In this two-week teaching series, we will take a careful, prayerful first look at Christian Nationalism—not to argue or accuse, but to learn together. Many faithful Christians have encountered this topic in conversations, social media, and the larger culture, and it can be confusing to sort out what belongs to our faith and what belongs to our civic life.

Using Isaiah 9:1-7 and Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14, we will explore how Scripture calls God’s people to place our ultimate trust, hope, and identity in Christ’s kingdom rather than in any earthly nation. We will reflect on how easy it is to blend faith and patriotism, and how gently and wisely we must guard our hearts so the flag never overshadows the cross.

Across congregations in the South Pinellas Connection, we will walk through this with humility and openness, listening for the Spirit’s guidance. Our goal is not to condemn, but to grow—seeking a faithful, Jesus-shaped public witness that loves our country without confusing it with God’s kingdom. Through Scripture, prayer, and honest reflection, we will learn how to be watchful, mindful, and rooted in Christ alone.

This series invites us to discover a deeper freedom: the freedom of living as people formed first by God’s story, God’s justice, and God’s love for the whole world.

Isaiah 9:1–7

In Week 1, we began our learning journey by exploring the hope Isaiah proclaimed to a people living in fear, confusion, and political instability. While Judah longed for a powerful national leader to restore their sense of security, Isaiah pointed instead to a child—the Prince of Peace—whose kingdom would be built not on domination but on justice, righteousness, and God’s own zeal.

This message helped us gently open the conversation about Christian Nationalism—not as a label for individuals, but as an ideology that confuses allegiance to Christ with allegiance to a nation. We explored how Christian Nationalism places hope in political power and national identity, while orthodox Christian faith places hope in Jesus Christ and God’s borderless, peace-filled kingdom.

From a Wesleyan perspective, we remembered that holiness is always social: Christians are called to love their neighbors, seek justice, and reflect the light of Christ—not to control others or gain cultural dominance. As people of faith, our first loyalty is to Jesus, whose light shines far beyond every nation, party, or platform.

Our takeaway for the week: Christian faith does not make us a “Christian nation”—it makes us a people of light within every nation.

Jeremiah 29:1, 4–14

In Week 2, we turned to Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles—people whose homeland, identity, and sense of stability had been shaken. Instead of promising a quick return or a political victory, God told them to build homes, plant gardens, seek the welfare of their city, and pray for the very empire that carried them away. Hope was not found in national restoration but in God’s ongoing presence with them, even in unfamiliar places.

This passage helped us deepen our understanding of Christian Nationalism by contrasting it with the biblical theme of faithful exile. Christian Nationalism imagines that God’s plan depends on national triumph or preserving cultural dominance. Jeremiah, however, teaches that God’s people can live faithfully even without power, influence, or control—by blessing their neighbors, practicing peace, and trusting God’s long story.

From a Wesleyan perspective, we remembered that God’s grace calls us to a life of service, compassion, and justice in whatever place we find ourselves. Our task is not to make the nation the kingdom of God, but to make God’s kingdom visible through love, mercy, and humility wherever we live.

Our takeaway for the week: Christian hope is not national victory—it is faithful presence. We seek the good of our communities because God’s future is bound up in the flourishing of all people.