I don't think they really believe in God. I think they only believe in having power and having wealth.

GOD gives us free choice. GOD does not shove it down our throats and force HIS ways on us.

Yes Rev, Christian Nationalist is not Christian. It's all about power and money. Cruel and punishment. Nothing to do with Jesus messages of truth and love!

I have no faith in any theology based on bigotry, supremacy, or isolationism. Christian nationalism in no way reflects my Christian beliefs. 💙💙💙

Do Christian Nationalists actually believe in the Gospel? Short answer: No. Long answer: NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

As a child I would cry for Jesus when I saw bad things, I saw plenty. Now I am 67, I weep every day for him. We are so lost, Lord!

God doesn't transform the world with a sword. He transforms the world with a wounded heart.

“I came to save the world, not condemn it.” John 3:17

My mother tried to force me to be christian. Forced me to go to her church when I didn't want to because she thought I was demonically possessed. Yeah, I did something pretty evil when I was 14. I wore a Slayer shirt underneath a button down shirt. During the sermon, I took off the button down shirt and was sitting there wearing a Slayer shirt. No one noticed at first, but then the pastor saw me sitting there wearing that shirt and freaked. Demanded I leave and never come back. I was banned from my mom's church. Something I wanted. My mom beat the hell out of me for that, but it was so worth it.

Too many folks just want their religion to tell them that they are right, that what they're already doing is fine, and that they don't need to change. A grand exercise in missing the point.

Make NO mistake - It's not a belief nor is it a passion or a commitment to a religion. It's an agenda.

there is NOT DIFFERENCE between "christian" nationals and the taliban

When I see a child wearing a t shirt that says Jesus is my weapon it makes my heart cold for weapons are defined as things that cause hurting and harming to others. I know peace is shun in their church that brandishes threats, and violence and it isn't the church of the prince of peaceful manners and ways. My respects to all peace seekers if I fall in the promised blood letting of the Christian Nationalists for I without shame renounce them.

These pastors are not looking for peace…just obedience. Love is not in their agenda.

We already had the Spanish Inquisition. The word revival comes to mind as it implies spiritually coming back to life, and the acting like a Christian. You know,feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, welcoming the alien, caring for widows and orphans, sharing the joy of redemption. It’s the goodness that is irresistible, not the angry judgment of pseudo Christians.

Exactly what I have been saying. And on top of that, some “pastors” have joined the ride on their quest for power and influence. As a Christian who has come to know the power and love of God, it saddens me.

My heart breaks for the Christian Nationalists as they don’t know Jesus.

The simple answer is no, they don't believe the gospels. They are like the pharasies of the time of Jesus. They wanted a warrior king to destroy the Romans and let them rule at his side.

My question is, do the Christian Nationalists even know the Gospel anymore. Or have they twisted it and rewritten it to follow their agenda that they have lost the original intentions of love and acceptance. They are more about the 'Do Nots" than the "Dos".

Rev Ed, please pray for the United States. We’re likely “celebrating” our last Independence Day today. We need help.

I’ve asked such Christians if they speak for God. They go quiet. Then I tell them I will accept judgement by God but not by them.

I wonder if ‘professional Christians’ have actually read the New Testament. They seem wedded to the Old.

These people have created God in their image that includes and encourages their beliefs.

And, they will lie, cheat and steal to get there. Treat others with dignity, honor and respect, and be the example of Jesus’ teachings.

When i was very young we used to receive the Maryknoll magazine (Catholic) which shared the stories of those missionaries. One in particular shared how he came to a third world tropical country. First thing he did was find the headman and ask what he might do to share in the villages duties. That right there garnered surprise. He was willing, asking to be a part of the community, pull his own weight and contribute. He then took care of himself. He cleaned his newly inherited home from his predecessor. He set it up to meet his needs. He realized quickly that the weather was too hot to wear his traditional regalia so he adopted the native sarongs as his clothing. He did not set up any classes nor preach. He did his morning rituals of prayer, breakfast, upkeep, conversing when a neighbor would stop by, joining the villagers in any projects. If any asked about himself, he would share openly and honestly. Still, no preaching. If they asked about what he believed, again he was open and honest . He was not like any of his predecessors. He became friends with many villagers. He shared meals with them. He learned from them. In his time with the village he became a part of it. Sever villagers asked to be converts, not because he preached, but because he lived his faith every moment in everything he did and full transparency. None of his predecessors converted any villager. His humility and deep faith was real, it was authentic. That is a true Christian in action. He was a humanitarian of high order. No force. No threats. No bartering food for bible verses. No authoritarian attitude. He lived among the people and loved them as they were. For me, my take away was that he wanted for them to love his faith as he did, deeply committed, not superficially. Only by his example did they come to him on their own, seeking to have what they saw and loved about him.

Had the Lord wanted soley servants without will, he would have made us that way. I believe the Lord wants us to find the path on our own. It's pure in that sense.

Thank you Rev, the true Christians have a shield, Christian Nationalists have swords, true Christian’s accept the Gospel, Christian Nationalists want to impose them. Same words, same message, presented in very different perspectives.

Thank you ❤, Amen 🙏… For many Christian nationalist. It’s not truly about converting the heart. It’s just about controlling the mind. It’s just for the glory of power over others. not freedom and peace.

RE: Ultimate success in our mission to share the good news... "The poor, you will always have..." the message in that is that one must understand there is NO goal post. This is a activity that is its own end. There is no option to fix this and be done. This not like household tasks like painting the house... once the house is painted you are done. This is like household tasks like dusting and vacuuming... once the final room is finished, it is time to do the first room again.

Another descent into "legalism". A relationship with God is not so easy as dotting "i"s and crossing "t"s.

Obviously they don’t, or they would not want to impose it. Jesus wanted our trust, not our fear.

I always say that a rule by force, over every single thought and deed, regardless of how personal it is, is seen as tyranny, and leads to resentment. If done by love influencing a true change of heart, it is lasting.

Thank you Rev. Ed for reminding me that there are good Christians.

When I gave this video a "thumbs up," I moved it from 666 to 667. 😊

Best explanation of the error of trying to force people . I am a senior. The Lord countless times has checked and corrected me when I had a wrong idea or behavior. The hubris of people who think only they hear and know the will of God amazes me. That they must force their neighbor for their own good shows to me they really do not understand the Way of Christ or the Gospel.

The true followers of Christ are outcast's in the world. They do not choose political sides and know their Kingdom is A Heavenly Kingdom.

The sword or the cross is the choice we all face in life?This is the choice for everyone in life.

They are also in favor of Old Testament punishments.

Sounds like head of the Heritage foundation to me.

"Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. Judicial decrees may not change the heart, but they can restrain the heartless." *MLK* "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34). *Jesus* Praise God for the ~free will~ to praise God, y'all!! Peace be with you, all. ✌🏼🤍💫

Like I said, it's like they want a Faith Victory. "Everyone's going to church again! We have prayer and the Bible in school, we have Christian reverence in media. Blessed is the nation that worships God!"

I liked your words very much! I can continue being a loner in the wilderness and have hope for civilization. Very well said, i have happiness today.

Thanks Rev Ed ❤

God is Love!❤

The more I listen to their rhetoric I realize they were all BORN Christians!! They never had to experience any type of rebirth or acknowledgment of the need for salvation as a gift that must be accepted by faith. How special they are. Bless their hearts as we say in S.C. But...breaks my heart how they have perverted the Gospel and the Great Commission of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Pray for their true salvation.

I'm very glad not to want to change hearts - just to find them, love them and help, if I'm able. This keeps me very occupied. Love.

Success is not a meter of achievement, it’s a measure of personal challenge and change. 👣🕊👽

Right on, Rev!

I listened to John Piper's program and another teacher was saying exactly this. We change our communities by bring people to faith in Christ which results in changed hearts through the new birth by the Holy Spirit.

Thank God for the Gospels- We would not even know who Jesus is - Thank you Lord for changing my heart through your word. The New Testament has brought me to life in Christ and believe me it has taken decades but I stuck with it . Great sermon.

yes

💙 💙 💙 💙 💙

Whenever the Church has tried this- the Crusades, the Inquisition, to name a few- it has backfired. Thank you, Reverend Ed, for helping us feel confident that we aren’t crazy to love our God and love our neighbors as our work in this world.

Some people have lost their minds.

I found Rev Ed about a year or more ago and although I don't catch more of his podcasts,my lose, I so enjoy his teachings and appreciate this so much. Thank you ad blessings to all in love .

Scary is that he is heard by a large folloeing - unsatisfied in their search for a life worth living - a life where they feel elevated above all others who are different. We are all his children and loves us all unconditionally - thanks Rev. Ed 💖

Christian nationalists believe in the gospel of power. It’s the temptation Jesus refused. The modern right wing churches embrace it.

Amen!

Wonderful! A miracle is a changed consciousness! ❤️✨

You know how to bring people together to walk down the right path, just like Jesus. I think He WOULD be impressed.

Christian Nationalism throws grace and faith out the window. It's a doctrine of hateful devils, not of our loving Saviour.

Once again you respond with wisdom and compassion. Yes, if the heart isn't in it, nothing else will follow. It stops at the edge of the tongue. Lip service only. Like the idea; how does the person act when no one is around to witness it? Is it only in front of others to get praise? Prohibition failed in the '20s because they made a moral decision to make liquor illegal, but they didn't try to change anyone's hearts about it. It just turned most people into criminals by buying or selling behind closed doors in secret. It accomplished nothing. Blessings to you Pastor Ed.

When I finally sobered up, I knew that I wanted to be a better man. I figured, once you crawl out of that hole, there's nowhere to go but up. I didn't become a Christian. I didn't follow any religion but I tried to take the best of all of them and make them work in my life. My wife tells me that I'm a good man, my brother and sister tell me that I'm a good man and that they love me. I tell you right now that if I had to live in a place where I was forced to be like the Christian (sic) nationalists, I would be moving backwards. Peace.

Not sure which guy but this sounds like stuff I've seen "discount Matt Walsh from wish" say, like 'we can't force them to believe but we can force them to pretend'. Such a weird goal from people that *should* care about actual salvation.

I'm trying and I hope that's enough sometimes I relate to the Sarah McLachlan song worlds on fire

Giggling at the question of what “before work” means for a pastor 😊

It's a fair question to ask, considering

That is why it is not about legislation but transformation because if you do not change the heart, you do not change the world. Thanks for your words and for reminding me about being patient when perseverance is hard to come by, especially these days. I struggle sometimes with knowing what to do because I do believe we must follow Jesus's path. However, when those who also claim they do, decide not to support or follow what is honest, generous, merciful, accepting and tolerant, it makes sometimes for some hard days. So thank you for constantly reminding me and keeping it simple. May God Bless and Keep You.

The human problem is that EVERYTHING has to be done NOW.

I shared this with a Christian Nationilst Uncle of mine Hopefully he'll actually watch it and hear your honest answer

If they abdicate the gospel to the force of the state, that speaks for itself. Even they don't really believe the gospel, or they are deluded that faith can be forced under the poser of threat.

I've decided to join your Patreon because I love how you preach God's word.

What strikes me about this group is that so many of them are incredibly fond of parts of the Old Testament but if you get into the *New Testament* they go blank faced and seem either bored, uninterested or flat out ignorant of what it says. (Beyond John 3:16) Disclaimer: I am not a Christian myself but I have read the Bible more than once. I respect those Christians who live by the doctrine of love espoused in the New Testament. There's a great deal of good to be found there. But Christian Nationalism is something very different.

Thank You. So Uplifting

I've started studying how Christ spoke to different people trying to figure out how to talk to the maga folks.

When politics and wealth enter the equation then it failed

Lovely message. Thank you!

I kept thinking of several Scriptures during this sermon. The first was Jesus saying that His kingdom is not of this world. The second was when He spoke of a little leaven making an entire loaf of bread rise. (Anyone who has ever made bread knows that it takes time - if you hurry, you get matzoh!) The third Scripture was when Abram and Sarai tried to fulfill God's promise of a son on their own. That went pear-shaped pretty quickly!

What is really mystifying is how so many Christians of modest means, who depend on no one but God and themselves, with maybe a little help from some family members, and a few close friends if they're lucky, look at a pampered, whiny, and basically good for nothing dude like trump, and somehow think he's one of them. How sad is that? -

Rev Ed - so well said!

Through Jesus, we get to his father God. Pray to Jesus every night at side if bed. You will see Jesus and God. Not the church, the Pope, the Bible,...

Christ taught via parable…telling stories that were designed to get people to think and realize for themselves to choose love and Grace. Christ has never forced his followers to do anything. He offers free choice…because, I believe he wants us to chose Him, choose Love, choose Grace, choose kindness. I thank god for your pastoring, your speaking the truth. How refreshing!!

Thank you, Rev. Ed for another spot-on message. Sadly, I have numerous relatives and friends who now fall into the category of Christian Nationalist and are impossible to be around or talk to. I have tried over and over again with solid evidence to show them how dangerous Trump, Christian Nationalism, MAGA and Project 2025 are. They will not listen, and frankly I have lost all respect for them and don't want to be around them. Everything that they stand for, is everything I am against. I myself am a liberal Christian. I was raised Lutheran and was taught Jesus' message of love and kindness, however, I am having a really hard time liking these people right now. I do pray for them, but I really don't want to have anything to do with them anymore. I want to honor God and feel like I am disappointing Him by feeling this way. Do you have any advice for me, or would you maybe consider doing a video on this topic of families being torn apart b/c of Trump and extremist views? I know that I am not the only one dealing with this issue. I know a lot of people who are at odds with family and friends since Trump came into the picture. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you and God bless you.

I really love how you finish!

Obviously they don't even believe in the power of God if they feel they need to enshrine faith into law.

I saw it too. You don’t have to convert, but you DO have to live under Christian Nationalist laws and government, like it or not.

Amen 👍👍👍👍👍

There are two questions which need to be asked. 1. What is the difference between a free man and a slave? 2. Is the servant of God a free man or a slave?

Gospel of LOVE. Do they love? If it's not love, it's not God.

Ed you have really got to the meat of the issue

Amen!!!¡

This is exactly what I have believed in a long time. Thank you for putting it into a great message. Jesus loves us enough to give us grace and free will and commanded us to love our neighbors. If we are living in honor of that type of love, shouldn't it be extended to our neighbors too?❤

To answer directly the question, I think I heard a while ago some of these claiming that Jesus is too woke.

Have you watched James Talarico? It’s thought provoking

I love history, I find it fascinating. Among the many things, history teaches us is that any kind of religious nationalism doesn’t work. It just becomes oppressive. Look what the Catholics and the Protestants did to each other in Europe. When the first European settlers, came here. they did so because they were being persecuted for their religious beliefs. if the founding fathers wanted there to be a state and or national religion, they would’ve incorporated it in to the constitution, they did not because they knew a mandated Christian Republic was complete folly.

Not even spiritual clones, because Jesus himself spoke about us all having different spiritual gifts.

What I find bitterly amusing about people like that, who want temporal power to "bring about the world God wants", is that, if they got it, it wouldn't be long before they'd be fighting amongst themselves over what God wants. For example, some would say drinking alcohol is contrary to God's will, but smoking is OK (I've heard that one IRL), while others would say neither is allowed, and yet others would say both are OK in moderation. Some would say they don't care about either, as long as they get their way over the hemlines of women's skirts. There would then be battles over whose theology is "correct" and which should hold the reins of power. I'm in no position to say what's in their minds or hearts, but their actions certainly say they are more interested in worldly power than in God's will.

🤠💜

This is something that came up when the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant making news, which led me on a wiki walk to the concept of an Islamic State, which much like the Christian Nation is the notion that the world's peoples can be united under a single philosophy. It's a bold notion, but creating such a state involves accommodating for the vast variety of people and outlooks and ideas, rather than forcing them to conform. Just as an Islamic state would have to provide unconditionally for people with different dogma, for people who are LGBT+, for people who like ham and cheese sandwiches, for people who work on the sabbath or listen to Black Sabbath, for people who are women. This may involve negotiating with scripture to allow for more liberty and equality, but so it was with all the texts regarding slavery. We know it can be done, and if such leaders are unwilling, then those leaders are not interested in an all-encompassing state. Authoritarianism (as I understand it) is about governance by force rather than by consent. It's an admission a state doesn't have its people's best interests in mind at its core, thus they have to be policed and suppressed, since this is invariably combined with scarcity and brutality (often fueled by corruption within the security- and ownership-classes), the people are invariably driven to renegade behavior, resistance and outright rebellion. This is basic COIN doctrine (COIN = Counter-Insurgency), and informs countless situations, historic and current. Palestine and the capacity for Hezbollah to provoke the state of Israel for one. Trump's inept efforts to suppress the George Floyd civil unrest and protests in 2020. And should Trump take office, he will never be able to sleep. Any functional global state would have to feature provision, compassion and tolerance, whether inspired by Christ, driven by Islam, or completely secular.

It almost seems as though they do not trust Jesus to know what is the best way to bring people to Him.