The Gospel Coalition set out to have a big-brained conversation about Christian Nationalism featuring Ligon Duncan, Bob Thune, Andy Davis, and Philip Ryken in a video titled, “What Does It Mean to Be a Christian Nationalist?” Rather than answer the titular question, The Gospel Coalition showcased a massive level of sophistry waxing and waning about pluralistic societies and compromising to build a coalition within a democracy.
Loser Theology
At one point during the video, the round table makes it clear that they adhere to loser theology explicitly stating that “we win by losing.” This would intertwine with bad readings of church history such as the 30-Years War ending state-sponsored Christianity as though the Church of England and the Church of Sweden ceased to exist. It also seemed clear that they were not well-versed in the English Civil War making them unable to contextualize the reformers of that era.
Pluralism and Compromise
The panel recognizes that American society is pluralistic, with moral indifference. Thus, they argue that a Christian can’t govern against the majority. “Democracy is about compromise” is the ongoing theme of their discussion on Christians in the civil sphere. Yet it’s never made clear to what degree or in what ways Christians can compromise in a democracy without sinning.
For instance, the panel disapproves of Uganda criminalizing homosexuality and pedophilia, yet this was done within the confines of a democratic system of government.
Moreover, most political races are noncompetitive and decided at the primary level. Therefore, why shouldn’t every safe Republican be a Dusty Deevers?
The simple minds of the panel assume that democracy is freedom and dictatorship is evil, despite history showcasing that democracies infringe upon more rights than high crown authority monarchies. Yet these enlightenment sensibilities go unquestioned.
Unanswered Questions
Along with the titular question being unanswered in the video, at one point it is asked whether or should a government prefer Christianity over other religions. This question is posited but never addressed.
The question of what types of laws a Christian can or cannot support is unanswered as are solutions to any meaningful moral issues. The transgenderism indoctrination in schools is brought up, not to provide an easy example of Christian governance but to lecture Christians on tone and posture. So the only real policy position taken is against Uganda and for a right to be homosexual.
At first, The Gospel Coalition seemed interested in having a more meaningful discussion about Christian Nationalism bringing up globalism and immigration as distinct drivers. But it largely devolves into a group of old men smelling their own farts.
Powered by RedCircle
