The ascended Christ reigns over the church and all societies but in different ways. In truth, the only "Christian nation" is the body of Christ as it is dispersed throughout all peoples and in all times. Confusion on this point has resulted in far-reaching consequences.

via www.christianitytoday.com

Here is a refreshing article about an issue that often produces more heat than light.

To call a secular nation, "Christian" is problematic, not just for the non-Christians living within its borders, but for the church.

It means relinquishing power, uniqueness, and universality. It means submitting the Lordship of Jesus Christ to the authority of governments. It means suppressing conscience and subjugating the priesthood of the believer to tribunals of men.

The church of Jesus Christ is a Kingdom enterprise. The Kingdom of God has but one Ruler. Governments come under His reign directly, not under the authority of His churches and representatives.

England was a Christian nation by its own definition and, as a result, populated the new world with believers who did not fit their definition of "Christian." These felt compelled to flee the persecution they experienced and got as far from homer as possible to "work out their own salvation with fear and trembling."

Jesus did not give His redemptive mission to nations. He gave it to the church. In America, the church has enjoyed great freedom and autonomy because many of our Christian forefathers recognized that while a nation could be comprised of many Christians, adopt just principles such as those found it the scriptures, and treat all humanity with equality (and evolving concept), it could not, in and of itself, be Christian.

Even if it calls itself Christian, it will fall as short of being so as a Christian donut or a Christian car.