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How does Christian nationalism differ from Christian conservatism?
Executive Summary
Christian nationalism and Christian conservatism overlap in social policy but are distinct in goals and political theology: Christian conservatism generally defends traditional moral teachings within a classical liberal, pluralist framework, while Christian nationalism seeks a fusion of Christian identity with state power and often endorses illiberal, exclusionary claims about the nation. Recent scholarship and advocacy analysis shows Christian nationalism emphasizes national destiny, divine ordination of political authority, and cultural homogeneity, whereas Christian conservatism typically affirms religious liberty and democratic institutions [1] [2] [3] [4].
1. Why the Distinction Matters — Conservatism Wants Influence; Nationalism Wants Dominion
Scholars argue that Christian conservatism aims to shape public life through persuasion and democratic processes while preserving religious freedom for all, rooted in classical liberalism and the U.S. constitutional order. Mark Tooley contrasts conservatives’ support for full religious liberty with Christian nationalists’ desire for an explicit, state-favored Christianity and a theocratic tilt, noting that nationalists often draw on pre-Revolutionary models of Christian commonwealth rather than the pluralist legacy of the Second Great Awakening [1] [2]. Advocacy voices reinforce that Christian nationalism merges religious and civic identities, demanding exclusive cultural belonging and subordinating dissenting citizens, which produces a fundamentally different relationship between religion and state than mainstream conservatism endorses [4].
2. What Christian Nationalism Looks Like — Divine Authority, National Destiny, and Hierarchy
Recent research identifies Christian nationalism as an illiberal political theology that treats executive authority as God-ordained and the nation as specially blessed, embedding racial and gender hierarchies in civic life. Laruelle and Livingston describe this shift as millennialist and institutional, linked to charismatic movements that promote modern apostles and spiritual warfare—features that make Christian nationalism a potent anti-democratic force and distinct from issue-based conservatism [3]. Academic convenings further show multiple strains—dominionist, Calvinist, integralist—each advancing the idea that political order must reflect a divinely sanctioned social hierarchy and that natural-born citizens possess prioritized civic standing [5].
3. How Christian Conservatism Remains Pluralist — Policy Focus Without Theocratic Ends
Christian conservatism generally concentrates on social and moral issues—abortion, marriage, education—while operating within democratic norms and supporting religious liberty as a principle. Historical accounts of the Christian right trace a movement focused on mobilizing voters around family and moral concerns rather than fusing faith and national identity into a single civic criterion. Conservative theological commitments—high view of Scripture and traditional doctrine—do not necessarily demand state imposition of religion; many theological conservatives maintain democratic pluralism and can hold varied economic or policy positions independent of a theocratic agenda [6] [7].
4. Civic Consequences — Democracy, Inclusion, and the Risk of Idolatry
Observers and faith-leaders warn that Christian nationalism corrodes democratic norms and promotes exclusion by equating being “truly American” with adherence to a specific Christian identity, often accompanied by white supremacist currents and demands for allegiance over critique. The Baptist Joint Committee emphasizes that Christian nationalism distorts the gospel by prioritizing power and cultural dominance rather than solidarity with the marginalized, framing patriotism as conditional and conflating national fidelity with spiritual legitimacy [4]. Researchers link nationalist theology to authoritarian tendencies and the erosion of checks and balances, showing direct civic risks distinct from the policy battles typically associated with Christian conservatism [3] [5].
5. Internal Divisions and Political Implications — Not All Conservatives Are Nationalists
Analysts note significant internal diversity: many conservatives reject nationalist fusion, and Christian nationalism draws its strongest adherents from specific theological currents—charismatic dominionists, certain Calvinist schools, and integralists—rather than the whole conservative coalition. Debates at academic and religious forums stress that resistance to Christian nationalism can come from within conservative traditions, with leaders calling for defense of religious liberty, democratic norms, and a non-coercive public witness. The practical effect is that political alliances may shift as nationalist currents push for illiberal reforms, forcing mainstream conservatives to choose between accommodation, repudiation, or strategic distance [2] [5] [4].