The Reformed Alliance gathered in Nordhorn for its General Assembly. Rev. Dr Hanns Lessing, Executive Secretary for Communion and Theology at the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), delivered a presentation titled “Christian Nationalism and the Reformed.” His address came as the Assembly focuses on “Law and the Rule of Law from a Reformed Perspective”, a theme chosen in response to member requests to address the rise of right-wing extremist movements in Germany.
The Assembly, which took place September 24–26, 2026, was hosted by the Evangelical Old Reformed Church in Nordhorn, the first time this congregation has hosted. Participants also celebrated the presentation of the newly revised Reformed Liturgy (2026), a standard work for structuring Reformed worship services.
Greetings from WCRC
In his greeting to the Reformed Alliance, Lessing welcomed the Assembly and its theme, “Law and the Rule of Law from a Reformed Perspective,” noting that Reformed churches have different experiences of the rule of law: some live under reliable legal protection, while others face danger for speaking out. Marking the fortieth anniversary of the Belhar Confession, he recalled how Reformed Christians in South Africa resisted apartheid and a theology that justified it, reminding us that even injustice can be enshrined in law. He distinguished between experiences of alienation, where people feel unheard, and injustice, where rights fail to protect, calling for participation and access to justice respectively. Drawing on Karl Barth, Calvin, and Hans Dombois, he affirmed that God’s sovereignty limits human rule, that the neighbour’s dignity is unconditional, and that belonging has material prerequisites. The Church must stand with those who suffer injustice, submit its own institutions to scrutiny, and practise the Belhar Confession through listening, patience, and courageous action.
Confronting Christian Nationalism
Lessing examined how Christian nationalism, particularly in its Reconstructionist form, seeks to reorganise society based on Old Testament laws. He traced its lineage to Christian Reconstructionism, founded by R.J. Rushdoony in 1965, which advocates for “theonomy”, the application of biblical law as state law.
Lessing drew a distinction between Reconstructionism and the Neo-Calvinism of Abraham Kuyper. While both affirm God’s rule over all of life, Kuyper’s “sphere sovereignty” holds that family, school, academia, economy, church, and state each have their own God-given mission. No institution may dominate the others. Lessing noted that by contrast, reconstructionists believe the state should enforce biblical laws for all; a “limited state” that does not guarantee freedom but rather enables repression.
Global Perspectives
Lessing emphasised that Christian nationalism is not exclusively American. In Zambia, President Frederick Chiluba declared the nation Christian in 1991; when he later invoked a “covenant with God” to secure a third term, the Zambia Council of Churches, including Reformed and Presbyterian members, joined the Oasis Forum to oppose mixing religion and politics. In Samoa, the Constitution declares the nation Christian while protecting religious freedom, raising the question of how non-Christians are truly included.
A Theological Critique for the Rule of Law
Lessing offered three criteria directly relevant to the Assembly’s theme:
The Limitation of Human Power: Citing the Barmen Theological Declaration of 1934, he reminded the Assembly that Jesus Christ is the one Word of God, and political powers must not be regarded as an additional revelation.
The Justice of State Law: Citing the Heidelberg Catechism and the Westminster Confession, he argued that the state cannot enforce religious commandments on those who do not share the faith. The Christian origins of a law do not justify its imposition on all.
The Recognition of a Living, Changing Creation: Drawing on Pacific theology’s “Moana perspective,” he challenged rigid binaries that equate God’s will with a static social order.
Reformed Resistance
Lessing applauded the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for adopting a position against white Christian nationalism in 2026, proposing a constitutional amendment rejecting any ideology that seeks to establish Christianity as a privileged force through state power.
He urged congregations to examine how they speak about their own country, defend the rights of religious minorities, and ensure church leadership remains accountable.
“Christian faith is permitted to have a public impact,” Lessing stated. “However, its witness loses credibility where it shields political power from criticism. Precisely because Christians place their hope in God, they must not grant unlimited power to any state, any political leader, or any church.”
Read the full presentation here.
Translated from German with DeepL
