God and Country - (Christ in Everything) by John D Wilsey (Paperback)

About the Book

Nationalism: A patriotic virtue or a spiritual danger? God and Country uncovers the fine line between honoring one's nation and turning it into an idol--offering a biblical guide to navigating faith and national identity.

Book Synopsis

Is nationalism always a threat to Christian faith? In God and Country: Upholding Faith, History, and National Identity, John D. Wilsey argues that nationalism is a complex phenomenon with varied expressions, some dangerously opposed to Christianity, others potentially compatible with a biblical worldview. Wilsey demonstrates how nationalism can become a surrogate religion, even cloaking itself in Christian language, and illustrates that this danger isn't confined to one side of the political spectrum.

Examining the unique conditions that have fostered different forms of religiously-infused nationalism in America, this book surveys the origins and pitfalls of nationalism, offering a biblically grounded framework for thinking about God and country. Wilsey provides a crucial perspective for Christians seeking to navigate the treacherous waters of contemporary public discourse and love their nation without falling prey to its most dangerous excesses.

Review Quotes

"Is it appropriate for a Christian to have a patriotic zeal for the United States? John Wilsey gives a resounding 'yes' with warmth, optimism, and biblical grounding. His answer is a tour de force on the interplay between the doing of history, the pursuit of virtue, and one's love for country. The best part of this book is that it reads like a front porch conversation with the grandfather you deeply admire. John will teach you how to think about our nation's history through cemeteries, battlefields, the ordinary lives of extraordinary grandparents, and the writings of Cicero and Augustine. At the end of your journey, you will find your love for God and country rightly ordered."
--Randall Breland, senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Laurel, Maryland

"When I read John Wilsey, I think to myself: This is what a historian is for. This book will help you understand your faith, your walk with God, and your place in space and time. It will help you understand the world and your ancestors, and if you're like me, it will make you want to know them better and appreciate them more. If you want to be a more virtuous Christian and citizen, you want to read this book."
--James M. Hamilton Jr., professor of biblical theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"With careful reasoning, lucid prose, and fidelity to Scripture, John Wilsey has authored a wise and judicious guide to why history matters--and what it means for our great nation."
--William Inboden, director and professor, Hamilton School of Classical and Civic Education, University of Florida

"In today's political climate, Christian thinking on the government is often found in the extremes between an unhealthy nationalism and apathetic disinterest in secular government. John has provided a compelling framework to begin a new conversation about our relationship to government as Christians through a virtuous review of our shared history. His framework advocates celebrating the triumphs of the American experiment that align with values of God's kingdom while being sober about the sins of the past. John rightly encourages us to order our loves according to Scripture: God first, then neighbor. Nation then becomes a primary locale to live out our call to love God and neighbor well."
--Jared Jenkins, senior pastor, Risen Life Church, Salt Lake City, Utah

"Professor John Wilsey enters contested territory in this brave but important book. He contributes a great deal to our thinking on the question of God and country and the larger and pressing question of a proper patriotism for the Christian believer. To his great credit, Wilsey is concerned to identify and contend for a rightly ordered patriotism. That is no small achievement in this incredibly confused age."
--R. Albert Mohler Jr., president, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"In his new book, Wilsey argues that history is deeply relevant for people of faith and essential to Christian reflections on citizenship and patriotism. In an age of rapid cultural change, this book navigates both the positive and negative aspects of Christian nationalism. It is a tremendous resource for pastors and Christian leaders looking for an accessible and insightful introduction to these important and complex topics."
--Stephen O. Presley, senior fellow for Religion and Public Life, Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy

"We live at a time when many of the old certainties seem to be in flux. What is a nation? Is patriotism a good thing? Is history anything more than a narrative designed to justify contemporary political positions? Can we be proud of our country's history while still acknowledging its sins and failings? And where can we look for help in thinking through these issues? The answer is here. In this short but remarkably rich book, John Wilsey helps the reader navigate these and other issues with a cool and calm head. More than that, in a very important contribution, he draws upon the riches of classical theology and political theory to reinstate the category of virtue as vital for Christian thinking and witness in these strange times."
--Carl R. Trueman, professor of biblical and theological studies, Grove City College

"As Christians, we regularly proclaim that historical events from two millennia ago--Christ's incarnation, life, crucifixion, and resurrection--have immense significance for our lives today. But what might be less clear is how we should approach our own country's past as Christians--and why our historical reflections matter. How might we think about the history of our country faithfully and virtuously? What does well-ordered patriotism look like? And what is our obligation as Christians to the people of the past, both recent and farther removed? In this approachable and encouraging book, John D. Wilsey answers these questions, showing that 'if we are to love God and our neighbor aright, we have to think well about history.'"
--Nadya Williams, books editor, Mere Orthodoxy

About the Author

John D. Wilsey (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Professor of Church History and Philosophy and Chair of the Department of Church History and Historical Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.