Last time I wrote about progressive Christianity and a Christian's biblical worldview. If you have not had the opportunity to read it, I recommend that you do so before you read this article since they are related.
The phrase started to come into use midway through Donald Trump’s first term when “White Nationalism” became the current thing bogeyman after the Charlottesville Protests. It was a very obvious linguistic trick, to try to insinuate that “White Nationalism” and “Christian Nationalism” are interchangeable. It is a pathetic attempt to smear as a racist anyone who believes that Jesus Christ is King over all the world including America. [2]
Tyler Huckabee observed the following:
This movement, known as Christian nationalism, is in the business of merging Christian and American identities, liberally mixing biblical teaching with the principles of constitutional democracy until the line between them is blurred or even erased altogether.Some of this seems benign on the surface. An American flag in the church pulpit. “In God We Trust” on the dollar. Christian politicians referring to the Second Amendment as a “God-given right.” Christians, after all, have a right to advocate for favorable laws just like anyone else. But real Christian nationalists aren’t out for anything so salubrious as equal treatment under the law, and their methods involve the marginalization of citizens who don’t see things according to a bracingly narrow definition of what it means to be both an American and a Christian — sometimes with deadly repercussions.At their most extreme, Christian Nationalists may describe themselves as “dominionists,” who believe Christians ought to have dominion over what they consider to be the seven forces — or, in their parlance, “mountains”— that shape culture: business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, family and religion. (The Seven Mountain Mandate, 7M) As David Barton, a Christian Nationalist and one of the leaders of Project Blitz put it in a radio broadcast, “If you can have those seven areas, you can shape and control whatever takes place in nations, continents and even the world.”“Christian nationalism is not the same thing as patriotism or being patriotic,” Amanda Tyler explains. “I am a Patriot. We can be patriotic and still understand that we don’t need to minimize our religious convictions or somehow make those fit into a particular political affiliation or nationalistic affiliation.”“Whenever the state gets too cozy with Christianity, Christianity is the one that gets compromised,” Tyler says. “Our radical Christian values are not in line with the powers and principalities of this state. Jesus taught us that we are citizens of two kingdoms, an earthly kingdom ruled by our governments and God’s kingdom. We have to work out what we render to which kingdom.” [5]
The Great Commission means that if you are a Christian you are axiomatically a Christian Nationalist. If you say you are a Christian and you reject “Christian Nationalism,” you are just a disobedient Christian. (Wow! Quite radical! If I'm a genuine Christian I will be a Christian Nationalist. I have yet found that as a description of a Christ follower in Scripture) To be part of Christ’s Kingdom is to bring the kingdoms of this world into submission to Christ’s Kingship. (Again, Andrew is sharing is dominionism and not unbiblical doctrine) [2]
I don’t apologize for anything that I’ve said or any of the work we are doing to take dominion of our country and culture for the glory of God. Jesus gave us a mission: the Great Commission. [6]
Apparently the Great Commission to these Christian nationalists is taking over and having dominion over the seven mountains and thus the nation.
... that we are to take control of the seven main “mountains” that shape our culture—education, government, media, business, arts and entertainment, family, and religion—in order to implement the will of God throughout the nation and the world.
The United States won’t be saved just by converting more people to Christianity...The only way to save the nation is for those mountains to be seized by Christians...[7]
If we are going to build a Christian movement it must be exclusively Christian and we can’t be afraid to say that out loud. We are all sinners saved by Grace, but if you do not repent and believe in Jesus Christ then you do not share our Biblical worldview and cannot participate in any meaningful position of authority in the movement. It’s just that simple. [1]
Christian Nationalism is not merely a political movement. It’s a social, cultural, and spiritual one. Christian Nationalism is not merely limited to the right wing in the United States. Our King has dominion over this entire earth. Every square inch. Christians around the world are rising up right at this very moment to claim what is rightfully His.
We are done being the footstool of the Enemy. We are done being pushovers. We are done with simply wanting to be left alone. Now we want to win. Win souls for Christ. Win elections. Win in the culture. Win in the education system. Win with our own technology. Our own media. Our own entertainment. Win for the glory of God. [1]
I said we are forming a Christian Nationalist movement and in order to be in any position of influence or leadership in the movement you must be a Christian (According to Andrew's definition). I said we are no longer going to answer to people who do not share our values and represent a diametrically different worldview (Sadly his worldview isn't biblical, but rather syncretistic) that only 2% of the country holds (Thankfully). We are the 70%+ super majority in this country and we are going to do everything we can to take dominion and disciple this nation for the glory of Jesus Christ our King. [8]
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Mt. 5:38-48)
I've been asked several times what Christian nationalism is, and how it differs from Christian fundamentalism. It's an important concept to understand, because the threat to a pluralistic society does not come from those who simply believe in a very conservative interpretation of Christianity. It comes from those who adhere to a political ideology that posits a Christian right to rule. Christian nationalists believe in a revisionist history, which holds that the founders were devout Christians who never intended to create a secular republic; separation of church and state, according to this history, is a fraud perpetrated by God-hating subversives. One of the foremost Christian revisionist historians is David Barton. [9]
“If your family homeschools, or if you send your kids to a Christian school, or even if you are actively involved in Republican politics, listen to talk radio, and consider yourself a TEA party oriented person, the name David Barton has circled around your orbit at least a few times.”
Barton has been highly influential and successful in shaping the mindset, or biblical worldview of Christians in the United States to the point that back in 2011 Mike Huckabee said of Barton and his teachings that he wished "all Americans would be forced, forced at gunpoint, no less, to listen to every David Barton message." [10]
Despite Barton's popularity in particular Christian mainline groups, a number of conservative evangelicals have exposed the misinterpretations and errors in his works to the point they had to be edited out of a video, or even as his Christian publishing house, Thomas Nelson, pulling the book from the shelves due to its inaccuracies. Examine his works for yourself. Many Christian leaders and preachers have followed his misguided teachings and bring reproach to the name of Christ. Have you been deceived by his teachings even as I once was? I'll talk more about David later.
Now continuing with Michelle Goldberg:
The goal of Christian nationalist politics is the restoration of the imagined Christian nation. As George Grant, former executive director of D. James Kennedy's influential Coral Ridge Ministries, wrote in his book "The Changing of the Guard:"
"Christians have an obligation, a mandate, a commission, a holy responsibility to reclaim the land for Jesus Christ -- to have dominion in civil structures, just as in every other aspect of life and godliness.
But it is dominion we are after. Not just a voice.
It is dominion we are after. Not just influence.
It is dominion we are after. Not just equal time.
It is dominion we are after.
World conquest. That's what Christ has commissioned us to accomplish." [9]
This seems to be a root of Christian Nationalism - conquest, dominion. While this root can be traced back to the time of Constantine, the Crusades, the Inquisition, postmillennialism, etc, the more recent modern version is often credited to Bill Bright from Campus Crusade, and Loren Cunningham, with Youth With a Mission, and Francis Schaeffer back in the 1975 when they received a "message from God" ordering them to invade the "seven spheres" of society. Although during the 80's groups like the Moral Majority and the Christian Coalition took on some of their ideologies, as well as Pat Robertson and CBN and their 700 Club as well as James Dobson and with his Focus on the Family had irons in the fire as well. Some well respected Christian organizations to most Christians. Yet 7M didn't seem to bear much fruit until Loren Cunningham met with Lance Wallnau in 2000.
Now backing up to Bill and Loren who got together and came up with seven areas they believed Christians had to conquer in a culture. Which is referred to as Seven Mountains Theology, Seven Mountains Prophecy, Seven Mountains Mandate, and Seven Mountains Dominionism, or even 7M. The seven areas they gave were: family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business and government. This is somehow derived from Isaiah 2:2-3 - “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” As well as from Revelation chapter 17, but chiefly verse 9: "And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth."
As Lance Wallnau, a leading advocate for Seven Mountains theology, explained that Jesus “doesn’t come back until He’s accomplished the dominion of nations.” And the way “dominion of nations” is accomplished is by having Christians gain control of these “seven mountains” in order to install a “virtual theocracy” overseen by “true apostles” who will fight Satan and his Antichrist agenda. [11]
David Barton said of this theology: "Now we’ve grouped some of those together and thrown some together, but they said those are the seven areas you have to have and if you can have those seven areas, you can shape and control whatever takes place in nations, continents, and even the world."
Barton continues: "It says the Lord’s house is going to be established on top of the mountains and these are the seven mountains. If you’re going to establish God’s kingdom, you’ve got to have these seven mountains and again that’s family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business and government.
Now that’s what we believed all along is that you got to get involved in this stuff. Jesus said “you occupy ’til I come.” We don’t care when he comes, that’s up to him. What we’re supposed to do is take the culture in the meantime and you got to get involved in these seven areas." [12]11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
Some things to note about this parable are:
- The nobleman leaves to receive a kingdom and then return.
- The nobleman gave his servants money and told them to be engaged in business until he returns.
- When he returns he summons his servants to take account of what they had done with the money he had given them.
- Two of his servants made the money grow while a third servant hid it and did nothing with it.
Both John the Baptist and Jesus started their ministries by declaring, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mt. 3:2; 4:17) Jesus even sent His disciples out to preach that "the kingdom of God is at hand." (Mt 10:7) Jesus said that except a man be born again he cannot enter the kingdom of God (Jn. 3:3-5; 2 Cor. 5:17). Again, when Jesus called Paul He told him, "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." (Ac 26:18) The kingdom of God is the good news or gospel. Therefore if you teach something different it is another gospel as Paul forewarned. (Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Cor. 11:13-14)
Also remember that Jesus told Pilate that "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." (Jn. 18:36) Bible scholars through the centuries by and large have agreed that Jesus meant that His kingdom is not connected to earthly political and national entities, nor does it have its origin in the evil world system that is in rebellion against God. The kingdom He established was a spiritual one conquering sin in the lives of His people and someday conquering the evil world system at His second coming when He establishes the earthly form of His kingdom. Therefore His kingdom was no threat to Rome. That Christian nationalists are trying to take control over the nation through these seven influences is not what Jesus or the apostles taught in scripture.
Recall in Matthew 16:21ff that Jesus told His disciples how He would suffer, be killed and raised on the third day. Yet, Peter would have none of this! He rebuked Jesus, Who returned the rebuke with: "Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Jesus was sharing the Gospel, the mystery of God, which none of the princes of the world knew, for if they had they would not have crucified Him. (1 Cor. 2:7-8). Here it shows that Peter, who like the rest of Israel was looking for a Messiah that would physically deliver them from Rome. That was not the Father's purpose for Jesus then, nor is it His purpose for us today to physically subdue the nations in like manner today. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual (2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 6:10-18) We know that Peter still didn't grasp this when they came to arrest Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane as Peter drew a sword and attempted to deliver Jesus by force. Still after Jesus had risen after spending time with His disciples when He was about to be received into heaven they asked Him, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" (Ac. 1:6) Another indication they were still holding to their carnal understanding they had received growing up. Even so, the dominionist Christian nationalist do today.
One more look at a popular verse among the dominionist Christian nationalists, this one being Matthew 11:12 which they take out of context - "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." As always one must look at the full context of any given verse to understand it correctly which isn't done by the dominionist Christian nationalists here. Also another hindrance with this verse are the words translators have chosen to use - violence and violent.
Spiros Zodhiates gives us a clear understanding of the true nature of these words.
- Pertaining to βιάζεται (suffers violence) he writes: the kingdom of God is sought with eagerness, haste, It is not carefully thought of as to its consequences which may not be pleasant, such as persecution by one's very own household (Mt. 10:36). Meaning that one presses himself in to seize the kingdom with his own energy as if the kingdom could be had as something to be grasped. We see this today as people eagerly and flippantly come forward to "accept Christ" without having experienced repentance of sin or having counted the cost of their acceptance (Mt. 16:24-28)
- Pertaining to βιασταὶ (violent) he writes: to suffer violence, but also to hurry into or press into without proper thought and repentance. A violent person, one who uses force, but also one who hurries to appropriate something that seems good without measuring the consequences of such an action. In Mt. 11:12 it refers to those who heard the preaching of John the Baptist and came to him to be baptized without truly repenting of their sins. They were rushing into the kingdom and as such they were βιαστα, those who speedily pushed their way in. [13]
It should be evident that this verse isn't about seizing dominion of the seven mountains of secular influence after conversion “doing whatever is necessary''. If anything this verse comes against their logic that is contrary to Christ.
In conclusion today, I hope that I have helped you to see the many faces of Christian Nationalism and some of what it entails that you may "prove all things." (1 Th. 5:21). People have referred to the (dominionist) Christian Nationalism as a shadow gospel, a false gospel and an anti-gospel and I'd have to agree with them as I have pointed out their error and unbiblical teachings that they zealously propagate in opposition to the true Gospel. I plan to continue to reveal more about these philosophies and ideologies of men (Col. 2:8) in future blog posts. In the meantime, be diligent to search these things out for yourselves, that you may "continue in His word, that you may be His disciples indeed; that you may know the truth, and that the truth shall make you free." (Jn. 8:31-32)
References
[1] Gab News, 7/16/2022
[2] https://gab.com/BonifaceOption
[3] https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/04/16/bachmann-praises-trump-biblical-president/
[4] Merrill, Louis Taylor (1945). "The Puritan Policeman". American Sociological Review. American Sociological Association. 10 (6): 766–776. doi:10.2307/2085847.
[5] https://relevantmagazine.com/magazine/under-god-the-rise-of-christian-nationalism/
[6] Gab News, 7/26/2022
[7] https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=900994420568918
[8] https://tv.gab.com/channel/a/view/watching-and-responding-to-rachel-maddows-62df6003661f3ff97d5ba03d
[9] https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-is-christian-nationa_b_20989
[10] https://www.youtube.com/watch?
[11] https://lancewallnau.com/
[12] https://wallbuilderslive.com/empowering-christian-film-makers-to-influence-entertainment/
[13] The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament; pgs 336-337
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