THEOLOGY, NATIONALISM, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF MODERN CIVIL STATES: A COMPARATIVE THEOLOGICAL-POLITICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

This article explores the interplay between theology and nationalism in shaping the identity and structures of modern civil states. Through historical and comparative analysis, it examines how religious ideologies have influenced nationalist movements and contributed to the formation of state institutions. By drawing examples from different civil states with religious underpinnings—such as Pakistan, Israel, and post-colonial European states—the article highlights the theological narratives embedded in national identities. It further investigates the tensions between secularism and religious nationalism and their implications for civil governance, lawmaking, and social cohesion. The study concludes that theology and nationalism, though distinct, often converge in the ideological and symbolic foundations of modern civil states.