Merriam-Webster defines nationalism as "loyalty and devotion to a nation." How is that different from patriotism? According to most sources, the difference is one of degree/intensity. Again, Merriam-Webster tells us that nationalism implies "exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups." see https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationalism Unlike patriotism, nationalism tends to exclude others/foreigners and has been known to cause conflict with other nations. Nationalism is the antithesis of having a globalist or cosmopolitan outlook - it is more parochial, inward looking and self-interested. And, contrary to what is currently being preached in many pulpits, nationalism cannot be reconciled with the teachings of New Testament Christianity!
When Jesus Christ was standing before the Roman Governor of Judaea accused of trying to overthrow Caesar's government, he said: "My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world." (John 18:36) In other words, the Kingdom of God (the focus of his message and the goal of his followers) was not a part of this world or any of the nations which comprised it.
Moreover, this notion of Christ and his followers NOT being a part of this world or its nations runs deep within the writings of the New Testament canon. Paul wrote to the saints at Philippi: "For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior." (Philippians 3:18-20)
Likewise, the author of the epistle to the Hebrews elaborated on this same concept. After citing the righteous examples of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, the author wrote that "All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." (Hebrews 11:13-16)
Thus, while it is possible for a Christian to also be a citizen of one of this world's nations, the New Testament teaches that true Christians have a higher loyalty - a loyalty to Christ's Kingdom - a loyalty that transcends any earthly citizenship. Christians obviously exist in this world, but it is also apparent that Christ didn't intend for his followers to immerse themselves in it (see John 17:15-21).
Now, there is certainly nothing wrong with loving one's country and being loyal to it. However, we should all be able to see that viewing our brothers and sisters in Christ who happen to hail from other nations as inferior or aliens is inconsistent with the principles outlined above (and with Christ's commandment to love them). If one is completely devoted to the cause and interests of one nation over all others, that person has effectively separated themselves from the body of Christ and the Kingdom of God. After all, it is also a basic tenet of the Christian religion that a person cannot effectively serve two masters (see Matthew 6:24).
And, finally, we must never forget that the prayer which Jesus modeled for his followers explicitly implores "May your kingdom come soon" (see Matthew 6:10). Hence, when we really ponder these things, we realize that it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say that true Christians are supposed to be praying every day for the overthrow and replacement of the nation in which they currently reside!
Yes, nationalism is a seductive concept, and many Christians have been enticed into adopting it. Nevertheless, as with all of the other "isms" that we could name, it is not really consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ or his apostles. Indeed, when we examine the Judeo-Christian Scriptures with an open mind, we are forced to conclude that the very concept of nationalism represents the antithesis of basic Christian theology!
God must be the Ultimate Nationalist! "My Kingdom" and the "Citizens of Heaven" eagerly awaiting the Savior to whisk them away from the sinful outsiders where they shall ever be separated from for all eternity! "...people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.(Hebrews 11:13-16)" Sure, salvation is open to all but you must submit to an infallible authority first and foremost. And let's not forget that Salvation shall go to the Jew first! Now, could God also be considered an ethno-nationalist too? How is God's "chosen people" not a racist concept? I'm just doing some reframing here with some tough questions for you to address.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I consider myself a CIVNAT. Are you equating Globalism as being truer to the concept of Christianity? Don't you see the problem with that? Since all governments are run and maintained by humans, they are potentially ripe for corruption. Now imagine a scenario where we have a corrupt One-World-Government.
DBP,
ReplyDeleteI believe "nationalism" and "globalism" are both flawed human concepts that both also have a few admirable aspects/goals. Is Almighty God a nationalist or a globalist? In my opinion, NO - neither one. Now, to be sure, we could get cute with semantics and say that the Kingdom of God has a globalist outlook, OR that God's attitude toward Israel was overtly nationalist in nature. However, once again, we would be projecting our notions of these human systems onto God. Personally, I would say that I have what many would consider a globalist perspective on some issues (e.g. environmental cooperation and free trade) and a nationalist perspective on others (e.g. the preservation and perpetuation of this Democratic Republic). Nevertheless, as my post relates, there is a difference between nationalism and patriotism (and what I feel for the USA is better described by the second term).
As for Israel, few things have been more misunderstood in Scripture than the subject of what God was/is doing with that nation. They were God's people in the sense that they were supposed to be God's tool for introducing himself to the rest of humankind, and an example of what God could do for the whole earth. And, although they rejected God and his purposes for them over and over again, God did use them to introduce himself to the world and sent our Savior to them. In other words, being God's chosen people didn't mean that they were superior to everyone else, and that they had been singled out for special treatment because they were smarter, stronger or more righteous than other folks. I believe that salvation through Christ is available to the whole of humankind, and that God will one day forge all of the nations of the world into one Divine Kingdom - a human one-world government could never duplicate that.
*getting cute with semantics*
ReplyDeleteHey, I didn't write the Bible, nor am I trying to re-write it. It is what it is. Keep in mind that the majority of mankind would still prefer to use a "Holy Book" as a weapon than as a "lamp" for illumination. And some people would say that God is an human invention of fantasy but that does not mean that there is some kind of Cosmic Consciousness that actually exists.