Competing Political Visions

A Guest Post on Christian Nationalism, Progressive Christianity, and Faithful Witness

Editorial note: My friend Bob Hunter has developed this idea to help discuss our cultural political context in the United States. These categories might blur for some of us who like centers rather than guardrails. I probably find myself in a blend between the two labelled as Progressive and Faithful. See Bob’s note below about the freedom of use of the graphics.

The passing of James Dobson has prompted me to reflect on the long and complex relationship between the modern evangelical Church and politics. My earliest memories reach back to Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority, followed in the 1980s by the Family Research Council and Focus on the Family. More recently, voices like Charlie Kirk and Turning Point USA have stepped into the spotlight. This naturally raises the question: What role should Christians play in politics?

To explore this, I’ve created three infographics that outline different approaches to Christian political engagement. These are not exhaustive studies but concise summaries of how believers have expressed their faith in the public square. I’m especially grateful to Charles Christian and Jeff Skinner for their insights and editorial help.

In the spirit of transparency, I lean toward the vision of Faithful Christian Witness (see graphic). After nearly forty years in the Church of the Nazarene, I find it best reflects the denomination’s official statements. Still, I recognize that many within the Church resonate with either Christian nationalism or progressive Christianity—tensions that often appear in online forums. These graphics are free to use wherever they might serve you.