Nationalism and the Kingdom of God according to Hans Kohn and Carlton J. H. Hayes

Abstract

In these words of Isaiah prophet at every stage stands over against idols of nations as He who knows coming things and announces them from beginning, whereas they, idols of nations, know nothing, and there fore are incapable of announcing anything.1 At same time, however, Isaiah envisioned God as reconciler and redeemer of nations who would usher in an era of world peace and good will among men. In age of nationalism, two foremost authorities on history of nationalism reaffirmed Isaiah's vision. Both Hans Kohn (1891-1971) and Carlton J. H. Hayes (1882-1964) met what Reinhold Niebuhr called the test of true prophecy, or revelation of polytheism and false prophecy and procla mation of redemption.2 Their basic approaches and emphases differed; Hayes sought to expose idols of modern history, while Kohn dreamed of a unified mankind. In long run, however, both men remained faithful to twofold teaching of Isaiah. Both pronounced judgment on bellicose nationalism but also believed in possibility of reconciliation among na tions.3 This Weltanshauung resulted from two sources, a study of history and faith derived from Judaism and Christianity. H. VINCENT MOSES (B.A., M.A., Baylor University) is Instructor in History, College of Redwoods, Eureka, California. His interests include recent United States history, American thought, and Taoism, and he has written several book notes for JCS. 1. Martin Buber, The Prophetic Faith (New York: Macmillan, 1949), p. 220. Cf. D. E. Hollenberg, Nationalism and 'the Nations' in Isaiah XL-LV, Vetus Testa mentum 19 (January 1969) : 23-36. 2. Reinhold Niebuhr, Beyond Tragedy (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1937, 1955), pp. 93-110. 3. The liberal children of light viewed modern history as automatic evolution to higher civilization. Hegel, a child of light, said Weltgeschichte ist Weltgericht