As a Christian, I’ve been recently watching now the way Christian Nationalism has risen in popularity, particularly in the United States. While it’s understandable that people want to protect their nations from harm, it becomes dangerous when Christianity is used as a cover for exclusion, racism, and political manipulation.

Let’s start with a hard truth: Jesus was not a nationalist.

Jesus Himself fled political violence as a baby when His family escaped to Egypt to avoid Herod’s massacre (Matthew 2:13–15). He returned to a hostile people in Nazareth who rejected Him and tried to kill Him for claiming to be the Messiah (Luke 4:24–30). He wept over Jerusalem — not because it wasn’t great, but because the people had turned from God (Luke 19:41–44). And when He flipped the tables in the temple, it was not to defend national pride but to cleanse God’s house of corruption (Matthew 21:12–13).

His Kingdom, as He clearly said, “is not of this world” (John 18:36).

As Paul later wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

The Greatest Commandment

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God, and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself. That neighbor, biblically speaking, can be anyone — including the foreigner, the stranger, and yes, the immigrant.

Balance: Loving Your Country, But Not Idolatry

I understand the need to protect borders. Here in Peru, we’ve seen the devastating consequences of unchecked immigration from Venezuela, including criminal elements like the Tren de Aragua — violent groups reportedly released from prison by the Maduro regime. As a result, crime has risen at a new level the country has not seen before, and many Peruvians feel under siege.

But I do not advocate for saying “all Venezuelans must never enter.” That’s not biblical and it’s not humane. The right approach is to protect the country while also showing compassion and discernment. Allow those truly fleeing tyranny and seeking refuge to find help. That’s the heart of God.

At the same time, I strongly believe countries have the right to preserve their cultures and safeguard their values. What’s happening across parts of Europe — like the UK, Germany, and other nations — is concerning. The rise of radical Islamic ideologies such as Sharia law, promoted by certain extremist groups, is not simply about immigration — it’s about trying to replace a country’s culture, history, and legal foundation with something fundamentally opposed to democratic freedom.

Yet I also reject far-right extremism, like that of Germany’s AfD (Alternative für Deutschland), which promotes anti-immigrant rhetoric and seeks to expel all foreigners. That is not love. That is not discernment. That is fear and hate, often cloaked in false patriotism.

I believe in a centrist-right, balanced approach. We must protect our nations and cultures without embracing racism or exclusion. For example, Germany’s Chancenkarte visa program allows skilled, hardworking professionals to contribute positively to the economy. This is wise immigration policy — not blind open borders, and not fear-driven shutdowns.

This is not nationalism — it is stewardship. Nationalism historically has been used to promote racial purity, exclusion, and even genocide. That is what we must reject.

Likewise, I believe the United States is currently at a crucial point where it must take care of its borders, especially after years of neglect. The effort to remove dangerous criminals from the country is absolutely necessary and commendable. Groups like the Tren de Aragua, which have been deported from the U.S., are the same groups now harming countries like mine — Peru and other nations in America. So yes, I fully agree with taking strong measures against these threats.

I also support the firm stance being taken against antisemitic rhetoric, particularly within U.S. universities that have become increasingly polluted with extremist and progressive woke ideologies. If someone promotes hatred, genocide, or ideologies that incite violence — especially against the Jewish people and Israel — they should be held accountable. Even if that means denying entry to students or deporting individuals who threaten the values of a nation.

This is not nationalism. This is justice. This is protecting your country from those who seek to corrupt or destroy it from within.

Frankly, I applaud President Trump for his tough stance on these issues on this take but not on mixing the Bible with the Bill of Rights or Declaration of Independence. But in this case related to taking a tough stance on protecting the country from potential terrorists, no one else had the courage to take that position publicly. But again, it must be said: do not confuse this with nationalism.

Taking care of your country and standing for truth and justice must also include a recognition of the spiritual foundation that once made many nations strong. In the case of the United States, the United Kingdom, and others, this foundation was built upon Christian values — truth, justice, love, and the sanctity of life. I do believe these nations should preserve and uphold Christianity as the guiding moral framework.

This is not about elevating one race or promoting hatred — it is about standing firmly in the truth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and recognizing that other religions — especially those like Islam that promote dangerous ideologies such as Sharia law — should not be allowed to overtake or redefine a nation’s moral and legal identity. While individuals should be free to believe what they wish, the public, cultural, and legal structures of a society should be rooted in truth, not in systems that oppose peace, liberty, or human dignity.

Preserving Christianity in public life is not nationalism — it is protecting the spiritual and ethical foundation of a country.

History: Nationalism Has a Bloody Track Record

Let’s not forget the history of nationalism:

• Hitler was a nationalist. He cloaked his vision in the idea of ethnic purity and nearly destroyed the world.
• In Peru, some nationalist groups have promoted racism, declaring that only one race (the indigenous race) is valid, and others should be excluded or worse — exterminated.
• The Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path), the most evil terrorist group in Peruvian history, was a form of violent nationalism mixed with extremist ideology. They murdered thousands in the name of revolution and purity.

Nationalism, especially when radicalized, has consistently led to violence, racism, and division.

The Gospel Is Bigger Than Any Nation

When we mix Christianity with nationalism, we distort the Gospel.

Christianity is about redemption, not exclusion. It’s about hope, not fear. And it’s about love — not control.

As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:13: “Three things will last forever — faith, hope, and love — and the greatest of these is love.”

Jesus didn’t die on the cross and then raised 3 days later in victory to create patriotic citizens. He did it to save souls — from every nation, every race, every background.

Conclusion

You can love your country and still reject Christian Nationalism. You can protect your borders and still love immigrants. You can seek justice without building an idol out of your flag.

Christianity should never be chained to nationalism. The Cross is too holy, too global, and too redemptive to be mixed with the blood-stained banner of nationalism.

Let us follow Christ — not Caesar. Let us build the Kingdom — not a political empire. Let us love all people — not just those within our borders.

That’s the Gospel. And it’s worth defending.