Vol. 23 No. 2 (2026): April - Witness Amidst Confessional Plurality and Nationalism

This issue takes up the vexing reality of multiple Christian traditions co-existing amidst nationalistic contexts. Many Christians can be perplexed as to why numerous traditions not only persist but seemingly keep multiplying. Moreover, people outside the Christian faith cannot help but ask why Christian groups cannot seem to agree with each other. Also, Christian traditions relate differently to the state(s) within which they exist. Some offer unwavering support, others criticize, some resist, others begrudgingly comply, and many try to ignore. Governments also differ in how they expect or demand loyalty from religious groups—but all states require some measure of compliance. Given today’s seemingly rising number of nationalistic settings with autocratic leaders that both demand ultimate loyalty and do not wish for antagonistic religious groups, how churches can best give appropriate witness to Jesus Christ within settings of confessional plurality and nationalism is a widespread and practical challenge.