I’m not sure if people have been following the recent discussions from the key players in the modern Postmillennial movement (yes, I'm making a distinction), often shared with the more recent Christian Nationalist project, but things are not faring well for the movement. The shelf life seems to be expiring on a movement that has no real direction, cohesion, or plan to bring in the Postmillennial vision outside of social media perceptions of grandeur and in house fighting among Christians which now seems to be aimed at each other.
James White and Stephen Wolfe are now being characterized as being at war with each other, resulting in Jeff Durbin from Apologia “reneging” on his agreement to speak with Wolfe at the upcoming “Right Response Ministries” conference stating, as the reason, “a lack of godly wisdom and interaction displayed by Stephen Wolfe, among other concerns.” Doug Wilson and Stephen Wolfe argued publicly over the “White Boy Summer” video that appeared to many to promote pro-Nazi sentiments. Wilson expressed criticism; Wolfe called for tolerance. It’s clear there are fundamental differences between the two. As one podcast decried, “We have the theonomist crowd, the Moscow crowd, the Ogden Utah crowd, the Apologia Crowd, the Gab crowd, etc. This is an unnecessary war that we don’t need right now.”
It seems to me that three groups have formed out of what was intended to be a united, Postmill front for the remaking of Christendom: 1) The Moscow CN “Moderates,” 2) the CN “fundamentalists,” and 3) the CN Ethnocentrist/Kinist “extremists.” Whatever the case, the movement appears to be fracturing. As was expressed by another, “what we seem to have is a fight of over market share, not market size.” And that, well, makes sense. Market share, who gets it? There is a real struggle going on here for power, and precisely which version of the coming Christian reset of America will rise to supremacy, and which figure will rise to the top. And how again does anyone expect them to create a Christian nation if they cannot get along among themselves? The movement is clearly divided within itself. As Jesus expressed, such a divided house will be unable to stand together.
To be brief, there are a few reasons why the present version of Postmillennialism/Christian Nationalism will not endure as a cohesive movement:
1. The current movement is, inherently, one that has been created on the internet, within social media platforms. As Lloyd Jones lamented in “Preachers and Preaching” that most political movements to Christianize society are just talk. That’s it, just talk. That this talk has been mostly confined to the echo chambers of the internet is without question. It’s loud and obnoxious, and gives the perceptions of grandeur and progress, attracting many, but what has been accomplished? This grass roots, current and trendy postmillennialism, is confined to the internet and has only provided for people a cause that has not translated to real and positive change in society. This should be very concerning when evaluating any movement.
2. The current movement has no unified vision. Ideals? Indeed. But you can’t start a grass roots movement on theories alone, of merely what we “want” without actual implementation. It’s one thing to hold to the political theory of our fathers who lived within Christendom, when Christian ideals were accepted and praised. But is quite another situation when we have to use wisdom and engage the government in the unique anti-Christian setting in which we find ourselves. We may champion past ideals as the “golden age," but what exactly is the vision when the political situations in which we find ourselves do not afford us what we “want?” What then? We are still waiting for a blueprint, from Scripture, as to how accomplish this present version of Postmill/CN, in light of our present political context.
3. It’s unclear how the current movement is demonstrating faith that “Jesus is Lord” in the face of opposition. If “Jesus is Lord” and “every square inch” lies under his dominion, it’s hard for us to see how spending the day arguing online and complaining about the wicked is doing any good for society in general. We can respect those who are actually on the ground attempting to, positively, make changes in society. This is welcomed. But it’s hard for many to see how this is remotely being achieved when most of the spearheads of the movement are gathering masses of young men who sit in front of a screen all day long, commenting and fighting over their favorite hero’s new and controversial provocation about our corrupt society. Productive people aren’t doing this. True leaders of a genuine movement must have “foot soldiers,” not seat warmers who champion the cause from the arm chair. Fighting opposition requires the backwards approach of going out and becoming a servant, even to our enemies. This is far from being witnessed.
4. The current movement is too driven by big name personalities that shape tribal identities. When this happens, people tend to find their identity in these personalities, and expect change to occur only and in so far as they support them. The character of these figures establishes a pattern of behavior in their followers. This forms new tribal groups like the ones mentioned above, who go to war with each other in defense of their own loyalties and distinctive. What we have seen in this current movement is an abrasive, angry, fighting group of young men who are always living in controversy surrounding the key figure head of their group. There’s too many examples of this to cite here.
5. The current movement hasn’t shown us what it means to love our enemy and take the gospel to them in concern for their salvation. We are left here to be witnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. With all the pressures against Christ to become a political hero and revolutionary, he stayed focused on exercising his authority to forgive sins (see Matt. 9). The current movement has left the impression among Christians that the most pressing ideal and mission of Christians in our day is the retaking of political power. This can in no way be supported biblically.
6. The current movement has focused our hearts on saving the earthly city, which is promised to be burned (2 Pet. 3). The city that has foundations, that God has built for us, is the one we are expressly commanded to seek in the Scriptures. While we care for the earthly city as good citizens, seek its welfare and pray for it success, and promote involvement, as salt and light, as much as we are able, we are expressly told to set our minds on things above where Christ is.
7. The current movement has made us unprepared for the second coming, as it advances that Jesus cannot return until all the nations are all Christianized. This has disoriented believers and robbed them of their hope. The blessed return of Christ will provide for us everything that the present movement is attempting to bring into this present evil age. Present disorientation regarding our hope, cannot create a unified cause for good.
Abounding Grace Radio