Nationality continues to be an important part of how people identify themselves and others. "Who am I?" is inseparable from the question "Who and what are we?" Historically, many nations have made use of the Bible and Christian notions to understand themselves and to justify their political ambitions. Catholic theology, however, has never elaborated on a systematic treatment of nationality. Dorian Llywelyn forges a new approach, treating the nation as a form of culture. He addresses some key questions: How are the religious and national aspects of human identity connected? What does Catholic doctrine have to say about nationality and nationalism? Is there really such a thing as a Christian nation? Is Catholicism compatible with patriotism?

Llywelyn's wide-ranging book introduces the reader to contemporary approaches to nationality, nationality, national identity, nationalism and patriotism. Drawing from the insights of sociology, history, and anthropology, he investigates the many ways in which nations and Christianity have intertwined and explores what scripture and twentieth-century papal teaching have to say on the matter. He provides an original, Catholic theology of national belonging, one which is based on the implications of the Incarnation. Examining popular devotions to the Virgin Mary as national patroness and drawing from the metaphysical acumen of the medieval thinker John Duns Scotus, Llywelyn argues for the theological value of nationality and proposes that global community and cultural and national diversity are mutually necessary values.

Autorentext

Dorian Llywelyn, S.J. is associate professor in the Department of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.

Inhalt

1 Table of Contents
2 Acknowledgments
Chapter 3 Introduction
Chapter 4 1. Pinning the Jellyfish: The Nation (Un)Defined
Chapter 5 2. Longtime Companions
Chapter 6 3. Biblical Nations and Dogmatic Reticence
Chapter 7 4. The Value of Thisness
Chapter 8 5. Our Lady of All Nations
Chapter 9 6. From Redeemer Nations to Redeemed Humanity
Chapter 10 Bibliography
Chapter 11 Index