A free, ecumenical resource from Churches Together in England (CTE) aims to help Christians “think biblically, prophetically, and pastorally” about the rise of Christian Nationalism.
Kingdom Over Nation presents eight accessible Bible studies and theological reflections that explore discernment, justice, hospitality, power, ideology, and faithful Christian witness in today’s world.
Contributors from across the ecumenical and denominational spectrum include Chine McDonald, director of the religion and society think tank Theos, the Right Revd Mike Royal, General Secretary of CTE, and the Revd Dr Helen Paynter, a Baptist minister whose most recent book is Faithful Presence in a Fractured World: A Church Toolkit for Resisting the Far Right. The resource has been edited by Minister Shermara Hoyte, who leads CTE’s work in the areas of Pentecostal, Charismatic and Multi-cultural Relations.
The authors say the resource is not a knee-jerk reaction but a careful response that has “grown out of a sustained period of reflection and response across the ecumenical landscape”. They add: “At a time when the Church is navigating political polarisation, culture wars, and questions around national identity, this resource seeks to help Christians think biblically, prophetically, and pastorally about what it means to place the Kingdom of God above every earthly allegiance.”
“The Church’s primary identity is found in Christ and not in national or political allegiance,” writes Minister Hoyte. She quotes words of Jesus from the Gospel of John 18:36 – “My Kingdom is not of this world.”
The URC’s Head of Ecumenical Relations and Evangelism, Lindsey Brown, adds that the resource includes “many practical suggestions for how we might respond. Please do share these resources widely, and perhaps even initiate a discussion group yourself.”
Kingdom Over Nation can be downloaded free from the CTE website, where other resources responding to Christian Nationalism are also available.