Clark: Are you a ‘Christian Nationalist’?
Editor’s Note: The Indianapolis Star yesterday launched a series of articles beginning with “God and Politics: A once-fringe Christian movement gains influence in Indiana government.” It attempts, incredulously, to marginalize Christian teaching, the basis of both western civilization and the American experiment, as only a recent political tactic of extremists. Along the way, it butchers the concept of separation of church and state. We asked Micah Clark, a veteran of such battles, to share his initial views.
by Micah Clark
Recently, I received a call from a newspaper reporter who wanted to talk with me at length about “Christian Nationalism.” My first thought was, “I’ve been in politics for over 30 years, and I don’t even know what that is.” I’ve never met anyone who says they are a Christian nationalist. Where did this come from?
I’m not the only one with this reaction. I have since watched a video of the late Pastor Voddie Baucham on this topic, who had the same response. “What do you mean by this? I am a Christian who loves America.” (There is nothing wrong with loving one’s country.)
His research led him to conclude that this is a slur against Christian involvement from liberals upset with the pushback against wokeness. Voddie pointed out that he had lived in Zambia, Africa, and their constitution speaks of the importance of the Christian faith, much like the Magna Carta and many other governmental documents of nations outside of the U.S.
“Christian nationalism” is an obvious pejorative term — a bogeyman. I could have asked the reporter if this was to be a news series followed up by a story on Islamic nationalism, atheistic nationalism, nihilistic nationalism or feminist nationalism. Or is it only an extreme Christian activism that should concern readers?
Those who have bought into believing this new movement is taking over America’s churches will sometimes point to the presence of American flags in churches. The problem with this “evidence” is that the presence of an American flag in a church’s worship center is probably much less common today than at any time in American history.
It is also a guilt-by-association argument, assuming certain beliefs by the presence of an object that holds meaning to all Americans. (It’s funny how the media doesn’t seem concerned with churches displaying rainbow flags as gay nationalism with such an exclusive, behavior-based flag.)
And no one really thinks, “Oh no, that’s Christian nationalism,” when a town lines its square with flags for the 4th of July, decorates a cemetery on Veterans Day, or the national anthem is played, or a prayer is said before a sporting event.
I spoke to the reporter at length, continuing to explain that I didn’t know what Christian nationalism was. I had not heard of it until recently. I told her that a reporter in Washington, D.C., had interviewed me about it, and he cited religious denominations and pastors whom I had never heard of let alone encountered. (He might as well have been asking me about snake handlers in Mississippi and their relevance to my American Family Institute.)
She gave me another example, pointing to two states that have tried to post the 10 Commandments in schools as evidence of a Christian nationalist movement. I noted that until fairly recently, the 10 Commandments had been in schools for nearly 200 years, and this term, Christian nationalism, just appeared. I added that if this was her example of extreme Christian theology it was a poor one when the 10 Commandments are actually Jewish. (That threw her a bit, and she laughed.)
The final points I tried to make were that all people should be properly involved in making their voices heard in government, regardless of their faith. We should not smear people with labels who are involved and civil, since most Americans are quite ignorant of how our government works, and are disengaged from it. The media often decries low voter turnout. Our republic is designed to be driven by citizen involvement.
I told her that, as for Christians, we are sometimes taught that civic involvement is important, but it is certainly not on the same level as the teachings of how man can be in a relationship with God. Civic action is not some sort of sacrament needed for reconciliation with God that churches are suddenly emphasizing with a new fervor.
I don’t know what became of this interview or how much of what I said was ever reported (he was not cited). Perhaps this article will be helpful as you hear terms that our culture says should scare you or instill a negative reaction.
Micah Clark is executive director of the American Family Association of Indiana. A version of this article originally appeared in the association’s newsletter.
Comments...