Lt. General Boykin's comments about Islam and Christianity have resulted in quite a few complaints - not to mention a spirited defense mounted by conservative and evangelical Christians. They agree with Boykin's theology, but should they? It is arguable that the ideas Boykin expressed are the antithesis of how Christianity should be conceived.

At least, that is what Jim Wallis argues in an open letter published in Sojourners:

General, your theology bears no resemblance to biblical teaching. You utterly confuse the body of Christ with the American nation. The kingdom of God doesn't endorse the principalities and powers of nation-states, armies, and the ideologies of empire; but rather calls them all into question. You even miss the third verse of "Onward Christian Soldiers," which reminds us, "Crowns and thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane, But the Church of Jesus, constant will remain." And let's not misinterpret the famous first verse, "Onward Christian soldiers marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before." The cross, General, not the Special Forces.

When a high-ranking military officer espouses a zealous religious nationalism that claims the name "Christian" for both his nation and his army, and when he invokes the name of Jesus - not to love our enemies as he instructed, but rather to target them for destruction - the church must discipline that errant brother and name his public statements for what they are, not mere political incorrectness, but idolatry. General, you have substituted your nation and your army for God, your faith is more American than Christian, the Jesus you claim is not the Jesus of the New Testament, and his kingdom will not be ushered in by the U.S. military.

Wallis seems almost surprised by the nature and content of Boykin's theology - but if so, he really shouldn't be. What he is describing here, confusing "the body of Christ with the American nation" and upholding a faith that "is more American than Christian" is actually rather common among some denominations and perspectives in America. It can be called "Christian Nationalism" - a theocratic vision of American and Christianity which sees the two united in (un)holy matrimony.

For Christian Nationalists, there really is no difference between America and Christianity, between American goals and Christian goals, between American values and Christian values. Each must be a reflection of the other, and insofar as America strays from their understanding of Christianity and Christian principles, the American government becomes less and less legitimate. They are only really prepared to acknowledge the sovereignty of a religious government pursuing religious ends. Boykin, it seems, has enlisted in that cause. What sort of "rebuke" does Wallis have in mind for Boykin and those who proudly carry the same banner?

Read More:

• Fundamentalism
• Religious Right
• Christian Extremism
• Christian Nationalism
• Religious Intolerance & Bigotry