I am a Christian. I am patriotic. As some people respond to a growing but ill-defined movement of “Christian nationalism,” they find themselves suspicious of all Christians who express patriotism. But one of the most influential Christian theologians of antiquity believed Christianity’s influence in the culture was the sine qua non of a prosperous and flourishing society. If he was right, people should appreciate Christian patriots.
St. Augustine of Hippo, one of Christianity’s greatest thinkers, wrote at a time when critics blamed the Christian faith for the collapse of Roman society. Pushing back against a chorus of pagan naysayers, Augustine doubled down on his claim and maintained that Christianity’s influence could even be credited for the civil treatment of victims taken captive by invading bands of barbarians who overthrew the Roman Empire during his lifetime.
Writing in The City of God, Augustine argued, “Whoever does not see that this is to be attributed to the name of Christ, and to the Christian temper, is blind; whoever sees this, and gives no praise, is ungrateful; whoever hinders anyone from praising it, is mad.”
Augustine believed Christianity would be transformational if the world’s leaders—and the people they govern—took the teachings of Christianity seriously. The political order—the “republic,” as Augustine called it—would not merely function in such a scenario. It would shine. It would reflect a kind of happiness and flourishing that extends across the earth, grounded not in power or prosperity alone, but in righteousness. And beyond this life, such a society would be oriented toward something even greater: eternal glory in the kingdom of God.
But that vision remains out of reach—not because it is impossible, but, as Augustine maintained, because ….
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