‘Christ is King’ under siege: Evangelicals warn phrase is being weaponized by hate groups
Evangelical leaders are banding together to reclaim the phrase “Christ is King” from extremist groups on both the far-right and far-left who seek to twist its meaning. The Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) at Rutgers has been at the forefront of identifying and predicting trends in misinformation, and their recent studies have shed light on how this phrase has been hijacked by online extremists.
The NCRI researchers discovered a concerning trend of actors like Nick Fuentes, a far-right Holocaust denier, using the phrase “Christ is King” to rally behind their political missions. This manipulation of a sacred Christian phrase has sparked alarm among religious leaders, who are determined to reclaim its true meaning.
The phrase “Christ is King” has a deep historical significance, dating back to Pope Pius XI’s institution of The Feast of Christ the King in 1925 as a response to nationalist and Communist ideologies threatening Christianity in the West. However, instead of serving as a spiritual guide, the phrase has been co-opted by both human and automated “bot” actors to spread messages counter to Judeo-Christian values.
Dr. Jordan Peterson, a Canadian psychologist and commentator, emphasized the dangers of allowing narcissists and psychopaths to use religious language for their own nefarious purposes. He warned that not everyone who claims to follow God’s teachings will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, highlighting the importance of discernment in the face of manipulation tactics.
Evangelical leaders like Rev. Johnnie Moore and Robert Stearns have spoken out against the hijacking of religious phrases for hateful purposes. They stress that “Christ is King” is a cry of worship, not a call to arms, and must not be distorted by extremist groups seeking to sow division.
Despite the efforts of fringe elements to co-opt Christian slogans for their own agendas, Moore and other religious leaders remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding the true values of Christianity. They refuse to let extremists tarnish the sacredness of phrases like “Christ is King” and stand in solidarity with their Jewish brothers and sisters against hate and antisemitism.
As Easter approaches, millions of Christians worldwide will unite in worship, reaffirming the true meaning of “Christ is King” and drowning out the voices of those who seek to pervert its message. By standing together in faith and solidarity, the Christian community sends a powerful message that love and compassion will always triumph over hate and division.
