Fear and Trembling: My First Foray Into "Ethno-theology"
Embryo Parson Posted on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 07:12PM Fear and trembling because of the very real prospect of being misunderstood. But a foray it must be, since present realities in Western Europe and the Anglosphere will eventually compel the Church to open up a frank and serious, which is to say platitude-free, discussion about it.
First, from an Orthodox perspective, and as Anglicanism like Orthodoxy is organized along national lines, of special interest to us: Orthodox Ethno-Theology and the Forced Demographic Replacement of Eastern Europe;
Next, a better-quality article written from a Reformed perspective: A Biblical Defense of Ethno-Nationalism;
Lastly, an excellent cautionary article from Aaron Wolf at Chronicles magazine: Incidentally White.
Is there a "biblical doctrine of nations"? The platitudinous, politically correct answer is "no". Since I've so described the "no" answer, you'll know what my answer is. If I'm right, it's time we start talking about it. By my lights, it is eminently possible to answer "yes" and not commit oneself to a racist position.
Reader Comments (12)
I have stated my beliefs concerning race many times on other blogs, I shall do so again.
I believe Europeans, whether in Europe or in the former colonies, to be intellectually, culturally, and morally superior to all the races on earth. However, this God given superiority does not give us the right to dominate the other races without a just cause. Nevertheless, it is our God given right and duty to defend our culture and heritage against all enemies both foreign and domestic...........especially self-loathing white liberals and belligerent brown or black aggressors. I exercise my Second Amendment Rights on a daily basis.
Well, I'm in agreement with you on our right and duty to protect our culture and heritage, and I too exercise the right to keep and bear arms on a daily basis. Regarding European culture, I would echo William Bennett when he says that we defend it "because it is good, and it is ours." However, as I noted in the blog entry about Aaron Wolf's article "Incidentally White", it's a "cautionary" piece, meaning that he argues that whatever superiority European culture may evidence is more likely due to Christian influence than racial factors, though I would add the influence of Greco-Roman pagan philosophy and culture as well. We Europeans were once barbarians, and given current trends I don't think it's beyond the realm of possibility that we could return to barbarism some day, or that God could someday make a high culture out of a current Third World culture. He can, after all, create sons of Abraham from stones.
So, I would find speaking in terms of ethnic or cultural superiority too uncomfortable, not only for the reason I just mentioned but also because the Christian Church embraces every kindred tongue and nation, and I don't want to risk unnecessarily offending my brethren who hail from the Southern hemisphere, among whom are my diocesan bishop the Rt Revd Mathayo Kasagara and the South Sudanese refugee family my wife and I have taken under our wing. That's why I think the recent statement from the Generation Identitaire YouTube page evinces the proper spirit with which to approach the defense of our European culture and heritage:
"We, as Identitarians, are ethnopluralists meaning we believe that, no matter how different people may be, they all are of equal value. Thus, we strongly oppose the notion of there being 'superior' races or cultures and believe that every people and culture should have a place on earth where they can live in peace."
Christianity is indeed the one factor in our history which gave us Europeans the moral high ground. There are other races and cultures, such as Japan and China, which have highly developed civilizations but which lack the moral superiority because their cultures were not based on Christianity.
Never fear! You're merely stating the patently obvious: it is good that men and nations are distinct entities, each valuable in its own right -- all the while affirming, because of the effects of the Fall and the sovereign purposes inherent in Divine Providence, that some races and peoples have qualities and advantages others have not been granted.
Superiority then is unfortunate language seized upon by racist agitators who believe some peoples may thereby be enslaved or preyed upon because of this fact -- sort of like certain sexists who thereby rape and subdue the weaker sex because of the fact of male superiority.
A biblical Christology accepts that no man's race or nation commends him to God more than another man -- because in Adam all have sinned, and Christ died for all -- yet it is irrational to pretend such differences do not exist among men. It is obvious some cultures have fewer virtues and exalt baser ideals while others exercise better virtues and habits. The term "savage" is truly appropriate for savage races. History is rife with examples of this, and White Guilt narratives will simply gloss over this fact with a hyperventilating tu quoque apologetic.
The tragic social experiment shredding Europe apart with mass migration will, unfortunately, popularize heretical racial ideologies, but may also in fact serve to highlight there is value in affirming a sane ethnopluralism -- which is long overdue. As the old Medieval dictum goes, the abuse of something does not negate its proper use, likewise a man should be taught to regard his nation and heritage as a gift proper to him, and not to despise it nor diminish it.
Godspeed!
Haunted bookman,
I can't agree more. The problem is religion for sure and culture to a degree. With him advocating kinism I don't think I can any longer read this blog.
Trent - "With him advocating kinism I don't think I can any longer read this blog."
Now, based on what I know about Trent's intelligence I'm guessing this is just a bit of subtle humor. :)
Not knowing Trent, I wasn't sure how to take the comment. I'm glad you were able to divine the meaning.
Well, as I indicated I'm only taking an educated guess at the meaning. I have found Trent's previous comments here to be indicative of great intelligence and theological learning, and only a moron and/or someone who isn't really conversant with kinism would carefully read both my blog posts and comments and conclude that I am advocating kinism.
Indeed, I jest.
Thought so. Racist. ;>)
I get your overall point, but I really wish you hadn't linked to faithandheritage.com. They actually have an article that questions the morality of mixed marriages. In other words, they really do have racist tendencies. They also cite Doug Wilson for support, and let's just say there are some quotes from his works that he will never live down, certainly not with me. Just FYI.
Yes, BibleBullet, I agree they would fit the kinist mold if they believe this, but I will let the link stand because the article's argument is confined to a purely "ethnic homeland" position. Speaking of which, here is a defense from another Reformed outfit, which is critical of kinism because of its condemnation of "miscegenation." For the record, I like many descendants of early American Southerners am a product of "miscegenation", since at least three lines in my genealogy show intermarriage with Cherokees. I am just as proud of my Cherokee heritage as I am of my Anglo-Saxon heritage, though I personally identify as the latter.
Society for the Promotion of Christian Ethnic Homeland Nations