- The “Spiritual War” Mentality: Some Christian nationalist supporters believe that America is in a literal, existential battle, with figures like Trump anointed to fight against “evil” liberal forces.
- Approval of Political Violence: Research has found a strong correlation between Christian nationalism and the belief that “true American patriots may have to resort to violence to save our country”. A 2023 survey indicated that 54% of white evangelicals agreed with this sentiment.
- Violence on January 6th: The events of January 6th, 2021, highlighted this, where “Jesus is my Savior, Trump is my President” shirts and crosses were seen, with some participants framing their actions as a religious mandate.
- Support for Pardons: White evangelical Protestants were more likely than other groups (58%) to favor pardoning the individuals convicted for their roles in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
- Dehumanizing Rhetoric: Some leaders and figures have used dehumanizing rhetoric against opponents, describing political, social, and religious differences in terms of a “war”.
- Critics’ Perspective: Many Christian leaders and scholars argue that this trend is a “perversion” of the Gospel, arguing it replaces Jesus’s message of love, mercy, and peace with a “heresy” that prioritizes power.
- Supportive Perspective: Proponents often frame their support for Trump as a defense of Christian values, focusing on issues like abortion, judicial appointments, and a desire to return to a perceived “Christian nation”.
The tension you are describing between traditional Christian teachings and modern political rhetoric is a central debate in American religious and social life today.1 There is a visible rift between what scholars call the “Gospel of Peace” and a rising movement often referred to as Christian Nationalism.
The Theological Divide
The teachings of Jesus, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount, are fundamentally rooted in non-violence and radical love for one’s enemies.2
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“Turn the other cheek” (3$Matthew 5:39$): Traditionally interpreted not as passive submission, but as a form of non-violent resistance that refuses to meet evil with evil.4
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“Love your enemies” (5$Matthew 5:44$):6 Jesus commanded followers to pray for and do good to those who persecute them, a direct contrast to the rhetoric of “removing” or “destroying” political opponents.7
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“Vengeance is mine” ($Romans 12:19$): This scripture instructs believers to never take revenge, leaving judgment and justice to God alone.
Andrew Wommack and “God-Ordained” Leadership
As you mentioned, Andrew Wommack and other leaders in the Charismatic/Prophetic movement have frequently framed the current political climate as a spiritual war.8 Wommack has indeed stated that a “civil war” would be worth it to save the country’s “godly” foundations, and he has predicted that by late 2025, those he deems “ungodly” will be “removed” from power.9
This worldview is often linked to Dominionism or the Seven Mountain Mandate, which teaches that Christians are mandated by God to take control of seven key areas of society: Government, Family, Religion, Media, Education, Entertainment, and Business.10 Within this framework:
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Trump as a “Cyrus” figure: Many Evangelicals view Donald Trump as a modern-day King Cyrus—a “secular” or “flawed” leader chosen by God to protect the faithful and execute divine judgment.
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Political struggle as “Jihad”: While “Jihad” is an Islamic term, critics use it here to describe a “Holy War” mentality where political opponents are no longer seen as fellow citizens with different ideas, but as “demonic” enemies of God who must be defeated at any cost.
Views on the “Dangerous Rhetoric”
Many mainstream Christian denominations and theologians argue that this movement is a perversion of the Gospel.11 They point out several contradictions:
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Exclusion vs. Inclusion: Jesus spent his time with those on the margins (the “non-believers” or outcasts of his time), whereas this rhetoric suggests that only “true believers” are worthy of American citizenship.
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Kingdom of God vs. Nation-State: Traditional theology holds that the “Kingdom of God” is not of this world ($John 18:36$), while Christian Nationalism seeks to merge the identity of the Church with the power of the State.
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The Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22–23 lists love, peace, and gentleness as the signs of the Spirit, which many find impossible to reconcile with calls for civil war or the execution of “enemies.”
| Traditional Gospel Teaching | Modern Political Extremism Rhetoric |
| “Blessed are the peacemakers.” | “Civil war is worth it for the right outcome.” |
| “My kingdom is not of this world.” | “We must take back the nation for God.” |
| “Do good to those who hate you.” | “The ungodly should be removed from power.” |
| “He who lives by the sword dies by it.” | “We are in a fight to the death for our country.” |
This debate essentially asks whether Christianity is a message of personal transformation and service, or a blueprint for political dominance. For many, the call to “kill” non-believers or suggest they don’t belong in the country is the ultimate departure from the Jesus who died for his enemies rather than killing them.
Would you like me to look into how specific denominations, such as the Southern Baptists or Catholics, have officially responded to the rise of Christian Nationalism?
Is Christian Nationalism a perversion of the Gospel ?