Adrian Hastings

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Adrian Hastings (23 June 1929 – 30 May 2001) was a Roman Catholic priest, historian and author. He wrote a book about the Wiriyamu Massacre during the Mozambican War of Independence and became an influential scholar of Christian history in Africa.

His 1997 book The Construction of Nationhood: Ethnicity, Religion and Nationalism posits that the concept of nationhood has historical roots that extend back to the medieval period, rather than being a solely modern phenomenon. He challenges the prevailing view that nations and nationalism emerged primarily in the 18th and 19th centuries. Hastings emphasizes the role of religion, particularly Christianity, in shaping national identities. He argues that the translation of the Bible into vernacular languages played a crucial role in fostering a sense of national consciousness and community.

Hastings also explores the significant influence of the Jewish people on the concept of nationhood. He suggests that the ancient Jewish nation, with its strong religious and ethnic identity, served as a model for later European nations. He argues that the Jewish experience, with its emphasis on a shared religion, common ancestry, and a historical narrative, provided a template that other groups adapted in forming their national identities.