We Need to Talk About Christian Nationalism

The term "Christian Nationalism" undoubtedly brings to mind a variety of concepts. Maybe they are mostly good - maybe they are only bad.

Regardless of what your initial thoughts are on the subject, our hope is this article provides some clarity into the term's actual definition and three common misconceptions about its ideology.

So to begin, let's address the definition of the very term. Brad Onishi, author and religious scholar, called Christian Nationalism "an ideology that is based around the idea that this is a Christian nation, that this was founded as a Christian nation, and, therefore, it should be a Christian nation today and should be so in the future." (1)

Paul Djupe of Religion in Public said in an article discussing Christian Nationalism that "a Christian nation is one where Christian values (both those that are held in conjunction with people of other faiths and worldviews and those that are distinct to Christianity) are enshrined in legislation." (2)

At the outset, both definitions appear vague and general enough to not cause significant turmoil. However, there are plenty of misconceptions being purported about Christian Nationalism in today's culture. In this post, we are going to address three prominent ones that have shaped public opinion and cultural conversations on the topic. These are direct oppositions we have encountered in discussions publicly and privately in regards to the ideology.

Misconception 1: "Christian Nationalism is a White Supremacist movement."

While many authors and pundits have attempted to pin Christian Nationalism as a movement centered around White supremacy and the oppression of minorities, recent data proves not only the contrary, but significant multi-racial growth among the label.

PRRI (3) actually concluded in a 2025 study that Black Americans, not White Americans, adhered to or sympathized with Christian Nationalism the most, and only 2% more White Americans backed Christian nationalism than Hispanic Americans.

Christian Nationalism, at its basic definition from opposers of the ideology, is undeniably, factually, and statistically a non-racial movement based on PRRI's in-depth research on the subject.

Misconception 2: "Christian Nationalism seeks to eradicate all other religions in America."

Christian Nationalism in America, definitionally and in practice, has not yielded the eradication or suppression of other religions beyond the means the law allows.

The Constitution does allow for the practice of other religions, and those religions are protected by law. The concept of free will is a fundamental idea within Christianity, and any attempt to ban other religions is simply a futile attempt and contradictory to a key belief most Christians hold dear. In fact, a study done by the University of California San Diego (4) found that over 80% of people in America believe in free will, including a similar statistic among Christians.

The insinuation that Christian Nationalism desires to destroy all other religious practice in America is not only incorrect, but fundamentally opposed to core ideologies of the Christian faith and the American way of life.

Misconception 3: "In practice, Christian Nationalism would just idolize politics and try to create a theocracy."

According to Pew Research (5), 75% of Christians believe Christ is returning one day. Statistically speaking, it is highly unlikely a single Christian Nationalist you come into contact with here in America will concede the American government can function as a theocracy. Not only is it not its function, it is antithetical to the belief that Jesus needs to restore His Kingdom to earth at the end of time.

A theocracy is a government structured upon divine mandates, and a select group of leaders subject to that divine. As Christians, we believe the only theocratic structure that will ever succeed is the Kingdom of Heaven, where Christ will reign for eternity. Hence, any attempt to create a theocracy out of constitutional republic in America is against core ideas we hold as Christians.

Are You A Christian Nationalist?

Based on the definition of Christian Nationalism at the beginning of this article, we at New Athens Project are unapologetically Christian Nationalists. In fact, we spent an entire episode of our podcast going into detail about the subject and its application for American Christians. You can watch that episode here.

Before you object to what we believe, or what is purported that we believe, we would encourage you to spend time in dedicated, focused prayer on how God is inviting you to be involved politically. We believe God has created a unique call on the life of every believer, and that allows for incredible flexibility and diversity of talent, development, and engagement in the culture around us.

Christians are called to engage our culture. Why would that not include politics?

(All sources cited. Links can be provided again upon request.)