Chosen Nation: Scripture Theopolitics and the Project of National Identity: 13 (Theopolitical Visions)

Christian teaching and modern sensibilities both eschew nationalism as an extreme fanatical form of patriotism an excessive or disordered form of an otherwise healthy and proper national identity. But what if the problem of nationalism is something much more fundamental? What if nationalism is actually the process leading to national identity in the first place? And what happens when this process entails selectively appropriating and reinterpreting the Christian tradition for the sake of the envisioned nation? This book takes up these questions within the context of American Christian nationalism. Here the process of interweaving the Christian narrative with American history and myth is examined in depth through a thorough engagement with scholarship on nationalism and within a framework shaped by contemporary theopolitical studies and the biblical narrative. The study aims to discern how the Christian Scriptures and theological tradition have been used by Christians themselves to further what amounts to an alternative gospel. In so doing this book charts a path for the church to evaluate itself honestly in light of Christs lordship repent and learn to tell its story more truly. It would be hard to overstate the importance of this book. Taking the work of Yoder Hauerwas and Cavanaugh a crucial step further Anderson explores why and how nationalism--particularly in America--is so often bred nurtured and promoted as political good news in and by the church itself through distorted readings of the biblical narrative thereby fundamentally compromising the churchs witness. . . . Churches and Christians in all nations must heed carefully the compelling argument of this book. --Douglas Harink Professor of Theology The Kings University College Edmonton Author of Paul Philosophy and the Theopolitical Vision (Cascade 2010) This is a creative and challenging exploration of the issues controversies and challenges that surround questions of Christianity and nationalism. Braden Anderson makes an original and important contribution to debates on whether and how being a Christian affects other identities loyalties and priorities. His exploration of Scripture political theology and contemporary issues makes this a rewarding book for scholars pastors and lay leaders. --Michael L. Budde Professor of Catholic Studies and Political Science Senior Research Scholar Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology DePaul University Chicago Author of The Borders of Baptism (Cascade 2011) Braden P. Anderson earned his PhD in Theology and Society from the Department of Theology at Marquette University. He also completed previous graduate degrees in theology from Marquette and in political science from the University of Kansas.