What if we understood nationalism as a religion instead of an ideology? What if nationalism is more spiritual than it is political? Several Christian thinkers have rightly recognized nationalism as a form of idolatry. However, in Why Do the Nations Rage?, David A. Ritchie argues that nationalism is inherently demonic as well. Through an interdisciplinary analysis of scholarship on nationalism and the biblical theology behind Paul’s doctrine of “powers,” Ritchie uncovers how the impulse behind nationalism is as ancient as the tower of Babel and as demonic as the worship of Baal. Moreover, when compared to Christianity, Ritchie shows that nationalism is best understood as a rival religion that bears its own distinctive (and demonically inspired) false gospel, which seeks to both imitate and distort the Christian gospel.
David A. Ritchie was born and raised in the West Texas wilderness city of Amarillo, where he serves as the as the Lead Pastor of Redeemer Christian Church. He holds degrees from Amarillo College, West Texas A&M University, and Reformed Theological Seminary.
In addition to pastoring Redeemer, David is a part-time Instructor of Religion at West Texas A&M, an op-ed writer for the
Amarillo Globe News, and a highly engaged leader in the Amarillo community.
He serves on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations and ministries, including the Refugee Language Project and the Redeemer Network, and has also been an advocate for racial conciliation efforts in Amarillo.
David is married to Kate, and together they live in Amarillo, Texas with their three sons.