Trumpism's most telling and characteristic moments – not its most important, nor cruelest, nor most hazardous, nor most senseless, but perhaps its most illuminating – came earlier this autumn. Over the span of several weeks, the US president commenced revealing everyone his designs for an ornate dance hall twice the size than the White House and then commenced solo dismantling the East Wing portion to erect it.
He has committed acts countless times more severe – the current estimate of fatalities resulting from his reductions to international aid stands at 600,000 and increasing, and this week a study projected his fossil fuel policies would cause deaths 1.3 million more. Yet nothing as characteristic. No former leader would have attempted – genuinely, no former commander would have contemplated – independently wrecking large sections of the White House to build a palace-inspired entertainment space, with the direct cooperation of some of the nation's most affluent, almost all of whom have business with federal agencies.
We moved from 'the meek shall inherit the planet' toward 'the meek shall die to cholera'
As bewildering as it is to witness the chief executive attempt to overturn the traditional concept regarding democracy and substitute it with its polar opposite, there exists a significant segment within America who should not find it completely novel. That encompasses people such as ourselves – in older age cohorts a near majority – who were educated within mainstream Protestant traditions.
We have witnessed over the years while conservative evangelical congregations converted the Savior we were raised with into the total contrary of our perception of his character. Fundamentally, they converted a persona of love into a symbol of animosity who approves precisely the cruelties that he condemned in biblical teachings; this has happened more gradually, over decades rather than months, however it is still unsettling via comparable methods, a confusing personal impact for many of us.
A Harmful Christianity Takes Hold
So let me first describe the Savior from my childhood, since in theory Christ is the focus within Christian belief, and because the fastest-growing cadre of Americans may possess limited understanding about him since they are non-believers or uncertain individuals or religiously unaffiliated. I have no problem with these various perspectives, nor with any other faith; yet I maintain that contain precious wisdom of substantial value in biblical accounts.
It is unquestionably definitely not the narrative of a mighty king appearing; conversely, a child comes into the world to parents without shelter in a garage, who must quickly flee to another nation to escape covert authorities. The child matures in modest conditions, a laboring woodworker; his doctrine is about love for fellow humans, especially for the poor – and not a sentimental love, but a concrete one, shown by providing food and sheltering. Jesus' answer to violence is to present the other cheek – not as a gesture of passive acceptance, but as a way to educate the assailant; his method regarding offenses states that when a person pilfers your jacket you ought to provide him your sweater as well.
The apparent and direct truth that Christ of the gospels requests a form of profound affection centered on the poor is what has always made Christian religion something of a provocative belief system: appealing to the populace, but owing to its natural unconventionality requiring to be restrained. In the 1950s it was controlled through watering down – Protestant Christianity was so dominant that it basically baptized the status quo.
A Conflict for the Best of Us
So I have been inspired to witness the persistent defiance regarding Trump arise during the previous year. It has served as substantial consolation to participate in developing the movement that has taken to the streets through repeated demonstrations, and seems to have inspired citizens to show up in significant amounts in interim political contests. We must have to continue it, and in the same spirit, with American flags at every demonstration and appeals to the best parts in US history.
We will be questioned ... regarding how you welcomed the stranger? Did you receive him and receive them or reject?
The country is optimally secured, essentially, through connection to the finest within national tradition, just as Christianity is optimally secured through connection to what makes it unique and wonderful, particularly the pattern of the Savior. In neither case does it mean pretending the worst regarding America and Christianity was nonexistent; it signifies both modesty and conviction, a blend that genuine US believers should embrace.
