America is post-Christian
Don’t take ‘Christian nationalism’ bait
Dr. Francis Schaeffer, a pastor, theologian, apologist, and author, called the U.S. a post-Christian nation in the late 20th century. Photo from The Gospel Coalition
America is a post-Christian nation, and it has been that way for 40-50 years. Changing that status depends on spiritual factors, none of which are trending in the right direction.
The Judeo-Christian values that trace back to America’s founding were last seen in the 1970s and 1980s when the late Dr. Francis Schaeffer wrote and spoke about post-Christian America. He saw what others didn’t, morality shaped by biblical truth making way for a cultural Christianity that far too often is easy, soft, and not nearly enough “repent and believe.”
“Schaeffer calls for a kind of culture war—though not the sort of battles we might be imagining. Schaeffer wants a Christian revolution, the kind that looks like spiritual reformation,” missionary and author Elliot Clark wrote for The Gospel Coalition in December 2020 regarding Schaeffer's book, “The Church at the End of the 20th Century.”
Nones, or atheists, agnostics, and those who claim to be nonspiritual, now shape U.S. demographics and influence its direction. The legacy media, however, always needs a Christian bogeyman. Over time, these have been Jerry Falwell Sr., Pat Robertson, James Dobson, D. James Kennedy, and others. It might even be an idea.
Enter Christian nationalism. It has been all the rage on the left because of Donald Trump. It is a propaganda operation that leads in sinister directions in light of other First Amendment concerns and government actions the past four years. The chatter surrounding “Christian nationalism” is distraction and diversion from a plan the left would execute if permitted.
It also exists because there is a fight over ideas. A worldview will always dominate the culture, and the dominant worldview–yes, religion–is secular atheism. It’s pervasive in: government, law, business, media, education at all levels, entertainment, any sphere of life, except churches and followers of Jesus Christ with fidelity to Scripture.
Secular atheism says that man is smarter, greater, stronger, and wiser than anything that faith in God offers. The last thing secular atheists will accept is a competing worldview in the public square where people demonstrate devotion to God. It’s unacceptable, won’t be tolerated, and likely punished.
U.S. Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene, R-GA, is a lightning rod for “Christian nationalism” rhetoric. Carolyn Kaster/AP photo/via NBC News
Christian nationalism needed a bogeywoman, and U.S. Rep Majorie Taylor Greene, R-GA, obliged. The congresswoman who accepts the QAnon theory, went along with all secular atheist apostles, especially those in the media.
This happened late in Trump’s term and has continued with social media posts and public comments where Greene used the phrase and admitted she was a Christian nationalist in July 2022.
The problem is Christian nationalism is a moving target because secular atheists need another group to call “racist,” “domestic terrorists,” a “threat to democracy,” or whoever Team Biden needs for an enemies list.
Rob Reiner, of “Meathead” fame on “All in the Family,” is a leftist who has never been friendly to Christians. He produced the film “God and Country,” which had awful attendance in theaters. That, however, will not stop it from being part of election 2024 ad spots when it is deemed necessary to “tar and feather” someone. Consider what the New York Times wrote in reviewing Reiner’s film:
‘God & Country’ describes the growing threat to democracy posed by voters who subscribe to the belief that the United States is above all a Christian nation and that this should influence policies on abortion, public education, immigration, and so on. The film's insights about the role of religion in politics feel especially well-informed because many of its commentators draw on their own personal and professional experiences with the Christian church. They're believers, too, and they're worried.
Reiner creates a wedge between “good” and “bad” believers, as if he knows who those are.
On Feb. 23, Politico reporter Heidi Przybyla established the difference between “Christians” and “Christian nationalists” with her dangerous rhetoric stating that it “is that they believe that our rights as Americans, as all human beings, don't come from any earthly authority.”
It’s shocking ignorance for a reporter to have no clue what the Declaration of Independence says: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Przybyla conflates mainstream American belief–God gives us our rights–with dominionist theology, which is a fringe movement where adherents believe they will institute a government led by Christans. These people are avid Trump supporters. I have regularly attended churches in multiple states in the North and South my entire life. I don’t know anyone who adheres to dominionism or establishment of a U.S. theocracy.
On Thursday, Przybyla attempted to undo her damage. However, she already said the quiet part out loud.
Secular atheists believe our rights come from government. How else can we explain their defense of First Amendment restrictions? How else can we explain their defense of government censorship? How else can we explain the repeated attacks on the Second Amendment?
If rights are given by government, they will be taken away by totalitarians.
Do you think officials didn’t watch how churches responded to covid?
What’s stopping them from demanding what pastors can preach?
What’s stopping them from using those who are “not Christian nationalists” to narc on others and report them to the feds?
Our federal government is corrupt. With how the government handled covid, including threats and fines against pastors and churches that disobeyed edicts, it’s not difficult to see where this reckless and heated “Christian nationalist” rhetoric leads.
We are 3 weeks removed from the Lakewood Church shooting. Church shootings are happening.
The Family Research Council reports growing hostility against churches. Damon Atkins was arrested in Reading, PA and Marcus Schroeder was arrested in Watertown, WI for exercising free speech and religious rights at Pride events.
It is happening and can get worse.
