Rhett McLaughlin, the co-founder of the popular "Good Mythical Morning" channel, makes a startling claim that cuts against the grain of modern American evangelicalism: the pursuit of political power is not a fulfillment of Christian duty, but a direct betrayal of Jesus's teachings. In a conversation with Alex O'Connor of Cosmic Skeptic, McLaughlin argues that the current Christian nationalist movement has fundamentally misunderstood the nature of the Kingdom of God, turning a spiritual mission into a political conquest. This is not a dry theological debate; it is a diagnosis of why so many believers are losing their faith in the very institutions they once trusted to save them.
The Kingdom Is Not of This World
McLaughlin anchors his argument in the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, a moment often glossed over by those seeking political dominance. He points to John 18, where Jesus explicitly states, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting." McLaughlin notes the stark contrast between this refusal to engage in earthly combat and the modern Christian embrace of political warfare. "You don't get that anywhere from Jesus," he asserts, highlighting how the movement often conflates the New Testament church with the Old Testament nation of Israel, a theological error with dangerous political consequences.
The author's reasoning here is compelling because it strips away the cultural armor many Christians have built around their faith. By focusing on Jesus's refusal to let Peter cut off the ear of the high priest's servant, McLaughlin illustrates that the early Christian mission was defined by non-violence and spiritual separation, not by the consolidation of state power. Critics might note that this interpretation ignores the complex relationship between the Old and New Testaments, where God did establish a theocratic nation. However, McLaughlin counters that Jesus represents a fulfillment that transcends these political structures, rendering the "chosen nation" model inapplicable to modern America.
"This embrace of political power and thinking that that is the answer... is a complete misunderstanding of what Jesus was talking about."
The Temptation of Power
The conversation shifts to the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, where the devil offers him "all the kingdoms of the world" in exchange for worship. McLaughlin identifies this as the most critical text for understanding the current crisis. He argues that Jesus's rejection of this offer—"Be gone, Satan"—was not just a personal moral victory but a blueprint for the church's relationship with authority. "This is presented as a temptation of Satan to fall for this," McLaughlin explains, suggesting that the very desire to control earthly governments is a spiritual trap.
This framing is powerful because it reclassifies political ambition not as a neutral strategy, but as a spiritual danger. McLaughlin observes that the more Christians have chased political influence, the more they have aligned themselves with leaders who embody the opposite of Jesus's character. "I'm saying that it is explicitly called out as something that will take you away from actually doing the work of God," he states, challenging the notion that electing a Christian politician is a valid method for establishing God's kingdom on earth.
The Dilemma of the Faithful Voter
Despite the strength of his theological critique, McLaughlin acknowledges the practical difficulty for believers who care about their country. He addresses the common counterargument that God established kings in the Old Testament, clarifying that this was a specific historical context that does not translate to modern democracies. "That dog won't hunt," he says, dismissing the idea that America is a new Israel. Yet, he leaves the listener with a difficult question: If political power is a temptation, how should a Christian engage with the world?
He suggests that the drive to install a Christian worldview through government often stems from a lack of faith in God's ability to work without human coercion. "When you feel like the people in power politically have to represent your worldview, it indicates that you're fearful that if that wasn't the case that God couldn't do what he needed to do," McLaughlin argues. This insight reframes political activism not as a virtue, but as a symptom of spiritual anxiety. While he does not call for total political abstention, he warns against the belief that the church's mission is to seize the reins of state.
"The more that Christians have embraced this pursuit of political power, the more they have embraced political leadership that looks a lot less like Jesus and a lot more like the devil himself."
Bottom Line
McLaughlin's argument is a necessary corrective to the conflation of faith and partisanship, offering a rigorous biblical case that the Kingdom of God operates on a plane distinct from earthly politics. Its greatest strength lies in its ability to reframe political ambition as a spiritual temptation rather than a strategic necessity. However, the piece leaves the practical application somewhat open, offering a powerful "why" for disengagement but less clarity on the "how" for believers who still wish to influence their communities without betraying their core tenets.