Christian Nationalism

A dictionary of Christian nationalism terms, to be curated and added to over time:

  • 10 Commandments
  • acolytes
  • affirmative action
  • American exceptionalism
  • apostles
  • apostates
  • baptism
  • biblical values
  • biblical worldview
  • born-again — within Christian nationalism, being born-again is not just a private spiritual matter but also a call to action to bring about a nation that aligns with specific Christian principles. The born-again experience is thus politicized, serving as a catalyst for engaging in activities aimed at shaping national identity, policy, and governance in accordance with a particular Christian worldview.
  • Calvinism
  • cheap grace — cheap grace refers to the concept of receiving forgiveness and moral absolution without any personal cost or commitment to ethical transformation. It’s often criticized for reducing the complexities of faith and morality to a simplistic transaction, undermining the depth and rigor of spiritual practice.
  • “Christian journalism”
  • Christian Reconstructionism
  • City Upon a Hill — The phrase “city upon a hill” is often invoked in conservative discourse to emphasize America’s role as a beacon of freedom, democracy, and moral leadership for the world. Originating from a sermon by Puritan leader John Winthrop in 1630, the term has been adapted to advocate for a vision of American exceptionalism and the importance of upholding traditional values.
  • clergy
  • communion
  • Conservative Resurgence — historical period in the late 1970s and early 80s that started to reverse the trend backwards from the political and economic philosophies of the New Deal, and away from church liberalization efforts and towards a more hardline, fundamentalist approach complete with purges of moderates
  • conversions
  • culture war — The term “culture war” refers to the ideological and social conflicts that arise when different groups clash over issues like religion, morality, politics, and social norms. These battles often manifest in debates over topics such as LGBTQ+ rights, abortion, immigration, and the role of government, and they can deeply influence public opinion and policy.
  • “defense of marriage”
  • demons
  • End Times
  • family values — “family values” often refers to a set of traditional beliefs that emphasize the importance of the nuclear family, marital fidelity, and conservative religious principles. These values are seen as the bedrock of a stable society and are often contrasted with more progressive or liberal social norms.
  • flyover country
  • fundamentalism
  • The Golden Rule
  • The Great Awakening
  • groupthink
  • holy ghost — one of the three persons of the Holy Trinity; believed to be the active presence of God in the world today. The Holy Ghost is often associated with guiding believers, empowering them with spiritual gifts, and serving as a comforter or advocate.
  • holy spirit
  • homeschooling
  • hypocrisy
  • i360 — Charles Koch’s massive database of 230 million voters and their intimate demographic data, deployed for use in a wide range of Republican campaigns
  • The Johnson Amendment
  • Kingdom action
  • liturgy — Liturgy refers to the prescribed set of rituals, prayers, and ceremonies that make up the formal public worship in religious traditions, particularly in Christianity. It serves as a structured framework that guides the communal expression of faith and devotion.
  • love thy neighbor
  • “moral decay”
  • the “natural family”
  • The New International Version (NIV) Bible
  • the New Right
  • The New Testament
  • The Old Testament
  • nuns
  • paleoconservatives
  • party of character
  • pastors
  • pious
  • predestination
  • priests
  • proselytizing — Proselytizing refers to the act of attempting to convert someone to a particular religion, belief system, or ideology. It often involves persuasive techniques and may be carried out through various means such as one-on-one conversations, literature distribution, or public speaking.
  • Prosperity Gospel
  • Rapture
  • received wisdom
  • religious freedom / religious liberty
  • “right to work”
  • sacrament
  • “school choice”
  • Second Vatican Council
  • sermon
  • seven mountains dominionism; 7D
  • soft coup d’etat
  • Telecommunications Act of 1996
  • televangelism
  • theoconservatives
  • “traditional marriage”
  • War on Christmas

See also: A list of Christian nationalists

Christian Nationalists

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