Since taking the helm of the Department of Defense—now renamed the “Department of War”—Secretary Pete Hegseth has drawn renewed attention for bringing overt Christian language and practice into the Pentagon, from hosting monthly worship services to featuring Scripture in military videos and speeches. As the United States enters a new war with Iran, Hegseth’s framing of national identity, military power, and faith has intensified scrutiny over the growing influence of Christian nationalism in government leadership.

While critics have raised constitutional concerns about church–state separation and religious pluralism, the debate also raises a deeper question for Christians themselves: Is Christian nationalism consistent with the teachings of Jesus and the theological tradition at the heart of the Christian faith?

First, it’s important to consider the idea of the United States as a “Christian nation.” While the founders referenced the “Creator” in the Declaration of Independence, they also were careful to include freedom of religion in the First Amendment to the Constitution. The freedom to practice religion, some observers note, would be effectively hollow if the definition of “religion” were limited to a single faith tradition. Historically, they add, religious freedom has been widely understood to extend beyond Christianity.

So what does it mean to say that the United States is a “Christian nation”? It can either mean that the nation was founded on Christian principles, or that it was founded to be exclusively Christian. Over 200 years of experience has demonstrated that the country is not exclusively Christian in belief or practice, and was not intended to be. The United States, however, was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, so it is better to understand “Christian nation” in that sense.

Next, consider Secretary Hegseth’s comments about the military in general, and the Iran war in particular. He has often stated that military members should embrace God and has actively sought to influence the military toward the Christian faith. That view might appeal to some members of the armed services, but others who don’t share his views could easily feel conflicted about the goals for which they are fighting.

In regard to the current conflict with Iran, Hegseth recently stated: “We’re fighting religious fanatics who seek a nuclear capability in order for some religious Armageddon. But from my perspective, I mean, obviously I’m a man of faith who encourages our troops to lean into their faith, rely on God.” Describing this conflict in religious terms is clearly a break from tradition in American government. It is one thing to recognize evil and to fight against it; it is something else entirely to identify evil with a particular religious belief.

The difference may seem subtle, but it is critical. As Abraham Lincoln famously stated during the American Civil War, we shouldn’t focus on whether God is on our side; instead, we should strive to make certain that we are on His side, because God is always right. Assuming that God is “on our side” may lead people to spiritualize their personal opinions, leading them to believe that anyone who disagrees is disagreeing with God. That practice is dangerous in any setting; it is particularly troubling when political leaders do it.

Christian faith is ultimately founded on the teachings of Jesus, as preserved and related in Scripture. Interestingly, Jesus never counsels His followers to go to war with their enemies. While the Apostle Paul talks about spiritual armor, he also cautions that “the weapons of our warfare and not of the flesh” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). The concept of fighting in Jesus’ name came from Constantine, not Jesus. Jesus calls disciples to love their enemies and to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-48). A Christian nation must, at times, take up arms to fight against evil. However, such action should not be for national aggrandizement or gain. One test for whether a war is “just” is whether we are attacking or have been attacked.

Unfortunately, many of the goals of “Christian nationalism” seem to be directed at achieving national goals rather than spiritual ones. History has demonstrated that people who are compelled to convert to any faith usually lapse when the threat is gone. That may be why Jesus called His followers to be witnesses rather than enforcers.

None of this means that the United States should never take up arms. The Preamble to the Constitution says that the federal government should “provide for the common defense.” Nor does it mean that the conflict in Iran is “unjust.” It can be argued that it was necessary to fight now to prevent a greater conflict later. That is a decision for our political leaders to make, and the people will have the opportunity to voice their opinion at the ballot box in November. But we should be careful not to casually assume that “God is on our side” simply because He has been gracious and merciful to us in the past. Christians do not “do their own thing” and then ask God to bless it; they seek God’s way and walk in it.

So what should faithful leadership look like in government? Christian principles suggest that the desire for material gain and power should not direct decision-making. Jesus said that we should seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness rather than our own (Matthew 6:33).

Followers of Christ clearly are called to “make disciples” – not by force, but by the power of their witness. Contrary to what some may claim, Christian faith is not synonymous with any political party. In his day, John Wesley cautioned his followers not to judge one another based on how they voted. Jesus taught that the “rulers of the Gentiles” lord it over one another, but that His disciples should not be that way. As Paul states in Philippians 2:5-11, our attitude should be the same as that of Jesus, who emptied Himself and did not seek His own will, but that of the Father. And followers of Jesus should seek leaders who best demonstrate the values that Jesus taught. Calling ourselves a “Christian nation” does not make it so; as Jesus said, we know by our fruit (Matthew 7:15-23).