Show-Me State Times

Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) delivered a keynote address at the National Conservatism Conference, titled "The Christian Nationalism We Need." In his speech, he outlined his vision for the future of the conservative movement and the nation, drawing on historical and religious references.

Hawley began by invoking Seneca's wisdom: “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” He cited Augustine, the Christian bishop of Hippo, whose work "The City of God" he described as inspiring Western civilization for millennia. Hawley asserted that Augustine's vision introduced a new kind of nationalism—Christian nationalism—centered around common purpose and love rather than conquest and fear.

“We are a nation forged from Augustine’s vision,” Hawley stated. He emphasized that this vision is defined by Christian values such as dignity, love for God, family, neighbor, home, and country. Addressing potential critics directly, he said: “And some will say now that I am calling America a Christian nation. And so I am. And some will say I am advocating Christian nationalism. And so I do.”

Hawley contrasted what he called Augustine's Christian nationalism with other forms of nationalism throughout history, which he claimed led to negative outcomes like blood-thirsty conquest and ethnic hatred. According to him, Christian nationalism has provided moral guidance and cherished ideals in Western society.

“Because of our Christian heritage,” Hawley continued, “we protect the liberty of all to worship according to conscience.” He argued that this tradition welcomes people of all races and ethnic backgrounds into a nation united by shared loves.

He further contended that "Christian nationalism is not a threat to American democracy," but rather its foundation. Hawley urged conservatives to recover the principles of this tradition for America's future well-being: “The Christian political tradition is our tradition; it is the American tradition; it is the greatest source of energy and ideas in our politics—and always has been.”

Hawley criticized modern Leftist movements for attempting to replace traditional bonds with new ideologies over the past fifty years. However, he also expressed disappointment in contemporary conservatism: “But it is the Right that is failing this country most acutely.”

In conclusion, Hawley called for a recommitment to defending core national values such as work, home, and religion as essential components of unity and national identity: “For the future...this must be our mission: defend the loves that unite our country; defend the loves that make us a country—defend the common man’s work, the common man’s home, and the common man’s religion.”

He reiterated his belief in these foundational loves as enduring sources of national strength since Augustine first articulated them.