People who think of themselves as Christian Nationalist are found in various countries, but perhaps they are most prominent in the USA under Donald Trump.

Wikipedia defines Christian Nationalism as follows:

Christian nationalism is a form of religious nationalism that focuses on promoting the Christian views of its followers, in order to achieve prominence or dominance in political, cultural, and social life.

On the surface, this sounds like a good thing for Christianity, however in practice, this seems to promote right-wing views and a degree of intolerance, even racism, as it tends to go hand in hand with White Nationalism.

It might be asked whether Christian Nationalism is an oxymoron, which is to say a contradiction in terms. Is it possible to follow the teachings of Jesus and also desire to promote the interests of your nation or a part of its population?

As a Christian, I turn to the Bible for guidance. Did Jesus support the Jewish leaders or the Roman Emperor? Did he use worldly powers to impose Christianity on the 1st Century nations? Jesus said:

Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.”(John18:36 WEB)

So there are three important points to notice here: Firstly, there will be a Kingdom; secondly, it is not going to be a part of this present political system and thirdly, Jesus is going to be it’s king, not a human politician.

In the time of Jesus, people tried to bring about Christ’s Kingdom by force.

When therefore the people saw the sign which Jesus did, they said, “This is truly the prophet who comes into the world.” Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself.(John 6:14&15)

Again, we can see that people were trying to bring about a seismic change in the political landscape, but that was not God’s plan. God has a time already decided, when Jesus will return to set up God’s Kingdom on earth. As much as we should want the Kingdom of God to be set up on earth, with all the blessings it will bring, humans cannot bring it about.

While we wait for Jesus to come back, there are things we should be doing such as preaching the Word and trying to lead Christian lives, but we cannot bring the Kingdom by force and it won’t evolve from existing human countries. It will come suddenly.

in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.(1 Cor 15:52)

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first,(1 Thes 4:16)

Professing to follow Jesus, but at the same time trying to advance a worldly, political cause, sounds a lot like having a foot in both camps.

No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to one and despise the other. You aren’t able to serve God and Mammon.”(Luke 16:13)

Are such people true followers of Jesus, following his teachings and trying to emulate him in their lives?

By their fruits you will know them.(Matthew 7:20)