Tucker Carlson and the Rise of Christian Nationalism
There’s been a shift in the American media landscape—one where faith and nationalism collide in unexpected ways. And at the center of much of it stands Tucker Carlson. Once a prime‑time Fox News host, now the leading voice of a sprawling media platform, Carlson has become a defining figure in the broader movement known as Christian nationalism. That movement asserts that America is fundamentally a Christian nation, ordained by God, led by Christian values—and Carlson often seems to echo those themes.
But how much of what Carlson says is biblical? And how much is cultural myth dressed up in Christian language? Let’s unpack that.
What Is Christian Nationalism?
Christian nationalism blends national identity with Christian claims: that America is a Christian nation with a providential role, anchored in white Protestant heritage, and now under siege by secular elites. It’s an ideology—not explicitly biblical—that has gained traction among many Americans. Surveys show that a majority of white evangelical Protestants identify as Christian nationalists, though many mainstream religious leaders reject the notion of fusing political power with religious identity.
Within denominations like the Southern Baptist Convention, debates have raged: was America founded as a Christian nation? If not, should it become one? Some insist America has always had a covenantal place in God’s plan. Others argue our history is more complex—accessorized with slavery, colonization, and exclusion. Critics warn that Christian nationalism ignores minority experiences, undermines separation of church and state, and risks idolatrous worship of country rather than Christ.
Carlson’s Voice in the Cultural Choir
Carlson sets the ideological agenda in much of the mobilized Christian Right. His rhetoric often centers on a narrative of cultural replacement and moral decay. He warns that American Christians are being “replaced” by progressive elites, secular ideologies, and demographic change. That’s precisely the language of the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory. While Carlson rejects being labeled a white supremacist, critics say he has mainstreamed key ideas: demographic panic, grievance politics, and the coupling of national decline with a looming threat to Christianity.
Yet he also pushes back on the documentary God & Country, mocking those like David French or Rob Reiner who argue that the Christian Right’s blending of religion and politics is dangerous. Carlson calls them “fake Christians” for rejecting Christian nationalism—going so far as to argue that these critics don’t understand Jesus.
He often frames the Christian nationalist impulse as about defending religious liberty—not imposing beliefs—and insists the ideology expands rights, even for non‑Christians. But such assurances often pale when policies impact reproductive rights or abortion debates—where religious motives entangle with political outcomes.
Where Carlson’s Rhetoric Aligns—and Where It Doesn’t
What he gets right:
Carlson frequently decries moral and cultural decline. From a biblical perspective, Christians are called to speak against injustice, immorality, and idolatry. If you hear excessive noise, Christian rightly rejects superficial worship, biblical illiteracy, and cultural irreverence.
What builds concern:
Carlson often elevates national identity above Christian identity. In one interview, when Senator Ted Cruz cited biblical obligations toward Israel, Carlson mocked the idea that foreign policy should be built on Scripture rather than national interest. But Scripture speaks repeatedly about justice, covenant, and care for the stranger—areas where national interest and gospel collide.
His "replacement" rhetoric and cultural grievance echo nationalism more than biblical identity. The bible affirms that God's people are called to a global supernation, a new creation where race, tribe, and nation lose their final authority (Galatians 3:28; Revelation 5:9). Carlson’s emphasis often conflicts with that broader biblical witness.
Christian Nationalism and the Gospel
If Christian nationalism is about elevating America as God’s chosen nation, the Gospel calls us to something different. From a covenant‑centered perspective, God’s true nation is not tied to any geography or ethnicity—it’s defined by Christ, sustained by grace, and drawn from every tongue, tribe, and nation.
Carlson’s worldview sees a civil war of tradition vs. woke secularism. He often frames the struggle as spiritual—but rarely acknowledges Christ as king over all nations. Instead, he frequently centers around American exceptionalism, turning national identity into a tool rather than a witness.
That raises a deeper question: is America’s decline the problem—or is the Gospel decline? Carlson rarely critiques evangelical complacency or faithlessness. Christ said His Kingdom is not of this world. When believers politicize their identity more than their obedience, they risk substituting the Kingdom of heaven with the kingdom of a nation.
Christian Nationalism in Practice
Within the Southern Baptist Convention and other evangelical institutions, debates over Christian nationalism have intensified. Some leaders criticized any church display of flags in pulpits, arguing it confuses allegiance. Others defended it as cultural engagement. The split reflects a broader tension: does aligning worship with nationalism comfort the conscience—or compromise the Gospel?
Polling indicates that large majorities of white evangelicals support declaring the United States a Christian nation. That doesn’t square easily with historic Baptist commitments to religious liberty, nor with biblical principles of God’s sovereignty over any earthly authority.
Eschatology and the Future
Where does this trend point with regard to end times or eschatology? Carlson’s rhetoric sometimes hints at a looming awakening—a spiritual reformation tied to politics. Yet biblical eschatology emphasizes the return of Jesus, the final judgment of nations, and the restoration of all things—not geopolitical revival.
In an amillennial or covenantal framework, Jesus is presently reigning from heaven. The Church’s mission is to proclaim the Gospel, advance justice, and serve the poor—not to seize political power. Christian nationalism, in contrast, often measures spiritual vitality by political dominance.
The Gospel Alternative
So how should Christians engage Carlson’s influence and Christian nationalism overall?
1. Return to biblical identity. Our identity is in Christ, not a nation. Scripture calls for loyalty to the Kingdom first.
2. Critically assess rhetoric. Christian nationalism often packages nationalism in Christian language. Discern whether the language reflects biblical theology or cultural anxiety.
3. Resist idolizing national power. Christian love, humility, and service should shape how we engage politics—from the cafeteria to the Capitol—not culture warrior posture.
4. Embrace Gospel hope over grievance. Grievance politics thrives on fear. The Gospel offers healing through repentance, restoration through the cross, and hope through resurrection.
5. Protect the vulnerable. When Carlson or others link nationalism with abortion debates, it's vital to remember that biblical ethics call us to protect all life. But we must be wary of reducing Gospel to political platforms or forcing legislation as primary spirituality.
Final Reflection
Tucker Carlson is a powerful voice, shaping narratives where Christian nationalism and media intersect. He reflects real frustrations among many believers—but he also shapes those frustrations into a political ideology, often dressed in biblical language. The bible invites something different. It points to a kingdom defined not by flags or nostalgiac tribalism, but by grace, obedience, humility, and a people drawn from every corner of the earth.
Christian nationalism becomes problematic when the nation replaces Christ. Carlson taps into cultural anxieties and historical memory—but only Christ offers transformative redemption. As believers, we should pray for cultural wisdom and Gospel clarity: to love our neighbor, honor our Lord, and remember that no earthly empire compares to the Kingdom that is coming.
Bible Verses about Christian Nationalism
Matthew 22:21, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Philippians 3:20, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
John 18:36, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting…”
Revelation 7:9, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude… from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne.”
Acts 10:34–35, “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
Deuteronomy 10:19, “Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.”
1 Peter 2:9–10, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood… a holy nation… once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people.”
Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Jeremiah 29:7, “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile… for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
Psalm 146:3, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.”
