied to that nation under that covenant. The Westminster Confession teaches that those judicial laws expired with that nation, “not obliging any other now, further than the general equity thereof may require” (WCF 19.4). There is not a direct continuity between Israel’s civil code and modern nation states. We are not called to recreate Israel as a theocratic nation.

However, I believe the moral principles embedded in those laws continue to instruct us. The moral law, summarized in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20), reflects God’s character and remains binding. The application of those principles in civil life requires wisdom and prudence. Faithful Christians may sometimes disagree about specific policies while sharing the same moral commitments.

Our Confession also clarifies that the civil magistrate may not assume to himself the administration of the Word and sacraments (WCF 23.3, American revision). Christ has given distinct spiritual authority to His church. He has entrusted to the church the keys of the kingdom (Matthew 16:19). The church’s calling is to preach the Word, administer the sacraments, and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19–20). The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh (2 Corinthians 10:3–4).

In this present age, we live as sojourners and exiles (1 Peter 2:11). Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Jesus Himself said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). That exile identity shapes our tone and our expectations. The kingdom of Christ advances through Word and Spirit, not through coercive civil power.

And yet exile does not mean withdrawal.

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God instructed His people in Babylon to build houses, plant gardens, raise families, and “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile” (Jeremiah 29:5–7). They were not at home, yet they were to pursue the good of the society around them.

I believe that posture continues to guide us as Christians who live as exiles in this present age.

Christians do not abandon the public sphere. I do not believe Christian faith should be confined to private life, as though Christ’s lordship does not extend to the public square.

Loving our neighbor includes caring about justice, the protection of life, and the moral health of society. If we believe that every human being bears the image of God (Genesis 1:27), then it is reasonable to desire laws that protect life from conception to natural death (Psalm 139:13–16). If we believe that righteousness exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34), then we may advocate for laws and policies that restrain evil and promote good.

Every law reflects some moral vision. The question is not whether morality shapes law, but which morality does so.

Because the term Christian Nationalism is used in so many different ways, I am not particularly interested in debating terminology. If someone applies that label to me because I believe Christ reigns over the nations or because I believe civil laws should reflect moral truth, I would rather clarify what I actually believe than argue over the word itself.

However, if views are attributed to me that I do not hold, such as ethnonationalism, racial hierarchy, coercive religion, or confusion of church and state, I would clearly reject those claims. Scripture teaches that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek (Galatians 3:28), that God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34), and that the redeemed come from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 7:9). Our unity is in Christ, not in ethnicity or national identity.

My concern is not adopting or rejecting a political label. My concern is faithfulness to Scripture and to our confession.

Christ reigns over the nations.

The church proclaims the gospel.

Christians serve faithfully in every lawful calling. 

And as exiles who belong to a heavenly kingdom, we seek the welfare of the places where God has placed us, trusting that in their welfare we will find our own.

Faithfully Yours,
Pastor Sean

For those who would like to explore this discussion further, I have found the following articles helpful as our denomination continues to reflect on these matters:

6 Questions for Christian Nationalists by Kevin DeYoung - This article raises thoughtful theological questions about the meaning and implications of the term and the broader discussion.

What Even Is Christian Nationalism? by George Sayour - This piece surveys a range of definitions and perspectives within the wider PCA conversation. It is helpful as an overview of how the term is being used and debated.