Many people have identity issues.
Many Christians residing in America have an identity problem related to both being American and being Christian.
Being American / Being Christian
It is possible to both be American and Christian. It is not, however, possible to fully pledge one’s allegiance to nation as that act necessarily makes nation one’s primary commitment.
Jesus made it clear that all who follow the Way of Jesus seek first the kindom (kingdom / realm / reign) of God. As citizens of the kindom of God, Christians labor with God as co-creators of a world that is marked by love, peace, and justice. Making real the realm of God on earth as it already is in heaven is boundary shattering work that enables the flourishing of all peoples and includes caring for all of creation.
No to Nationalism
Yesterday was Independence Day. In many ways it was like every other Independence Day in my lifetime. In a few ways, however, it was unique.
I’ve read more articles and been a part of more conversations about what might happen in the American capital on July 4 this year than I ever expected. And, I’m left with images of what did happen that are unlikely to fade quickly, including a President speaking behind rain streaked ballistic glass, attendees in red caps proclaiming Make American Great Again, military assets flying overhead and being staged on the ground, and the presence of the infamous oversize baby Trump balloon.
Christians living in America responded to these and other Independence Day celebrations in a wide variety of ways. Thankfully, most such activities were appropriate. Others, however, were troublesome.
While some degree of patriotism is permissible, nationalism is never an acceptable approach for those who follow the Way of Jesus.
Merriam-Webster defines nationalism as
loyalty and devotion to a nationespecially : 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 suprantional groups
Nationalism is Counter
While I was processing all of the above and going about my day yesterday on July 4, I was reading Lenny Duncan’s new book Dear Church: A Love Letter from a Black Preacher to the Whitest Denomination in the US (Fortress Press, 2019).
I tweeted a few quotes from his book, including
Realistic Patriotism
In contrast to nationalism, Merriam-Webster defines patriotism as “a love for or devotion to one’s country.”
Thomas Reese, an American Catholic Jesuit priest, suggests that realistic patriotism is one way Christians residing might choose to frame their relationship to nation, especially on holidays such as Independence Day. In a piece he wrote for Religion News Service, Reese offered this insight:
Americans need to embrace a more mature and realistic patriotism, one that recognizes that everything is not perfect but that there is still something worth celebrating. We must learn to love America without being blind to its faults. This love must be shown not by ignoring America’s problems but by dedicating ourselves to dealing with them.
Patriotism should not depend on perfection. It should not depend on great leaders. Patriotism is a commitment to a dream that America can be better, that the vision of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law is something worth striving for.
So What?
I am an American. I was born in this country and have called it home for my entire life. I’ve never been labeled as a nationalist, and rarely been viewed as patriotic.
I am a Christian. I do my best to faithfully follow the Way of Jesus. While my understanding of what this means has evolved, my commitment has been steadfast.
For those who are Christian, nationalism is not an option. A wide range of patriotism, however, is permissible – including the sort identified above as mature and reasonable.