A Christian Critique of Christian Nationalism with David Ritchie

Theology on Tap Chattanooga

What if we understood nationalism as a religion instead of an ideology? What if nationalism is more spiritual than it is political? Several Christian thinkers have rightly recognized nationalism as a form of idolatry. In this TOT lecture, David A. Ritchie , author of the book Why Do the Nations Rage?, will argue that nationalism is inherently demonic as well. Through an interdisciplinary analysis of scholarship on nationalism and the biblical theology behind Paul’s doctrine of “powers,” Ritchie's lecture will uncover how the impulse behind nationalism is as ancient as the tower of Babel and as demonic as the worship of Baal. Moreover, when compared to Christianity, Ritchie will show that nationalism is best understood as a rival religion that bears its own distinctive (and demonically inspired) false gospel, which seeks to both imitate and distort the Christian gospel.

David A. Ritchie serves as the Lead Pastor of Redeemer Christian Church and an Instructor of Religion at West Texas A&M University. In his scholarly research, Ritchie interrogated how nationalist movements operate less like a political ideology and more like a spiritually-charged religion. This research culminated in the writing of his book Why Do the Nations Rage? The Demonic Origin of Nationalism, published in 2022 by Wipf & Stock Publishers. This fall he will be presenting a paper at the American Academy of Religion annual meeting entitled “Sketching a Christology of Nationalism: How Nationalism Utilizes Messianic Characterizations to Elicit Spiritual Devotion and Religious Affection.” Ritchie is a highly engaged leader in the West Texas community, serving on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations and ministries, including the Refugee Language Project and the Redeemer Network. David is married to Kate, and together they live in Amarillo, Texas, with their three sons, Solomon, Samuel, and Simon Peter.