Bishop Wright said Christian Nationalism can be overcome by hewing to the Biblical foundation of Christian witnessing found in the Book of Acts 1:8.
“In the book of Acts in the 1st chapter, Jesus’ disciples asked him a question. “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the Kingdom of Israel?” And Jesus replies, “It’s not for you to know the times and periods that the Father has set by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you and be witnesses, in Jerusalem, in Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”
This transnational perspective challenges the core tenets of Christian Nationalism, which seek to merge American identity with Christianity, Wright said.
Wright, who leads the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta with over 50,000 members in 120 worshiping communities across 75.5 counties in middle and north Georgia, said those who advocate for government policies that reflect Christian values endanger the U.S. Constitution’s separation of church and state.
Their ideology uses Christian symbols to manipulate fear and achieve political dominance, the bishop said, emphasizing that Christian Nationalism opposes the teachings of Jesus by focusing on worldly power and fostering division, rather than promoting inclusive love and Godly values.
“Religious scholars, sociologists, and others who study Christian Nationalism describe it as a belief that the United States is a country defined by Christianity,” Wright said.
“Practically, this means the government should take steps to keep the country’s Christian roots and identity intact. The government should advocate Christian values and pass laws that enact policies that reflect those values. And that God’s plan is for the U.S to be a successful nation based on Christian ideals.”
Wright said surveys have found that 52 percent of Americans lean toward Christian Nationalism, with supporters spanning denominations. The impact of Christian Nationalism has been felt at events like the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and the widespread adaptation of Christian language and symbols in partisan politics.
To combat this trend, Wright called for a reexamination of Biblical principles to challenge narratives that promote racism, xenophobia, misogyny, and other injustices. Christians must strive to uphold the inclusive message of Christianity and reject the divisive agenda of Christian Nationalism, he said.
“Christian Nationalism seeks to manipulate patriotism’s love for country and Constitution and bring it into the service of partisan politics.”
Wright said Christian Nationalism embodies an unholy trinity consisting of lust for power, fear, and falsehood, which violate the first three of the 10 Commandments and misuses Biblical teachings for its agenda; a heretical ideology that also poses a significant threat to the integrity of Christian faith and practice.
“Christian Nationalism seems to absolutely run counter to Jesus’s commissioning on that very first Ascension Day,” he said during a recent presentation at the Episcopal School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, TN.
“Christian Nationalism is about worldly domination, not godly power, about control rather than witness, and is meant to fortify a single national boundary rather than to make the nations a world house of equality.”
To address this challenge, Wright proposed Churches conduct integrity audits to align theological beliefs, witness practices, and leadership approaches with genuine Christian teachings. This process would encourage deep study of the Gospels and responsible preaching while fostering servant leadership modeled after Jesus’s example, he said.
Wright also defined a role of the Church in politics, emphasizing that Jesus was inherently political in addressing societal issues such as justice and poverty. He urged Churches to engage deeply with politics in a manner consistent with Jesus’s teachings and to resist the co-opting of Christian symbols for partisan agendas.
“To accomplish this, we, the Church, must find our voice, We must speak and bear witness to the Jesus of the Gospels, over and against the Jesus produced in the think tanks of Christian Nationalism. Christian Nationalism is deep story, and a deep story that lives in spaces beyond facts.”
In standing against Christian Nationalism, Wright said the Church must articulate hope that inspires compassionate action and fosters authentic witness in diverse and pluralistic societies. By engaging politically with integrity and providing a hopeful narrative, he said the Church can support communities in overcoming despair and promote justice, compassion, and equality.
Wright said there is an urgent need for churches to reevaluate their practices and values in the face of the growing influence of Christian Nationalism. By emphasizing the importance of conducting integrity audits, deepening theological understanding, and promoting authentic witness, Wright is challenging Christians to uphold the true teachings of Jesus Christ and resist the temptations of power, fear, and falsehood.
As the Church navigates its role in an increasingly complex and polarized society, it must remain grounded in Christian commitment to justice, compassion, and equality. By equipping members with theological clarity and fostering servant leadership, the Church can effectively engage in political discourse without compromising its core values, he said.
Wright’s call to action is for the Church to cultivate hope that inspires positive change and fosters unity in the face of division. It is only through consistent engagement and authentic representation of Christian faith that the Church can stand as a beacon of truth and justice in an ever-changing world, Wright said.
Wright also addressed the topic of Christian Nationalism in episodes of his popular For People with Bishop Rob Wright weekly podcast during September.
From the podcast:
“Christian Nationalism is an ideology that’s everywhere, masquerades as a theology that has infected our politics and seeks to guide our policies locally and nationally. The problem with Christian Nationalism is that it seeks to manipulate Jesus’ teaching for political gain. The problem with Christian Nationalism is that it wants a power Jesus never wanted, by a means Jesus never commended. The problem with Christian Nationalism is that it doesn’t have anything to do with the Jesus of the Bible.”.
The For Faith with Bishop Rob Wright podcast series is available on your favorite podcast app or at ForPeople.digital.
