Theological Journal – February 3 Moltmann Monday – Nationalism/Tribalism

In this piece theologian Jürgen Moltmann makes a frontal assault on the heresy of nationalism, a heresy which has distorted and disabled Christianity in the most profound of ways. I add “tribalism” to “Nationalism” because in our day the breakdown of national entities into various “tribes” is a prominent and growing reality. The same dynamics that fuel nationalism also drive this tribalism.


I take heresy rather narrowly as any teaching that substantively compromise either one of or both of the two ecumenical creeds definitional of Christianity: the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds. The former expounds the mystery of the trinity; the latter the mystery of the incarnation. 


Does “nationalism/tribalism,” really qualify as a heresy? How does it compromise these ecumenical creeds? First, what is nationalism”? A dictionary definition will do:

-spirit or aspirations common to the whole of a nation.

-devotion and loyalty to one's own country; patriotism.

-the policy or doctrine of asserting the interests of one's own nation viewed as separate from the interests of other nations or the common interests of all nations.

The first definition is both natural and non-problematic. The second begins to edge toward difficulties, especially bringing in the notion of patriotism. Because with patriotism almost inevitable comes the privileging of one’s own homeland, its interests, security, and future as more desirable and important than other nations. So our question becomes is nationalism, particularly in this last and most expansive form, compatible with our definitional creeds? Or, to put in another way, is nationalism compatible with the church? And the biblical view of the church is a necessary inference from the triunity of God and the incarnation of Christ.


Classically the church has been described with four markers: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. Nationalism/tribalism, I contend, violates each of these markers.

-Unity: our connection to one another in Christ is our unifying reality. Any other form of unity we may experience with other entities, groups, or movements are conditional upon, trumped by, and must be given up (if necessary) for our unity in Christ. Nothing and no one may qualify or constrict this unity.

-Holiness: the church exists to embody and manifest God’s holiness. As we see in Jesus divine holiness reaches across boundaries, customs, taboos, and perspectives that would bind us in unities less than or inimical to our unity in Christ into one body reflecting the universal love, mercy, and justice of God.

-Catholicity: the church is worldwide. Its boundaries are the four corners of the globe. Its membership every tongue, nation, and people whatever color, gender, sexual orientation, or age they mat be. No one may be excluded from its fellowship. Even enemies are loved and welcomed in this community.

-Apostolicity: the church is a people with a mission. God sends it to spread the boundaries of his people to their intended worldwide scope. It respects and does not invalidate the cultures, perspectives, and customs of the various peoples it reaches but rather seeks to redeem them (in so far as possible) in their differentness to redound to the glory of their Creator and Redeemer who glories in the wondrous diversity of his creation.  

Moltmann reflects these classical marks of the church in the following comments:

-“The church of Christ is present in all the people on earth and cannot become 'a national religion'." 

-"The church of Christ ecumenically embraces the whole inhabited earth. She is not a tribal religion, nor a Western religion, nor a white religion, but the church of all humanity." 

-"The church of Christ is not national, but it is a church of all the nations and humanity."


This seems simple and self-evident. And it ought to be. Basic Christianity 101. Tragically, it is anything but.

Nationalism/tribalism is the virulent heresy currently troubling the church. We must do everything we can to combat and overcome this disease. Perhaps the cure begins with something simple like repeating the Apostles’ Creed every day. Saying this Christian Pledge of Allegiance can remind us of our true identity and vocation as God’s “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic” people”

“I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.”

One cannot, I submit, internalize this commitment to the Maker and Redeemer of “heaven and earth” and exercise a partiality for only one part of that creation, restrict God’s goodness and favor to one group of people, or believe that ultimate well-being will be restricted to less than all God has created.    
  

“Resurgence of nationalism is a 'setback for humanity', says German theologian Jürgen Moltmann,” (https://www.christiantoday.com/article/resurgence-of-nationalism-is-a-setback-for-humanity-says-german-theologian-jurgen-moltmann/133756.htm?fbclid=IwAR2qQmefO2H1EOBgreGoqEIl4DhWRoSgBgd6m3CYK15fGD2AMpplrQqskyg)