Conference Minister Corner | April 1, 2025

Rev. Gordon Rankin | Conference Minister A couple of weeks ago, when I attended the Council of Churches gathering regarding Christian Nationalism, I was asked to provide a summary statement at the end of the gathering.  I did so highlighting a couple of things that I thought deserved a little more attention at the end of our afternoon together.  But I have found that ever since, I’ve had one more thing churning around in my head that I wish I had spoken to.  So, since I have the opportunity to do so in this space, here it goes…

I am privileged to hear of ways in which our churches engage in acts of social justice to stand up to the harms done by the Christian Nationalist movement.  This is so very important.  Please keep at it.  Don’t let what I’m about to say diminish those efforts in any way. 

I do think there is another calling for those of us in the church when it comes to confronting Christian Nationalism.  It is a calling that I believe the church is uniquely gifted for and, to be honest, I think it is one that only the church can do.  Even if you are in a church community that doesn’t tend to engage in social justice work, this is still something you can do.

I would call on all of us in the church to do good theology.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to suggest we are not doing good theology.  I’m trying to emphasize that we need to do it more.  Doing good theology can no longer be left to the pastor and a couple of laypeople.  We need everyone in to church to embrace doing good theology.

Here’s why.  I believe that Christian Nationalism is built on the foundation of junk theology.  The theology of Christian Nationalism chooses desired social outcomes first and then provide theological justifications for such outcomes.  It is not based on gathering community together to study the scriptures and to listen to the nudges of the Holy Spirit with the intent of discerning the will of our God.  The theology of Christian Nationalism uses the name of Jesus to command obedience rather than fully sharing the witness and message of Jesus which inspires people faithfulness.  In many ways, I think Christian Nationalism’s junk theology is a lot like junk food.  It may be easy to swallow, but it provides little to no nutritional value for one’s soul. 

And there’s the catch.  People are not going to give up their junk theology, nor the movement it supports, unless we are all out in the world doing good theology so that they know there is spiritually healthier option.  It is for this reason that I believe that doing good theology is one of the most impactful things we in the church can do to help us move beyond Christian Nationalism. 

So, my friends, will you join me in doing good theology anywhere and everywhere you can?

Gordon