The pushback against Christian nationalism shows that the strongest critiques of the ideology are coming from inside the Christian community rather than outside it.
By Matthew A. McIntosh
Public Historian
Brewminate
Introduction
Christian nationalism has become an increasingly visible force in American politics, blending religious identity with civic authority and framing the United States as a nation defined by Christianity. Scholars and civil liberties groups warn that its rise threatens religious freedom and democratic norms, but the backlash is not coming only from secular organizations. A growing number of Christians across denominations are working to challenge the ideology from within the church itself, arguing that it distorts both the Gospel and the nation’s constitutional foundations.
This resistance has gained momentum as Christian nationalist rhetoric has become more common in public life and policy debates. Faith leaders, theologians, and congregations are speaking out, forming networks dedicated to separating Christian identity from political power. Their efforts reflect a widening divide among American Christians over how faith should influence civic life, and whether religion should be linked to national identity at all.
The pushback has moved beyond statements and into organized action. New coalitions, educational campaigns, and local church initiatives show that many believers view Christian nationalism as a threat not only to pluralism, but to Christianity itself. Their work highlights an emerging movement inside the church, one that seeks to reclaim faith from political appropriation and reinforce the principle that religious freedom protects all Americans, not only the Christian majority.
Key Organizations Pushing Back
One of the most visible efforts to counter Christian nationalism comes from Christians Against Christian Nationalism, a campaign launched in 2019 and coordinated by the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. The initiative began with a public statement signed by a diverse group of Christian leaders, warning that Christian nationalism “distorts the Gospel and threatens American democracy.” Since then, the campaign has continued to grow, drawing support from clergy and laypeople across mainline Protestant, evangelical, and Catholic communities.
The campaign’s parent organization, the Baptist Joint Committee, has spent decades advocating for strong separation between church and state. Its work includes legal briefs, congressional testimony, and research on threats to religious freedom. By hosting the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign, the organization has provided a national platform for Christians who reject the idea that the United States is a Christian nation or that government power should privilege one religion over others.
The movement has expanded beyond national leadership. Local churches and regional faith groups use the campaign’s educational materials to host workshops on the dangers of merging religious identity with political authority. Many congregations have incorporated these discussions into study groups and sermons, framing Christian nationalism as a theological error rather than a political disagreement. Their goal is to give Christians language and resources to challenge nationalist narratives in their own communities.
These efforts reflect a coordinated attempt to reclaim religious freedom as a shared civic value rather than a partisan weapon. By organizing under explicitly Christian leadership, the movement demonstrates that opposition to Christian nationalism comes from within the faith itself. It offers believers a way to affirm their Christianity without endorsing an ideology that elevates political power over core teachings about equality, humility, and neighborly love.
Voices within the Church: Leaders Speaking Out
Christian leaders across denominations have become some of the most vocal critics of Christian nationalism, describing it as a distortion of both scripture and civic responsibility. Many of these leaders come from traditions with long histories of defending pluralism and church-state separation, including Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Episcopal communities. Their critiques emphasize that Christianity cannot be tied to a single national identity without losing its moral and spiritual grounding.
Some pastors have taken the issue directly to their congregations, preaching against the idea that Christianity should exercise governmental power or enjoy political favoritism. These sermons often focus on concerns that Christian nationalism replaces humility with dominance and seeks to impose a narrow religious identity on a multi-faith nation. Clergy who speak out say their goal is to remind Christians that faith is most credible when it stands alongside, not above, other beliefs.
The conversation has also moved into seminary classrooms and denominational conferences, where theologians warn that Christian nationalism risks turning political ideology into a form of religious authority. Scholars at institutions such as Duke Divinity School, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Fuller Theological Seminary have publicly explained how nationalism reshapes Christian traditions around power rather than service. Their analyses argue that tying Christianity to state identity threatens the ability of churches to speak prophetically against injustice.
These voices represent a broader shift within parts of American Christianity. Rather than remaining silent as nationalist rhetoric grows, many leaders are urging believers to distinguish faith from political loyalty and to resist movements that blur the line between discipleship and nationalism. Their pushback helps shape a counternarrative within the church, making clear that Christian identity does not require allegiance to a political project that defines the nation in religious terms.
Challenges and Stakes: What Christian Nationalism’s Rise Means
Christians working against Christian nationalism face a movement that has become increasingly influential in political and cultural life. Public opinion research shows that Christian nationalist ideas now appear across multiple denominations and have shaped debates over education, voting rights, reproductive policy, and LGBTQ protections. The spread of these ideas has made it harder for churches to separate theological commitments from political expectations, creating tension within congregations that hold diverse views.
One of the most immediate challenges is the political alignment that often accompanies Christian nationalist rhetoric. Leaders who oppose the ideology say that congregants sometimes hear this message as a partisan critique rather than a theological one, even when the religious argument is central. This dynamic complicates efforts to address Christian nationalism from the pulpit or in church programs, because pastors must navigate concerns that they are introducing politics rather than clarifying doctrine.
Another challenge comes from the way Christian nationalism presents itself as a defense of religious liberty. Faith leaders who resist the ideology argue that it undermines genuine religious freedom by elevating one tradition over others. They warn that policies grounded in Christian nationalist assumptions can erode the protections that allow minority faiths to worship freely and contribute to public life. Countering that narrative requires patient education about what religious liberty means in practice, and why it depends on equal treatment for all traditions.
The stakes extend beyond theological debates. Legal experts and civil rights advocates warn that Christian nationalism influences legislation that affects public education, healthcare, and civic participation. These policies can disproportionately affect women, LGBTQ Americans, non-Christian faith communities, and secular citizens. Christian leaders working to counter the ideology often frame their efforts as a defense of both Christian ethics and democratic values, recognizing that the two can rise or fall together.
Congregations that challenge Christian nationalism also risk internal conflict. Some church members support the ideology or see it as consistent with their political identity, while others reject it. Attempts to address the subject can lead to strained relationships or even departures, and pastors report that navigating these divisions requires a careful balance of clarity and compassion. Despite these risks, many continue the work because they believe the long-term health of the church depends on resisting efforts to merge Christianity with government power.
At the national level, the influence of Christian nationalism raises concerns about the durability of American pluralism. As the ideology gains visibility, it shapes who feels welcome in civic life and who is seen as an outsider. Christians who challenge Christian nationalism argue that these trends undermine the nation’s constitutional commitments and weaken the church’s credibility as a moral voice. Their work reflects a belief that resisting the ideology is essential to preserving both democratic norms and the integrity of Christian faith.
Growth and Momentum of the Resistance Movement
The effort to counter Christian nationalism has grown steadily as more Christians seek organized ways to respond to the ideology’s rise. The Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign has expanded far beyond its early signatories, building a network of clergy, educators, and lay leaders who use its materials in churches, schools, and community forums. Its public statements now carry signatures from tens of thousands of Christians, reflecting a broad cross-section of denominations that rarely unite around political questions. This visibility has helped shift the conversation inside congregations that previously avoided addressing Christian nationalism directly.
Regional organizing has also increased. Faith leaders in states including Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, Georgia, and Pennsylvania have hosted workshops and public discussions that examine how Christian nationalism shapes local politics, school board debates, and legislative efforts. These events typically draw Christians who want to distinguish their faith from nationalist rhetoric and who see the ideology creating tension in their communities. Many churches report that attendance at these sessions has grown, suggesting a rising appetite for resources that address the subject in a pastoral rather than partisan way.
Younger Christians have become an important part of this momentum. Surveys show that younger believers are more likely to reject the idea that the United States is a Christian nation and more likely to support strict separation between church and state. As religious affiliation shifts nationwide, many younger Christians question older approaches to political engagement and express concern that Christian nationalism harms the church’s public witness. Their skepticism has encouraged some congregations to confront the issue openly, both to retain younger members and to clarify their theological identity.
The movement’s growth also reflects a broader shift within mainline and moderate evangelical communities. Denominational leaders have issued public statements rejecting Christian nationalism, seminaries have added coursework examining its impact, and interfaith networks have partnered with Christian groups to reinforce shared commitments to pluralism. This institutional engagement signals that resistance to Christian nationalism has moved from the margins to the mainstream within parts of American Christianity, offering an organized counterweight to the ideology’s influence.
Conclusion: A Movement from Within
The pushback against Christian nationalism shows that the strongest critiques of the ideology are coming from inside the Christian community rather than outside it. Faith leaders, theologians, and everyday churchgoers argue that tying Christianity to political authority weakens both democracy and the church’s moral clarity. Their resistance shows that support for pluralism is not limited to secular or interfaith groups but has deep roots within Christian traditions that value religious freedom for all.
These efforts represent a growing attempt to reclaim Christianity from political narratives that define the nation in religious terms. As more Christians participate in regional workshops, sign public statements, and confront nationalist rhetoric within their congregations, they highlight a widening divide over the proper role of faith in public life. Their work underscores a belief that Christian identity does not require allegiance to an ideology that elevates national power over the teachings of the Gospel.
The future of this movement will shape how religion influences American society. Its growth suggests that Christian nationalism is not the inevitable direction of Christian engagement in politics, but one contested vision among many. For the Christians leading this resistance, the goal is clear: protect the church from political capture and strengthen a civic culture that honors the religious pluralism at the heart of the nation’s democratic promise.
Originally published by Brewminate, 12.05.2025, under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.
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