--- title: "Flag, faith and kingdom: engaging with Christian nationalism" date: 2026-05-07T15:05:00+01:00 author: Zanna Meynell canonical_url: "https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/events/politics-briefing-flag-faith-and-kingdom-engaging-with-christian-nationalism" section: Pages --- The term Christian nationalism is growing in salience within public discourse and affecting local communities and church fellowship, but what is it and how does it impact Christians’ gospel witness? Last autumn Peter Lynas, UK director at the Evangelical Alliance wrote a [commentary](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/christian-nationalism-in-the-uk-a-contest-for-the-nations-soul) in response to the Unite the Kingdom march and described four types of Christian nationalism in a UK context. The issue touches on topics of national identity, belonging, power and Christian witness in public life. It also presents a missional moment for the church to teach the ways of Jesus and the kingdom of God — it’s a discipleship moment for both believers and society more broadly. We are excited to be joined by Rev Dr Helen Paynter, Baptist minister and public theologian, on the rise of right-wing extremism in the West and the intersection between scripture and violence. **This webinar is designed to resource church leadership teams in how to disciple, respond pastorally and equip Christians with a biblical framework to engage in political debate and discourse.** ## Event contributors: [ ![Evangelical Alliance Square 10](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) ![Evangelical Alliance Square 10](https://cdn.eauk.org/people/_800x1066_crop_center-center_82_none/Evangelical_Alliance_Square-10.jpg) Peter Lynas UK director ](#peter-lynas) ![Evangelical Alliance Square 10](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Evangelical Alliance Square 10](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ### Peter Lynas #### UK director Peter oversees the advocacy team and the work of the Evangelical Alliance across the four UK nations. He is passionate about faith in the public square and leads the Being Human project with Jo Frost. He previously worked as a barrister in Belfast before studying theology at Regent College in Vancouver, where he serves on the board. Peter is a regular media commentator, is married to Rose, has two daughters, and loves running. [ ![Danny Webster](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) ![Danny Webster](https://cdn.eauk.org/people/_800x1066_crop_center-center_82_none/Danny-Webster.jpeg) Danny Webster Director of advocacy ](#danny-webster) ![Danny Webster](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Danny Webster](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ### Danny Webster #### Director of advocacy Danny joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2008 and has held a range of roles in the advocacy team. He currently leads the advocacy team's work across the UK, including public policy work and engagement with the parliaments and assemblies, and respective governments. Before working for the Evangelical Alliance, Danny, who has degrees in politics and political philosophy, worked in parliament for an MP. Danny is passionate about encouraging Christians to integrate their faith with all areas of their life, especially when it comes to helping them take on leadership roles outside the church, and helped initiate the Evangelical Alliance's Public Leadership programme. He frequently provides comment on current political issues, both in Evangelical Alliance publications and to the press. [ ![Helen Paynter](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) ![Helen Paynter](https://cdn.eauk.org/people/_800x1066_crop_center-center_82_none/Helen-Paynter.jpg) Helen Paynter ](#helen-paynter) ![Helen Paynter](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Helen Paynter](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ### Helen Paynter Helen Paynter is a Baptist Minister (BUGB) who works as tutor in biblical studies at the Bristol Baptist College. She is the founding director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence. #### Event details: Tuesday 2 June 7pm — 8:15pm **Zoom link will be sent the week before the event to all registered attendees** Error: Please check your details and try again. If this error continues, please contact us. Thank you! Your registration has been submitted successfully. Loading... Keeping your data secure is very important to us. By providing your personal details you agree to allow the Evangelical Alliance to contact you either on the basis of the consents you have given us or for our Legitimate Interests in accordance with current data protection regulations. We will never make your personal data available for marketing purposes to external individuals or organisations. For more information view our [privacy policy](/privacy-policy) or email [info@eauk.org](mailto:%20info@eauk.org). [ ![Christian nationalism in the UK: a contest for the nation's soul?](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Pope notitle250913 np Gel](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/pope-notitle250913_npGel.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/christian-nationalism-in-the-uk-a-contest-for-the-nations-soul) [#### Christian nationalism in the UK: a contest for the nation's soul? ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/christian-nationalism-in-the-uk-a-contest-for-the-nations-soul) Peter Lynas outlines the debate on Christian nationalism in the UK, and asks how Christians can respond in faithful, hopeful and prophetic ways [ ![Peter Lynas](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/peter-lynas) [ Peter Lynas ](/author/peter-lynas) 23 September 2025 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/christian-nationalism-in-the-uk-a-contest-for-the-nations-soul) [ ![A deep dive into Christian nationalism in the UK](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![CS s11 e4 YT Thumbnail 1 A 3](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/CS-s11-e4-YT-Thumbnail-1A-3_2025-11-18-154347_spwu.png) ](https://www.eauk.org/resources/our-resources/videos-and-podcasts/cross-section/a-deep-dive-into-christian-nationalism-in-the-uk) [#### A deep dive into Christian nationalism in the UK ](https://www.eauk.org/resources/our-resources/videos-and-podcasts/cross-section/a-deep-dive-into-christian-nationalism-in-the-uk) Christian nationalism explained [ Find out more ](https://www.eauk.org/resources/our-resources/videos-and-podcasts/cross-section/a-deep-dive-into-christian-nationalism-in-the-uk) [](https://www.eauk.org/resources/our-resources/videos-and-podcasts/cross-section/a-deep-dive-into-christian-nationalism-in-the-uk)