What Is Christian Nationalism? - Episode 599 - Voices in my Head (the Rick Lee James Podcast)
Whenever Christians fuse the cross with the flag, we lose our prophetic voice that allows us to call the nation(s) to repentance and justice. This fusion of the church with an idolatrous ideology makes the body of Christ captive to political powers and parties. In doing so, the church abdicates its true allegiance to Jesus and surrenders its freedom to serve him as Lord. The Church cannot serve two masters.
I have been posting often about the dangers of Christian nationalism because it is so different from the way of Jesus and it is not a fringe ideology anymore. Jesus invited people into the kingdom through table fellowship, accepting invitations and offering his own. He never forced belief or grasped for power. The kingdom of God is never advanced by violence toward others, but through self-giving, radical love, even to the point of suffering, so that no harm is done to another. At the heart of his teaching is love for enemies, not domination over them.
Some people respond to posts like this by saying they have never met a Christian nationalist. The reality is that Christian nationalism often shows itself less in individuals wearing a label and more in movements, policies, and rhetoric. One example is the Seven Mountain Theory, which teaches that Christians should dominate areas like government, education, media, and the arts. In our own time, we see this vision advanced through proposals like Project 2025, through leaders such as Russell Vought and Lance Wallnau, and in public policies that aim to insert compulsory religious content into schools or reshape government around explicitly Christian norms.
This is not the way of Christ. His kingdom is built not on control but on love, welcome, mercy, and even love for those who oppose us. And even while I write about these things, it is important to say that Christian nationalists themselves are not the enemy. They are my baptized brothers and sisters. But even if they were the enemy, which I do not consider them to be, the call of Jesus is to love our enemies and live a better way.
Get the Audiobook, Out of the Depths: A Songwriter’s Journey Through the Psalms by your host, Rick Lee James, on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/B0F45G6KWH?qid=1744142727&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=KEDVV78ASDMS52WQFD7W&plink=3YmaWg4y0HJ0Cjfc&pageLoadId=IaamycyuJR519uYD&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1%20
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Don’t forget about our music sale on Bandcamp.
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THUNDER by Rick Lee James
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Loop Community: https://loopcommunity.com/en-us/songs/advent-hymn-(watching%2C-waiting%2C-longing)-by-rick-lee-james-3892
“A perfect and needed addition to any Christmas playlist this year. Rick Lee James bringing home the Advent Message.”
-CCM Magazine https://www.ccmmagazine.com/music-video/rick-lee-james-advent-hymn-watching-waiting-longing/
“I love Advent Hymn (Watching, Waiting, Longing), which gives newness to the phrases of Isaiah. Watching, waiting, and longing is what we do now, and these songs help us do that in confidence. I anticipate that this album will be received as a great gift by many who will find their faith nourished and awakened by it.”
–Walter Brueggemann (Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary)
"I've watched Rick grow as an artist and songwriter for many years. Congratulations brother on an excellent independent release."
-Paul Baloche (Dove Award Winning Songwriter)
"Rick Lee James is a poet and singer. You will not only enjoy listening, you'll be drawn into the source –Jesus."
https://www.rickleejames.com
https://rickleejames.hearnow.com/halls
Shine A Light In The Darkness
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Rick Lee James Playlist on Spotify:
Don’t forget about our music sale on Bandcamp.
Use the code “10off” on RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com to get 10% off your purchase.
Don’t forget about our music sale on Bandcamp.
Use the code “10off” on RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com to get 10% off your purchase.
Get the new song - Whatever You Do
THUNDER by Rick Lee James
ONLY $9.99. (Plus you get a free digital download of the album)
“KEEP WATCH, DEAR LORD” BY RICK LEE JAMES 🎸🎹
Available On ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS
10% Off Everything Rick Lee James on Band camp
https://rickleejames.bandcamp.com
At checkout use code: 10off
PURCHASE ALBUM: www.RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com
SongSelect: https://songselect.ccli.com/Songs/6152291/advent-hymn-watching-waiting-longing
Downloadable Charts and More available from LIFEWAYWORSHIP.COM: https://worship.lifeway.com/findAndBuy/songPage/AdventHymn(Watching%2CWaiting%2CLonging)?versionId=93901&rowNum=0&searchString=Advent%20Hymn%20(watching,%20Waiting,%20Longing)#song-Parts
Loop Community: https://loopcommunity.com/en-us/songs/advent-hymn-(watching%2C-waiting%2C-longing)-by-rick-lee-james-3892
“A perfect and needed addition to any Christmas playlist this year. Rick Lee James bringing home the Advent Message.”
-CCM Magazine https://www.ccmmagazine.com/music-video/rick-lee-james-advent-hymn-watching-waiting-longing/
“I love Advent Hymn (Watching, Waiting, Longing), which gives newness to the phrases of Isaiah. Watching, waiting, and longing is what we do now, and these songs help us do that in confidence. I anticipate that this album will be received as a great gift by many who will find their faith nourished and awakened by it.”
–Walter Brueggemann (Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary)
"I've watched Rick grow as an artist and songwriter for many years. Congratulations brother on an excellent independent release."
-Paul Baloche (Dove Award Winning Songwriter)
"Rick Lee James is a poet and singer. You will not only enjoy listening, you'll be drawn into the source –Jesus."
https://www.rickleejames.com
https://rickleejames.hearnow.com/halls
Shine A Light In The Darkness
Get The Single: https://rickleejames.hearnow.com/shine-a-light-in-the-darkness
Rick Lee James Playlist on Spotify:
