Between Ideology and Utopia. Recent Discussions on John Paul II’s Theology of the Nation

In my book Liturgia dziejów [The Liturgy of History] I proposed an interpretation of the thought of John Paul II in terms of Polish messianism. The book sparked many interesting discussions. In this article, I attempt to address some doubts about my interpretation of John Paul II’s theology of the nation. First, I clear up certain misunderstandings related to the ontological status of the nation. Then, I defend the necessary political dimension of Christianity. Finally, I point out the essentially utopian nature of Polish messianism. I aim to show that – contrary to the suggestions of some critics – a properly understood theology of the nation of John Paul II does not lead to the subordination of religion to politics; just the opposite, it provides criteria for Christian evaluation for any political order.