Deconstructing theo-logics of Christian nationalism

Abstract

This article critically examines the theo-logics of Christian nationalism and its implications for theological anthropology. The convergence of Christian symbols with civic realities in Christian nationalist discourse is rooted in ethnocultural dynamics, promoting a version of Christianity that intertwines racialized national identity with a domesticated religious belief. This narrative constructs an idealized “self” in the form of a white, cisgender Christian, positioned as the standard for true belonging in the United States. Those who do not fit this model, based on race, religion, gender, or sexuality, are relegated to the status of “others,” seen as threats to the purity and integrity of this idealized self, perpetuating a xenophobic culture. In contrast, I propose a theological anthropology that views human beings as inherently mysterious and relational, challenging fixed identities and inviting a deeper understanding of neighborly love that transcends categories and fosters collective liberation.