This is where so many dominionists go off the biblical rails. God does not condone dual citizenship, period. The bible says were pilgrims and sojourners traveling through this world. God calls us exiles in this world. The key verse today does not say "one of our citizenships." Nope. Our citizenship is in heaven - period. The object is not influence nations. How sad. Let's say that Joseph Mattera achieved his dream and completely influenced the United States to base all of their laws on Scripture, forcing people who are not saved to simply "behave better." How many will he have saved? Zero. The truth is that Joseph Mattera has always shilled for the Republican Party as all good little dominionists do. There is nothing noble about conferring righteousness where it does not belong. The Republican Party is evil, just as the Democratic Party is. Just because you have determined your party as the lesser evil does not change the fact that they are evil. Do not be caught defending evil beloved.
"In the context of this article, most of the recent concerns about the rise of Christian nationalism are coming from the radical Left. This is primarily because most evangelicals support President Trump's policies. The radical Left utilizes a lens of interpretation skewed against anything for what conservative evangelicals stand. However, there are also important concerns coming from conservative evangelicals. Joel McDurmon criticized Trump supporters for desiring top-down power and control . Although I thought the article in which Joel criticized Trump raised some crucial issues, Joel failed to mention that it is the radical Left themselves who seek top-down control. It is the Left themselves who promote laws and celebrate court decisions that most Americans would never vote for (such as those related to abortion and gay marriage).
Some in the body of Christ have done an excellent job addressing Christian nationalism.
The purpose of this article is to further clarify the issue by contrasting the kingdom of God from Christian nationalism." - Joseph Mattera
I do not play these divisive games Joseph. Realize that you are splitting against the church the very people who may need the Gospel the most! Are the radical left beyond the saving grace of Jesus Christ? You are supposed to be a pastor! You have ONE job! Preach the Gospel! This divisiveness does nothing but foment hate. The forces of the left are not your enemy anymore than the forces on the right are your allies. Let's take a look at the areas Mattera sees as differentiating the kingdom from nationalism.
"The kingdom of God focuses on the advancement of the gospel. Nationalism focuses on the advancement of the politics of the nation. As much as I believe politics and economics are vital and, to an extent, can represent biblical ethics, I am much more committed to making disciples and seeing humanity change. (It is also possible for a committed Christian to be a faithful witness for Jesus while serving in public life as an elected official.) For me, anything that potentially distracts my energy and focus away from advancing the Gospel takes a backseat in my personal life and ministry." - Joseph Mattera
Well you could have fooled me. Half of what Mattera publishes deals with politics. You are committed to making disciples but write off half of the population because they do not agree with your politics? Why would anyone care what you have to say about Christ if you so casually throw away your witness on the Republican Party? While it certainly is possible for a Christian to be an effective public servant it is not for a pastor.
"The kingdom of God produces loyalty to Christ above all else. Nationalism produces loyalty to the nation above all else. I have studied the behavior and writings of Christians for many years. In some cases, I have concluded that some Christians are more committed to their nation and ethnic heritage than they are to God. The kingdom of God transcends all nations and ethnic identities (see Ps.103:19). In the mid-20th century, we witnessed Christian nationalists turn a blind eye to the 3rd Reich when most of the German churches aligned themselves with Hitler. If it happened once, it can and will continue to happen again, especially to a non-discerning church. The kingdom of God produces martyrs for the cause of Christ. Nationalism produces citizens who are willing to die for their nation. Although I am willing to defend my neighbor and die for my nation, I believe the greatest honor is to die for the sake of Christ and His kingdom. (Some may argue that I am a better citizen not because I am willing to die for my nation but because of my faith in God.) Hence, it has to do with motive, not merely actions." - Joseph Mattera
This is so sad because Mattera is again correct and cannot see how his life is lived in opposition to this. In this very article he declared he would die for this country! How in the world is that loyalty to Christ above all else? This is how dominionism blinds the believer. I have had sad conversations with Christians who were biblically sound in seemingly every area but NAR dominionism. It is an idol, nothing more.
