Why America Is Not a Christian Nation 

A sober reminder and warning for all Christians.

this is one of the few sermons I've heard that gives me hope of an impending unity in Christ that actually stems from devotion to loving Christ and his character and his desires vs a unity rooted in our own pride and ego and desire for comfort.

Excellent! So refreshing to hear the clear view of Scripture and how poorly Christian Nationalism has done in the history of the church

This was 2 years ago. This is much more clear, then the confusing swirl and debate around the G 3 conference today. Still the clearest explaination yet in the topic.

This was awesome. So many of our Christian brothers and sisters have gone astray. They're caught up in racial identity politics and political parties. It's very disturbing. Thank you for the honesty. Unfortunately this isn't received to be received well by man .

If conservative, people wants America to be a Christian nation until you bring up James 2 in the context of welfare economics.

Very brief, to the point, scripture-saturated, crystal clear and delivered in love. A good word.

There has never been such a thing as a Christian nation, other than the spiritual Christian nation that is the worldwide church (1 Pet 2:9). In history, some countries have been influenced by the Christian faith, some of them greatly influenced by it. But there has never been a truly Christian nation. Nor could there be, because only relatively few people are saved and make Christ Lord (Matt 7:13-14). So, in any given country, only a few people would qualify for Christian citizenship anyway. Therefore, the whole concept of a Christian nation is deeply flawed.

Christ’s Kingdom is not of this world.

I love the theology presented by Horton but the well-known study by Whitehead and Perry that Horton cites ("Make America Christian Again: Christian Nationalism and Voting for Donald Trump in the 2016 Presidential Election") has huge problems. In this study, the authors asked questions that could elicit agreement by evangelicals that have absolutely nothing to do with Christian nationalism, giving a false measure of their views. Here are the questions evangelicals were asked to measure their level of Christian nationalism (1-5, strongly disagree to strongly agree). I've included my reactions. 1. "The federal government should allow prayer in public schools": Because it doesn't say 'require' prayer but only 'allow' prayer an evangelical might have in mind Bible studies after school or private prayers over lunch, not necessarily teacher led prayers. 2. "The success of the United States is part of God's plan": This could be understood simply as an affirmation of Job 12:23 ("He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them.") This statement could be understood simply as an affirmation of God's "sovereignty", not necessarily Christian nationalism. 3. "The federal government should allow the display of religious symbols in public places": Who is doing the displaying and in what context? Is the government displaying a religious symbol or is a private individual? Where is this happening? The statement doesn't specify. Even the ACLU says, "The government may permit a private organization to place a religious display on public property under certain circumstances...Private groups may display overtly religious symbols, like crosses or menorahs, on public grounds if the government maintains a neutral role and if other non-religious displays are also allowed." 4. "The federal government should enforce strict separation of church and state": Again, this may uncover a Christian nationalist bent but not necessarily. The key word here is "strict". To an evangelical, that word may bring to mind organizations like the American Humanist Association that believe any governmental reference to God, including in the Pledge of Allegiance, is a violation of the separation of church and state. 5. "The federal government should advocate Christian values": How would the government do this? Would they be explicit about it? There is a strong case, as has been made by secular historian Tom Holland, that the west is so completely saturated with Christian assumptions that secularists themselves don't realize how their own humanist values are influenced by it. In advocating for basic values as human rights and dignity, the rights of the pre-born, and so on, does this count as advocating for Christian values? Do values even make sense to the Christian apart from God? 6. "The federal government should declare the United States a Christian nation": This may be the only statement that gives a measure of Christian nationalism. I personally would not want to see this declaration by the federal gov. However, I think it needs to be born in mind that 'declaring' the US a Christian nation by the federal government may be understood as an affirmation of perceived heritage only (similar to H.Res. 397, an affirmation of "the rich spiritual and religious history of our nation's founding and subsequent history"), not necessarily seeing the United States as the new Israel. So at this point, there just isn't evidence of a widespread belief among evangelicals that the U.S. is the new Israel, addressed in Horton's talk.

If as Christians with get our identity from a particular political affiliation/ ideology rather than the Gospel, we have a serious problem. The Gospel has the power to change the heart and are we (through our witness) being examples of people with tender hearts?

This was very helpful and clear. I'm not sure it's founded. I don't think Christian Nationalists are talking about a conflation of American patriotism and Christian ethics. They are talking about an abandonment of the predominant philosophies associated with America, namely, the autonomy of the self and the various expressions of sin and idolatry that it breeds. The emphasis of Christian Nationalists is not on the nationalism of America but on the Christianity that should predominate over it. I would alert that many of those opposed to Christian Nationalism in America are pro-Christian Nationalism in other nations, for example, Israel. The problem that originates from an antagonistic position to Christian Nationalism is an overemphasis on the separation of Church and State. The problem with this worldview is that it undermines the position it seeks to defeat. Isn't the idea of separation of Church and State an American and political idea rather than a biblical viewpoint? This position seems to elevate America and its constitution above the Bible. Isn't that what we're trying to avoid in the first place?

this is a good word and a warning to believers to not stray from your mandate, which is to testify and witness to the power of God unto salvation. We also see a lot of media trying to define Christian nationalism and it is important for Christians to own the narrative and make sure we understand it.

This couldn't be better said...thank you Micheal Horton ❗❗❗

A breath of fresh air.

No Christian Nationalist is confusing America with Israel under the old covenant. Christian nationalists say that ALL nations have a duty to order themselves according to God’s Word. Just like it is for individuals, families, churches and… nations

You're right on, Mike !!! The True Elect have NO citizenship ANYWHERE on this planet; their Citizenship is in Heaven. Alot of church-ianity will allow for people to hold on to ethnicity, experiences, nationality, neighborhoods, countries for identity. However, the True Born will be pulled out of every attachment to this world by the Holy Spirit because a Child of God is only acceptable when no trace of this physical world is left in him / her and when the denial of self (accomplishments, attachments, link to family, traditions, culture.....) is a daily walk until one is 'found in Him' only. America is nowhere close to a Christian Nation; it's not even close to a moral nation!!!

Thank you Dr. Horton for pushing back against Preterism and its antichrist-facilitating view of a world without Jesus physically present. We are not to triumph here without Christ, but to suffer increasingly until His glorious arrival! Maranatha!

No! He is selectively reading scriptures changing God’s truth. Therebiss no Christian nationalism.

If as a Christian you are going to follow the ideals of your nation first over the ideals of Christ you're going to be decieved. Jesus paid taxes to Caesar. Its Jesus, our Lord, and he paid taxes. We as Christians are part of a nation we were born in. We pay taxes and are obedient to its laws. It shows we are followers of Christ. We are followers of Christ first because we are not of this world, but while we are here we must live like Christ did.

I agree with Michael. Being a Christian in any nation doesn't mean you can't participate in the political process as a citizen of that nation. There is nothing wrong with Christians participating in the political process for matters like abortion, sex, marriage, etc. (on the right) and social/racial justice (on the left), as long as the Bible remains the final and absolute authority, faith in Christ the only atonement for our sin, and our motivation based on love for our neighbor and love of God. HOWEVER, Christians need to also remember we live in a fallen world where most people are not believers and legislation of ANY sort will do nothing to change this (make them believers). Therefore, if you view politics or activism (positive); or violence, coercion, deception, manipulation (negative)--or any other method apart from sharing the gospel and walking as children of light--as the end to achieve the goal of the great commission, then I believe you are in danger of falling into "Christian Nationalism". This is idolatry. The problem with the unregenerate world is this life is all they have and they are capable of and willing to use any means (evil or otherwise) to shape it to their will. We, as Christians, are not to live like them. Our hope is in Christ alone. The world WILL NOT conform to Christ because the world walks in the flesh and is unable to so (Romans 8). Be politically active, stand in solidarity against injustice, protect innocent life, promote biblical views of marriage and sex, fight racism, AND DO ALL OF THIS IN LOVE. But don't confuse these as a means to the end. That is in Christ's atonement alone.

Thank you brother for addressing this counterfeit Gospel which is a threat to the true gospel of Christ. This is an excellent presentation.👍🏾🙏🏼

I've never seen this explained so clearly and thoroughly, wow.

American history and civics classes are needed now more than ever. And EVERY American should be required to read the treaty of Tripoli, Roger Williams, and Thomas Jefferson.

Amen my brother~!! Thank you SO much for this message... it saddens me that so many are so confused about this~

Excellent distinctives both biblically and historically.

Thank you for teaching truth! So many Americans are deluded on this issue.

I agree with most of this...but don't call it a insurrection....no one that was involved on jan 6th has been charged with insurrection!

Christian's are in most number in world but why is there no Christian theocracy in world countries !?!?!?

America (The U.S.) is not a Christian nation. But a great many Christians are Americans. They are separate kingdoms. One is physical, the other spiritual.

Thank you for calling out the January 6th terrorist attack, I don’t hear no other “sound” teachers/preachers speak against that blasphemous day, especially that ungodly prayer in the Senate chambers. You only touch the surface. May God continue to bless your ministry to be more bold today.

Amen! Wow!

Thank you so much my brother for speaking the truth!! 🙌🏼🙏🏼✅

Thank you Michael

Finally a person who actually make sense. Praise God for Mr. Horton.

There wasn’t an insurrection.

I love this! So thankful to this man of God

I am so sorry but because of my background in managing a menswear clothing store in Perth Western Australia I see the bottom of your trousers and I cringe. I know it’s nothing to do with your message which I enjoy very much but men’s trousers should break just once over the shoe. It’s very inexpensive to have your trousers altered but it makes a lot of difference. It will make a person look taller and your trousers bottoms will not look like they belong to someone a foot taller than you are. I apologise if this offends anyone at all as this is not my intention. May God bless you and keep you.

Thank you for reminding everyone with that truth. I thought believers knew that until I witnessed otherwise. I’ve tried to re educate people I heard people saying we need to get the 10 commandments and prayer back in school. My question is always was why maybe the teacher is an atheist and you’re going to have them lead the prayer. I’m not sure what happened but The church became a national entity and here we are. It breaks my heart when other Christians get upset with you because you will not jump in on the political fight.

It never was that’s why it’s not now a Christian nation. All the Christians worshipping Christ don’t seem to know Jesus was Jewish.

So is this guy a progressive Christian?

Amen!

Can someone give me an example of a Christian who fits the description of a “Christian nationalist”? I feel like I need a real example. Like a name and some quotes. In my mind there are a lot of professing “Christians” who are not actually Christians but just people who hold to conservative values that may fit his description, but I can’t think of any actual Christian who believes the things that he is describing. Like a popular Christian like Horton. This kind of thing, though true, seems to me to discourage people from seeing the good in America and standing for the values America does uphold that are biblical and good, by putting a label on “pro-America” talk as if it’s a bad thing. Not a “Christian nation” - Agree A totally bad nation that Christians should not support - disagree America has a lot of great qualities Christians should value and fight for.

In this excerpt, the speaker never defines "Christian nationalism." As a result, the talk is pretty much useless. It seems as though he is setting up a strawman argument if he doesn't tell us EXACTLY what he is warning about. If he defined the term in an earlier part of this talk, then that's good, but then the editor did us a disservice by editing that portion out.

❤❤❤ • Republication ✅ • 2K Theology ✅ • Law /Gospel Distinction ✅ • Christ, the only hope for this world ✅

The more I hear these so called "authorities" the least I want to. People. Please read your Bible and break from blaspememous chruch doctrine.

The fact that Michael Horton repeats and validates the leftist "Janary 26 insurrection" trope in his opening sentence tells us that his perception of Biblical reality is seriously warped. He says that "Jesus didn't have in mind a geopolitical entity set up in some part of the world. The misuse of Scripture for civil religion has plagued the churches across the political spectrum." In conclusion he reveals that he has little or no grasp of "God's global mandate and mission for His people" He quotes Matthew 28;19,20 to "make disciples of all nations", then immediately truncates and invalidates its meaning: "Christ, not America is the last, best hope for mankind." Of course not, but that does not invalidate America's obligation to implement God's laws into it's criminal justice system. On the other hand, it does not invalidate the fact that America abandoned that obligation in 1787, when it affirmed that "this Constitution and the laws of the United States made in pursuance thereof (not the Bible)...shall be the Supreme Law of the land." In effect, he sets up a straw man and then huffs & puffs to blow that man down. Instead: 1) God has set up nations in the world with boundaries 2) God has defined justice (with specific penalties) for all nations in the Mosaic covenant of Exodus 20-24 3) The Mosaic covenant is meant for all nations, following Israel's example, according to Dt 4:6-8. 4) Obligation to these oT laws is repeated throughout the NT; e.g., Mt 15:4, I Tim 1:10-12 5) A nation that commits by covenant oath to obey that just law is a "Christian nation." 6) A nation is defined by the word "ethnos," in Mt 28:18-20, meaning "common culture, including governement." 7) God has told us to "make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all things, including points 1-6. The prophets everywhere predict the success of this commission. Daniel in particular, following the ascension and inauguration of Christ in Dan 7:13,14 prophecies that Christ will exercise HIs dominion of "all the peoples, nations, and men of every language" (v14) via the rule of Christians. Daniel 7:27 in particular: "The sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of sants of the Highest One; His kindom will be an eaverlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him." Horton, via smooth words and obfuscating speech would deny this dominion to Christ and his saints.

Thank you for this ✨

America is a continent, not a country or a nation. An American is from the Continent of America, not just the USA🇺🇲

Some good points in principle. However, some statements are not backed up by facts or are blatantly false.

The symbols in the ground seem to indicate that the Feudal system from Europe survived the move and multiplied.

If you love me, feed my sheep.

No the Jews were not saved by grace alone through faith alone that's a complete and total life scripture. And the New Covenant hasn't started it won't start until after the tribulation of those days read Jeremiah 31:31 and Romans 11.

Their are hundreds of nations in the borders of the US. Many of the people that make up those nations consider themselves to be Christians. Relatively few are those are saved. Besides, " ...our citizenship is in Heaven"

if 100% of people in a given town, county, state, or nation self-declared as christians how would/should governance change?

Because of "christians" such as the channel upholder?

thank you

Really helpful. This talk provides resources not just to defend against nationalism but to bring it to heel. 1 Peter 2:9 is now my key nationalism verse - note the three words in capitals below - isn't it amazing how words in scripture which we just pass over in one decade can become extremely important in another decade? ESV But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, A HOLY NATION, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. It isn't just the structure of God's plan - that he intends that the world church be the holy nation - that is necessary to understand and explain to defeat nationalism. It's also understand the SPIRIT with which God wishes to establish his kingdom. Related to that someone who is nationalistic in their thinking (and the problem in the US is not that some all out Trump voters are nationalistic - it's a spirit which has invaded the church generally - keep reading) might still say that the destiny of America as a nation can effect whether the US church will effectively do what God has called it to do. This is not an illegitimate concern however it reveals ignorance about how God establishes his kingdom. The Bible tells us how healing is facilitated in our land - it is by people humbling themselves before God and seeking his face (2 Chron 7:14). Yes engagement in the political process can be an expression of that - but not when it is taking the country by siege - Jesus chooses to work alongside earthly leaders - to infiltrate instead of dominate. Hopefully we will come to see that the church not politicians leads the nation - it is God's sole appointed agent of healing - and that any healing God intends to happen in politics FOLLOWS the direction of the church - not the other way around. America's current crisis is NOT political - it's spiritual. It's about whether in ordinary every day decisions believers are foregoing power - choosing the last place - choosing to be the servant of all and the greatest in the kingdom - or seeking to grasp it. WE are only serving the Lord when we have a godly relationship with power - when we don't rely on intellect, knowledge and theological qualifications, charisma, or strategy - but on the Holy Spirit - when the power of our ministry lies in our having BECOME our ministry instead of our simply doing it. PS When I was writing this I initially wrote that it's very important that church leaders (as distinct from believers) operate in the opposite spirit. But then I realised that I was contravening my own message. Those who operate in a godly spirit ARE the leaders of the church - there is no need to convince those who might be SEEN as church leaders to operate in an appropriate spirit any more than we must coerce politicians to do our will - we simply choose to become leaders ourselves.

My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. KC Comanche tx

Excellent and needed topic except I would humbly submit for this... would it not be much more helpful to use the word countries or kingdoms referring to geopolitical land masses instead of nations. The words for nations in both old and new testaments referrs to ethno linguustic people groups broadly divided into gentile nations and God's Great Nation. There are still a few who understand our mission is that we do our part to reach the nations with the gospel of Christ. Ingraining the equation of nations to countries into minds I am afraid contributes to christian nationalism in that it reinforces the idea of reaching countries we call nations. Therefore we try to inflict top down theocratic control through political systems when our job really is to use a bottom up approach to reach the nations or groups of people who have not had access to the gospel in whatever country or kingdom or political system in which they reside. Lord bless and thank you for addressing this topic.

Need to do more talks on this! People are being led astray! God bless

Thanks for telling the truth.

I have tremendous respect for Horton and his contributions to theology, however, this was tremendously misguided. His definition of Christian Nationalism and a Christian Nation are deeply flawed. Nationalism is the alternative to globalism. This was not even addressed. It is not wrong for citizens to believe that the priority should be for a people to address the problems at home before worrying about helping the rest of the world fix it's problems. And, what worldview do we want addressing what is broken in America if not Christianity? He has approached this topic entirely wrongly and as much as he is an exceptional theologian does not understand what is going on with this issue at all.

But there's a difference in true followers of Jesus and church goers. The Jan 6th attack was "church goers" being exposed as just that. Christ was proven to not be a motivating factor at all !

Idk. A lot of people say insurrection, and even if it was on a technical level, it wasn't a very serious one. If it was, I think you would've seen a lot more violence, you know, kind of like the summer of peace and love. Those fiery but "mostly peaceful" protests in a bunch of US cities.

Horton is just one more sophisticated version of pietistic, retreatist theology that denies Jesus' Great Commission to disciple the ethnos (cultures, nations).

I wish he had more thoroughly defined Christian nationalism in this speech. He seems to be describing it as either ethnic tribalism or a sort of exaggerated jingoistic patriotism. But that doesn't seem to represent many people who support some version of Christian Nationalism. I'm still not sure what it means, if anything.

4:21 what a straw man.

@min. 5:25, Matthew 25:32 and verses onward says Nations will receive salvation as a brother mentions on another site, " conformed and summiting to the Law of Christ " makes you eligible for redemption. God bless!!!

Amen🙏✝️😇👑🥰

Jesus Christ is Lord over all of creation. All aspects of society, including Civil Law and Governance, should reflect this. Agree with much of what was said (apart from the social justice comments based in the false secular worldview of critical theory) but if there is one unified nation that is the people of God, and this nation has a common worldview and a sovereign King whose reign is everlasting, how are we not nationalist? All this video seems to be arguing is that our ultimate national identity is the Kingdom of God, as opposed to a geographical area or ethnic group. It isnt a challenge to the idea of nationalism, it is merely a redefinition of what our nation, as Christians, is.

As a Christian, I am very proud of my nation's Christian heritage. I am also sorry to hear that Michael Horton has become so brain washed by the current woke movement. But even theologians can be deceived. America was declared to be a Christian nation by the Supreme Court in 1892 and for good reason. So many of the founding documents were based upon Biblical principles. No, not all of the founders were Christian men but most, if not all followed Christian principles. If the current Marxist lies are not refuted, this will cause Americans to hate our nation's origins, then we will lose the great benefits we have for freedom for all of our people, Christian and non-Christian. So, I say, "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof," (the Liberty Bell), Source: Lev. 25:10.

Wow.....just wow. That was terrible and so dishonest. Ya, hate is bad. Making things idols is also bad. But you didn’t address the loving your country part. You didn’t address if we’re supposed to love and give thanks for living in the country God has placed us in......this was really dishonest cowardly stuff. You straw manned nationalism to mean what MSNBC thinks of a trump supporter.....or David French for that matter.

Lies stacked upon lies.

Of course we are not a Christian nation, but our founding was in part based on Judeo Christian values. In fact so was the abolition of slavery and all human rights

I am a Christian saved by the blood of Christ. And also, a patriot, I believe the United States is a Christian Nation. Our U.S. Constitution names "our Lord" in Article VII. But believing in the Bible and the Constitution I in no way agree with rebellion as there was on January 6th, as rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. I would not brand myself as a "Christian Nationalist" as they are extremist just like those of the circumcision. But I believe God created us for His will, and we are a Christian Nation that should honor His Holy Bible and allow people to read it if they choose and believe the Word as he leads, and they can choose His way or any other way or religion, and they are still my fellow American, because God's freedom and the Constitution also allows that. I want all American's and all people of the World to come unto salvation in Jesus Christ. But there is nothing unchristian about being a Citizen of heaven first and a Patriot of whatever Nation God has placed you.

Every time an evangelical comes knocking on my door to tell me the good news I tell that person I don't want to join the republican party and then shut the door.

For the most part, Dr. Horton is making good points, but I would argue that American-style slavery and ethnic segregation were not from Christianity. Truth be told, a great many of the pastors of early America denounced American slavery. I would argue that a LOT more of America's issues should be traced to the fact that many of the Founding Fathers were freemasons and not Christians.

We defend our Judeo/Christian heritage . WHAT DO YOU DEFEND ???????

Because this is satan's world

Straw men… straw men everywhere

The nation is under the mark of the beast. The way of Christ is not what most Christians think. Sabbath is the seventh day, Saturday. Most Christians of the USA are Sunday Sabbath keeping Christians. The communion practice reveals details about Christ's body that we should know, such as; the bread (grain), and wine (fruit). The clues help each Christian learn that The body of Christ is vegetarian. Visit The Book Of Life Project on Instagram.

God >>>>>>> Government. Keep crying.

I guarantee, if this guy defined Christian Nationalism the way most Christian Nationalists do, he wouldn't call it heresy. It has nothing to do with America or about any particular nation taking on the same covenant relationship Israel had with God in the OT. This guy should have done his research before speaking out against his brothers. Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, as James said.

It is a Christian nation yes

It was not an insurrection LOL