Five Hundred Years Since the Reformation - Part 3
THE REFORMERS ON ETHNO-NATIONALISM
By Jim Jester
September 23, 2018
Scripture: Deuteronomy 17:14-15
Ethno-nationalism, also known as Ethnic Nationalism, is a form of nationalism wherein the nation or country is defined in terms of ethnicity (or race). The central theme of ethnic nationalists is that political nations are defined by a shared heritage, which usually includes a common language, faith, culture, and ethnic ancestry; and tends to be exclusive.
In contrast, Civic Nationalism is based on political membership and tends to be inclusive. Thus, the various countries of the world differ on how they define their version of nationalism.
Herodotus was the first who stated the main characteristics of ethnicity, with his famous account of what defines Greek identity. He lists kinship, “of the same blood,” language, “speaking the same language,” cults and customs, “of the same habits of life.”
William Finck informs us that, “Ethnic nationalism is the only valid form of nationalism, and civic nationalism is entirely artificial, unnatural, and can only be enforced by tyranny. It is empiricism and not nationalism at all.”



