Rejecting Christian Nationalism

The 2026 General Assembly adopted two recommendations about rejecting Christian nationalism. The first recommendation seeks feedback from courts of the church about an official statement rejecting Christian nationalism that will be considered at the General Assembly in June 2027. The second recommendation encourages the church to learn more about how Christian nationalism is counter to the gospel and to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. This page has resources to assist the church in this work. A link to submit feedback on the statement is located at the bottom of the page, after the resources.

What is Christian nationalism?

Christian nationalism is an ideology that seeks to establish Christian cultural and political domination within a nation, claiming that a particular nation was founded as Christian and must remain so. Such claims conflate religious and national identity and devalues all those outside what it labels “Christian” — and yet it often fails to exhibit core Christian teachings such as love of God and neighbour or Jesus’ teachings in the beatitudes.

As a form of nationalism (and therefore as an ideology focused on enforcing a particular national identity and that nation’s superiority over other nations), Christian nationalism routinely demonstrates a rejection of the Scriptural call to care for the stranger, the foreigner and vulnerable people such as refugees. Too often, its love of power leads it to seek power over other nations and people as well, wedding Christianity with war or with imperial ambitions. Its pursuit of cultural and political domination distorts the gospel and embodies teachings that do not reflect the love God showed to the world nor the ministry to which disciples of Christ are called.

For information about the Church’s action on social issues such as care for those in need regardless of their national origin, and the church’s work supporting refugee and asylum seekers, as well as statements the church has previously made on nationalism or war, visit the Social Action Hub.

Statement of The Presbyterian Church in Canada on Christian Nationalism

Christian nationalism is an ideology that seeks to establish Christian cultural and political domination within a nation, claiming that a particular nation was founded as Christian and must remain “Christian.” Such claims conflate religious and national identity and marginalize all those who are not Christian or who do not align with the particular values Christian nationalism promotes. This pursuit of cultural and political domination distorts the gospel and embodies teachings that do not reflect the love God showed to the world nor the ministry to which disciples of Christ are called.

We acknowledge that Jesus’ ministry began with his own rejection of political power and social influence (Luke 4:5–7) and that throughout his time of ministry and teaching he continued to eschew political power and influence.

We affirm that, as followers of Jesus, so too our focus should not be control over the social, political, and economic spheres of this world but rather, like Jesus himself, loving service to God through preaching and living the Word of love, caring for the marginalized, and ministering to those in need.

Since the church is called to faithful public witness to the gospel message of God’s love for the world, we therefore reject Christian nationalism as a sinful ideology utterly at odds with the gospel and with the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Resources for learning more about Christian nationalism:

A study guide on rejecting Christian nationalism is being prepared and will be posted to this page when it is ready in the fall, 2026.

Ecumenical statements concerning rejecting Christian nationalism

Submit feedback on “Statement of The Presbyterian Church in Canada on Christian Nationalism”
*Feedback must come from a Committee of General Assembly, a college, session, presbytery or synod of The Presbyterian Church in Canada.