#443 — What Is Christian Nationalism?
In this episode of Making Sense, Douglas Wilson shares his perspectives on Christian nationalism and his religious background. As a self-described biblical absolutist and young earth creationist, Wilson explains his interpretation of scripture and discusses his views on how the Bible should be read and understood, including his position on end-times prophecies and their historical context.
The conversation explores Wilson's stance on the relationship between Christianity and governance. Wilson discusses what he sees as the effects of post-World War II secularism on society and outlines his vision for how Christian principles could inform government policy while maintaining the separation of church and state. He presents his views on implementing Christian morality in governance through non-coercive means and explains why he believes nations need transcendent moral standards.
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Wilson's Personal Religious Beliefs and Background
Douglas Wilson shares his background as someone raised in a conservative Christian home by evangelical parents—his mother a former missionary and his father a Navy officer turned evangelist. Wilson identifies himself as a "biblical absolutist," explaining that he takes the Bible as God's authoritative word while respecting its various literary genres. As a young earth creationist, Wilson believes the world is roughly 6,000 years old, basing this on Genesis genealogies, and while he rejects Darwinian evolution, he accepts the concept of variation within species.
The Debate Around Eschatology (End Times Views)
Wilson presents his postmillennial perspective on end times, believing that the world will gradually improve through the gospel's influence before Christ's return. This view contrasts sharply with dispensationalism, which anticipates Christ's return before the millennium. When it comes to apocalyptic language in scripture, Wilson takes a preterist approach, interpreting descriptions of cosmic catastrophes as metaphors for the fall of nations or cities rather than literal end-of-world events. He suggests that many of these prophecies were fulfilled in historical events, such as Jerusalem's fall in 70 AD.
Christian Nationalism: Secularism and Morality in Society/Government
Wilson argues that society's current decline stems from post-World War II secularism, pointing to institutional upheaval and confusion over fundamental concepts like gender identity as evidence. He advocates for Christian-based governance while supporting the First Amendment's prohibition of establishing a national religion. Wilson emphasizes that while church and state should remain separate, governance should be informed by Christian morality rather than secular moral neutrality. He envisions implementing this through non-coercive means like persuasion and church planting, arguing that nations need transcendent moral standards to function properly as moral agents.
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Counterarguments
- Biblical absolutism is subject to interpretation, and different Christian denominations and scholars may disagree on what constitutes a literal or metaphorical interpretation of the Bible.
- The young earth creationist view is contradicted by a significant body of scientific evidence supporting an Earth that is approximately 4.5 billion years old.
- The theory of evolution by natural selection is widely accepted in the scientific community, and there is extensive evidence supporting it across various disciplines, including biology, geology, and genetics.
- Postmillennialism is one of several Christian eschatological views, and others, such as amillennialism or premillennialism, have different interpretations of how and when end times events will occur.
- The preterist approach to apocalyptic language is not universally accepted among Christians; some hold to a futurist or historicist interpretation of biblical prophecies.
- The attribution of societal decline to post-World War II secularism is a perspective that may not account for the complex social, economic, and political factors that influence societal change.
- The idea of Christian-based governance, even with respect for the First Amendment, can be controversial in a pluralistic society where citizens hold a variety of religious and non-religious beliefs.
- The concept of secular moral neutrality is often defended on the grounds that it allows for inclusive governance that respects the diversity of moral perspectives in a society.
- The assertion that nations need transcendent moral standards to function properly can be challenged by the argument that secular ethics and human rights frameworks provide a basis for moral agency and governance.
- The effectiveness and ethical implications of implementing Christian morality through persuasion and church planting can be debated, especially in the context of religious freedom and the separation of church and state.
Actionables
- You can explore historical interpretations of biblical prophecies by reading books on preterism to understand how past events may align with scriptural predictions. For example, you might read "The Parousia" by J. Stuart Russell to see how the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD has been historically linked to prophetic fulfillment.
- Engage with local governance by attending city council meetings to observe how moral perspectives influence policy decisions. This will give you firsthand insight into the role of morality in governance, akin to Wilson's advocacy for Christian-based governance, without requiring you to be an expert in theology or politics.
- Start a book club focused on texts about the intersection of faith and science to discuss and better understand the varying viewpoints on creation, such as young earth creationism and the acceptance of species variation. This could include books like "The Genesis Debate" which presents multiple views on the days of creation in Genesis.
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Wilson's Personal Religious Beliefs and Background
Douglas Wilson shares details about his upbringing and religious convictions, providing insight into his foundational beliefs and worldview.
Raised In Conservative Christian Home With Bible-Believing Parents
Wilson describes his upbringing in a devoutly conservative Christian and evangelical home during the early 20th-century evangelical movement that later split from mainline Protestant denominations. His mother's background as a missionary in Japan and his father's transformation from a Navy officer to an evangelist greatly influenced his religious environment and belief system.
Wilson: "Biblical Absolutist" Believing the Bible As Authoritative Word of God
Wilson identifies himself as a biblical absolutist, which he explains is different from being a biblical literalist. He believes in taking the Bible as the authoritative Word of God while recognizing and respecting its literary genres. This means he approaches historical books as history, poetry as poetry, and so on, rather than interpreting the entire Bible in a strictly literal fashion.
Wilson, a Creationist, Believes the World Is 6,000 Years Old Based On Gene ...
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Wilson's Personal Religious Beliefs and Background
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Counterarguments
- The age of the Earth is widely accepted by the scientific community to be around 4.5 billion years old, based on various forms of radiometric dating and geological evidence, which contradicts Wilson's belief in a 6,000-year-old Earth.
- The theory of evolution by natural selection is a foundational principle in modern biology, supported by a vast body of evidence from various scientific disciplines, challenging Wilson's rejection of Darwinian evolution.
- Biblical absolutism may not account for the complexities and nuances of translation, historical context, and cultural differences that can affect the interpretation of ancient texts.
- The interpretation of Genesis genealogies as a literal timeline for the age of the Earth is not universally accepted among all Christians, with many denominations and theologians interpreting these passages metaphorically or allegorically.
- The idea that all ethnic groups are descended fro ...
Actionables
- You can explore your own family's historical beliefs and values by creating a family belief tree. Start by interviewing older relatives to understand their religious and philosophical beliefs, then map these onto a visual tree that includes branches for different generations. This can help you see how beliefs have evolved over time within your own family and provide a personal context similar to Douglas Wilson's background.
- Dive into the study of different literary genres in religious texts by joining or starting a book club focused on this topic. Each month, select a different genre found within your religious texts, such as poetry, historical accounts, or parables, and discuss with the group how these genres contribute to the overall understanding of the text. This mirrors Wilson's approach to interpreting the Bible while respecting its literary diversity.
- Engage with the creati ...
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The Debate Around Eschatology (End Times Views)
The theological topic of eschatology encompasses various viewpoints on the end times, with Christians holding to contrasting beliefs about the sequence and nature of events leading up to Christ's return. Douglas Wilson contributes to this debate with his postmillennial perspective, differing significantly from the dispensational pre-millennial stance.
Wilson Believes In Postmillennialism, Expecting Peace and Prosperity Before Christ's Return
Contrasts With Dispensationalists' Premillennial View of Christ's Return Before the Millennium and Believer's Rapture
Douglas Wilson explains postmillennialism as a Christian eschatological view where the world will steadily improve due to the influence of the gospel. In Wilson's view, this period of progress will see nations being discipled and the Great Commission being completed, leading to an extensive era of peace and prosperity known as the millennium, before the second coming of Christ. Wilson expresses confidence that efforts to improve the world are not futile, and humanity has a significant period ahead to make the world better before the end times. This view stands in stark contrast to dispensationalism, which posits that Christ will return before a thousand-year reign (pre-millennium) and involves a rapture where believers are taken up from the earth.
Wilson Views Apocalyptic Language As Describing the Destruction of Nations and Cities, Not the World's End
Preterist Interpretation Based On Old Testament Language
Wilson argues that apocalyptic language found in the Bible, often portrayed as catastrophic cosmic events, should not be taken literally. Instead, terms such as the sun going dark or stars falling symbolize the fall of nations or cities. Douglas Wilson suggests that Jesus’ end times references in the gospels, particularly in Matthew 24, were pointing to the end of the old Judaic or ...
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The Debate Around Eschatology (End Times Views)
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Clarifications
- Eschatology is the study of the end times in religious contexts, particularly in Christianity. It involves examining beliefs about the final events in human history, the ultimate destiny of humanity, and the world according to religious teachings. Different Christian denominations and theologians hold varying views on eschatology, including perspectives on the sequence of events leading up to the return of Christ and the establishment of God's kingdom. These viewpoints can range from premillennialism to postmillennialism to amillennialism, each offering distinct interpretations of biblical prophecies and the future of the world.
- Postmillennialism is a Christian belief that the world will gradually improve through the spread of the gospel, leading to a golden age of peace and prosperity before Christ's return. Dispensational pre-millennialism, on the other hand, holds that Christ will return before a literal thousand-year reign on earth, with a distinct belief in a rapture where believers are taken up. These two views differ in their understanding of the timing and nature of Christ's return in relation to a period of peace and prosperity on earth.
- The Great Commission is a directive from Jesus to his disciples to spread the teachings of Christianity worldwide. It emphasizes evangelism, baptism, and making new disciples. This mission is a fundamental aspect of Christian faith and practice. The Great Commission is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 28, verses 16-20.
- The rapture in Christian theology is a belief in the sudden gathering of believers to meet Jesus in the air before a period of tribulation on Earth. This event is based on interpretations of biblical passages, particularly in the New Testament. It is a concept that is primarily associated with certain branches of evangelical and dispensationalist Christian thought.
- Apocalyptic language in the Bible consists of symbolic and vivid imagery used to convey spiritual truths and prophetic messages. This type of language often describes dramatic events, such as the fall of nations or the end of an era, using symbolic elements like stars falling or the sun going dark. It is not meant to be taken literally but rather as a way to communicate deeper meanings about spiritual realities and historical events. Understanding the context and symbolism of apocalyptic language is crucial for interpreting biblical prophecies accurat ...
Counterarguments
- Postmillennialism may be overly optimistic about human nature and the world's capacity for improvement without divine intervention.
- Critics argue that postmillennialism does not adequately account for the biblical passages that suggest a period of great tribulation and decline before Christ's return.
- Dispensational pre-millennialists would argue that their interpretation aligns more closely with a literal reading of Revelation and prophetic books of the Bible.
- Amillennialists might contend that both postmillennialism and dispensational pre-millennialism misinterpret the nature of the millennium, which they view as a current, symbolic reign of Christ in the hearts of believers, rather than a future physical reign on earth.
- Some theologians argue that the preterist view underestimates the future aspects of biblical prophecy and the ongoing relevance of apocalyptic expectations for the church.
- Historical premillennialists would challenge the postmillennial view by suggesting that the Bible teaches Christ will return before any millennial reign, whether it is ch ...
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Christian Nationalism: Secularism and Morality in Society/Government
Douglas Wilson voices his concerns about secularism's impact on society and makes a case for Christian-based governance.
Wilson: Secularism's Failure Leads to Decay
Wilson argues that society is in decline and blames this on the failure of secularism, which he sees as having taken hold after World War II. He claims that the decay is evidenced by the upheaval in institutions, leading to public mistrust and confusion over issues like gender and identity. He cites the inability of a recent Supreme Court Justice nominee to define what a woman is as an example of this societal decay.
Recent Upheaval in Institutions Shows a Secular Society Lacks a Stable Moral Foundation
Wilson discusses how respected American institutions have embarrassed themselves over the last five years, contributing to a low-trust society ripe with conspiracy theories. He believes that secularism lacks a stable moral foundation, leading to issues in the proper functioning of corporate entities like nations when they act as moral agents.
Wilson Urges a Christian-Based Governance Recognizing National Dependence on God
Wilson thinks Christians should acknowledge national dependence on God openly. He draws on the cultural mandate from Genesis and the Great Commission from the New Testament as support for Christian discipleship and "exercising dominion" over the earth, which he interprets as stewardship based on Christian principles. This, he suggests, should influence governance and national decisions.
Clarifying Church-State Fusion and Inclusion
Wilson emphasizes that his vision of Christian nationalism does not seek to merge church and state but instead suggests a formal separation. He supports the First Amendment, which prohibits the establishment of a national religion, but argues that morality can't be separated from the state. He asserts that transcendent moral grounding, rather than secular society's inconsistent moral neutrality, is necessary for societal success.
Wilson Argues Nations Have Moral Agency and Should Make Decisions Based On Transcendent Moral Standards
Wilson questions how moral decisions can be made without a universal standard, hinting at a preference for Christian-based moral standards. He references early 19th-centur ...
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Christian Nationalism: Secularism and Morality in Society/Government
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Counterarguments
- Secularism can be seen as a framework that allows for pluralism and diversity, ensuring that government remains neutral on matters of religion, thus protecting the rights of all citizens, regardless of their faith or lack thereof.
- Societal decay and confusion over issues like gender and identity may not be a result of secularism but rather an evolution of social norms and increased awareness of diversity in human identity.
- The upheaval in institutions could be attributed to a variety of factors, including economic inequality, political polarization, and the rapid pace of technological change, rather than the absence of religious-based governance.
- A stable moral foundation can be built on secular ethics, which can be informed by a variety of philosophical traditions and cultural practices, not solely by religious doctrines.
- The separation of church and state is designed to prevent the imposition of any one religious view on all citizens, which is crucial in a diverse society.
- Moral agency and decision-making can be informed by a range of ethical frameworks, including human rights, democratic values, and secular laws, whic ...
Actionables
- You can explore the historical influence of Christian values on governance by reading about the founding principles of various nations. This will give you a deeper understanding of how religious principles have shaped national identities and governance models. For example, researching the influence of Christianity on the United States' Declaration of Independence and Constitution can provide insights into the role of faith in public life.
- Start a book club focused on literature that discusses the intersection of faith and public life to foster informed discussions on the topic. By selecting books that explore the role of Christianity in society, such as "The Benedict Option" by Rod Dreher or "City of God" by Saint Augustine, you can engage with others in meaningful conversations about the practical application of faith-based principles in modern ...
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