MILWAUKEE — Commissioners to the 227th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted overwhelmingly to declare White Christian nationalism and similar ideologies “a theological error” incompatible with the teachings of Jesus Christ, advancing a proposed constitutional amendment that would add that language to the denomination’s Book of Order.
The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP). Photo by Jonathan Watson.
The assembly also approved a denomination-wide policy statement condemning White Christian nationalism, directed church leaders to expand public opposition to the movement through ecumenical partnerships and public witness, and declined to commemorate Presbyterians’ role in the American Revolution, citing concerns that such a celebration could elevate nationalism over the church’s gospel witness.
By a vote of 458-18, commissioners approved RUS-01, which asks the denomination’s 164 presbyteries to ratify new Book of Order language affirming the church’s commitment to justice, peace, mercy and human dignity while rejecting “any ideology that seeks to establish Christianity as a privileged or dominant force through the power of the state, or that conflates religious identity with national, racial, or ethnic supremacy.”
Proposed Book of Order amendment
At the heart of the assembly’s action was a proposed amendment to the Book of Order that would explicitly reject Christian nationalism and similar ideologies as incompatible with the gospel.
“The church rejects any ideology that seeks to establish Christianity as a privileged or dominant force through the power of the state, or that conflates religious identity with national, racial, or ethnic supremacy. Such ideologies, in all their forms, are incompatible with the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, constitute a theological error, undermine the church’s faithful witness, and are contrary to the church.”
If approved by a majority of the denomination’s 164 presbyteries by mid-2027, the amendment will be added to the opening section of the Book of Order, Part II of the denomination’s constitution.
In addition to seeking approval of new constitutional language, commissioners meeting in Milwaukee directed PC(USA) leadership to take an active role in making sure the ideology is truly understood by issuing “a joint statement calling attention to the dangers and distortions of Christian Nationalism as an urgent theological and social concern of our time, providing moral clarity and guidance for the Church and the larger society” and to “engage with other faith traditions to broaden existing coalitions to: speak out against Christian Nationalism, engage in collective actions, and deconstruct practices, theologies, and patterns of Christian Nationalism in the Church and society at large” (RUS-01).
The Presbytery of San Jose, who authored RUS-01, was joined by six other presbyteries in asking the General Assembly to take a stand, calling Christian nationalism “a dangerous and increasingly pervasive ideology that seeks to merge national identity with Christian identity, distorting both faith and politics” that “contradicts the foundational commitments and public witness of our church: love, equality, inclusion, peace, religious freedom and the imago dei of all beings.”
In its rationale for the request, San Jose said, “Christian Nationalism presents a clear and present danger to both the integrity of Christian faith and the health of democracy. It distorts the gospel and seeks to impose a singular religious identity on a pluralistic society.”
Policy statement condemns White Christian nationalism
An additional recommendation (RUS-07) addressed a common church practice of placing a United States flag in a sanctuary, urging “all congregations to examine national symbols displayed on church property and in worship spaces, especially the U.S. flag, national and patriotic hymns sung in worship, presentation of colors in worship, and the propriety of national pride in relationship to the primacy of God in Christian worship.”
Adopting a full-blown policy on Christian nationalism also strengthens the ability of the denomination’s Office of Public Witness to speak out on the issue.
“Christian nationalism is a political ideology that seeks to merge Christian identity with U.S. civic life and national identity,” the policy says. “It asserts that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and should continue to be governed according to what its proponents see as Christian values or biblical principles.
“‘Nationalism’ emphasizes the importance of a ‘homeland’ with a shared ethnic identity among its citizens. Christian Nationalism becomes ‘white’ when it suggests that those of northern European ancestry are inherently more capable, intelligent, moral, and able to lead — and are thus the only ‘true Americans’ and ‘true Christians.’”
Further, “this ideology has made LGBTQIA+ persons specific and repeated targets. By characterizing diverse sexual orientation and gender identities as existential threats to the homeland or national identity, this ideology utilizes dehumanizing language to justify the exclusion of these communities and other marginalized groups from public life.”
The assembly approved RUS-07, 459-25.
Assembly rejects Revolution commemoration
Commissioners voted not to approve a commemoration of Presbyterians’ role in the American Revolution, 361-108 — but they did adopt the committee’s suggested statement explaining reasons for this decision. The statement reads:
“The committee’s concern is not with teaching Presbyterian history; the concern is with how this overture frames that history,” the Reformed Identity in the United States Committee said.
“The [Advocacy Committee of Women and Gender Justice] reminds commissioners that RUS-02 ‘risks sanctifying a narrative that binds the Church’s witness to a national origin story rooted in conquest, exclusion, and the erasure of Indigenous peoples, particularly women and gender expansive persons.’ The overture also risks elevating American identity in unhealthy ways.”
