Love, Not Fear
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31)
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White Christian Nationalism has emerged as a powerful and dangerous force in too many of our churches today. It is a distortion of the Christian faith, rooted not in love, but in fear and exclusion. It elevates one race, one nation, one identity, over others, often using the name of Jesus to justify its actions. But let us be clear: this is not the gospel. This is a perversion of Jesus’ message, which calls us to love without borders, serve without discrimination, and build a world rooted in justice and compassion.
Professor and author Dr. Kristin Kobes DuMez writes in her book, Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation, “Christian nationalism—the belief that America is God’s chosen nation and must be defended as such—serves as a powerful predictor of intolerance toward immigrants, racial minorities, and non-Christians.”
At the heart of Christianity is Jesus’ commandment to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves. White Christian Nationalism denies this commandment, choosing division over unity and power over humility. It confuses faith with allegiance to a nation or political ideology, turning the teachings of Jesus into a weapon of exclusion rather than an invitation to love. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. warned, “Any religion that professes to be concerned about the souls of men and is not concerned about the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them, and the social conditions that cripple them is a spiritually moribund religion.”
Jesus consistently sided with the marginalized, the oppressed, and the excluded. He dined with tax collectors, healed the sick, welcomed women and children, and broke bread with those considered unclean. He preached a kingdom where the last would be first and the first last. White Christian Nationalism, in contrast, uses the faith to build walls rather than bridges, to protect privilege rather than extend welcome.
We are called to stand against this distortion of our faith. Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” Following Jesus means choosing love over fear, justice over complicity, and truth over distortion. It means rejecting any ideology that diminishes the humanity of another, especially one that does so in the name of Christ.
The way of Jesus is a way of humility, not supremacy. It is a path of love, not fear. And it is a journey toward justice, not exclusion. If we are to be faithful to the teachings of Christ, we must actively resist White Christian Nationalism and its harmful ideologies. We must stand with those who are oppressed, speak out against injustice, and embody the radical inclusivity of God’s kingdom.
This is not easy work, but it is holy work. It requires courage, conviction, and a commitment to the gospel’s true message: that all people are made in the image of God, and that the way of Jesus is the way of love.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
How have I seen the teachings of Jesus distorted in ways that exclude or harm others?
What steps can I take to educate myself and others about the dangers of White Christian Nationalism?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for Courage and Truth
God of Justice and Mercy,'
You call us to love without limits,
To stand against injustice, and to walk humbly with You.
Help us to reject ideologies that distort Your gospel,
And to live as witnesses to Your love and truth.
Grant us the courage to speak out,
The wisdom to discern what is right,
And the compassion to build a world that reflects Your kingdom.
In the name of Jesus, who came to set the captives free,
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Living the Way of Love
Today, reflect on the ways Jesus called His followers to love and serve others, especially those who are the “stranger.” Choose one intentional act that reflects this love—whether it’s reaching out to someone different from you, supporting an organization that works for justice, or engaging in a difficult but necessary conversation about faith and inclusion.
Let this practice remind you that the way of Jesus is one of inclusion, courage, humility, and love—a way that actively resists hatred and division while building bridges of inclusion and understanding.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
January 12, 2025, 3-4:30pm ET - Join me for a FREE conversation on “Progressive Islam – Universal Values vs. the Politics of Human Rights – What’s the Difference Between a Progressive Muslim and Other Muslims?” with Ani Zonneveld. Register here.
February 6, 7-8pm ET - Join my conversation “Mindful Healing: Tools For Inner Balance and Wellbeing” with Rev. Dr. Isa Gucciardi. Register here.
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Mark your calendars for now. More info is coming.
Recently, I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.