“Too much proximity to political power makes it impossible for the church to fulfil its role as a watchdog”

 By Joel Forster - Posted at Evangelical Focus:

The Swiss Evangelical Alliance opens a conversation on the hot topic of Christian nationalism. Andi Bachmann-Roth says they follow Christian nationalism in the US “with concern” as they see similar movements grow in Europe.

‘Holy Nation?! – A critical examination of nationalist politics under the guise of Christianity’. This is the theme that the Swiss Evangelical Alliance (SEA) has chosen for its 2025 national gathering in May.

The annual General Assembly will provide a space for debate on the theological implications of movements that seek radical political change using Christian language.

Why is such a conversation needed in Switzerland, a country known for its influential Christian history? Andi Bachmann-Roth, co-secretary general of SEA, put forward some of his ideas in answers to Evangelical Focus.

Question. You chose a very hotly debated issue for your national gathering. What conversation do you want to stimulate among Swiss evangelicals?

Answer. The topic has been repeatedly discussed in the SEA board. Of course, also in the context of the strengthening of so-called ‘Christian nationalism’ in the United States of America, with figures such as Pete Hegseth (Secretary of Defense), J.D. Vance (Vice President), Marco Rubio (Secretary of State) or Russel Vought (Office of Management and Budget).

On the one hand, this very political Christianity is evident in symbols (tattoos, ash crosses on the forehead, etc.), but also in concrete programmes (the ‘Project 2025’). We are observing this development with concern and are also seeing some similar developments in Europe and Switzerland.

The Evangelical Alliance board has decided to broaden this discussion because we consider it important. In our Alliance, Christians have often become involved in society in various ways. Political engagement was and continues to be an important part of the Alliance’s work.

We believe that we as Christians have a healing contribution to make to society. The key question is: how should Christians exert influence?

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