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In a previous op-ed, we defined what it means to be a Christian patriot. The first article was written in the time of an increasingly secular society under a progressive liberal administration. Over a year later, Republicans control the House, Senate and presidency. How does this shift impact the Christian patriot?
First, we must acknowledge that Christian patriots have always existed, regardless of who holds political power. Historically, they have been found in both major political parties. Being a Republican or a Democrat holds no weight in Christian patriotism. While biblical values may align some voters with a specific modern-day party platform, it would be naïve to claim that believers belong exclusively to a particular party. Many Christians are part of neither party.
Nevertheless, the return of conservatism across the three branches of government, including the judiciary, presents an opportunity for Christianity and patriotism to flourish. When Christian principles influence governance, policies tend to reflect Christian morality.
As President Dwight D. Eisenhower once declared, “Without God, there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life.”[i] True Christian patriotism is not about a certain political party but aligning nations and each soul with Christ and His standards.
Undeniably, there is a connection between individual liberty and Christ. True freedom is found in Jesus Christ. He saves us from sin and delivers us from evil. The ministry of Christ underscored freedom and provided a deliverance from the bondage of sin. It is no coincidence that the nations that originally embraced Christianity became the leaders of the free world.
Jesus Himself taught that only God is good (Mark 10:18). Morality is on the decline, and history reveals that nations often crumble when moral standards are neglected. Christianity plays a crucial role in restoring biblical principles in daily life and in upholding the standards of the Greatest Commandment. Christian patriots understand this well and do not deny the existence of Christ’s standards of greatness.
Education is a prime example of how Christian patriots can make a lasting impact, and historically, they have. Pilgrims and Puritans largely shaped the public school system in America. In fact, Puritans are credited with establishing the foundation of American education.
However, secularism has pushed Christianity out of schools under the umbrella of “separation of church and state,” though new educational movements have emerged. Homeschooling, charter schools, and private Christian education are on the rise. Republican leaders continue to advocate for school choice and private school vouchers, enabling students to receive Christian teachings within the education system.
As John Witherspoon, a Founding Father and a Presbyterian minister, stated, “A republic once equally poised must either preserve its virtue or lose its liberty.”[ii] Christian patriots recognize this and seek to restore greatness where it has been lost.
Christianity and patriotism go hand in hand. The original American patriots were largely believers in Jesus Christ, and further inspired by Jesus and the Bible to defend their fight for independence. To them, Christ was King, not a fallible ruler across the sea.
Christian patriots today share this same sentiment. America must not abandon its foundation but rather return to the principles that once made it strong. As stated in the original article, “American Christians have served in every major conflict from the beginning of the United States, always seeking deliverance from evil in the name of Christ.”[iii] Christianity and America have a unique relationship.
With freedom comes responsibility. Christian patriots are called to engage the world, educate, and ensure that America remains a nation under God.
[i] Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Bible-Based Legacy, Bible Society Record, July/August 1969, https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/research/subject-guides/pdf/eisenhower-religion.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
[ii] John Witherspoon, “Faith, Freedom, and the Founding Fathers,” Crossway, accessed February 27, 2025, https://www.crossway.org/articles/faith-freedom-and-the-founding-fathers/.
[iii] David Crum, “Defining a Christian Patriot,” Right Side Broadcasting Network, accessed February 27, 2025, https://www.rsbnetwork.com/news/defining-a-christian-patriot/.