David Ritchie's Why do the nations rage? The demonic origin of nationalism gives us a timely account of the biblical connections between "the nations", "the powers and principalities" and "idolatry". With a pastoral heart and a keen theological mind, Ritchie writes a book that every Christian in America needs to read. He explores what is perhaps the problem of life in America for faithful followers of Jesus Christ: The idolatry of Nationalism.
The biblical realism of Ritchie's account is one that theological conservatives will find speaks a language they can understand. And the crisp theological critique of what St Paul calls "the principalities and powers of this world" echoes the biblical drama of salvation that centers on Jesus Christ -- in a way that modern theological liberals will find engaging. In short, the religious fervor that betrays so much modern American nationalism will find in this book a deep and abiding critique that deserves to be heard. And demands repentance from those same modern American Christians who bow at the altar of political power in the name of their faith.
Since that religious fervor is so clearly evident, the critique of modern American idolatry is well-founded. And, again with a pastoral heart, Ritchie helps us envision repentance and a turning from the ways of Nationalism.
That's what makes Part V, "Where do we go from here?", the most important section of the book. Ritchie gives us a roadmap of discipleship. "Contending with false gospels" and "the powers" will require disciples of Jesus Christ who are willing "to preach against nationalism [which] is to preach against the powers themselves, and when these powers attack, they tend to fight back with a vengeance" (p. 134). The way forward is the way of Jesus -- that is, the way of spiritual warfare. We Christians in America must repent of our political haughtiness, our political in- and out-fighting. We must adopt the politics of Jesus, the politics of a faithful hope that rejects temporal (and therefore demonic) power.
In short, we Christians must live and preach "the gospel of our Crucified King" until, in Ritchie's own words, "that final day when the vicious reign of the powers is brought to a consummated end."
By the end of this book, my heart was converted. That's why, without any reservation, I say this is the book Christians in America must take up and read in 2022.
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I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review here.