National anthems, national flags, national holidays, national heroes, nationalist parties... the list of things that exalts a nation - however small - is long.

Every international football match shows us what national fervour is capable of. Although it may seem that the exaltation of the national has always existed, this is not the case. A short trip into history will tell us otherwise.

While nationalism as an ideology has roots throughout history, its modern form began to emerge in the 18th century.

The concept of ‘nation’ as a political community based on popular sovereignty and a shared cultural identity was introduced during the French Revolution (1789). This movement promoted the idea that citizens owed their allegiance to the ‘nation’ rather than to a family, a monarch or God.

Throughout the 19th century, nationalism spread across Europe, fuelled by unification movements such as the Risorgimento in Italy, the unification of Germany under Bismarck, or a few decades earlier the restoration of Greek independence.

In the age of social media, with its viral slogans, nationalism has returned with a vengeance and an almost religious fervour

These movements sought not only the creation of nation-states, but also the vindication of cultural and linguistic identities, often at the expense of ethnic minorities. Romanticism also played a crucial role, glorifying the history, folklore and language of each nation.

In the 20th century, nationalism became a powerful and destructive political force.

The two world wars were, in part, the result of nationalist conflicts exacerbated by the desire for territorial expansion and the affirmation of national superiority.

Nationalism was also instrumental in the post-World War II decolonisation, when many nations in Africa and Asia sought independence on the basis of national identities.

In the contemporary era, nationalism has resurged. The debate over globalisation and the proven incompetence of a European Union in the hands of a caste of bureaucrats has revived discussions about national sovereignty and cultural identity, showing that nationalism remains a dynamic, controversial and sometimes destructive force in the modern world.

 

The roar of nationalism

In the age of social media, with its viral slogans, nationalism has returned with a vengeance and an almost religious fervour.

But what happens when this nationalist fervour becomes more than just an emotional attachment to the homeland? What happens when the homeland becomes an idol, demanding absolute loyalty and sacrifices that defy divine commandments? How do we behave as Christians in the face of a state that demands more and more attention and power?

The Bible provides a framework for understanding and dealing with this dilemma. God's law must be the basis of all human law, even in matters of state and nation. Every state is potentially a beast that needs to be dominated by control mechanisms in order not to harm and ultimately become a monster.

 

The golden calf of our time

The Bible warns us of the sin of idolatry with shocking stories. Remember the story of the golden calf (Exodus 32), when the people of Israel, impatient for the absence of Moses, decide to create a god they could see and touch.

Isn't modern nationalism a contemporary version of that sin? The nation, with its flags, anthems, heroes and founding myths, becomes an object of worship, unleashing a moral and spiritual blindness.

In the story of the golden calf (Exodus 32), the people of Israel, decide to create a god they could see and touch

The phrase ‘this is the god who brought you out of Egypt’ is rather like ‘this is the nation to which you owe allegiance’ or ‘you are nothing, your nation is everything’.

There is a real danger that a state can become an idol. And the Christian is not exempt from this danger.

An example of this devastating nonsense of blind nationalism is the most recent war in Europe. Hundreds of thousands of Russians and Ukrainians are dying needlessly in a war fuelled by vile, hypocritical and malicious nationalism.

And it becomes even more tragic when the Christian churches on both sides become servile instruments of their respective governments, sold out to anything but the interests of the nation, let alone those of God. We must remember that the first commandment, ‘You shall have no other gods before me’ (Exodus 20:3), must be the guiding principle in our personal and collective lives.

When the nation is exalted to divine status, we are violating this commandment, substituting national glory for the glory of God. And ‘divine’ also applies to a non-denominational, secular, socialist, atheist, fascist or other ideological state.

 

The role of nations

Before addressing some of the dangers of nationalism, it may be helpful to reflect on the biblical view of nations.

In his speech in Athens, Paul reminded his listeners that, regarding the nations, God had ‘marked the boundaries of their habitation’ (Acts 17:26). In other words, God allows nations to rise and fall in the landscape of history and then fall back. History teaches us the transitory nature of even the greatest nations and empires.

Throughout history, each of the nations of the earth has considered itself permanent, claiming divine favour for its security. But they all lasted only for a season and then ended up in the dustbin of history.

 

Citizens of heaven

The Christian is defined first and foremost as a citizen of the Kingdom of God, according to Philippians 3:20 where we read: ‘Our citizenship is in heaven’. This statement is not just theological; it is a practical challenge to live our lives in any nation with the values of the Kingdom of God.

From a biblical perspective, loving, respecting and caring for our region or country of origin does not yet make us nationalist

Loyalty to Christ must surpass any loyalty to the flag, the anthem or the national leader. A Christian must be willing to sacrifice his life for Christ and His Kingdom, but not for the whims of the ruler of the day and his delusions of a ‘holy nation’ with its supposed ‘historic mission’.

Daniel, thrown into the lions' den, and Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego into the fiery furnace (Daniel 3 and 6), are tangible examples of this loyalty. They chose to die rather than worship a king or his statue.

 

Biblical patriotism

To avoid misunderstanding: from a biblical perspective, loving, respecting and caring for our region or country of origin does not yet make us nationalist.

Jeremiah urges the Jews deported to Babylon to seek the ‘peace’ of the city (29:7). The word is shalom which is best translated here as ‘well-being’.

God is explicitly referring to the ‘city’, not the ‘empire’. And the reason is also interesting: well-being for the city means well-being for the whole world.

The Bible invites us to a constructive cooperation, while maintaining a healthy distance from power.

 

A divided world

In a world where borders are again becoming walls, where ‘us against them’ has become the norm, where each side exalts its own, the Christian faith offers us a radical alternative.

We do not identify with one side or the other. We add, we do not divide, and instead of walls we build bridges.

Beyond national boundaries there is the bond we have with Christians in every country on earth: we are part of God's people.

National pride must never compete with the bonds that unite us in the Body of Christ, because there is a danger that radical loyalty to one nation will bring us into conflict with believers in other nations.

We must never forget that if my country ceases to exist tomorrow, this world will continue. Two thousand years ago, the Lord Jesus stood before a Roman governor and declared: ‘My kingdom is not of this world’ (John 18:36). That should settle the question of whether any nation is indispensable to God's purpose.

Our primary bond as believers is not with those who live within a particular geographical boundary, speak a specific language or wave a particular flag.

Our primary bond is with all who have Jesus as their Lord, for with them we will spend eternity. And one thing is clear: in heaven there will be no national flags, no territorial fights.

José Hutter has been a pastor in an evangelical church in Madrid, Spain. He served as Chair of the Theology Group of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance.