I believe that the issue of Christian nationalism is a powerful, dangerous and insidious ideology.  It perverts and dilutes the message of the gospel.  Jesus’ clear statements regarding the the kingdom he came to establish and call people to was entirely different from kingdoms of earth.  He said, “(KJV) Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” clearly teaching the separation of the two.  Also, “John 18:36 (CSB) My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”  

In Romans, Paul expounds upon the differences between things of the flesh vs things of the spirit, calling the Roman church to differentiate between the two.  Romans 7:4-5 (NASB) 4 Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”  In this passage he is referring to the Law of Moses which was set in a theocracy, Paul points to a new allegiance.  In chapter 13 Paul makes it clear that we are to be subject to our government.  I find it hard to accept that governments are authorized and empowered by God.  But with all that, Paul never suggests that Christians should become involved in political activism.

The system of law and religion was delivered in the time of the patriarchs through the Mosaic Covenant.  Priests and the Judges governed religious practice and secular matters.  With the appointment of Saul as king, the Israelites transitioned to a theocratic monarchy.  In this period, a temple was built and religious activities were centered upon it. Priests and prophets were responsible for the religious domain and the maintenance of the temple while the king, though under the authority of the Mosaic Covenant,  managed the secular aspects of the Israelite nation. 

Later the nation of Israel was conquered by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Fatimids, Seljuk Turks, Crusaders, Egyptians, Mamelukes, Islamists.  Temple worship was compromised so by the time of Jesus, synagogue worship was central and political affairs were out of the control of the Jews. 

Against that history, the period just before Jesus incarnation, the temple was rebuilt and became the center of Jewish worship.   It’s instructive to consider the history of the Roman Empire in order to appreciate the political climate in the first century BCE through the first century A.D. (C.E.)  It began as a republic in 509 BCE and quickly evolved into various forms of representative democracy,  By the time of Jesus, it had become a dictatorship until its final collapse in the 5th Century.  Jesus and subsequent church leaders and writers realized that political activism was not a viable option.  

All of the above leads me to my conviction that throughout the history of the Church, political involvement was never expedient and when practiced, led to horrible abuses and an abandonment of the spiritual focus and purpose of the church.  

As an individual Christian, I am governed by those principles revealed by Jesus and his followers.  I look to New Testament scripture to inform me.  God never coerces or compels.  Each person is free to follow the path that the Lord sets as revealed in scripture, confirmed by the actions of Providence and promptings of the indwelling Spirit.  Having lived long enough to realize that my understanding of scripture has grown over time and that my  convictions have constantly needed to be realigned through study, experience, increasing knowledge, prayer, circumstances and the influence of other godly men and women.  I am willing to share my faith and convictions to others, but I try not to be so arrogant as to try to compel others to adhere to them through enforcement of secular law, financial incentives, creeds, or statements of faith.