Ten years ago, the author, a student pastor in suburban North Carolina, observed a troubling shift in the perception of morality among self-professed Christians during the 2016 presidential campaign. As Donald Trump gained traction, many Christians softened their criticisms of him, compromising their previously steadfast moral standards. This troubling trend, coupled with Trump’s campaign rhetoric, led the author to speak out against the emerging fusion of Church and state and the rise of white Christian nationalism.
Despite expecting fellow clergy to join in condemnation, the author found little support. Now, a decade later, white Christian nationalism poses a significant threat to both the nation and the Church, with its agenda aligning with oppressive power dynamics that target marginalized communities. The author emphasizes that confronting this issue requires the active involvement of white Christians who care about Jesus’ teachings.
The responsibility lies with these individuals to stand against Christian nationalism, engage in difficult conversations, and take a stand on social justice issues like immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial inequality. The article calls for a loud, visible countermovement from white Christians to combat this existential crisis, positing that failure to act could lead to an irreparable change in the nation and the Church. If their voices remain silenced, the author warns that Jesus’ message may be lost altogether.
