UK Theologians and Researchers Debate Use of Christian Nationalism Label

The term "Christian nationalism" is increasingly appearing in British political and media discourse, prompting theologians and researchers to question its utility in the UK context. Luke Bretherton, a professor at the University of Oxford, has advised Church of England bishops against using the term, arguing that it lacks theological significance and functions primarily as an ideological tool. He suggests that importing the label from the United States, where it is often used to stigmatize or identify political factions, misinforms the faithful.

Nick Spencer of the think tank Theos agrees that the term is often used vaguely to describe any opposition to a liberal secular worldview. He notes that the UK's unique constitutional arrangement—where the Church of England is established by law and bishops serve in the House of Lords—makes American definitions of the term difficult to apply. A recent Theos survey of 1,765 UK adults found that 17 percent of respondents agreed to some extent that being Christian is a requirement for being "truly British." Despite concerns over the term's accuracy, Spencer suggests that because the label is already in use, it requires careful qualification and clarification.