Reconsidering Faith, Power, and Where Our Allegiances Lie

Religion and political power have always had a complicated relationship. This reflection revisits familiar Gospel stories to see what they might say about today’s questions around nationalism and identity. The goal is not to discourage patriotism or civic involvement. Rather, it comes from a desire to understand what it means to follow a teacher who chose peace, humility, and service instead of domination. May this reflection encourage empathy and thoughtful engagement as people of faith seek the good of all.

In the Gospel of John, chapter 18, verse 36, Jesus makes a profound declaration during his trial before Pontius Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

This statement has echoed through centuries of Christian theology, presenting a vision of spiritual sovereignty distinct from worldly power structures. Today, this teaching stands in stark contrast to the growing movement of Christian nationalism.

Understanding Christ’s Kingdom

When Jesus proclaimed his kingdom was “not of this world,” he established a fundamental divide between spiritual authority and political power. This was not a tactical pause in a campaign for earthly rule. Rather, it was the defining nature of his ministry. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus consistently rejected opportunities to claim worldly authority:

  • He refused the devil’s offer of earthly kingdoms (Matthew 4:8–10)
  • He withdrew when crowds wanted to make him king by force (John 6:15)
  • He taught his followers to “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s” (Matthew 22:21)

Christ’s vision was of a kingdom built on love, service, and spiritual transformation, not territorial conquest or cultural supremacy.

Choosing Barabbas: A timeless commentary on power

Perhaps nowhere is this tension clearer than in the crowd’s choice between Jesus and Barabbas. Barabbas was imprisoned for insurrection, for seeking liberation through violence and political revolt. Faced with two radically different versions of hope for Israel’s future—one rooted in divine transformation, the other in earthly power—the crowd chose the revolutionary over the Redeemer.

That moment feels strikingly contemporary. People still reach for leaders who promise national restoration through force, dominance, and political triumph. The preference for a Barabbas-style solution reveals how deeply humanity gravitates toward kingdoms of this world, even while claiming devotion to the one who rejected such power.

The Rise of Christian Nationalism

Christian nationalism reflects that same impulse. At its core, it merges Christian identity with national identity, suggesting that:

  • The United States was founded as a Christian nation (despite the remarkable religious neutrality of its founding documents)
  • Christianity should maintain a privileged position in public life and governance
  • Political power should be wielded to enforce “Christian values"
Unlike Christ’s teaching that his kingdom transcends all earthly boundaries, Christian nationalism explicitly seeks to establish religious dominance through state power and legislation.

The Theological Contradiction

This conflict is not merely political. It is theological. Christian nationalism claims divine mandate for political agendas, implying that God’s kingdom can be secured through worldly authority. Yet Christ’s confrontation with Pilate exposes the limits of that worldview.

Jesus did not fail to establish a political kingdom. He refused to. His crucifixion stands as a rebuke to the belief that true salvation can be legislated, enforced, or won through victory over opponents.

Moving Forward

Christians navigating today’s polarized landscape can return to Christ’s own teaching about his kingdom. Civic participation matters, but it must be grounded in humility and an awareness that no nation or political movement can fully represent God’s reign.

The radical message of “my kingdom is not of this world” reminds believers that their ultimate loyalty transcends national borders and partisan divisions. In an era when faith is frequently weaponized, Jesus invites his followers to resist the age-old temptation to trade a cross-shaped kingdom for a sword-shaped one.

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Behold the Man, Antonio Ciseri

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