Patriotism and Nationalism: these two terms express related but distinguishable human attitudes and behaviors which have existed in human societies far back into antiquity.
Nationalism is defined by Webster, as “identification with one's own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.”
Patriotism, on the other hand, is defined as “love of one’s country; or devotion to the welfare of one’s country.”
The tribal societies of antiquity, including those described in the Bible, were clearly of the “nationalist” variety. The Old Testament prophets railed against the “nationalism” of Israel out of a patriotism or love for their country. They understood, along with Jesus of Nazareth as portrayed in the New Testament, that to be “patriotic” was to demonstrate the love of God for all people. To see themselves as God’s “chosen” people was not a sign of privilege, but of responsibility. They were chosen to demonstrate what it meant to be God’s people, to be “Patriotic”, that is, to love & be proud of one’s country precisely because it kept high ethical & value standards toward “every nation (people) under heaven.”
So today we can properly call our country “Christian” only if it sets high standards of value & behavior – love & justice - for all persons of every race and tribe (“nation”) under heaven.
This places a high calling on all Americans who identify themselves as “Christian,” to express their patriotism through acts of love and justice; of valuing all persons and demanding that their government do likewise. Only then can we claim to be patriots but not nationalists, and thus, true followers of Jesus & the prophets.