Dominionists believe that Christians are called by God to exercise dominion over every aspect of society by taking control of political and cultural institutions.

Scrptures Dominionists Use to Justify Their Beliefs How Dominionists Interpret These Scriptures Correct Interpretations of These Scriptures
 Genesis 1:28:And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. This scripture is interpreted as God’s mandate for Christian Nationalists to control every aspect of life. Christian Nationalists believe that this verse commands them to “subdue” the earth and “rule” over all living creatures by whatever means they can — including physical violence if necessary. They interpret Genesis 1:28 as a command to gain political power and impose their version of Christianity on all levels of society..

Christian Nationalists believe that they alone have been given authority to subdue and have dominion over the all aspects of the natural  and political world. Christian Nationalists expect that the transition of political and religious power to Christian Nationalists will happen when the End of the World comes.

Some believe they have a mandate to take dominion over all aspects of society – government, education, media, etc. – in order to create a pure, patriarchal Christian culture before the end times.

Christian nationalists see themselves as spiritual warriors fighting for the soul of America in the final revival before the apocalyptic end times and return of Christ. This belief system fuels their drive to establish an authoritarian Christian nation governed by their interpretation of biblical law. 

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 Christian Nationalist interpretation of Genesis 1:28 is a wrong understanding that leads them in the wrong direction in everything they say and do. See this link for a correct interpretation of Genesis 1:28.

The summary of the correct interpretation is that New Covenant disciples will supersede Old/First Covenant religion. The transition from Old/First Covenant to New Covenant is a gradual process that has been happening since the time of Moses. This process is God’s plan for redeeming people from addiction to the sin of religion. 

Christian Nationalists wrongly interpret biblical references to cities, kingdoms and nations to be the equivalent of modern definitions of these political entities. What God means by the term “nation” is very different from modern concepts of nation. See Cities, Kingdoms and Nations for the correct way to interpret political entities.

Christian Nationalists do not understand that everything in the bible points to “today” not to some future events or dispensation. See It’s All About Today for understanding.

See this link for understanding of the End of the World.

Ephesian 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Christian Nationalists believe that they wrestle against political opposition and evil influences high places of government and culture. They believe that people who oppose Christian nationalist goals are controlled by or allied with Satan and demons who must be defeated by any means possible — including physical violence if necessary.

Christian nationalists hold beliefs about Satan and spiritual warfare that view political and cultural issues through a lens of cosmic spiritual battle between good and evil: God and Satan. 

Christian Nationalists believe that they are playing a pivotal role in the “last battle” before the end times and second coming of Christ. This is often framed as a spiritual warfare against evil forces trying to undermine Christianity’s influence.

Many subscribe to the ideas of the New Apostolic Reformation, which promotes the notion that modern-day apostles and prophets have been anointed to lead a Christian revolution and takeover of societal institutions before Christ’s return.

They believe Christianity and its values are under attack from secular, progressive forces in society. Restoring Christian nationalism is necessary to stave off moral decay and God’s judgment on America.

Some Christian Nationalists view opposition to their agenda, such as support for abortion rights and LGBTQ rights, as literally satanic forces and acts of worship to demonic entities. They see differences of opinion on policies not as political disagreement but as spiritual war against evil principalities.

Their Manichean worldview prevents civil discourse or compromise with the perceived satanic opposition. They believe that they  cannot work with or strike legislative compromises with actual demons.

Christian nationalists dismiss criticism of their movement as a “sneaky liberal ploy to attack all right-of-center Christians” when in reality they go far beyond traditional Christian conservatism into promoting a spiritual warfare ideology.

The spiritual warfare beliefs make Christian nationalists see their political goals, like institutionalizing “biblical principles” in laws and policies, as necessary to bring about the “kingdom of God” by conquering demonic forces.

Christian nationalists selectively promote their personal moral principles by reframing select literal scriptures to suit their social and political agendas.

See Serpent, Devil, Satan, Adversary, Demons, Evil Spirits and Anti-Christs for the correct biblical understanding that these mythical characters all symbolize Old/First Covenant religious leaders including .Pastors, Priests, Rabbis, Apostles, Bishops, Elders, Deacons, Overseers, Popes, Missionaries and Evangelists

Christian Nationalists use scriptures like Ephesian 6:12 to demonize political opponents in the eyes of voters. 

See Spiritual Warfare: What it is and is not for a correct understanding of spiritual warfare.

See Kingdom of God/Heaven  for a correct understanding of the Kingdom of God.

See this link for a correct understanding of heaven and hell

Christian Nationalists do not mention or promote God’s Strategy for Overcoming Division and Creating Unity — Love Your Neighbor.

 

Revelation 20:1-6. And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. Christian Nationalists use this verse to justify total dominion over all aspects of American culture. Christian Nationalists believe that using political power, and possibly violence, to establish a Christian nation is necessary to bring about the second coming of Christ and the millennial kingdom prophesied in Revelation 20:1-6.

Here is a summary of Christian Nationalism beliefs based on Revelation 20:1-6:

  • The millennial kingdom is the long-prophesied 1,000-year earthly reign of the Messiah Jesus Christ that will restore all things under His righteous rule before the eternal state.
  • The millennial kingdom will be an literal, physical kingdom on earth where Christ will rule as King from Jerusalem over the entire world.
  • The millennial kingdom will be established after Christ’s return, when He will bind Satan for 1,000 years and establish His reign of righteousness and peace on earth.
  • Only believers and those who survive the tribulation period will enter the millennial kingdom in physical bodies. Resurrected saints will also co-reign with Christ in glorified bodies
  • It will be a time of universal peace, joy, obedience, truth, and the removal of the curse on the earth. Nature itself will be restored to an edenic state.
  • At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be released briefly before being finally defeated and cast into the lake of fire, ushering in the eternal state.
  •  Christ will rule with perfect justice from Jerusalem, and the knowledge of the Lord will be universal. The millennial kingdom fulfills God’s covenants with Israel 

 

Christian nationalists believe taking complete control of societal institutions is crucial to ushering in the millennial kingdom and Christ’s return, making this a central motivation for their political efforts.

Christian Nationalists believe that after they gain this control over America’s politics and culture Jesus will return in the so-called Second Coming which will commence the End Times/End of Days when they will rule the earth with Jesus in a 1000 year reign called the “millennial kingdom.”.

See this link for a thorough discussion of the Second Coming and this link for understanding of the End Times/End of Days.  

 

Basic erroneous beliefs of Revelation 20:1-6.:

Literal interpretation of Revelation 20 supports Christian Nationalist beliefs that they must establish Christ’s rule on earth for a long period (the “millennium”) before Jesus’ second coming. They believe that it is up to them to exercise dominion over every aspect of society by taking control of political and cultural institutions to make the way for Jesus’ return. In other words,, they believe that Jesus cannot/will not come again unless they first dominate every aspect of society by taking control of all political and cultural institutions. These are all wrong beliefs based on literal interpretations of Revelation 20:1-6.

These beliefs are predicated on wrong understandings of who Jesus is/was and the nature of his ministry. These beliefs are also based on a wrong understanding of the so-called “second coming” of Jesus.

Christian Nationalists and God’s commands to love your neighbor as yourself:

Christian nationalists distort and selectively interpret the biblical command to “love your neighbor as yourself” in ways that exclude certain groups from being considered “neighbors” worthy of love and respect Key points about how Christian nationalists view loving your neighbor include the following:

  • They tend to narrowly define “neighbor” as only referring to other white Christians who share their nationalist ideology, excluding non-Christians, racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others they view as outsiders. This contradicts God’s view of who is your neighbor.
  • They claim a privileged status for white Protestant Christianity in America, believing it should dominate other religions and people groups in terms of religion, culture and politics . This contradicts God’s view of who is your neighbor.
  • Their ideology is rooted in a sense of fear, alienation, and resentment toward those who are not like them, making it difficult to genuinely love these perceived “others” as themselves. See this link for understanding of Christian Nationalist fears.
  • Some use selective Bible interpretations to justify hostility, oppression or even violence against disfavored groups, rationalizing it as righteous rather than unloving behavior.
  • Their allegiance is to an idolatrous nationalist agenda cloaked in religious language — not to  sacrificial, inclusive love for all people commanded by God.

 

 Symbolic interpretation of Romans 20:1-6

 

God’s kingdom is not an earthly kingdom

  • John 18:36  Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”  Jesus is speaking for God here. Jesus does not have a kingdom of his own but God’s kingdom is in the hearts of New Covenant disciples. Christian Nationalists want to create an earthly, political/religious kingdom.
  • John 6;15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. Christian Nationalists want a physical Jesus to come and Christian Nationalists want to create an earthly, political/religious kingdom.. They believe that they need to establish an earthly, political/religious kingdom or “Christian nation” before the physical Jesus returns.
  • 1 Corinthians 4:20  “The kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.”  Christian Nationalists use talk to create an earthly political/religious kingdom that is under their control.
  • Luke 17:20-21 “Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”  Christian Nationalists do not understand that the kingdom of God is a spiritual place in the hearts of New Covenant disciples.
  • Luke 17:22-24 Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23 People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. 24 For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. This is a warning to religious people not to anticipate the physical second coming of Jesus. Flashes of lighting describes what it is like to hear God’s spoken voice.

 

Revelation 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” Christian nationalists interpret Revelation 11:15 as a prophecy about the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth, and often equates it with the United States becoming a Christian nation under Christ’s rule.  See this link for understanding of angels.

See this link for understanding of heaven.

Trumpets always symbolize God’s voice. Loud voices in the kingdom of heaven are angels speaking for God to Old/First Covenant religionists (i.e. Christian Nationalist) announcing that the time for the end of their religious kingdom and coming of the kingdom of God is imminent. The kingdom of God is found only in the hearts of New Covenant disciples.

See this link for understanding of messiah. Angels and all other true prophets are messiahs like Jesus who speak for God.

The messiah is not a reference to a human called Jesus. There is not one unique messiah. There are many messiahs and they are all anointed to speak for God. Their basic message  is to repent for believing false gospels and start believing the true gospel. See this link for comparisons of false and the true gospel.

 

Luke 19:12-27 He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ 15 “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. 16 “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ 17 ” ‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ 19 “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ 20 “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21 I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ 24 “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ 25 ” ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ 26 “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 27 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them–bring them here and kill them in front of me.’ “

Christian nationalists interpret the Parable of the Minas (Luke 19:11-27) as an allegory for Christ’s return to establish His kingdom on earth, with the “hard master” representing Jesus’ authority and judgment over the nations. Specifically, they interpret it as follows:

 

  • The nobleman who goes to receive a kingdom and return represents Jesus going to heaven after His resurrection and promising to return to establish His kingdom on earth.
  • The citizens who rejected the nobleman’s rule symbolize nations and peoples who reject Christ’s lordship and authority over them. Their execution upon the king’s return (v.27) represents the judgment Christ will bring on unbelieving, rebellious nations when He returns.
  • The servants entrusted with minas (money) represent believers or nations tasked with being faithful stewards of Christ’s teachings until His return.
  • Their rewards of ruling cities is seen as believers/nations being given authority to rule with Christ based on their faithfulness.
  • The servant calling the master a “hard man” (v.21) is interpreted as an acknowledgment of Christ’s firm demands for obedience and accountability from His followers.
  • His harsh rebuke shows Christ will judge unfaithfulness and disobedience strictly when He returns as king.
In summary, Christian nationalists see this parable as depicting Christ’s future return to judge the nations, rewarding those who submitted to His lordship and punishing those who rejected Him, with believers given authority based on their obedience.
Christian Nationalists wrongly interpret minas as money. A mina is one of dozens of words that symbolically represent God’s spoken word. The parable, therefore, tells a story about what people did and did not do with God’s spoken word. Responsible servants multiplied God’s words and the wicked servant only hid God’s word.

The essence of the parable is sowing and reaping God’s word. God expects his people to sow his word freely. It is a companion to the parable of the sower.

This parable is wrongly interpreted to represent Jesus as the nobleman who came to receive his kingdom. The correct interpretation is that the nobleman represents God because God has a kingdom. Jesus does not have a kingdom. Moreover, Jesus told parables about God and people. He did not tell parables about himself.

Christian Nationalists wrongly use this parable to justify rigid obedience to religious and political authority that they claim to execute on behalf of Jesus whom they wrongly characterize as a hard man. This characterization gives them cover for their own preferences for strong political leaders.  Here are verses that describe Jesus’ character:

  • Matthew 11:29 – “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
  • Matthew 21:5 – “Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey.”
  • .Isaiah 53:7 – “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” 
  • 1 Peter 2:23 – “When they hurled insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”
  • John 18:22-23 – When struck by an officer, Jesus responded meekly: “If I said something wrong, testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”

 

With only one exception the Bible portrays Jesus as the ultimate example of meekness: The exception is found in the story of Jesus and the Money-Changers in the Temple where we see that he only showed his temper to Pharisees and Scribes (i.e. religious leaders.)

Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Christian nationalists believe that Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples of all nations”  includes discipling entire nations as political entities, not just individuals. They interpret this as a mandate for nations to officially recognize Christianity and establish laws based on Christian principles and biblical teachings.

Here are some of the ways Christian Nationalists would implement the so-called Great Commission: 

  • The Great Commission requires calling civil authorities and nations to repentance, faith, and obedience to Christ’s teachings and commandments.
  • Nations as geopolitical entities with defined borders, cultures, and laws are to become disciples of Jesus by submitting to His lordship.
  • This involves baptizing nations through the authority of Jesus, bringing them “into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” as a new creation under Christ’s rule.
  • Nations would establish laws and customs that reflect Christian ethics and biblical commands, serving as “stewards of the name of God.”

 

And here are some of their goals:

  • National recognition of Christian orthodoxy and the Ten Commandments (or at least the second table) as the foundational law.
  • Civil authorities are called to protect religious exercise and warn against blaspheming God, which can lead to violations against one’s neighbors.
  • Theologically sound Christians will enter politics to promote Christ’s law and ethics in government.

 

In summary,  Christian nationalists see the Great Commission not merely as evangelizing individuals, but discipling entire nations to officially embrace Christianity and restructure society according to biblical principles under Christ’s authority.

Christian Nationalists do not understand what it means to be a disciple. See this link for understanding of what it means to be a disciple.

Christian Nationalists do not understand the symbolism of baptism. See this link for understanding of the symbolism of baptism.

See this link for understanding of the Ten Commandments.

See this link for understanding of the Third Commandment.

Christian Nationalists claim to be followers of Jesus but never do what he did or obey his commandments. For example, they advocate strongly for political activism which was not anything that Jesus ever did.

See this link for understanding of Jesus’ attitude about political activism.

See this link, this link and this link for understanding of political activism in the context of loving your neighbor.

Christian Nationalists claim to love God and Jesus and to trust them for everything. And yet they do not do the things that Jesus did. This disconnect means that Christian Nationalists are guided by their own personal motives and goals —  not by obedience to, or love for, Jesus or God. 

Christian Nationalists promote bringing the world under the authority of Christ even though Jesus always preached for the advancement of God’s kingdom — never his own kingdom. Moreover, because Jesus never imagined himself to be equal to God, he would reject the idea of a kingdom under his authority. These disconnects disqualify Christian Nationalists from their claims to be legitimate agents of God and followers of Jesus..

 

Romans 13:1-4  Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  

Christian Nationalists believe that they are the one and only authority established by God to rule over America.

When they are fully in charge of the seven mountains of American culture, Christian Nationalists would implement the following policies:

  • Establishing Christian values and “biblical law” in government and public policy
  • Abolish abortion and define marriage as between a man and woman based on their interpretation of biblical commands.
  • Promote nationalism and prioritize the interests of America over other nations.
  • Secure national borders, assert sovereignty, and resist perceived foreign threats or global institutions.
  • Enforce conservative sexual ethics and traditional gender roles.
  • They uphold traditional definitions of marriage and gender based on their reading of biblical gender roles.
  • Advocate for punitive justice and harsh punishments for perceived evils.
  • Support harsh criminal punishments and use of force, which they view as biblical justice against evildoers.
Biblical law, as Christian Nationalists understand it is not God’s spiritual law.

Biblical law as Christian Nationalists understand it is actually religious law created by humans.

See these links for understanding of what God expects of all people — including governing authorities:

 

 

 


Dominionists promote religious supremacy, insofar as they generally do not respect the equality of other religions, or even other versions of Christianity.

Scriptures Dominionists Use to Justify Their Beliefs How Dominionists Interpret These Scriptures Correct Interpretations of These Scriptures
Deuteronomy 28:1-14 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: 3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. 4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock–the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. 5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. 6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. 7 The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. 8 The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. 9 The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in obedience to him. 10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. 11 The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity–in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground–in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you. 12 The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. 13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. 14 Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

 

Romans 13:1-4  Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

Christian nationalists often misuse and selectively quote scriptures like Deuteronomy 28:1-14  to promote their ideology of Christian religious supremacy. 

Christian nationalists cite verses like Deuteronomy 28:1 that promise blessings for obedience to portray the United States as a “chosen nation” favored by God due to its perceived Christian heritage.  

The passage in Romans 13 about submitting to governing authorities is frequently taken out of context by Christian nationalists to demand unquestioning obedience to the government, which they conflate with promoting a Christian nationalist agenda. This contradicts how this passage was simply instructing Christians to obey laws — not install a religious, supremacist ideology.

 Some Christian nationalists have misapplied apocalyptic prophecies from the Book of Revelation to cast the United States in an end-times role of leading a Christian revolution against perceived evil forces.  .In essence, Christian nationalists cherry-pick and distort scriptures to create a veneer of biblical justification for their political ideology of privileging Christianity over other faiths.  

Christian Nationalists want to return to the glory days of the Catholic Church when the Roman Catholic church effectively ruled the Western world. It controlled every aspect of civil and religious life. Christian Nationalists want for themselves the all-encompassing religious power previously embodied in the Catholic Church. They believe that they are entitled to have that power because they trust Jesus and have the foresight and will to hasten Jesus’ return. They call themselves Dominionists. Their goal is to take control of The Seven Mountains of American culture — including total control of all branches of government.

Christian Nationalist religious leaders preach a message which puts church above state, and their interpretation of Christian theology above secular law. And they have a plan to accomplish this transition:

    • The long-awaited Second Coming has not yet happened because the criteria outlined in the Bible have yet to be met.
    • The Christian Nationalism movement is designer to accelerate Jesus’ return by seizing control of the Seven Mountains of culture.
    • Once they have control of the Seven Mountains Jesus will return to earth and Christian Nationalists will rule America with him.

 

Christian nationalists generally embrace a form of supersessionist theology that views Christianity as superseding and replacing Judaism as the true faith blessed by God. Some key aspects of the supersessionist beliefs held by Christian nationalists include:

  • They believe the Christian church has replaced Jews as God’s chosen people, with the New Covenant in Christ superseding God’s covenant with the Jewish people.
  • They interpret the Bible as teaching that the Jewish rejection of Jesus as the Messiah nullified God’s promises to them, transferring divine favor exclusively to Christians.
  • This theology provides a theological justification for Christian nationalism by asserting a privileged status for Christianity over Judaism and other faiths in America.
  • It fuels hostility and intolerance towards Jews, who are viewed as unfairly clinging to an outdated and nullified covenant instead of converting to Christianity.
  • Christian nationalists tend to overlook or dismiss the Jewish roots of Christianity and its spiritual debt to Judaism.
  • Their supersessionist beliefs are often intertwined with racist and anti-Semitic notions of white Christian supremacy over other racial/ethnic/religious groups.
 

Religious supremacy is inconsistent with God’s commands about favoritism and partiality.

Christian elitism evident in Dominionism totally contradicts God’s command to not show favoritism and partiality to anyone.

Christian Nationalist attitudes and behaviors are totally inconsistent with God’s idea of unity and how to love your neighbor.

The statement that Christian Nationalists “generally do not respect the equality of other religions, or even other versions of Christianity” is a blatant rebuke of all other human religions — even other Christian religions. In effect, what this statement means is that Christian Nationalists alone embody the beliefs and practices that are approved by and blessed by God. They effectively discredit and devalue all other religions. This elitist attitude empowers them to believe that they have God-given authority and power to convert all other religions in the world to their brand of Christianity and to controls all aspects of culture. It also ignores the fact that God hates all religions.

Efforts to achieve religious supremacy are evidence of Christian elitism that puts Christian Nationalist leaders at the head of all governments and makes them saviors of people who subscribe to Christian Nationalism beliefs and practices. Jesus never tried to put himself in a position of receiving praise and honor from men. Furthermore, he was always silent when confronted by government leaders, and instructed his followers to avoid involvement in government matters. The attitudes of Christian Nationalists totally contradict Jesus’ teachings and other scriptures about seeking positions of authority in government or religion and about esteeming people who are in leadership positions.

The idea that Christian Nationalism is the one, supreme, religion established by God is called Supersessionism which is a doctrine that asserts the replacement of the nation of Israel by the Christian Church.

Supersessionism, also known as replacement theology, is the Christian doctrine that the Christian Church has superseded or replaced the Jewish people as God’s covenanted people. Supersessionists wrongly believe that the universal Church has become the true spiritual Israel and the new people of God, replacing the Jewish people who were the original chosen people. Christian nationalists believe that their version of Christianity is the perfect example of the church and that they are now God’s chosen people. 

There are different types and degrees of supersessionism identified by theologians:

      • Hard/harsh supersessionism asserts Christians have completely displaced Jews as God’s covenanted people, requiring Jews to convert to Christianity.
      • Soft/economic supersessionism holds that the Church has taken the role of Israel spiritually while allowing for God’s continuing covenant with Jews.
      • Punitive supersessionism views the displacement of Jews as a punishment, while economic supersessionism sees it as an act of grace.

 

Where Christian Nationalist beliefs fall in this spectrum of supersessionism concepts is debatable. What is not debatable is that Christian Nationalism beliefs do not agree what the bible says about the Old/First Covenant and New Covenant. None of these beliefs agree with God’s attitude about all kinds of religion.

The religious doctrine of the End Times is a totally wrong interpretation of scripture. See this link for understanding of the end times.

The religious doctrine of the Second Coming of Jesus is a totally wrong interpretation of scripture. See this link for understanding of the second coming.


Dominionist doctrines celebrate Christian nationalism in that they believe that the United States once was, and should once again be, a Christian nation.

Origins of the Belief that America Has Always Been a Christian Nation

Why the United States Should Not be Considered a Christian Nation

Christian Nationalists have no hard facts to support their believe that America is a Christian Nation, or that the United States was founded as an explicitly Christian nation, or that it should maintain that Christian identity and influence in modern society. Nevertheless, they do have intellectual and aspirational reasons to support their beliefs.

They assert that the Founding Fathers intended the United States to be an explicitly Christian nation, guided by Christian principles and values. Many point to references to a “Creator” and “Nature’s God” in the Declaration of Independence as evidence of this Christian foundation.

  1. They view America’s history and heritage as inextricably linked to Christianity, with the country’s success and prosperity being a result of its adherence to Christian ideals. This narrative centers the role of white Anglo-Saxon Protestants as the driving force behind America’s founding and development. They believe the U.S. Constitution and system of government were divinely inspired and based on biblical principles, despite the lack of explicit references to Christianity in the Constitution. The separation of church and state is seen as a myth or misinterpretation.
  2. They contend that the United States has always privileged Christianity in public life and policymaking, and that this Christian identity should be actively promoted and preserved by the government. Some Christian nationalists view America as having a covenant or special relationship with God, with the country’s success contingent on maintaining its Christian character and values.

 

In essence, Christian nationalists promote a narrative that America was founded as an explicitly Christian nation and has always had a distinct Christian heritage that should be actively upheld through public policy and cultural influence. 

Calling America a Christian nation violates the Third Commandment because God’s character cannot be represented in a physical place. God’s character is represented in the hearts of New Covenant disciples.

Calling America a Christian nation is a feeble attempt by Christian Nationalists to brand themselves with a religious identity that conveys righteousness and strong associations with God and Jesus. See Making a Name for Yourself for understanding.

There are several historical, factual arguments against the idea that America was founded as a Christian nation:

  1. The U.S. Constitution is a secular document that does not mention Christianity or any religion. It establishes a separation of church and state and prohibits religious tests for public office. The founders intentionally avoided enshrining any specific religion in the nation’s founding documents.
  2. Many of the Founding Fathers, including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and John Adams, were Deists or Unitarians who rejected core Christian doctrines like the divinity of Jesus. Their personal beliefs were more aligned with Enlightenment rationalism than traditional Christianity.
  3. The founders sought religious freedom and wanted to avoid the sectarian violence and oppression that had plagued Europe due to state-established religion. They envisioned a pluralistic society without an official state church or national religion.
  4. There was significant religious diversity among the founders and early Americans, including Protestants, Catholics, Jews, and freethinkers. Establishing a “Christian nation” would have alienated and marginalized these groups.
  5. References to “Nature’s God” and a “Creator” in the Declaration of Independence were vague deistic terms, not explicitly Christian. The Declaration did not invoke Jesus, the Bible, or Christian theology.
  6. Early state constitutions and laws prohibited discrimination based on religious belief, further reflecting the founders’ commitment to religious pluralism over a singular Christian identity. The 1797 Treaty of Tripoli, approved unanimously by the Senate, explicitly stated that “the government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.”

 

While many founders were Christian, they intentionally constructed a secular political framework based on Enlightenment principles of religious freedom, tolerance, and separation of church and state – fundamentally at odds with the idea of an officially “Christian nation.” The historical evidence shows the founders rejected religious establishment and favored pluralism over a singular Christian identity for the new nation.

Although Christianity existed in early American colonies, the majority of colonists did not actively practice religion in the 17th and 18th centuries. Widespread Christian adherence grew gradually over subsequent centuries during the so-called First and Second Awakenings.

Claims that the United States should once again be a Christian nation are nothing more than human, political aspirations cloaked in religion This message resonates with patriotic, bible-believing people who will support Christian Nationalist politicians with money and votes.

The claim that the United States should once again be a Christian nation are evidence of Christian elitism and a presumption that Christian Nationalists alone are worthy of God’s favoritism because America has always been a Christian nation. This message resonates with religious fundamentalists whose pride is enhanced by being part of an elite religious group.

God does not favor one religion, one political group, one nation, person, or groups of persons over another. See this link regarding God, favoritism and Jesus attitudes and behaviors.

Claims that God has chosen Christian Nationalists and America for special assignments are inconsistent with the fact that God does not show favoritism or partiality and prohibits Judging with Favoritism and Partiality.

Christian Nationalists work tirelessly to make names for themselves as Godly patriots. They take great pride in their religion and politics.

Claims that America was once a was fully Christian Nation are based on lies based on distorted, incomplete understandings of American history.

  • The historical evidence suggests that in the early years of America, only a small minority of the population were practicing Christians. 
  • By 1780, the percentage of adult American colonists who adhered to a church was estimated to be between just 10-30%, not counting slaves or Native Americans.  This indicates that the majority were unchurched.
  • Some colonies had very low percentages of church adherents, like North Carolina at only around 4%, while others like New Hampshire and South Carolina were higher at around 16%.
  • The Great Awakening religious revival movement in the 1730s -1740s helped grow evangelical Protestant denominations like Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists, which became the largest by the early 19th century.  However, this was still a minority of the overall population in the late 1700s.
  • Historians argue that the idea of America being an overtly “Christian nation” from its founding is inaccurate. As one scholar states, “The historical record shows that America was not born Christian, but grew to be very Christian centuries later.” 

 

 


Dominionists endorse theocratic visions, insofar as they believe that the Ten Commandments, or “biblical law,” should be the foundation of American law, and that the U.S. Constitution should be seen as a vehicle for implementing biblical principles.

Scriptures About the Ten Commandments How Dominionists Interpret and Apply the Ten Commandments How the Ten Commandments Should be Interpreted
[Exo 20:2-17 NIV] 2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Christian nationalists have varying beliefs about the role of the Ten Commandments, but a common view is that they should serve as the foundational law and moral code for the nation. Here are some key points about how Christian nationalists view the Ten Commandments:

 

  1. Many believe the Ten Commandments should be officially enshrined and enforced through civil law, treating them as the basis for the legal system. This would involve legislating adherence to commandments like keeping the Sabbath holy and prohibiting blasphemy.
  2. There is debate among Christian nationalists over whether to enshrine just the second table of the Ten Commandments (commandments 5-10 dealing with moral/ethical issues) or the entire Decalogue including the first four commandments about having no other gods, avoiding idolatry, etc. Hardline Christian nationalists want the government to enforce all Ten Commandments, including punishing violations of the first four theological commandments related to worshipping the Judeo-Christian God alone. This would essentially establish a state religion and criminalize non-Christian beliefs.
  3. Some advocate a more limited approach of only legally enforcing the second table’s ethical commandments while still officially recognizing and promoting the first four as national orthodoxy. They view the Ten Commandments as reflective of the Christian principles and biblical foundations that the United States was built upon as a “Christian nation.” Enshrining the Commandments is seen as a way to restore and preserve America’s Christian heritage and identity.
  4. Posting the Ten Commandments in public schools and government buildings is viewed as an important way to reinforce their perceived status as the moral and legal bedrock of American society.

 

Essentially, Christian Nationalists want the Ten Commandments to be officially recognized and legally upheld as the basis for national law and moral norms in line with their vision of America’s Christian founding and identity.

The so-called Ten Commandments in their literal form are parables. Like other parables, their deep, symbolic meaning is hidden God’s many commands to love your neighbor..

Christian Nationalists do not understand that the bible is a book of Symbols, Signs, Types, Parables, Allegories, Copies, and Shadows. This misunderstanding of the law causes them to stumble in framing all of their religious doctrines and political beliefs — including their affection for the so-called Ten Commandments. Therefore, Christian Nationalists hope to establish laws based on parables that were not intended to be interpreted literally.

The symbolic meanings of the Ten Commandments are what God recognizes as his laws. The literal words of the Ten Commandments provide limited instruction for civil laws and for understanding God’s expectations for how to love your neighbor. 

See these links for understanding the deeper meanings of the Ten Commandments:

 

The details of all of God’s laws are found in God’s Commands About How to Relate to Him and to One Another. These are summarized in the first and second great commandments:

Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, ” ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ 38 “This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 40 “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

The details of how to love your neighbor are found in Make the World Better: Love Your Neighbor.