The REAL Problem with Christian Nationalism

Christian Nationalism has been in the news a lot lately, but what exactly is it, what's the real problem it poses, and what does pudding have to do with it???

Skye Jethani answers these questions and shows that Christian Nationalism and the Prosperity Gospel have a lot more in common than what we might think - Jesus isn't the goal, but a means to receive what they really want.

For more information about Christian Nationalism, check out these past Holy Post episodes

Episode 442: Christian Nationalism & the Good Life with Derwin Gray

Episode 498: Making Christian Disciples or Christian Nationalists? with David Kinnaman

Episode 531: What’s Wrong with Christian Nationalism? with Paul D. Miller

Episode 572: Christian Nationalist Hospitality & Atheists Get Political with Ryan Burge

[fabricpaper]

Never trust a religious leader who tells you how to vote, or a politician who tells you how to pray.

[darlenemartinez]

One of the best explanations for this movement that I’ve heard. I have been telling my Christian friends that I’m having a crisis of faith because I didn’t know how else to explain it. My faith in God is just as strong and powerful as it ever was. But I go to church with people who voted for a man because he claimed to be a Christian. And yet they cannot point out one loving act of Christianity that he did. Where as I can point out many un-Christ like things that he and many other political leaders have done while claiming that they’re doing it in the name of Jesus. It’s shameful and I don’t know how to continue to walk in love with people who claim to love Christ and do nothing to protect their neighbors rights.

[riceracerman]

You mean to tell me the people who built a literal golden idol of Trump and worshipped it aren’t following the gospel? Who’d have thought!

[spencerbrown]

To the church of my youth,
What the hell did you expect me to do?
You told me to love my neighbors, to model the life of Jesus. To be kind and considerate, and to stand up for the bullied.
You told me to love people, consider others as more important than myself.
You taught me to sing "red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight."
We sang it together, pressing the volume pedal and leaning our hearts into the chorus. You said that “He loved all the children of the world”.
You told me to love my enemies, to even do good to those who wish for bad things. You told me to never "hate" anyone and to always find ways to encourage people.
You told me it's better to give than receive, to be last instead of first. To help the poor, the widow, the stranger at the gate.
You told me that Jesus looks at what I do for the least-of-these as the true depth of my faith. You told me to focus on my own sin and not to judge. You told me to be accepting and forgiving.
So I paid attention.
I took in every lesson.
And I did what you told me.
But now, you call me a libtard. A queer-lover. You call me "woke." A backslider.
You call me a heretic. You make fun of my heart. You mock the people I’m trying to help.
You say I’m a child of the devil.
You call me soft. A snowflake. A socialist. You shun the very people you told me to help.
What the hell did you expect me to do?
I thought you were serious, but apparently not.
You hate nearly all the people I love. You stand against nearly all the things I stand for. I'm trying to see a way forward, but it's hard when I survey all the hurt, harm, and darkness that comes in the wake of your beliefs and presence.
What the hell did you expect me to do?
I believed it all the way.
I'm still believing it all the way.
Which leaves me wondering, what happened to you?

[ZacharyWSnow]

Fantastic video, and not because it "sticks it to the Trumpers" or anything. It's a fantastic video because it turns a mirror on us. I came away feeling, not angry at Christian nationalists, but embarrassed and repentant for all the ways I'VE used Jesus as a means to some other end than Jesus Himself. And a little self-reflection could go a long way with all of us. I do think Christian nationalism is more dangerous than just about any American movement right now. But I also have to recognize the idolatry in my own heart. Thanks as always, Holy Post team.

[penguin]

I am now an atheist, but was a devout Christian for much of my life. It was the prevalence of the Prosperity Gospel, and by extension, Christian nationalism, that made me start questioning Christian institutions. I could not understand how someone could read the teachings of Jesus, yet still believe these very non-Christian ideals.

[hadoken]

Not sure how I got recommended this, as I'm far from religious even though I was raised Catholic. But it warms my heart to hear Christians seeing Christian Nationalism for what it is. I hope your words are spread far and wide, so many people need to hear them.

[ChristopherRBailey]

At about 9:48
"Any message in which Jesus is the means but not the goal is not true Christianity, it's idolatry."

[davidavorpflanz]

"In no instance have the churches been the guardians of the liberties of the people" - James Madison

[johnwinstondarby]

Deeply un-American and dangerously un-Christian. The pudding metaphor was a spot-on tool! Well done.

[jb]

"They worship me with their mouths, but their hearts are far from me." Raised catholic but atheist now....thank you for recognizing Christian nationalism for what it is.

[davidwalter]

Very powerful analysis. As I watched, it occurred to me that in each case brought up, whether Christian Nationalism, Prosperity Gospel, or any of the rest, the focus is selfish. It is supposed to make the life of that individual better. But Christianity is supposed to be directed toward others, showing God's love and Christ's healing power to the world, sometimes at the expense of the individual Christian. Would any Christian Nationalist be willing to be put in prison for the Gospel, as Paul was?

[bradymayo]

As a Christian it is so refreshing to hear the truth. Thank you for your courage to call out Christian Nationalist and expose what they are really about!

[pthaloblue]

I have found it deeply disturbing to watch all these people claiming to be "Christian" forcing their beliefs on everyone in a country that was built on the wisdom of protecting religious freedom for everyone. Thank you for making such a clear explanation of what they really want so that people will not be deceived.

[hawkname]

This is a SHOCKING about of honesty and morality to be coming from a Christian source. Kudos to you sir.

[JoanieDoeShadow]

Amen. I was not expecting you to knock down so many sacred cows in one 10 minute video 😮 but you did amazing! Keep preaching!

[maryhamric]

When you really, really think about it...what has been the goal of Christianity in the US for the past 50 years or so? With all these things we pursue: money, power, perfect kids, perfect marriages, etc....we have gotten it all wrong. We have taught this over and over to USE Jesus and not SEEK Him. He's been our tool and not our Lord.

[melindaturner]

This video is just so good. I am a Christian & know that Christian nationalism is the biggest threat to Christianity not atheism that I was told growing up the daughter of an evangelical Christian. We are not & never have been a Christian nation and we have to fight CN with all we have!

[charleshuntington]

I am a Christian.
I never felt quite right about Christian Nationalism.
I couldn't put my finger on why though.
Thank you answering my questions and solving my confusion.

[benjaminharris]

This was the first “Holy Post” video I have seen and I am 100 percent impressed! Mister, you hit the nail on the head! This modern transactional religious practice is reminiscent of many ancient religious theologies - offering something good (prayers, tithes, sacrifice) to gain more possessions or to avert disasters (famine, plague, death). Humankind is still looking to the divine and trying to buy something.