We're pilgrims, brother. Consider

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The Muslims understand this definition of nationalism. They even have an acronym for it. That acronym is NOI, which stands for the Nation of Islam. They define the "Nation of Islam" to be all the Muslims throughtout the world, regardless of which country they live in or which country they come for from. Christians need to understand this, and openly unite in the same manner.

Agree. Historically, at least in the Protestant/Reformed tradition, we call it the 'visible church' --

Confession of Faith: The Orthodox Presbyterian Church

We

That's true, we're dual citizens. The secular (temporal) State operates on the principle of Justice / Natural Law and the eternal Church operates on the principle of grace. The two institutions have different means and different ends. Our humanity informs the former, and our Christianity informs the latter. Justice is not a particularly Christian goal or procedure.

I call it the Nation of Christ

Yes and justice flows from God's moral order and law. As I have mentioned elsewhere in this larger conversation, all magisterial law and action follows some kind of moral standard. It can't help but do this. So then we have to ask, which ought it to be? It cannot be neutral. And a Christian moral standard of justice and civil order is the most ideal because it is the only one that is most in accord with reality and most honoring of Christ. I know that various people within CN have different visions for what a Christian nation is, but what I mean to argue here is a pretty plainly Scriptural and standard historical view in which the civil magistrate weilds the sword of justice, protects private property, and, most importantly, acts as a protector and promoter of the True Religion. From what I have gathered of @Laser 's posts, I think this is where he is at too, but I won't speak for him.

I'm in the same place. I think the State needs to be brought down in size about 1000x and repurposes to uphold a basic Christian order.

I agree that there neither is, nor can be, any 'neutrality.' But there is and must be a difference between the common kingdom (which is governed by justice--as revealed in the hearts of all men, and which 'does not bear the sword in vain') and the redemptive kingdom, whose purpose is the promulgation of the gospel (and which does _not_ grasp after the sword to accomplish its end). The highest standard of jurisprudence in human history didn't come from a Christian culture, though God gets the credit for what the reformers called the 'light of nature' or 'natural law' and is given by God's common grace to all. The American Presbyterians were right to revise the Westminster Standards to reflect this 'two kingdoms' scenario. Justice is the inheritance of every human (the Law of Nature) and is not a uniquely Christian concept. I don't want the secular state to speak on ANY ecclesiastical matters and I don't want my church to handle ANY civil matters--anyone who would want either of these things hasn't learned from the endless English civil wars, then later on the conflation of church and state in the U.S. since the progressive era. See WCF 23.3 on the church: ``` 3. Civil magistrates may not assume to themselves the administration of the Word and sacraments; or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven; or, in the least, interfere in matters of faith. Yet, as nursing fathers, it is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the church of our common Lord, without giving the preference to any denomination of Christians above the rest, in such a manner that all ecclesiastical persons whatever shall enjoy the full, free, and unquestioned liberty of discharging every part of their sacred functions, without violence or danger. And, as Jesus Christ hath appointed a regular government and discipline in his church, no law of any commonwealth should interfere with, let, or hinder, the due exercise thereof, among the voluntary members of any denomination of Christians, according to their own profession and belief. It is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the person and good name of all their people, in such an effectual manner as that no person be suffered, either upon pretense of religion or of infidelity, to offer any indignity, violence, abuse, or injury to any other person whatsoever: and to take order, that all religious and ecclesiastical assemblies be held without molestation or disturbance. ``` And WCF 31.4 on the state: ``` 4. Synods and councils are to handle, or conclude nothing, but that which is ecclesiastical: and are not to intermeddle with civil affairs which concern the commonwealth, unless by way of humble petition in cases extraordinary; or, by way of advice, for satisfaction of conscience, if they be thereunto required by the civil magistrate. ```