NATIONALISM AND CHRISTIANITY
June 28, 2007
by: jovial_cynic
by: jovial_cynic
After a back-and-forth exchange on one of my favorite pro-conservative blogs, I was asked to expound on a particular position I held -- namely, that there is a scriptural basis for my opposition to nationalism.
For starters, it's probably a good idea to get some definitions on the table. So, with a nod to the good folks at Merriam-Webster, here's the definition of nationalism:
1: loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially : a sense of national consciousness 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
I encountered a fantastic example of such nationalism last year. Here's the main bit again:
What does it mean to be American you ask? I think most of us go on with our lives not thinking about what it truly means to be an American. If you can take a moment, and really think about what it is to be a true American, you should instantly feel this sudden overpowering sense of being proud to be apart of something great.
...
If reading this gives you the impression that I am in fact a racist, all that shows is how closed-minded you truly are. I would like to point out one ethnic group that in my opinion, a threat to our way of life, Mexicans.
This sense of national or ethnic pride makes little sense. The whole concept of "our way of life," when it comes to national or ethnic identity is really a slice of a larger statement: "Our way of life is better than your way of life." Such a claim asserts that one can create a value judgment on a culture and create a hierarchy of cultures based on that judgment.
Preferences are great - I prefer vanilla over chocolate, and I prefer Mexican food over Italian food, but to say that I prefer en masse one culture over another is a little weird (since we're now talking about people), and to say that one culture is better than another just screams ignorance and xenophobia.
From a Christian perspective, the case against nationalism is firmly rooted in the issue of sinful pride. A believer is called into humility, such that one does not consider themselves greater than another, but rather takes on the role of servant. And what does the Bible specifically say about humility? Here are a few verses:
Psalm 149:4 - For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.
Proverbs 3:34 - He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.
Proverbs 15:33 - The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 27:2 - Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.
Philippians 2:3 - Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
And on and on it goes. Humility is a primary theme throughout scripture, and is one of the most defining characteristic of a believer. To be Christ-like (as believers are called to be) is to be humble; what greater act of humility is there than to assume the role of a servant and to die in the place of those deserving of death, so they may live?
If believer are called to be humble, and to consider others greater than themselves, what sense does it make for believers to join together in a group, or club, or as a nation and jointly assert that other groups, clubs, or nations are inferior? Where does the disconnect occur between individual humility and corporate pride?
Such pride has no place in the Christian mindset. It is inappropriate at every level, and only serves to create division.
For starters, it's probably a good idea to get some definitions on the table. So, with a nod to the good folks at Merriam-Webster, here's the definition of nationalism:
1: loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially : a sense of national consciousness 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
I encountered a fantastic example of such nationalism last year. Here's the main bit again:
What does it mean to be American you ask? I think most of us go on with our lives not thinking about what it truly means to be an American. If you can take a moment, and really think about what it is to be a true American, you should instantly feel this sudden overpowering sense of being proud to be apart of something great.
...
If reading this gives you the impression that I am in fact a racist, all that shows is how closed-minded you truly are. I would like to point out one ethnic group that in my opinion, a threat to our way of life, Mexicans.
This sense of national or ethnic pride makes little sense. The whole concept of "our way of life," when it comes to national or ethnic identity is really a slice of a larger statement: "Our way of life is better than your way of life." Such a claim asserts that one can create a value judgment on a culture and create a hierarchy of cultures based on that judgment.
Preferences are great - I prefer vanilla over chocolate, and I prefer Mexican food over Italian food, but to say that I prefer en masse one culture over another is a little weird (since we're now talking about people), and to say that one culture is better than another just screams ignorance and xenophobia.
From a Christian perspective, the case against nationalism is firmly rooted in the issue of sinful pride. A believer is called into humility, such that one does not consider themselves greater than another, but rather takes on the role of servant. And what does the Bible specifically say about humility? Here are a few verses:
Psalm 149:4 - For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.
Proverbs 3:34 - He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.
Proverbs 15:33 - The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 27:2 - Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.
Philippians 2:3 - Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
And on and on it goes. Humility is a primary theme throughout scripture, and is one of the most defining characteristic of a believer. To be Christ-like (as believers are called to be) is to be humble; what greater act of humility is there than to assume the role of a servant and to die in the place of those deserving of death, so they may live?
If believer are called to be humble, and to consider others greater than themselves, what sense does it make for believers to join together in a group, or club, or as a nation and jointly assert that other groups, clubs, or nations are inferior? Where does the disconnect occur between individual humility and corporate pride?
Such pride has no place in the Christian mindset. It is inappropriate at every level, and only serves to create division.