Questions
Why Is Christian Nationalism’s Merger of Church and State Problematic?
Summary: Christian nationalism blurs the distinct callings God has given to church and state—the state to maintain justice through coercive authority, the church to proclaim the gospel and make disciples—and in doing so weakens the church’s prophetic witness by binding it to political power.
Christian nationalism is problematic because it blurs the distinction between the church and the state—two institutions that God has established with different purposes. The state is tasked with maintaining a measure of justice and peace within society, often through limited human judgment and the use of coercive authority. The church, however, is a community formed by faith in Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, and model a life shaped by obedience to God. When these two institutions are merged, the unique calling of the church is easily overshadowed by political goals.
This merger also weakens the church’s witness. When the church becomes closely tied to political power, it becomes less capable of speaking prophetically to governing authorities or challenging injustice. Instead of pointing beyond political systems to the coming kingdom of God, the church can become invested in preserving the authority and success of the state. In doing so, Christianity risks being reshaped to serve national ambitions rather than directing people toward Christ and the new creation that no human government can bring about.
Key Takeaways: Two Institutions, Two Callings
- Distinct Divine Institutions: God establishes state (justice and peace through coercive authority) and church (gospel proclamation and disciple-making through the Spirit) for different purposes.
- The Merger Problem: When church and state merge, the church’s unique calling is overshadowed by political goals.
- Lost Prophetic Voice: A politically bound church cannot speak prophetically against injustice it is now invested in preserving.
- The “So What”: Christianity tied to national ambition ceases to direct people to Christ and the new creation that no human government can bring about.
About the Author — James Spencer, PhD, is a theologian, author, and host of the Thinking Christian podcast, where he writes and speaks on Christian formation, political theology, and technology. He holds a PhD in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and completed the Institute for Educational Management at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He serves as President of the D.L. Moody Center in Northfield, Massachusetts, as adjunct faculty in Wheaton College’s MA in Leadership program, and as an Associate Research Fellow at the Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology. His writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, Christianity.com, and Sojourners; he has been quoted in The Telegraph; and he is a regular guest on Stand in the Gap Today with the American Pastors Network. His forthcoming book is Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press, Fall 2026). Learn more at jamesgspencer.com.