Further reflections on Christian Nationalism in the UK.
Following the Unite the Nation march in September Churches Together in Luton (CTL) executive put out an initial statement expressing our concern about the messages that were delivered from the stage, which were framed in Christian clothes. We said that further work would be done looking at how we should respond to the rise of “Christian Nationalism” within our nation. This paper is part of that further work.
Firstly, it is important to recognise the different ways Christian Nationalism is understood. The Evangelical Alliance have published an important paper identifying four different ways the term is being used. While recognising that CTL is much wider than evangelical, a large portion of those attracted to the message of Unite the Kingdom, are from churches that would identify as evangelical in their theology. We also recognise that the wisdom included in the paper is helpful across all our churches.
- Confessional Christian nationalists (big C, small n)
Here the core commitment is to Christian faith itself. Patriotism flows from this, shaped by a belief that loyalty to the nation should reflect loyalty to God’s justice and truth. Nationalism is not primary but flows from Christian faith. They may love their country deeply, but they interpret that love through the lens of discipleship, service and neighbour-love.
- Cultural christian nationalists (small c, small n)
Here “Christian” means heritage more than belief. They value church buildings, carols and the moral tone of “Christian Britain”, even if they rarely attend services or have a personal faith. They might tick “Christian” on the census, wave the Union Jack on royal occasions, or defend “British values” as vaguely Christian, but the content is fuzzy – Christianity is more comfortingly traditional than personally transformative.
- Classic Christian Nationalists (Big C, Big N)
Both faith and nation are held with equal, passionate force. Britain is imagined as a Christian nation with a divine calling, and the church’s mission is tied to national destiny. They see the cross and the flag reinforcing each other – “God save the King” is both prayer and policy. This is closest to the full-strength US model, though rarer in the UK.
- Co-opted christian Nationalists (Big N, small c)
Nationalism takes the lead while Christianity is a handy prop. Church language or symbols are used to bolster British identity or resist perceived outside threats (immigration, secularism, “Brussels”), but personal faith is optional. Calls for a “return to Christian values” serve mainly as cultural glue or political leverage rather than devotion.
These categories show that “Christian nationalism” in the UK is not a single movement but a spectrum – from heartfelt discipleship that shapes patriotism, to faith-as-heritage nostalgia, to outright political branding.
Within our congregations there may be people who understand Christian Nationalism in all these forms. In some churches, for example evangelical and Pentecostal churches, those who ascribe to Christian Nationalism will mostly be in the first category. Others from Catholic, Anglican and other historical denominational churches may have a predominance of those who would ascribe to category 2 and a few in 3. There will be those on the more activist fringes of our churches who must be identified as Category 4.
We should ask everyone to reflect on what a country, as well as individual lives, shaped by Christian values would look like. E.g. You might realistically expect love, faith, humility, forgiveness, compassion and mercy, honesty, service, justice and obedience to be prominent. It is important to note that these values are conspicuously absence from much of the rhetoric coming from some who are advocating Christian Nationalism. It is important for us to be united in recognising and challenging this.
On behalf of Churches Together in Luton Executive
Tony Thompson 10 November 2025
