Christ Over All has been consistently publishing outstanding articles and interviews.

The theme for October was “‘Just One More Thing’: Getting the Facts on Christian Nationalism(s).”

The theme for November is “Toward Biblical Nationhood: A Baptist View of Church and State.” David Schrock introduces it at the end his article “October Intermission: From Christian Nationalism(s) to Biblical Nationhood.”

I am planning to contribute two articles this month. Later this month I plan to reflect on the interviews on Christian nationalism. But first I am attempting to add some clarity by framing a debated topic with this new article:

Andrew David Naselli. “What Is the Spectrum of Major Views on Political Theology? A Proposed Taxonomy of Seven Views on Religion and Government.” Christ Over All, 10 November 2023.

*43-minute audio version (minus footnotes—read by Kevin McClure)

Here’s the outline for the article:

Part 1. Starting with Definitions: Religion, Politics, and Political Theology

Part 2. Seven Views on Religion and Government

• • Introductory Qualification
  • View 1. Secular Suppression: The secular government suppresses religion.
  • View 2. Religious Separation: Religion must radically separate from the government.
  • View 3. Religious Neutrality: The government must be religiously neutral.
  • View 4. Religious Influence: The government should not promote only one particular religion, yet religion may influence the government within limited parameters.
  • View 5. Christian Government: The government and religion overlap.
  • View 6. Religion over Government: Religion governs the government and directs the government to enforce religion.
  • View 7. Government over Religion: The government governs and enforces religion.

Part 3. Seven Concluding Reflections

• • 1. My taxonomy is describing rather than evaluating.
  • 2. Trying to systematize the various views on political theology is challenging, but that should not prevent us from trying.
  • 3. There is a lot more to say.
  • 4. My taxonomy may mislead one to think that the various views on the spectrum are distinct in neat and tidy ways.
  • 5. Christians are becoming more interested in political theology because what seemed to be a neutral public square is now an increasingly polarized battleground.
  • 6. Christians should beware of prematurely separating from each other based on different political theologies.
  • 7. No civil government will be flawless until King Jesus returns.

Updates:

1. 11/13/2023: Christ Over All released a 66-minute podcast episode in which I discuss this article with David Schrock and Steve Wellum.
2. 11/27/2023: Christ Over All published my article “Twelve Reflections on Twelve Interviews on Christian Nationalism.”
3. 12/4/2023: Christ Over All released a 68-minute podcast episode in which I discuss my article “Twelve Reflections on Twelve Interviews on Christian Nationalism” with David Schrock and Steve Wellum.
4. 3/12/2025: Steve Wellum, editor of Southern Seminary’s journal, reprinted the article in an issue devoted to Christian nationalism: Naselli, Andrew David. “What Is the Spectrum of Major Views on Political Theology? A Proposed Taxonomy of Seven Views on Religion and Government.” Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 28.2 (2024): 168–90.