That Dog Won’t Hunt: 5 Bible Verses Christian Nationalists Keep Getting Wrong

Romans 13:1 – “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities…”

How they use it:
“Obey the government. God put them in charge. So if we build border walls and ban books, it must be divine will.”

Why that dog won’t hunt:
Paul wasn’t writing a fan letter to Caesar. This was survival advice to a persecuted minority under Roman occupation. Context matters. Romans 13 isn’t divine approval for authoritarian theology – especially when the government is harming the poor, the refugee, or the queer kid just trying to live.

Besides, if Christians actually followed this verse the way they say others should, January 6 would’ve looked a whole lot different.

Matthew 10:34 – “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”

How they use it:
“See! Jesus was a warrior. That means open carry in church and crusade energy in Congress!”

Why that dog won’t hunt:
Jesus wasn’t playing Rambo. He was warning that following the Way of Love would upset empire, family dynamics, and status-quo comfort zones. The “sword” was metaphorical – not an AR-15.

If your takeaway from Jesus’ teachings is “violence is fine if it’s for the Lord,” I’ve got bad news: you’ve confused the Prince of Peace with a Proud Boy.

Leviticus 18:22 – “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman…”

How they use it:
To justify queerphobia while wearing blended fabrics, eating bacon, and skipping the part where Jesus never said a word about same-sex relationships.

Why that dog won’t hunt:
Leviticus is part of the ancient Hebrew purity code, not a Christian ethics manual. And unless you’re also following all 600+ laws in that code (looking at you, shrimp-lovers and beard-trimmers), maybe don’t weaponize one verse from it like it’s a divine mic drop.

Love your neighbor. That was the most important command.

Psalm 33:12 – “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…”

How they use it:
“America is a Christian nation. God bless our wars, our wealth, and our white Jesus.”

Why that dog won’t hunt:
This psalm wasn’t written about the United States (which, by the way, didn’t exist yet). It’s a Hebrew poem about divine faithfulness, not a MAGA slogan. Slapping it on bumper stickers and campaign ads doesn’t make it good theology – it just makes it idolatry with a marketing budget.

God isn’t American. And Jesus didn’t pledge allegiance to any flag.

2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people… will humble themselves and pray… I will heal their land.”

How they use it:
“This is why we need prayer back in school, drag bans, and ‘In God We Trust’ signs in every classroom.”

Why that dog won’t hunt:
This was a covenant promise to ancient Israel, not a license for the Moral Majority to run roughshod over religious liberty. Prayer isn’t a power move. It’s not a tool for Christian dominance. And land isn’t healed by forcing your faith on everyone else – it’s healed by humility, repentance, and actually doing justice.

Try feeding the poor instead of fearmongering about pronouns. That might move the Spirit a bit more.

Bonus Point: Just Because You Found a Verse Doesn’t Mean You Found Jesus

You can’t proof-text your way into righteousness.

Christian Nationalism is just empire theology in church clothes. It wraps fear in Scripture and sells it as salvation.

But real faith? It loves mercy. It does justice. It welcomes the stranger. And it never confuses power with holiness.

So next time someone throws a Bible verse like a brick, just smile sweetly and say:

“Honey, that dog won’t hunt.”