The kind of nationalism we see expressed in Raising the Colours and Unite the Kingdom expresses genuine desires. We sometimes identify those desires in terms of identity, comfort and security
We see the need for identity when people look for a cause to belong to and a nation that they can be proud of. The need for comfort is seen in that sense that sections of society have been left behind, failing to benefit from economic growth and the technological revolution. Note too that AI and the loss of skilled and semi skilled opportunities also undermines identity and worth. Fear is stirred up against a supposed threat of migrant invasion especially when that’s linked to criminality. Our need for security is challenged.
I’ve talked previously on Faithroots about Subversive Fulfillment as an approach to missiology.
The Christian Nationalist approach represents part of this. It captures the idea in the proclamation “Christ is King” that only he can truly meet those needs for identity, security and comfort. We need to make him our king. Christian Nationalism sees Christ as the hope who will defeat our enemies, restore our national pride and as we learn to follow his law, we will find peace, provision and protection, individually and collectively as a nation.
However, it misses the subversive bit. The full methodology recognises that our desires are orientated against God, they are idolatrous. We look for our desires to be met in the wrong places.
Subversion means that as well as pointing to Christ as the one who fulfills desires, we need to call people to repentance. This means turning away from the kind of idolatry that puts our hope in the nation and that seems to dehumanise and scapegoat the oppressed and vulnerable immigrant.
If you want to look further into subversive fulfilment and urban mission, have a read of Hope For the city.
If you want to learn more about Christian Nationalism, check out, Against Christian Nationalism.
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