Revival and nationalism

 

There is an unavoidable ongoing relationship between nationalism and Christian revival in the UK. I’m writing just after the latest Tommy Robinson Unite The Kingdom protest in London.

Remember, I’m left-leaning politically. I’m naturally minded to oppose excessive nationalism and jingoism, so I have to ‘unbias’ myself as much as I can.

One of my friends recently said, “I thought it was more British to be critical of nationalism”. I did too. In my book I conclude that Christian nationalism, though it is exclusive itself (specifically of immigrants and other minorities), is a position a person can take and which has often been taken in the past. The right are constantly telling the left that we are not inclusive at all (basically when we exclude them). And the right hate to be called far right or racist. But still, I simply have to acknowledge that God does not exclude patriots.

There is a sense in which revivalists want the best for their country. The love of country is not divorced from revival. If we want things to get better here (as many of us do) and we look to God for help in that, then we are kind of patriots too (despite our criticisms).

Is Tommy Robinson a Christian? And is any politician who claims to be a Christian necessarily really a Christian? Or are they using the faith to gain support? To woo the believers’ votes (or money)? I’m not convinced that Reform Ltd or Restore are really going to make things better or that their policies are even that radical. Anarchy is more radical. Farage once said: “No-one loves this country more than me.” Is that true? Does anyone else love Britain more than Nigel Farage? Anyone? I wonder if Nigel was lying?

You know, I’m getting bogged down. I’ll cut to my point. I don’t really like the manipulations of nationalists but concede that they shouldn’t be excluded from any revival. Nor, by the way should immigrants here. Or Muslims. Or Jews. Or Hindus. Or anyone else. Maybe politicians should, but that is an ongoing debate. But we are all under God, who does not discriminate.

The right are constantly telling the left that we are not genuinely inclusive at all. Maybe we should prove them wrong? Try to love the unlovable and all that? Love our political enemies?

But I’m getting bogged down. What some of us want to see is not more integration of faith into right-wing nationalism but a genuine, inclusive revival for all. A revival which will help and heal the UK. The UK is never going to be in unity. I’m sorry, but it isn’t. But things can get better here. ‘Believe in better’ as the Sky tagline says.

Or else watch the Disney Channel until this whole thing blows over.  (As an aside, some of the Disney Channel is quite dark you know?)

Anyway, I’ve got my eyes, ears and nose peeled for anything else necessary to be written about.

Preferably a big miracle, God.