Millions of American Christians ‘Have Confused the Gospel with Politics,’ Michael Brown Says

BY : Michael Foust | ChristianHeadlines.com Contributor

Author and radio host Michael Brown will confront the issue of Christian nationalism in an upcoming book in which he argues millions of believers have conflated “patriotism with loyalty to the kingdom of God,” he says.

Brown made the remarks on John Cooper’s podcast, Cooper Stuff. Cooper is the lead singer of the rock band Skillet.

“Christian nationalism is the unhealthy conflating of the gospel with politics. It is wrapping the cross in an American flag,” Brown said. “It is confusing patriotism with loyalty to the kingdom of God. It is very dangerous.”

Brown acknowledged that many Christians are falsely being labeled “Christian nationalists” simply for voting Republican or for supporting former President Donald Trump.

Still, Brown said, Christian nationalism is very real and is a danger to the church.

“It reached a fever pitch under the presidency of Donald Trump. I voted for Trump in 2016, 2020. I had reservations along the way [and] the reservations became more prominent as time went on, but I voted for him twice,” Brown said. “Nonetheless, I began to see a very, very unhealthy joining together of Messianic hope for the kingdom of God and the success of America – or that somehow the goals of the gospel would be realized through Republican talking points.

“I thought this is very, very dangerous,” he said. “So I wholeheartedly separate myself from that. I work with my black and Hispanic and Asian brothers and sisters, each of which bring a different perspective to the mix.”

“That’s why we stand against abortion, for the same reason, because we’re followers of Jesus, and we value life,” he said. “But it’s not because I sleep next to an American flag. It’s because I follow Jesus.”