A Pagan View of Christian Nationalism
Who is Jesus and what would he say to those who use His name for their own glory and gain?
Bjorn Andreas Bull-Hansen is a Norwegian author and YouTube cultural commentator with more than 177,000 viewers. A self-identified pagan of the Norse tradition, Bjorn recently produced a video sharply criticizing the Christian Nationalist movement in America as a contradiction of Christ’s teachings. As a non-Christian living outside the U.S., his perspective offers valuable insight for those who seek to honor God with a faithful and compelling witness to the world.
Bjorn asks many good questions about Christ’s teachings on love challenging the Trump administration’s America first commitment as un-Christian. Bjorn astutely observes that the so-called “return to faith” in America is characterized by many who are willing to profess that God is on our side, and to speak boldly about “God” but almost never mention the name of Jesus. We should listen to such critiques because anything done in the name of Christ either adorns the gospel or distorts it.
Armor of Truth exists precisely for this purpose, to edify Christians, and educate non-Christians as we, “...contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 3-5). Certainly, we wish to glorify the Lord rather than corrupt His name.
Is Christian Nationalism About True Christianity?
Bjorn described Christian nationalism as the belief that America is a Christian nation and that Christian principles should form the foundation for its laws. But, Christian nationalism is a broad and often ambiguous term that tends to be used more as a pejorative in the American context. Typically, the term has been used to associate Christian supporters of Donald Trump with the idea of theocracy.
The Kingdom of God is not of this world (John 18:36). While it is true that Christian values influenced the moral and legal foundations of Western civilization (including concepts of human dignity, natural rights, and justice), Christianity itself is not defined by any particular political movement. Historically speaking, America was founded on principles heavily influenced by Christianity. But, there is a significant difference between true Christianity and the politicization of Christianity for power, wealth, or influence. Many people, including critics and even some Christians, conflate the two.
History has demonstrated that when the church and state merge improperly, corruption follows. The Book of Revelation warns against oppressive regimes that claim divine authority (Revelation 13). Both religious and political power can be corrupted by sin, which is why maintaining their distinct roles is essential.
A theocracy is a form of government in which religious authorities rule directly in the name of God, enforcing religious law as civil law. Christians do not seek a theocracy (John 18:36). The New Testament prescribes a structure where civil governance and spiritual leadership serve distinct but complementary roles.
The doctrine of sphere sovereignty (developed by theologians like Abraham Kuyper) holds that God has ordained distinct institutions—family, church, and state—each accountable to Him but not meant to absorb or control the others. This safeguards against tyranny, including a corrupt theocracy that fuses church and state in ways that lead to abuse of power. The biblical principle of sphere sovereignty prevents the church from becoming a tool of political power and protects society from an overreaching government claiming divine sanction.
The Apostle Paul affirms the role of government as a distinct institution from the church. Romans 13:1-7 describes civil rulers as “God’s servants” for maintaining justice but does not grant them authority over faith or worship. The church, on the other hand, is given spiritual authority to preach the Gospel and administer sacraments (Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13), not to wield the sword of civil enforcement.
Jesus explicitly rejected the idea of establishing an earthly theocracy. When questioned about paying taxes to Caesar, He declared: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). There is a distinction between the civil and religious spheres—governments have legitimate authority, but they are not to be equated with God’s kingdom.
When people sought to make Jesus king by force (John 6:15), He withdrew, demonstrating that His mission was not to establish a political theocracy but to bring redemption through the Gospel. Therefore, Christians are called to influence society through moral persuasion and faithful witness, not coercive state control.
Although tragic distortions of biblical teaching have been used to justify conquest, true Christianity does not call for coercion or forced conversions. True Christianity is about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is not tied to any nation, race, or political party.
It is therefore the duty of the church and individual Christians to call the world to repentance and to hold government officials accountable to the law of God, the supreme law giver. This faithful action safeguards against tyranny, including a corrupt theocracy that would almost certainly attempt to fuse church and state in ways that lead to abuse of power.
The Core of Jesus’ Teachings: Is It Just About Love?
Bjorn rightly identified love as a key theme in Jesus’ teachings. Love is indeed central—Jesus Himself said that the two greatest commandments are to love God with all one’s heart, soul, and mind, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:37-39). Love is essential to Christianity, but it is a love that leads to truth, repentance, and obedience to God.
To reduce Jesus to a mere symbol of selflessness and kindness without acknowledging His full message is to misunderstand Him. Jesus' love was not a vague tolerance of all things, but a sacrificial love that called people away from sin and toward truth. Jesus was not just a moral teacher or a revolutionary against authority—He came to preach the kingdom of God, call sinners to repentance, and ultimately give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
Jesus also spoke extensively about judgment, righteousness, and the cost of following Him. He warned against hypocrisy, greed, and self-serving leaders. He called people to repentance and faith in Him (Luke 13:3, John 14:6).
Jesus’ love was never at odds with justice—He did not merely accept everyone as they were but called them to transformation. Modern corruptions of Christ would have the world believe that “love” means tolerance and that the church should be conformed to affirm whatever definition of love that people devise. They support this false notion by claiming that Jesus ate with sinners, and loved sinners. However, the truth is that whenever sinners encountered Jesus, it was they who were transformed, not Jesus. Today, the same applies to Jesus’ true church. It is not the responsibility of the church to conform to the needs of the culture as it progresses. The church must stand firm in a changing world so that sinners will be transformed, not the reverse.
How Can Christianity Be True When It Is Used For Power and Personal Gain?
Bjorn expressed concern that some who claim Christianity are actually using it for personal gain—whether in politics, wealth accumulation, or nationalistic pride. This is a valid concern and one that Jesus Himself warned against when he condemned religious leaders who were hypocritical and self-serving (Matthew 23). Jesus, likewise, cleansed the Temple of those who turned it into a marketplace (Matthew 21:12-13). The prosperity gospel—the idea that faith should make one rich and comfortable—is a corruption of biblical teaching.
Therefore, it is crucial to distinguish between false Christianity—which seeks power and wealth in Jesus’ name—and true Christianity, which seeks to glorify God and serve others. Jesus made it clear that following Him was not about gaining earthly power or wealth.
Not everyone who calls themselves a Christian or a Christian nationalist is actually following Christ. Jesus warned that many would say, “Lord, Lord,” but He would declare that He never knew them because they did not truly follow Him (Matthew 7:21-23). Thus, if certain figures use Christianity as a political tool while living in ways contrary to Christ’s teachings, they should be critiqued. However, their actions do not discredit Christianity itself—only their misuse of it.
In the opening passages of The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis, through the voice of the demon Screwtape, refutes the common argument that Christianity must be false because there are sinners in the church. Screwtape instructs his apprentice, Wormwood, on how to exploit the weaknesses of a new Christian by directing his attention to the flaws of other believers. The goal is to make him judge Christianity based on the hypocrisy and imperfections of its adherents rather than its truth claims.
Lewis cleverly exposes the fallacy in this argument: the presence of sinners in the church is not evidence against Christianity but rather proof of its necessity. Just as a hospital is full of sick people seeking healing, the church is full of sinners seeking redemption. If the Christian faith teaches that humans are fallen and in need of grace, then finding imperfect people in the church is exactly what one should expect. The real test of Christianity is not whether its followers are flawless but whether Christ is who He claimed to be and whether His teachings transform lives.
By presenting this argument from the perspective of a demon, Lewis highlights how the enemy manipulates superficial judgments to keep people from grasping the heart of Christianity. Instead of looking to Christ Himself, people are tempted to focus on the failures of those who follow Him, thus leading them away from truth. This insight remains a powerful apologetic response to the claim that Christianity is discredited by the shortcomings of its adherents.
Is “America First” Consistent with Christian Love?
Bjorn challenges the slogan "America First" as anti-Christian because Christianity teaches love for all people. This is a nuanced issue that requires a careful, biblically grounded response.
This charge assumes a false either-or paradigm. A Christian can love their country and desire its well-being while also caring for others outside of it. Nations have a responsibility to govern wisely, protect their citizens, and uphold justice. The Bible does not command nations to have open borders or unlimited welfare programs, but it does command individuals to love their neighbors and to care for the vulnerable (Micah 6:8, Proverbs 31:8-9).
The question is not whether nations should prioritize their own citizens—that is the responsibility of any government—but whether Christians should embrace nationalism in a way that excludes love for others. A Christian patriotism would be rooted in gratitude for one’s country while remembering that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ and His kingdom.
In 1 Timothy 5, the Apostle Paul establishes foundational principles for charity, teaching responsibility, and governance that extend beyond individual believers to leaders of nations. Paul instructs Timothy:
“Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.” (1 Timothy 5:3-4)
A crucial distinction is made between widows who have no support (“truly widows”) and those who have family members who can provide for them. The church is not to provide indiscriminately but to prioritize assistance based on (actual) need.
The biblical mandate for men and leaders establishes a hierarchy of responsibility and warns against neglecting one’s responsibility to those directly under their authority and care.
“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8)
The immediate family bears the first responsibility for care and provision. The church provides for those who have no other means of support, those who truly cannot help themselves. But charity should be selective and not enable laziness or allow grifters to take advantage of goodwill. (2 Thessalonians 3:10: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat”).
This principle extends to civil leaders, including presidents. If an individual is “worse than an unbeliever” for neglecting his household, how much more accountable are leaders who govern entire nations? Just as a man must care for his family before assisting others, civil authorities bear primary responsibility for their own people before extending resources abroad.
Romans 13:3-4 affirms that government exists to uphold justice and provide for the well-being of its citizens.
Proverbs 29:4 warns that a ruler who oppresses his people for personal gain leads to national instability.
Acts 6:1-4 shows that even within the church, practical needs (such as feeding widows) were administered with wisdom and prioritization, not simply through indiscriminate giving.
The Biblical model of responsibility and stewardship is grounded in moral order and practical wisdom. God rebukes both neglect (those who ignore their duty to their household) and irresponsibility (those who expect institutions to do what individuals should do). Applied to national leaders, this means that while nations may offer aid to others, their first duty is to ensure justice, stability, and provision for their own people.
Where is Jesus In This “Return To Religion?”
Bjorn has noticed that many who make public professions of faith or claim to have “God on our side” seem to deemphasize the name of Jesus. This is an insightful observation and a very useful context for identifying authentic Christian faith in a cacophony of religious sounding rhetoric.
It is possible that some avoid speaking about Jesus because His message challenges their priorities. While it is often assumed that the Lord is a Republican, Jesus does not fit neatly into any political ideology. Jesus calls all people to repentance, challenges worldly power, and prioritizes the eternal over the temporal, the kingdom of God over man-made kingdoms.
At the same time, it would be unfair to generalize all people who choose to be associated with Christian nationalism. Many sincere, and doctrinally sound, Christians believe that biblical values should influence society, not because they seek power, but because they believe God's moral order leads to human flourishing. In that sense, I would gladly label myself a Christian nationalist. My justification for it would begin with the argument that since confusing the languages at the first meeting of the New World Order at the city and tower complex on the Plains of Shinar, God has ordained the nation state to be the order of things until Christ returns.
The key distinction is this: Christianity is not about imposing a theocracy or securing political dominance—it is about proclaiming the Gospel, making disciples of people form all nations, teaching them all that Christ commanded, living righteously, and being salt and light in an often corrupt and darkened world (Matthew 5:13-16).
Conclusion: The Call to True Christianity
Bjorn’s concerns about hypocrisy and the misuse of Christianity are quite valid. However, the solution is not to reject Christianity but to seek out and return to its true message. Jesus is not a political figure to be co-opted, nor a mere symbol of love and acceptance—He is the Son of God, the Savior who drank the full cup of the Father’s unmixed wrath and judgment on behalf of those who would believe and got up and walked out of the tomb in victory over the oppressive chains of sin and the total darkness of death, and He is calling people from all nations to repentance, faith, and obedience.
Bjorn speculated what it might be like if Jesus were to appear in the forest and take a seat at his campfire. I hope we have helped to answer that question for Bjorn and that we have clarified his and any concerns you may have had about the confusion of false religion wearing a mask of Christianity.
Jesus would not affirm false Christianity or self-serving religion, nor would He give merely passive, nonjudgmental teaching. He would call people to Himself—to faith, to righteousness, and to the truth that sets people free from the bondage sin and self-righteousness (John 8:31-32).
And so, the real question is not whether certain Christians are living inconsistently, but whether Jesus Christ is who He claimed to be. If He is, then His message is not something to be dismissed because hypocrites have appropriated it, but the eternal truth that every individual must reckon with personally.
Jesus is not just a historical figure or a symbol of love. He is the living Christ who personally changes hearts and lives. After all, that is what true Christianity is really about.
Dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold, “In the last times there will be scoffers/mockers who will follow their own ungodly desires” sowing division, loving the world, following their natural instincts, devoid of the Spirit.
Build yourselves up in the true faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping yourselves in the love of God, as we wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring eternal life. And be merciful to those who doubt;
Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; and for others show mercy, fearing God—hating sin.
To him who is able to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,—to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 17-25)
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