IAF Interviews Baptist Executive Director Tim Lubinus on Christian Nationalism for the ICCN Series!
At the end of 2024, Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers President Jason Benell attended a few events held at churches and began a series of interviews titled Iowa Christians on Christian Nationalism.
In these interviews, religious leaders are asked questions via email about:
Their views on their faith
Their congregations
How they view Christian Nationalism
The answers are published unedited—except for minor corrections to misspellings or grammar—and come directly from the respondents.
The purpose of this interview series is to help us better understand how both the religious and the non-religious view this ongoing social, political, and cultural movement known as Christian Nationalism.
You are encouraged to read these interviews, develop your own questions, and submit them to IAF. If you would like follow-ups, further discussion, or wish to provide comments, feel free to email IAF at president@iowaatheists.org. We may share your thoughts with both members of IAF and the individuals being interviewed!
Tim Lubinus, Executive Director - Baptist Convention of Iowa
Ankeny, Iowa
Interview Conducted November 2024
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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
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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 the rest of the following survey questions; likely the author of the questions has a different definition of Christianity or Christian Nationalism than the one I have used above
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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
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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.
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Even with the definition above, only partially, but not completely in sync.
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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.
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Even with the definition above, only partially, but not completely in sync.
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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.
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I would say no. Neither of the national parties promote Christian Nationalism or identify as I would say no. Neither of the national parties promote Christian Nationalism or identify as such.
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Yes, the Bible is a useful tool in for foundational beliefs as well as for personal and corporate ethics.
