No, Michael Flynn, You are WRONG!
For a political faction that claims support rooted in Evangelical Christianity, the doctrine and theology that they pass off as "Christianity" in their "Re-Awaken America" rallies, featuring former general Michael Flynn, a pardoned criminal, meets the definition of heretical apostasy. They have picked up on the sensationalism that is exhibited in some of the more extreme corners of Christianity, such as that of Trump's "spiritual advisor," prosperity cultist Paula White, and have claimed the authority to change the interpretation of the Biblical text to suit their politics. They count on the pathetic ignorance of their base, made up of people who have no idea what the Christian faith teaches, to believe what they say, give them money to continue and at some point, cast their ballot for Trump and his endorsed and approved candidates.
When I say that this meets the definition of heretical apostasy, I am using the conservative, Evangelical method of interpreting the Bible and establishing what they consider to be doctrinal and theological orthodoxy. Most conservative Evangelicals are absolutely locked into a set of beliefs that are based on a very literal rendering of the words in the Bible.
Some fall into the category of "fundamentalists," in that they insist that belief in a specific set of fundamental doctrines is necessary for any kind of genuine redemptive, conversion experience to happen, and for a person to demonstrate their continued faithfulness. Others, while not that insistent on absolute conformity, still don't permit much deviation from "essential" doctrines and have very well defined theological systems. Within their various denominations and fellowship groups, there is little room for dissention, and no dissention allowed on certain issues. One of the more conservative Evangelical denominations, the Southern Baptist Convention, is on the verge of codifying rules that exclude churches which place women in any role that uses the term "pastor" to describe the job.
The rhetoric that they use in their criticism of Christians who don't get in line with their dictated doctrinal conformity is caustic and hostile, especially when they are criticizing those within their ranks who dare to dissent. And while most of what happens in this regard is about who is in control and who has the power, and isn't really all that much about keeping doctrine and theology "pure," it is the example they set, and the perspective they want the rest of the world to see.
But When it Comes to Trump, and Anything MAGA....
A sixth grader with a decent record of attending Sunday School could point out where the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ and what passes for religion on the Re-Awaken America tour, or in the Turning Point rallies that the MAGA party conducts on Trump's behalf. Trump's apologists among conservative Evangelicals have tried to make every excuse they can think of, from claiming that their religious standards don't necessarily have to apply to the political leaders they choose (even though those leaders based their appeal for the votes of Evangelicals on their philosophical and religious "compatibility") to actually claiming that Trump is one of them. His CNN Town Hall defense of sexual abuse as normal male behavior and his claim that there isn't anything wrong with what Evangelicals define as "debauchery, fornication and sexual immorality" was a hard blow to their claims.
And of course their response to this very public statement that Donald Trump is not a Christian, has no intention of becoming one, and doesn't have any respect for what they believe or practice is silence, ignoring it as if it doesn't exist. Actually, there was some reaction to the town hall, as there has also been in some corners of the conservative Christian media, and to some of what has come from Michael Flynn on the Re-Awaken America tour. Fox News falling apart and the dismissal of Tucker Carlson has allowed some truth to seep in. I doubt that it will make a lot of difference, since I am becoming more convinced that most conservative Christians don't really know what their churches preach and teach and don't really care all that much. It sounds cliche, but they use their Christian faith as a crutch or a convenience or a way to get ahead when they think they might need it.
The simplistic faith practice of Evangelicals can't support the stress of trying to justify voting for a corrupt, worldly politician with an agenda that contains a few bones he's thrown their way but otherwise is a philosophical and spiritual quagmire, and trying to hold to a set of doctrinal statements they consider essential to the faith, but which are completely contradictory to Trumpism. So it has taken words like Flynn's, or like those of Don Jr., who told Turning Point participants that the teachings of Jesus on turning the other cheek and loving your enemies wasn't getting them anywhere, and turned them into their own theology. They are, in effect, burning the Bible they once claimed was inerrant and infallible and throwing Jesus under the bus.
The Re-Awaken America Tour and White, Christian Nationalism is MAGA Religion and Modern Day Heresy
In a very short, but direct and to the point epistle, the early Christian apostle Jude warned the Christian church against heresy that was already "intruding"--his word--into churches. Jude's epistle is remarkable in its prophetic description of exactly what is happening among Evangelicals in America. Trump is an intruder into their ranks, bringing in a licentiousness that many Christians either ignore in order to embrace his politics, or welcome and tolerate because of them. Jude describes the intruders in the ancient church as if he had actually met Donald Trump, as a "grumbler, malcontent, indulging in his own lusts, bombastic in speech, flattering people to their own advantage (Jude v.16).
I particularly like Jude's calling these intruders "waterless clouds," or "autumn trees without fruit." It makes it sound like he knew the modern day MAGA crew and these tour speakers personally.
There are plenty of American Christians, including quite a few Evangelicals and Catholics, who are deeply opposed to this use of their faith for political gain, and to the complete misrepresentation, distortion, and sometimes outright denial, of orthodox Biblical Christianity to support heretical and apostate MAGA religion. It is impossible to reconcile what passes for religion from these tours with the kind of Evangelical Christianity that comes from a literal interpretation of scripture and belief that the Bible is inerrant and infallible.
The only benefit I see in this for American Christians is that it is separating the sheep from the goats. Churches are finding out who the true Christians are and who are the intruders with the false gospel of licentiousness.
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