WHAT ABOUT CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM
The
“I do not identify as a ‘Christian Nationalist,’
simply because I am ignorant of the nuances that may exist in that moniker.
However, I am certainly a Christian and a patriot. I love my country, and want
Christian values to permeate its government and homes.”
[Pastor
Preus then comments on three points generally
maintained by “Christian Nationalists” (points mentioned in the earlier
article).]
“1-
Government should be based explicitly on Christian morality and order their
priorities according to God’s Law.”
“While it is true that the Christian
Church can survive under extremely oppressive governments, this statement is
true. In fact, our Small Catechism teaches us to pray for this very thing.
Under the Forth Petition, ‘Give us this day our daily bread,’ Luther lists
among things included as daily bread, ‘Devout and faithful rulers, good
government.’ We should not only pray for the health and safety of our leaders,
but for their souls as well. And Christian morality should be the goal of every
government on earth, because Christian morality is God’s morality. And there is
no authority given to government, except that given by God (Romans 13:1).
Remember that the Greek word for authority used in Romans 13 is also translated
as right. So, there are no rights except those which come from God.”
“Christian morality is the basis for
all good government. While Christianity can survive under great persecution,
Christians have always prayed for ‘good government’ Good government follows
Christian morals… Abortion is the murder of unborn babies. Government should
protect these unborn children and punish those who harm them. God has given
government jurisdiction over marriage. The government does not have the right
(authority) to pass laws, which contradict God’s Law.”
“Yes these are examples of the Law,
not the Gospel. But Christianity encompasses both Law and Gospel. And our
church teaches that God has instituted government specifically to exercise the
first use of His Law, the curb (Romans 13:4). Christians should pray and when
they have the opportunity petition and vote for this reason. We must also
remember that the Law is a teacher. Most Americans were opposed to abortion
before Roe v. Wade made it a constitutional right. Immediately afterward,
public opinion switched in favor of legalized abortion. The same can be said
about same-sex ‘marriage.’ And the teaching of the government through laws also
affects the church. The morality of our parishioners is greatly affected by
what is and is not illegal [i.e. lax views on divorce, abortion, transgender,
etc.]. And the moral views of the laity affect the teaching of the church.”
“2-
The Christian’s calling is to defend against alien worldviews and foreign
influences that are contrary to the Law of God.”
“Christians certainly should defend
against worldviews and influences that are contrary to God’s Law, whether
foreign or domestic. Philip Melanchthon in article
XXI of the Augusburg Confession writes, ‘Our churches
teach that the history of the saints may be set before us so that we may follow
the example of their faith and good works, according to our calling. For
example the emperor may follow the example of David [2 Samuel] in making war to
drive away the Turk from his country. For both are kings.’ Jesus tells us that
the world will hate us. Yet, He also teaches us to pray for good government.
Good government protects Christians, their homes, and their churches from bad
influences. And as God promised Abraham to bless those who blessed him (Gen.
12:3), so we know that God will bless the nations which bless His church. So,
good government protects and does not harass the Christian church… Christians
should petition their government to protect them, and to be aware of those
influences which persecute the church.”
“3-
Western institutions (governments, schools, universities, church bodies) are
beyond reform. Christians need to reclaim these ‘failed’ institutions by
rebuilding them according to Christian moral precepts.”
“Martin Luther writes, ‘I would advise no one to send
his child where the Holy Scriptures are not supreme.
Every institution that does not unceasingly pursue the study of God’s Word
becomes corrupt… I greatly fear that the universities, unless they teach the
Holy Scriptures diligently and impress them on the young students are wide
gates to hell’”
“Good government follows Christian
morals as taught in Scripture. Today, western governments are persecuting
Christians and the Church. Christians are being arrested in the
Pastor James preus
is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA