John MacArthur, a well-known California megachurch pastor and author, has recently spoken out against Christian nationalism, emphasizing that God’s Kingdom is not of this world, which contradicts the Christian nationalist belief in establishing a Christian confessional state. Despite being politically conservative, MacArthur’s views align more with traditional Baptist separatism, focusing on the separation of church and state and the spiritual mission of the church rather than political dominion. He highlights that Christian efforts should not be tied to political or social processes for advancing Christianity, as the Kingdom of God operates independently of worldly systems.
Juicy Ecumenicism reports:
Self-identified Christian nationalists do expect Christians of their perspective to “win down here” before Christ’s return by establishing a Christian confessional state that subdues public dissent from their brand of Christianity. Such Christian nationalists disdain MacArthur’s 20th-century brand of premillennial dispensationalism that assumes the church’s role is chiefly saving souls before the end times.
MacArthur’s brand of Christianity has tens of millions of adherents in America with enormous religious, social, and political impact. Left Behind literature and filmography reflect their perspective, as do evangelical broadcasts like The 700 Club. The modern Religious Right, founded in the 1970s, shared his pessimistic view. They wanted greater political righteousness in America, as MacArthur does, to forestall divine judgment and permit more years of evangelism. But they did not claim or desire that a Christian nation could be instituted by law. (See my piece on “Christian Conservatism vs Christian Nationalism.”)
Self-identified Christian nationalists are much fewer in number. They are more intellectual and subscribe to 16th and 17th-century Calvinist theories about political rule by the elect. They are obviously much more optimistic than are Christian dispensationalists. But the latter have had wide political influence through voter mobilization and issue advocacy, while the former have had little direct political influence, at least not yet.
Key Points
- John MacArthur criticizes Christian nationalism, highlighting a spiritual kingdom separate from worldly politics.
- MacArthur’s views represent a traditional Christian stance focusing on spiritual salvation over political dominion.
- The debate reflects broader theological differences within Christianity regarding the church’s role in society.
| Themes | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Spiritual Focus | Encourages a focus on spiritual growth and salvation. | This may lead to disengagement from social or political issues. |
| Separation of Church and State | Supports religious freedom and pluralism. | Could diminish the influence of Christian ethics in public policy. |
| Christian Nationalism | Aims for a society governed by Christian principles. | Risks conflating religious and national identities, potentially excluding non-Christians. |
Questions to Consider
- How does MacArthur’s stance on Christian nationalism challenge or support traditional views of Christianity’s role in society?
- What are the implications of separating the Kingdom of God from worldly governance for Christian engagement in politics?
- How do different theological views on eschatology (end times) influence Christians’ perspectives on political involvement?
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