Christians and Nationalists

[Bootstrap]

If one is a Christian and a nationalist, are they automatically a Christian Nationalist?

What is the definition of a nationalist?

According to Webster's Dictionary:

nationalism

an ideology that elevates one nation or nationality above all others and that places primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations, nationalities, or supranational groups.

That comes in various strengths, from rooting for your country in wars and the Olympics to pledging allegiance to the flag to more extreme forms like fascism. Some of these are inclusive - "all of us here are Americans, we belong together", others are more exclusive - "if you disagree with me or have a different culture or subculture or political party, you are not really an American!"

Christians are people who seek first the Kingdom of God. So how does that relate to nationalism?

Is it possible to prioritize the interests of a nation while also seeking first the Kingdom of God? If so, what would that look like?

[Soloist]

I think that definition is lacking what people are identifying as Christian nationalism because under that definition, we should all be Christian nationalists promoting the kingdom of God.

[Anthony]

From the circles ive been in, most serious christian nationalists think similar to radical islamists, where Christianity is the foundation of laws and the laws are enforced harshly. Its not really about “I love america and im a Christian too”, its more like “I want to turn america into a Christian sharia state”.

With the definition above I think its possible to seek the kingdom of god and support the state, as they meld into one. I dont think this leads to anything good (looking at byzantine orthodox christianity, previous calvinist experiments), but thats how i imagine a Christian nationalist experiment to go.

[JohnH]

Is it possible to prioritize the interests of a nation while also seeking first the Kingdom of God? If so, what would that look like?

No, which is one reason I'm a Christian and an Anabaptist. The interests of different nations are necessarily in conflict with one another, much as the interests of a wolf and a sheep are often not in alignment.

[Bootstrap]

I think that definition is lacking what people are identifying as Christian nationalism because under that definition, we should all be Christian nationalists promoting the kingdom of God.

Which is it?

[ohio jones]

I think that definition is lacking what people are identifying as Christian nationalism because under that definition, we should all be Christian nationalists promoting the kingdom of God.

Christian nationalism as generic civil religion is one thing, misguided but relatively mild. It should be distinguished from radical American Christian Nationalism (I'll call it ACM) as a somewhat recent movement in its present form.

ACM seeks to read contemporary fundamentalism back into the founding documents (hence the inclusion of the constitution in the Trump bible, for example), claim that America was divinely established as a Christian nation superior to all others, and attempt political strategies to Make America Christian Again. There's not a set of clear boundaries, more a matter of degrees, but a lot of overlap with NAR theology, white supremacy, xenophobia toward immigrants, islamophobia, patriarchalism, dominionism, conspiracy theories, etc. At its center is a quest for organized power, electing Christians (or ideologically aligned non-Christians) and getting them appointed to places of influence. Christians should rule over others and should impose Christian values for the benefit of Christians.

In radical ACM, the wall of separation between church and state comes down, or at best is a one-way barrier: The state may not tell the church what to do, but the church dictates the state's agenda.

[Soloist]

I think that definition is lacking what people are identifying as Christian nationalism because under that definition, we should all be Christian nationalists promoting the kingdom of God.

Which is it?

Which is what?

[JohnL]

And how would the term patriot fit into a discussion of nationalism? I know there’s a commonly used definition and a formal definition but how does the term patriot fit into the larger picture for Anabaptists?

[barnhart]

And how would the term patriot fit into a discussion of nationalism? I know there’s a commonly used definition and a formal definition but how does the term patriot fit into the larger picture for Anabaptists?

I can't answer for everybody but I am careful to avoid that terminology. Patriot comes from the latin word for father, and points toward acknowledging the state as my source and my identity. I already have a father who produced me and and who claims my identity, so it would be dishonest to grant that to another.

[barnhart]

I agree with Ohio Jones, the root of CN is the combination of church authority and state power to control the choices and freedoms of non- Christians or non-aligned Christians.