Chosen Nation

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 Christ's 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 church's witness. . . . Churches and Christians in all nations must heed carefully the compelling argument of this book."" --Douglas Harink Professor of Theology The King's 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.