Southern Baptists endorse Christian nationalism scholar says
Nancy Ammerman says Southern Baptist resolutions endorse Christian nationalism, equating U.S. identity with Christian faith. As America’s largest Protestant group, their stance could reshape evangelic
The Southern Baptist Convention’s recent resolutions endorse ideas tied to Christian nationalism, according to a leading scholar. Nancy Ammerman, a so
Read Full Story at Religion News Service →Why This Matters
The Southern Baptist Convention’s resolutions aren’t just internal policy statements—they signal a deliberate effort to fuse American civic identity with evangelical Christianity, a shift that could deepen cultural polarization and influence electoral politics in ways not seen since the Moral Majority’s peak. For a denomination already grappling with declining membership, these stances may serve as both a unifying rallying cry and a wedge issue, potentially reshaping the coalition of conservative Christians who have long been a linchpin of Republican voting blocs.
Background Context
Southern Baptists have historically framed their mission as spiritual, but their political engagement has grown more overt in recent decades, particularly after the 2016 election when white evangelicals became the backbone of a coalition that prioritized cultural preservation over traditional doctrinal concerns. The convention’s recent resolutions build on decades of incremental moves—from opposing the separation of church and state in school curricula to endorsing political candidates who align with their theological views—reflecting a movement that now sees governance as an extension of faith.
What Happens Next
Watch for how these resolutions are weaponized in state-level legislative battles, where Christian nationalist rhetoric could fuel new laws restricting abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, or public education content. The convention’s ability to maintain cohesion may hinge on whether younger Southern Baptists resist this fusion of faith and nationalism or if the older guard entrenches further. Meanwhile, rival denominations and secular groups will likely escalate counter-movements, setting up a new front in America’s culture wars over the soul of the nation.
Bigger Picture
This isn’t an isolated phenomenon but part of a broader global trend among conservative religious movements reasserting their influence in public life, from India’s Hindu nationalism to Poland’s Catholic revival. Domestically, it mirrors the rise of Christian nationalism as a litmus test for political loyalty within the GOP, raising questions about whether the U.S. is drifting toward a post-secular order where religious identity dictates civic participation. The Southern Baptists’ stance may well become a blueprint—or a cautionary tale—for other faith groups navigating the same terrain.
