Christian Nationalism: Where are We Headed?
The term Christian Nationalism has become a lightning rod—sparking debate, confusion, and in some corners, outright panic. For some, it's a hopeful vision for rebuilding Christian civilization. For others, it's a bogeyman conjured up to label faithful men as dangerous extremists.
In our most recent episode of The Patriarchy Podcast, I sat down with Pastor Richard Lusk to cut through the hysteria and speak plainly about what Christian Nationalism is, where the battle lines are, and why so many people—even within the church—are afraid of it.
We didn’t try to solve everything in one episode. What we did try to do—and what this article aims to do—is map the terrain. To help men understand why this conversation matters, where the real concerns lie, and how to stay rooted in Christ as we fight for the future of our homes, churches, and nations.
What Do Christian Nationalists Actually Believe?
At its heart, Christian Nationalism is the belief that nations—like individuals, families, and churches—are morally obligated to honor Jesus Christ as Lord. That belief is not new. It has deep roots in Scripture, in church history, and in the Reformed tradition.
As Stephen Wolfe outlines in The Case for Christian Nationalism, a Christian nation is one that:
Acknowledges the Kingship of Christ
Conforms its laws to biblical justice
Preserves a national people with a shared culture and Christian religion
Promotes the good of its own people, under God, with charity toward outsiders
Sees civil government as God’s servant, not a neutral referee
Wolfe’s work has been foundational. It has reawakened serious political theology among Christian men. But it’s also raised questions—particularly around ethnicity, belonging, and how far is too far when talking about “nationhood.”
Enter Pastor Richard Lusk.
What Richard Lusk Adds to the Conversation
Pastor Lusk affirms the core of Christian Nationalism. He believes nations are called to obey Christ and that Christians should work to disciple their nations—not just individuals. But in his article, Notes on Christian Nationalism: Origins and Fault Lines (Theopolis Institute), Lusk offers both a defense and a corrective.
He distinguishes between several versions of Christian Nationalism:
Some are vague, simply affirming that Christians should care about their nation’s moral and spiritual health.
Some are reactionary, formed more by opposition to wokeism than positive biblical theology.
Some veer toward an overly ethnic, blood-and-soil approach that can lose sight of the broader, multi-generational mission of Christ’s Kingdom.
Lusk’s call is simple: Be more biblical and less online. We don’t need memes or slogans. We need robust political theology grounded in Scripture, historic confessions, and the Lordship of Christ.
In the podcast, Lusk pointed us to the central truth: The problem is not that Christian Nationalism goes too far—the problem is that American Christianity has retreated too far. We’ve accepted a world where Jesus has no crown rights over law, education, or public life. That’s the real heresy.
Why This Makes People Nervous
Let’s be honest. There are two broad camps pushing back against Christian Nationalism.
1. The Liberal/Progressive Wing
These are the blue-check pastors, Big Eva influencers, and woke seminary voices who’ve built their platform on cultural compliance. They hear “Christian Nationalism” and instantly think “January 6,” white supremacy, or Crusader LARPing. Their concern isn’t theological—it’s social. They want to be accepted by a culture that hates Christ. So they accuse faithful men of being dangerous simply because they speak clearly.
They don’t fear Christian Nationalism because it’s unbiblical. They fear it because it’s not ashamed of Christ.
2. The Conservative Caution
On the other hand, some faithful Christian men—solid, Reformed, serious about Scripture—have raised concerns too. Not about honoring Christ over nations, but about:
Whether certain advocates place too much emphasis on ethnicity or homogeneity
Whether the tone is too reactionary, driven more by political angst than positive theology
Whether this movement will be co-opted by angry men with no pastoral grounding or church accountability
These are fair cautions. And if we’re going to build something that lasts longer than a meme cycle, we should listen—not to back down, but to tighten our aim.
What We Need Moving Forward
We need more than slogans. We need more than outrage. What we need is a generation of men who:
Love their people and their place without apology
Submit every area of life—personal and national—to the Lordship of Jesus
Know the difference between a Christian country and a nostalgic fantasy
Aren’t afraid of power but understand it must be restrained by God’s law
Build families, churches, and communities that disciple—not just survive
Christian Nationalism, rightly understood, is not about race or resentment. It’s about Christ’s rightful rule over the nations, and the call for men to take that seriously—not only in the private sphere, but in the public square.
Application: How Should You Respond?
1. Get Theological.
Don’t form your views from YouTube comments or Twitter threads. Read Scripture. Study church history. Pick up Wolfe’s book. Read the reformers. Read Kuyper. Understand the doctrine of sphere sovereignty and the crown rights of Christ. Be able to think rightly about two kingdoms theology. Learn to think about nature and grace.
2. Build Something.
Start in your home. Make Christ Lord there. Then disciple your local church. Then influence your town. Don’t fantasize about seizing D.C. if you won’t show up to a school board meeting or plant a solid church.
3. Reject Passivity.
Stop apologizing for wanting your nation to honor Christ. Stop pretending neutrality is an option. Lead your family. Lead your community. Train your boys. Make your daughters strong in the faith.
4. Stay Rooted in the Church.
If Christian Nationalism is going to grow, it must be connected to Word and sacrament—not just online energy. We need elders. We need liturgy. We need covenant community. The Church isn’t the State but a reformed Church will make for a much better Christian nation.
5. Keep the Mission in View.
We’re not trying to recreate the 1950s. We’re not fighting merely for tradition’s sake. We are advancing the Kingdom of God under the authority of Christ, for the good of our people and the glory of His name.
Christian Nationalism is not a threat. It’s not heresy. It’s not a sideshow. It is the natural outworking of the Gospel when men take responsibility for the land they live in and the generations who will come after.
So no, we’re not backing down.
We’re digging in.
Build. Fight. Protect. Lead. This is The Patriarchy.