When someone tells you they have a “biblical worldview,” what comes to mind?
For many believers, the phrase evokes something good: a life shaped by Christ's teachings, anchored in grace, love, humility, truth, and justice. But today, especially in certain political circles, the term has been co-opted. It no longer simply means living like Christ — it too often means ruling like Caesar, cloaking ambition in piety. What was once a call to discipleship becomes a blueprint for dominion.
This distinction matters deeply. If we fail to name the distortion, we risk letting a counterfeit gospel masquerade as truth — leading many not toward Christ but toward cultural captivity.
The Gospel vs. The Empire
A true biblical worldview looks like the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), not a political platform. It flows from Christ’s words: “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9) — not blessed are the conquerors. Yet what we increasingly see is not Christ's humble kingdom, but an empire of the flesh, where faith becomes fused with nationalism, power, and the idol of control.
As theologian Michael Horton observes: “When Christianity is made into a civil religion, the cross is exchanged for the sword. The kingdom of God is reduced to the kingdoms of men.”1
Let’s Unmask the Real Meaning
America as a Chosen Nation
The claim that America holds a unique covenant with God echoes Old Testament Israel, but Jesus’ kingdom was never tied to earthly borders. The New Covenant transcends nationalism: “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free… for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
God does not anoint nations; He calls individuals and peoples from every tribe and tongue (Revelation 7:9). The Constitution rightly guarantees freedom of religion, not dominance of one religion over all others.
As Francis Schaeffer warned: “The danger is always to confuse Christianity with a particular cultural or political expression.”2
Dominion Over Culture
Many Christian Nationalists invoke Genesis 1:28 (“have dominion…”) to justify controlling government, education, media, and finance. This feeds directly into the Seven Mountains Mandate, where the goal is not servant leadership, but theocratic rule.
But Christ rejected this temptation (Matthew 4:8-10). His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). Even the apostles warned against power abuse: “Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example” (1 Peter 5:3).
As N.T. Wright teaches: “The gospel is not about seizing power but announcing that God’s power is made perfect in weakness.”3
Selective Morality
Many who champion a "biblical worldview" focus narrowly on sexuality, abortion, and gender — while ignoring Christ’s fiercest rebukes toward greed, injustice, and religious hypocrisy (Matthew 23:23-24). Jesus consistently prioritized the weightier matters: justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
Micah 6:8 remains a corrective to moral selectivism: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
As Tim Keller wrote: “Jesus came not to give us a list of sins to condemn, but a heart transformed by grace.”4
Gender and Family Absolutism
A rigid “biblical family” model is often imposed, insisting on male headship and female submission as God's design. Yet Jesus redefined family entirely: “Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!” (Matthew 12:50). Paul reaffirmed: “There is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
As theologian Scot McKnight notes: “The kingdom of God subverts hierarchical structures by inviting all — male and female — to full participation in God's work.”5
Authoritarian Obedience
Romans 13 is often weaponized to demand blind obedience — but this distorts Paul’s intent. Scripture equally commands: “We must obey God rather than any human authority” (Acts 5:29). When governments promote injustice, silence is not submission — it is complicity (Isaiah 10:1-2).
True biblical submission honors just authority, but never idolizes earthly power.
Indoctrination in Schools
Many Christian Nationalists seek to reshape education — not to promote truth, but to enforce conformity to their cultural ideology. Science, history, and systemic injustice are dismissed or rewritten. But Paul warns: “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly” (2 Timothy 3:5).
Indoctrination is not discipleship. True discipleship forms hearts, not echoes dogma.
Apocalyptic Politics
Opponents are often demonized as literal enemies of God. This dangerous rhetoric sanctifies hatred, feeds division, and sometimes justifies violence.
“Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart” (1 John 3:15).
“God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).
As Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: “The church is only the church when it exists for others, not when it seeks its own security.”6
Let’s Come Back to Jesus
This is the true litmus test: Does it look like Jesus?
Not merely invoking His name, but walking as He walked: “Though He was God… He gave up His divine privileges… and took the humble position of a slave” (Philippians 2:6-7).
He served, not ruled (Mark 10:45). He confronted religious power (Matthew 21:12-13). He built a cross, not an empire.
Truth in Plain Language
A real biblical worldview begins inside the heart. Not legislating behavior. Not grasping for control. But allowing Christ’s life to reorder our loves.
As N.T. Wright reminds us: “When the church sees itself as the agent of God’s kingdom and not the kingdom itself, it remembers that it is called to serve, not to rule.”7
Action Steps
Ask the Hard Question
When someone says they hold a "biblical worldview," ask: Which parts? The Beatitudes? Or a sanitized, politicized version of Leviticus?
Return to the Gospels
Reread Matthew 5-7. Sit under the Sermon on the Mount. Let Christ — not pundits — shape your convictions.
Resist with Compassion
Speak out when faith is co-opted. But speak in love: “Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good” (Romans 12:21).
Join the Quiet Revolution
In a culture addicted to power, choose the narrow road: humility, mercy, and courage (Matthew 7:13-14).
Supporting Scriptures
- Micah 6:8 — God's requirement: justice, mercy, humility.
- Philippians 2:5-7 — Christ’s self-emptying example.
- James 3:17-18 — Wisdom that is peaceable and pure.
- Matthew 5:9 — The blessed work of peacemakers.
- Isaiah 10:1-2 — God’s condemnation of oppressive laws.
- Romans 12:21 — Overcoming evil with good.
Let’s Walk This Out Together
Our faith must look like Christ — not like our culture. Not slogans. Not flags. Not political pulpits.
We are invited into something deeper, more ancient, more holy: the kingdom that carries a cross, not a crown.
Journaling Prompts
- Where have I allowed politics or cultural comfort to distort my understanding of discipleship?
- What would shift if I fully allowed Jesus — not my nation, my party, or my comfort — to define my worldview?
Footnotes
- Michael Horton, Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church.
- Francis Schaeffer, A Christian Manifesto.
- N.T. Wright, Simply Jesus.
- Tim Keller, The Prodigal God.
- Scot McKnight, The Blue Parakeet.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison.
