A remnant church

Oct. 31, 2024

By Rev. Rick King

Eighth in a series based on Jim Wallis’ book, “The False White Gospel”

Christian nationalism is not patriotism. Christian nationalism perpetuates violence in the name of Christ and intolerance for religious freedom. It’s un-American and certainly does not reflect the values Jesus stood for. A philosopher put it like this, “Patriotism is loving your country for what it has done; nationalism is loving your country no matter what it’s done.” (http://takebackchristianity.org)

You and I have an opportunity, TODAY, to put our faith into action by voting and/or influencing a friend, family member, or co-worker to vote. And there is palpable interest in voting among many people I encounter every day. While a group of Christian nationalists has given up on democracy and clearly wants to undermine the one in the U.S., which is the world’s oldest—and while it may feel like the deck is stacked against those of us who favor democracy—the demographics are leading away from the “false white gospel” Jim Wallis writes about in his book of the same name.

And they will be replaced by “a remnant church” from which will spring a new incarnation of Christianity and the Church.

In fact, the heretical Christianity, misinformation, conspiracy theories and general craziness in plain view right now are the death-rattle of a dying way of life and of seeing the world. It’s a version of Christianity that spiritualizes everything, separating Jesus’ words from actually being Christlike. And Jesus had a teaching about that:

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, it quickly collapsed, and great was the ruin of that house.” (Luke 6:46-49)

Polling by the Public Religion Research Institute has shown rising acceptance of Christian nationalist ideology in the U.S., says PRRI President Robert P. Jones. It’s become a majority position for 55 percent of people who identify as Republicans and for two-thirds of white evangelical Protestants. Approximately 30 percent of the adults in the U.S. identify as either “adherents” or “sympathizers” of Christian nationalism.

In a webinar sponsored by Baptist News Global in March, after “The False White Gospel” came out, Wallis said, “What would a remnant church look like? I don’t think it will ever be a majority of white Christians — I’ll just say it. But there’s a whole younger generation, some older, but a much younger generation of white believers who are ready to join with Black and brown church leaders and literally make together a new American church.”

White Christian nationalists may say they’re trying to save America and save Christ’s church, but the ideology has done more to wound the American church than any of the cultural or demographic trends I’ve written about in this column.

Wallis believes the American gospel witness requires a remnant-church movement to heal those wounds. “Heresy is what draws Christians away from Christ. And that’s what we’re facing now. Jesus was suffering identity theft when those who marched and took over the Capitol [on Jan. 6] shouted his name or held Christian flags along with their confederate flags.”

Even in the face of white Christian nationalism’s seeming dominance, you and I still have agency—IF we VOTE.

Have you voted yet? Offered a ride to someone to their polling place? This week, I had the chance to help two people locate polling places: one was a walk-in off the street who knew our church is a polling place; the other is a member helping a relative who has recently moved. You can help, too: Go to https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/.