At the end of 2024, Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers President Jason Benell attended a few events held at churches and started a series of interviews called Iowa Christians on Christian Nationalism. In these interviews, questions are asked of religious leaders via email about their views on their faith, their congregations, and how they view Christian Nationalism. The answers are going to be unedited, save for misspellings or grammatical corrections, and directly from the respondents. You are encouraged to read these and come up with your own questions and submit them to IAF. The purpose of this interview series is to help us better understand how the religious and non-religious view this ongoing social, political, and cultural movement known as Christian Nationalism. If you would like follow ups, further discussion, or want to provide comments feel free to email IAF at president@iowaatheists.org and we can possibly share them with both members of IAF and the folks being interviewed!
Tim Lubinus, Executive Director - Baptist Convention of Iowa
Ankeny, Iowa
Interview Conducted November 2024
How would you define Christian Nationalism?
Nationalism is the political ideology that defines nations, e.g. common geography, language, ethnic identity, history, etc. The way every nation defines itself describes its nationalism.
So which kind of nationalism? Materialistic? Deterministic? Rationalistic? Utilitarian? Natural Law? Islamic? Marxist? Atheistic? Christian? Other?
Christian Nationalism is that nationalism where a nation's political ideology is informed by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ as taught in the Bible.
I would reject any form of Americanism or statism (state worship) included in a definition of Christian Nationalism as invalid. Proper ethical definitions require the definition to fit every nation for every time.
This definition doesn't seem to fit the expected posture of "combat" with Christian Nationalism embedded in rest of the following survey questions; likely the author of the questions has a different definition of Christianity or Christian Nationalism as I I have used above.
What would you tell a non-Christian or a person outside of your denomination that makes you different from Christian Nationalists?To get to a common definition of Christian Nationalism, it would require a long conversation to make sure of mutual understanding of each term. If we arrived on my definition above, I would not be different from a Christian Nationalist. I would be hesitant to say this publicly because of confusion and various alternative definitions of Christian Nationalism. Of course, with some definitions, I would reject and distance myself from Christian Nationalism.
Do you think churches or congregations should take an official public stance on Christian Nationalism?
Yes, with so much heat and misunderstanding, a church should seek clarity on their stance toward a biblically driven political ideology to better serve their church members and community. While seeking clarity on political ideology, the church will likely touch on issues related to Christian Nationalism. However, with the number of definitions inside and outside of the church, even working toward unity in one church would be difficult and maybe not a high priority for the church to clarify.
Do you think the values of Christian Nationalism are in sync with the beliefs of your church or interpretations of the Bible?
Even with the definition above, only partially, but not completely in sync.
How can a congregation like yours take a stance against Christian Nationalism without being confrontational to other congregations?
This question assumes a negative opinion of Christian Nationalism... with many of these definitions, I would also reject the adoption or promotion of Christian Nationalism. Disagreement on important issues is normal. Taking a stance requires careful research, teaching, listening, correction, and patience, "The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth. Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil's trap, having been captured by him to do his will, 2 Timothy 2:24-26.
Is Christian Nationalism a partisan project? Why or why not?
I would say no. Neither of the national parties promote Christian Nationalism or identify as such.
Can the Bible be a useful tool to combat Christian Nationalism? Why or why not?
Yes, the Bible is a useful tool in for foundational beliefs as well as for personal and corporate ethics.