Nationalism and the Fourth of July
Nationalism, when unrestrained by morality, has been terribly wicked. But the improper use of a thing does not negate its proper use.
Is nationalism a good thing or a bad thing?
Yes.
Clear as mud, right? But "yes" is really the only appropriate answer, because it is not an either/or question. It is far too complicated to be a binary choice. The Oxford English Dictionary has this definition for nationalism:
Advocacy of or support for the interests of one's own nation, esp. to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations. Also: advocacy of or support for national independence or self-determination.
The second definition is especially important today, as we celebrate our secession from the British Empire. The Fourth of July is an explicitly nationalist holiday. But what about the other definition of nationalism? Is it bad to pursue the interests of our own nation above the interests of others, especially in a national security context? No. I believe in the principle of America First, and that our elected leaders' most important responsibility is the well-being of their own people.
Granted, nationalism can be used for evil, and has been throughout history. Obviously I do not agree with all forms of nationalism, and some forms are overtly wicked. Nationalism unrestrained by the morality of God's Law can be terribly dangerous. The Assyrian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan and the Soviet Union are all examples of the horrors done by making the nation into an idol. But the improper use of a thing does not negate its proper use. Putting the interests of our own country first does not mean we invade, exploit or subjugate other nations.
Obviously, we need to have our primary loyalty be to God, never the nation. That is how we can love these United States by calling it to repent - of chattel slavery, of abortion, of the genocide of native tribes, the internment of Japanese Americans, and many more examples too numerous to list here. The nation must never have priority over God and His Law. This is why I hate the notion of "my country, right or wrong." That's how you get the Holocaust, the Armenian Genocide and the Rape of Nanking.
But on a basic level, putting the interests of your own country above the interests of other countries is not a bad thing. Nationalism, when properly directed and subordinate to God's Law, is not different from love of fatherland and the duty to nation. Love of fatherland and duty to nation can also be perverted into horrible sins, and have been throughout history.
But even properly directed, Christians must be very careful to not mix nationalism and the Church. The goal of national political leaders should be nationalist, but the Church's mission is saving lost souls, teaching Christians how to live for God's glory, and preaching God's Law into the broader culture for the purpose of repentance. The Church should never be subordinate to nationalism or political causes. This is because our citizenship is ultimately not with these United States. (Or for Christians all around the world, citizenship wherever they happen to be.) Our ultimate citizenship is in the Kingdom of God, a spiritual kingdom that transcends political boundaries. Our final loyalty is and must be to King Jesus and His Church.