UPDATED: The Various Christian Nationalisms

By Brad Isbell - Posted at Presbycast Pravda:

Published January 7, 2025

Theologies of Glory vs. Theology of the Cross

There’s another way of understanding certain Christian movements today: those with a biblical theology/gospel of the cross vs. those with a worldly theology of glory/prosperity gospel. This distinction has existed since Jesus battled the nationalist-zealot tendencies of his followers and since Paul opposed the “Super Apostles.” Luther, a theologian of the cross, spoke of it as well, and it is arguable that both the papists of the 16th century and the anabaptists were earthly glory seekers.

Here are three groups on a right-left spectrum that might tend toward a theology of glory/prosperity/transformationalism. All are diverse—these generalizations do not apply to every last adherent of the associated philosophies…for want of a better word.

• The progressive Christian center-left often manifests transformationalist ideas about redeeming or renewing cities, communities, or nations. They range from liberal to orthodox doctrinally, are “Reformed”1 in some sense, and are often post-millennial. A number of evangelical churches (including many megachurches) are tending left socially and have adopted this framework. Their focus can be very “here and now” and material. A similar movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was the original Christian Nationalism in North America.

• The “Hee-Haw” wooly Christian middle-right might also be called “The Bat-Wing” since many seem to be batty, aka crazy. These include the TBN word-faith crowd and the Charismatic-Megachurch-Dominionist types (mentioned in the article below), which are rife with theological and practical problems…many are arguably pagan. This group includes the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) people and “Seven Mountains Mandate” teachers. Amazingly, this group may have the most money and power at the moment and seem to have real political access and influence.

• The Christian Nationalist/Dissident Christian Right focuses on earthly political power. It has unfortunate tinges of antisemitism, opposes aspects of the US Constitution, devalues traditional civil liberties, and leans into ethnic issues. Some proponents want a “Christian Prince”2 or magistrate with extraordinary powers and admire political thinkers who advocate for an “unbound executive.” Some admire certain 20th-century dictators.

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HT: Isbell On The Types Of Christian Nationalists | The Heidelblog