Why are the Christian Nationalists unwilling to talk?

There has been a pattern to recent attempts by some of us to raise concerns about the growth of a form of so called “Christian Nationalism” which is in effect simply a baptised ethno-cultural nationalism.  Any questions about connections to the far right and the historically appalling agenda of the National Front BNP and English Defence League are dismissed.  First, we are told that we are being unfair to people who are simply trying to witness to people that wouldn’t otherwise hear the Gospel,  Then we are told that we are making pronouncements from our ivory towers, that we didn’t see all the wonderful and joyful stuff at the Unite The Kingdom Rally because we weren’t there,  Then we are told that there is nothing wrong with what Tommy Robinson says.  We are judging him unfairly. All of this comes with a heap of insults, we are Pharisees, and warnings (or are they more threats), that we must get in line with what God is doing or else miss out and be left behind.

Now, I think it is time to be very open about what has and hasn’t been going on.  First of all, those of us challenging the Unite the Kingdom/Christian Nationalist movement have sought to engage through Scripture.  We have done this publicly with a constant offer of the opportunity for those who disagree to come back at us and to reason together. We’ve also offered the opportunity for one to one, private conversation with God’s Word open.  To date, I’m waiting still for someone to come back and show me how my concerns, expressed from Scripture are biblically wrong and deal with the challenges head on.  I’m also waiting for someone, anyone from the Christian Nationalist camp to take up the offer of a virtual or in person coffee and chat (if it’s in person, I’m happy to buy the coffee and cakes, if it’s virtual, you’ll have to sort out your own).

I want to be clear and to make sure that this state of affairs is out there in public.  There have been repeated efforts to engage with the so called “patriot pastors”.  There just hasn’t been any interest in a conversation back. 

I also want to make it clear that whilst I’m sure that there will always be ivory tower key-board warriors on all sides, this isn’t what is happening.  Our arguments may be online (as are the patriot pastors).  However, they come both out of careful study of God’s word and real life engagement with the very communities that are being told that we don’t care about reaching.  These responses come from the frontline of Christian ministry on estates and in inner city contexts.

So, once again the offer is there.  If anyone wants to talk, whether you are a public leader in the Christian Nationalist movement, someone who finds yourself  persuaded but open to hearing a different perspective, or simply still pretty baffled by it all, then you are welcome to get in touch via the form below.