Newsweek: Pastor Says Trump "Takes Back Over" the Goverment in Four Months
When I see something like this, reported in the national media, it sickens me. The intersection of right wing politics in a political party bent to the will of the billionaire class, and right wing Christianity, influenced by the sensationalism of end-times false prophets and white Christian nationalism derived from dominion theology, has produced a pseudo-Christian constituency that has the ability to elect politicians to state and national office, and has, in fact, already done so. And it produces statements like this, which demonstrate a callous ignorance of constitutional democracy. Is that just ignorance, or wishful thinking, or do they really believe there is an authority somewhere that can make what they talk about actually happen?
I use the term pseudo-Christian because that's exactly what this is. It's not the Christian gospel, it is a perversion of it. I've seen this term used in other places to describe this constituency that has emerged, mainly from the conservative, Evangelical branch of the church, but it has gained followers from across the spectrum, and there's also a parallel political movement in the Catholic church.
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen, repent and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Revelation 2:4-5, NRSV
For you say, "I am rich, I have prospered and I need nothing,". You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked. Revelation 3:17 NRSV
But why would a Christian pastor move away from the Christian gospel, and into public theorizing and pontificating about secular politics.
Because he has fallen in love with a different kind of power.
A Little Bit of History Goes a Long Way Toward Understanding
These verses are part of a larger narrative found at the beginning of the New Testament book of Revelation. They were part of a vision of Jesus, given to the Apostle John while he was in exile on the island of Patmos, just off the coast of Asia Minor, not far from there the seven churches, named in the narrative, were located. They had all been under his apostolic ministry.
The first passage is from the message given to the church in Ephesus. Initially, the church is commended for the good things that it had done, not tolerating "evildoers," and for its testimony as a Christian community in a large, very pagan city. But, according to the narrative, they had "lost their first love." Most historical sources say that what had happened was that the church leadership had sold out to the political power in the city, aligning itself with corrupt politics in order to protect its own interests and influence.
Remaining loyal to the Christian gospel requires consistent practice of the values it produces. It is not possible to claim to be a testimony to Christian spiritual transformation, but then endorse or support political rulers and leaders who live and conduct their business in a manner that runs completely counter to those values.
The second verse cited above is from the part of the narrative directed toward the church at Laodicea. In delivering this message, Jesus tells John that this is a church that is neither hot nor cold, meaning that it was neither passionate about faith, nor inspirational, encouraging and refreshing, like a drink from the cold spring located there. They were depending on their wealth and prosperity, not on spiritual commitment, and as a result, says Jesus, "I am about to spit you out of my mouth."
While these words of Christ's revelation to John are specific to the seven churches to which they were addressed, there is a message in them which warns all churches of the infiltration of the influences of the world, including that of politicians who may come bearing a few gifts, ready to make a deal in exchange for their loyalty, and in the case of this country, their votes. Read the article from Newsweek. That sort of thing is happening in many churches and among many American Christians, particularly among congregations and in denominations made up mostly of relatively prosperous Caucasians, including those in the Charismatic/Pentecostal and Evangelical branches of Protestant Christianity.
Those who hold this ideology and worldview can no longer be defined as Christian. They have lost their first love, and they are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked.
Crossing Boundaries and Endangering Religious Liberty
We have religious liberty in the constitution because America's founding fathers observed that the state-church did not work well for either the state, or for the church. Both James Madison and Thomas Jefferson came to the conclusion that religious belief was a matter of individual conscience that did not work under state-mandated compulsion. They had observed religious oppression in America, as many of those who came here for their own religious freedom violently persecuted others who didn't share their convictions or faith practices.
Observing the persecution of Christians in places like Virginia, where Baptists were arrested and persecuted for not complying with the Anglican church's rules, codified into law by the legislature, and in Connecticut, where an association of Baptist churches wrote a letter to Jefferson to convince him that a state church would be an oppressive burden on them, both Jefferson and Madison concluded that since religious beliefs were a matter of individual conscience, it was wrong to use the power of the state to compel compliance with a state-endorsed or supported church. Hence, we have the first amendment and the establishment clause which Jefferson himself insisted established a "wall of separation" between church and state.
But this pseudo-Christian cult that has formed by incorporating extreme right wing political perspectives into church doctrine and theology would completely break down the wall. There are various philosophies at work within that group which claim that God intends to "take back" domains on the earth that have been "usurped" by Satan, starting with the takeover of the United States government as a launching pad for this take-back. They claim that God's original intention in history was to give the resources of the North American continent for white, Christian European settlers to establish a Christian nation, along the lines of the Old Testament theocracy of Israel, that would be a launching pad to put God back in control of the world he created. Some groups believe that when this is acheived, it will open the door for the second coming of Christ.
There are multiple variations of the pseudo-Christian political cult, but all of them are anti-democratic in that they believe that a specific group of people, usually Caucasians, have been predestined and chosen to rule, with everyone else in some sort of subservient role. So they really have no use for a democratic constitutional republic in which a racially and ethnically diverse population all have an equal voice and representation in government. Though they wouldn't use the terminology, they believe that their brand of Christian faith should be the state's official religion, and laws would be based on their interpretation of biblical principles and standards.
True Motives Exposed
The intersection of this pseudo-Christian political movement with the Trump administration has exposed the true motives. Trump, who has not only never exhibited any behavior or characteristics that would remotely indicate an interest in Christianity, and who has worked very hard to create a personal image of worldly debauchery and a pleasure-seeking lifestyle that is virtually the diametric opposite of Christian faith, realized that in order to have any kind of a shot at winning the Presidency, he would need the support of most white, Evangelical Christian voters. So he made them a deal.
Their embrace of an unconverted, unrepentant, still-worldly Trump sends a pretty clear message about their loyalty. It can be bought, if the price is right. Trump's actions and words defeat their best efforts to make him sound like one of them. But if a twice divorced adulterous, lying, cheating, potty-mouthed, God cursing politician, and idol of the rich, will cut a deal to throw a few political bones, like court appointees, their way, then they'll throw Jesus and the Christian faith under the bus to have the political influence they need to advance their agenda.
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen, repent and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Revelation 2:4-5, NRSV
This is Tearing Churches and Christian Denominations Apart, Too
Last year, at a Turning Point gathering in Arizona, Trump Junior made a statement that, had it come from him at any time prior to his father's engagement in Republican party politics, would have brought a barrage of criticism and vitriolic spew from most Christian leaders. Junior advocated for setting aside some of the basic principles taught by Jesus himself in order to develop an aggressive attitude toward getting back into positions of influence in social and political institutions. He claimed that the Christian practice of showing love to enemies was a hindrance to dominating the public arena by Christians and other conservatives.
I must admit, I have seen some conservative Christians actually criticize that statement and point it out for the heresy that it represents, regardless of who it comes from. But that's really a red meat dog whistle for those on the far right in the extremist groups. What Trump Junior articulated is exactly what many of those on the right believe, that God somehow wants this select group of mostly Caucasian Christians in places of worldly influence, as if that will help them with their mission and purpose. That's completely contrary to the Christian gospel, and to everything Jesus taught that is recorded in the Bible, along with the Apostles written record.
There's a massive amount of pressure on pastors, from among those who are members of their own congregations, to give this pseudo-Christian message a platform from the pulpit. Some members, frustrated at pastors who refuse to cheapen the content of their sermons and defile their pulpits and worship experiences with political conversation, try to use their influence to pressure them into giving this a platform from their pulpit and if they fail, they leave, taking others with them. In other cases, where the pastor has compromised his message with political rhetoric and is engaging in secular political campaigning from the pulpit, such as this example from Newsweek, those who see it for what it is wind up leaving the church. Evangelical church membership and attendance is in a rapid decline which corresponds to the continued erosion of church-state separation that got started back in the days of Jerry Falwell's moral majority.
There are no Christian values or principles in the politics of the pseudo-Christian cult. They are not relying on the Beatitudes of Matthew 5:1-11, the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul's words to the Colossian church in 3:12, As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. These virtues and characteristics are apparently not adequate for gaining worldly power and influence.
Thom Hartmann: So Where did all this right wing religious nuttery come from?
We are in for a Rough Ride
I am able to write what I write, believe what I believe and practice my Christian faith as I do because I am an American, and the Constitution of the United States gives me that right. And as Thomas Jefferson said, "But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."
Those who have been paying attention should have noticed a sharp change in the direction of the Republican party as its agenda becomes more pointed toward obstruction and opposing the extension of rights to citizens they do not deem as worthy to have them than it has focused on agenda that will actually use the resources of government to resolve, as best it can, some of the besetting problems of our society and culture in this day and age.
White Protestant Christians, and even more specifically, white Protestant Christian men, in the United States of America still have more rights, and are more favorably privileged in this culture, and by the government, than any other of its constituencies. I don't need to find proof of that, it's observable everywhere and in every social, cultural and political institution. Trump Junior's assertion that conservatives have been pushed out of their worldly influence and must drop an essential doctrinal principle of Christianity in order to come back to dominance is false. Any Jewish, Muslim or agnostic American can share multiple examples of glass ceilings they encounter, that Caucasian American males never do.
But this is a group that is coming on with the attitude that they are on a mission from God, and that it doesn't matter what they do, including whatever means they may deem necessary to grab the government out of the hands of the "godless liberals" because they are more loyal to their cause than they are to the United States Constitution. And because they believe that their cause is righteous, and they think that God will hold their coattails and cheer them on, they are dangerous. We saw just a hint of the anarchic violence many of those who are philosophically compatible with this pseudo-Christian movement were willing to commit on January 6th. If democracy continues to prevail by handing the rule of law over to the "libs" that these people hate, which by the way is also not a Christian value, that will become a common occurrence in state capitals and in Washington, DC.
The best weapon we have in our hands is our freedom of speech and our freedom of conscience. After walking out of a church because I got tired of the pastor's political diatribes, and never returning, I also sent a letter to every member of the congregation explaining why I left, and how that was contrary to the biblical principles they claimed to believe. Apparently, there were others who felt the same way, because the pastor is gone, though so is about a third of the congregation. I still refuse to go back.
And freedom of speech and conscience depend on exercising it by voting and casting an informed ballot. Informed. If people don't vote, then it won't take an insurrection to overturn democracy and set up an autocratic dictatorship. It will happen when the democratic process turns in on itself as people vote for leaders who will dissolve it for them.
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