Why Christians’ Involvement at the Gate of Government Is Not Christian Nationalism
Why Christians’ Involvement at the Gate of Government Is Not Christian Nationalism
Dismantling the Lies That Keep Christians, Pastors, and Churches from Engaging at the Gate of Government
My Story
I’ll admit it — I had fallen for the lies.
At nineteen, I was a student at a conservative evangelical Pentecostal college. It was an incredible environment — chapels filled with the Holy Spirit, professors who genuinely cared for their students, deep theological training, and lifelong friendships. But no college is perfect. Just like there’s no perfect church, family, or person.
As a naive young man studying for ministry, I absorbed everything I was taught. A few professors, however, began subtly introducing ideas like:
- America was inherently racist.
- The Founding Fathers weren’t really Christians — they were Deists — so our foundations weren’t truly Judeo-Christian.
- Evangelical Christians had fallen into “Christian Nationalism,” trying to establish God’s Kingdom politically in America.
The worst part? These ideas were wrapped in Bible verses and presented as “the real truth,” making young, impressionable students question their upbringing, their churches, and their faith.
It took me years to realize what I had been taught wasn’t true.
Still wounded, I spent the next fifteen years convinced pastors and churches should steer clear of anything that even appeared political. But over time, through Scripture and prayer, I regained both my theological footing and my voice. It all began with one crucial shift — a truth I’ll unpack in this first blog.
The Primary Theological Shift
The biggest lie keeping Christians, pastors, and churches from engaging at the Gate of Government is the accusation of “Christian Nationalism.”
The claim goes something like this:
“Jesus wasn’t political, and you shouldn’t be either. You’re trying to make America the new Israel and turn the gospel into a political kingdom.”
In this model, the picture looks like this:
To be fair, there have been some who have blurred those lines — confusing patriotism with faith. But I believe that’s not where most sincere believers live.
The biblical picture looks different. It looks like this:
Jesus at the Center
Always, only Jesus.
My allegiance is to Christ and Christ alone. He saved me, transformed me, and remains my message and my mission.
The Church
Because I love Jesus, I’m part of His ekklesia — the gathering of the called — to worship, be taught the Word, walk in fellowship, be baptized in water and the Spirit, and be activated for ministry.
The Fivefold Gifts (Ephesians 4)
Every believer is made on purpose for a purpose. Each of us is called to discover and activate our
apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic, shepherding, or
teaching gift (APEST).
There’s much to unpack here, but for now, know this: these gifts aren’t just for pastors — they’re for everyone.
Gates of Society
Because I love Jesus,
and through the fellowship and teaching of His Church,
empowered by the Holy Spirit,
I am called to be a witness for Christ at the
Gates of Society — including government.
When we see it this way, everything changes.
There’s no such thing as “Christian Nationalism” when Christ is at the center. My allegiance remains to Him alone — yet His lordship compels me to influence every area of culture with truth and light.
A Consistent Logic
In philosophy, truth must be consistent across all areas. So, if Christians are told to keep their faith out of government, that same logic must apply elsewhere:
- Should believers keep their faith out of the
Gate of Family?
Worship Jesus on Sunday, but don’t disciple your kids on Tuesday? - Should they keep faith out of the
Gate of Business?
Serve as an usher on Sunday, but ignore biblical integrity in finances on Monday? - Should they keep faith out of
Education?
Teach biblical marriage in church, but stay silent while schools push pornography and gender confusion?
That would be absurd.
A mother who worships on Sunday but abuses her children is a hypocrite.
A businessman who tithes but cheats employees isn’t a true disciple.
Yet somehow, we’ve been told a Christian who avoids the Gate of Government is a hero — even righteous?
The Enemy’s Strategy
If I were the enemy, and I knew I could set up strongholds at the Gate of Government — systems of bondage, poverty, murder, lawlessness, and fear — my first move would be simple:
convince Christians to stay out of government.
“Use your voice to pray in your small group,”
“but don’t use it at your school board meeting.”
“Show up at church on Sunday,”
“but don’t show up at the voting booth on Tuesday.”
The Call
It’s time to rediscover our biblical mandate to be salt and light — not just in our homes and churches, but in every sphere of society, including government. Our allegiance remains to Christ alone, but our influence must extend to every gate where truth is needed.
Let’s silence the lie of “Christian Nationalism” by boldly living out the truth of the Kingdom — Jesus at the center, His Church empowered, and His people engaged.
