📘 Lexicon Entry: Christianism

A political-theological framework that transforms Christianity from a theological tradition into an ideological movement deploying religious symbols for nationalist and populist political agendas.

A political-theological framework that transforms Christianity from a theological tradition centered on Christ’s example into an ideological movement that systematically deploys religious symbols, language, and identity markers to advance nationalist, populist, and identity-based political agendas while functionally departing from core Christian commitments.

Primary Concept

political theology, Christian nationalism, religious ideology, cultural Christianity, identity politics, theological mutation

Uffman, Craig. “Christianism.” *Political Theology Lexicon*. https://www.commonlifepolitics.com/p/lexicon. Accessed [date].

Christianity functions as a theological framework centered on Christ’s example, with faith and practice integrated

Primary allegiance to God’s kingdom above all human institutions

Religious identity rooted in discipleship rather than cultural markers

Political engagement guided by Christian ethics rather than partisan loyalty

Christianity becomes primarily a cultural-political identity marker

Verbal affirmation of Christ while operating by different principles

Fusion of religious identity with national, racial, and political identities

Religious symbols deployed for political mobilization and legitimation

Systematic deployment of religious language for political purposes

Maintenance of Christian verbal affirmations while operating by contradictory principles

Identity fusion across religious, racial, national, and political lines

Boundary maintenance through insider/outsider distinctions

Moral compartmentalization applying different standards to allies versus opponents

Has deeper historical roots than commonly recognized, appearing in 19th century religious texts

Follows linguistic patterns similar to "Islamism," signifying transformation of religion into ideology

Popularized by Andrew Sullivan in 2006 Time magazine article "My Problem with Christianism"

Integrated into academic frameworks by Rogers Brubaker and others

Emerged during period of multiple systemic disruptions: racial restructuring, gender system reconfiguration, technological disruption, and economic transformation

Rooted in theological mutations that separate verbal affirmation from lived practice

Draws on Civil Religion traditions that sacralize national identity

Incorporates Reformed and Evangelical theological language while departing from core commitments

Reflects influence of Carl Schmitt’s friend/enemy political theology

"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father" (Matthew 7:21)

Jesus’s rejection of political messiahship and statement "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36)

Prophetic tradition’s critique of false worship and idolatry

Religious institutions serving as political mobilization networks rather than spiritual communities

Political movements using Christian symbols and language for partisan advantage

Cultural identity formations that fuse religious, racial, and national markers

Media ecosystems amplifying religious-political messaging for audience engagement

Emerged during multiple systemic disruptions creating conditions for theological mutation

Reflects broader patterns of identity fusion across religious, racial, national, and political lines

Functions through religious institutions, political movements, and media ecosystems

Transforms Christianity from discipleship tradition into cultural-political identity marker

Creates moral compartmentalization that applies different standards to political allies versus opponents

Contributes to polarization by sacralizing political differences

Political Theology (Paul Kahn): Christianism as sacralization of nation-state through sacrifice and sovereign will

Practical Atheism (Stanley Hauerwas): Maintaining formal affirmations while operating by non-Christian principles

Relational Distortion (Douglas A. Campbell): Contractual rather than participatory frameworks of faith

Cultural Christianity (Luke Bretherton): Reflection of co-option, commodification, and competition

Binary Politics (Carl Schmitt): Friend/enemy distinctions as primary mode of political engagement

Related Primary Concepts: MAGA Christianism, Dominative Christianism, Providential Identitarianism

Key Mutations: Practical Atheism, Binary Apocalypticism, Primitive Biblicism

Contemporary Movements: Christian Nationalism, Identity Synthesis

Theological Alternatives: Being With, Counter-Imperial, Servant Power

Historical Context: Civil Religion, Cotton Evangelicalism, Covenant Theology

May 21, 2025

*This entry is part of the Political Theology Lexicon, accessible exclusively to subscribers. View the complete lexicon to explore related concepts and the full theoretical framework.*