The Gospel Above Party: Why I Speak Critically Of Power

Thanks for your replies to my message on Facebook regarding my repost of Rick Steves’ “The Dictator’s Playbook” (May 1). I don’t usually take the time (for a variety of reasons) to interact with FB messages. As we know, it is not the best medium for communicating, but I do respect many of you who commented, and I thought you deserved a reply.

I primarily want to clarify my overall perspective on such matters so that you may have a better understanding of my aims for when I do post such things (which, as I noted, I am cautious about doing).

When I present something critical of a government or an official, please understand that I am not saying that the other side is necessarily better. In fact, I strongly believe that empires/nations are, by nature, problematic. And this includes political parties within nations/empires.

For this reason, I believe the church, when it can do so wisely, freely, and with prophetic concern and pastoral grace, must speak prophetically to the empire.

Everyone is Fascist?

I often see critiques/responses to my posts that defend their preferred cause by claiming the other side (namely the Democrats) also fulfill each of the 20 elements of Steves’ Fascist Playbook. I must note that I am not saying otherwise. I have no doubt that such is indeed true. This is the nature of power, especially much political power, especially untethered political power.

Such responses, however, often don’t address my concerns. In fact, they are an admission of the very point I am making. Namely, that the side I am critiquing (in this case, Trump) also exhibits all 20 elements of Steves’ Fascist Playbook. In fact, I don’t recall seeing a response to my post that asserted that any of the 20 elements weren’t true of Trump.

Second, and very much related to the first point, my primary concern is that the people of God live up to and advocate for the ideals of the kingdom of God. And, though everyone (hopefully) believes that this is what they are doing, I fear that by unquestioningly endorsing any government, political party, or individual politician, and their actions, is dangerous and often done so at the expense of the Gospel.

NB: I’ll address, but not answer, what I mean by the “Gospel” below—which is, after all, the key!

What I hope to accomplish in such posts, then, is simply to get Christians to think, reason, explore, and inquire. Sadly, this doesn’t happen often enough (I think many of you would agree—regardless of what “side” you might be on).

This lack of thought among those who critique my posts may stem from the assumption that by questioning their party or politician, I must be advocating for the “other”—which I am not.

NB: Someone, in fact, inquired a while back something to the effect of “Where were you four years ago?” To which I responded, “Saying the same things I am now.” For the record, I consistently condemned Biden, Harris, and Blinken for their war crimes in Gaza among other things.

Let me clarify one more thing: With respect to the reposting of Steves’ “The Dictator’s Playbook in particular, someone appropriately noted that the Democrats have committed and commit the same 20 mistakes. Precisely! No question about it.

But this also does not mitigate my point: namely, that republicans and Trump, in particular, are also doing the same—which is the point of my post.

Trump himself exhibits all 20 points

There is one particular distinction that needs to be highlighted, and it is the reason I made this post and why I am very concerned about the current administration. Namely, that Trump and his administration explicitly and unashamedly exhibit all 20 points. I suppose that one would be hard-pressed to find a previous US administration (Rep or Dem) that implemented all 20. And even if one did, it would not mitigate the concern that Trump is doing so.

Are those who oppose Trump empowering potential assassins?

As for the claim that some are making (which I suspect there is good reason to at least raise the concern), namely, that those of us who suggest that Trump exhibits signs of a fascist dictator should bear responsibility for weaponizing Trump’s opponents and the recent attempts on his life.

Let me begin by noting that I am deeply saddened by the attempts on his life. I think Ezek 18:32 should frame the perspective of all Christ followers. I do not believe that violence is a solution to any of the world’s ills. And I have stated publicly that we should not rejoice at the death of, nor the attempted murder of, anyone.

Second, unless those who are raising the Fascist concerns are also suggesting that someone should kill the President, I see no way in which they bear any responsibility. If, for example, any of the assassination attempts on Hitler were actually successful, would that somehow mean that those who called attention to his Fascism, extermination programs, antisemitism, or his psychopathy should bear responsibility for his death?

In other words, when someone does wrong, especially a person in power, those wrongs need to be called out and not left unchallenged. If they remain unchallenged, would it not empower the wrongdoer to harm even more people? Now, perhaps Trump is not a Fascist. Let’s discuss! Hence, the purpose of my post.

But if he is doing things and enforcing policies that resemble Fascism, is it not critical for important to bring attention to them? One of the dangers of Fascism is that once the Fascist dictator gains enough power, it becomes impossible to speak against him.

Of course, if Trump is not a Fascist, then let the evidence be presented.

Where is the reasonable discourse?

One of the grave problems in our current social climate is the lack of space for responsible discourse. This is what I am hoping to provide.

Now, it is worth noting that societies have never liked prophetic voices. Christ followers are no better. Much of the NT (not to mention the history of the prophetic witness in the OT) is full of prophetic warnings and rebukes that the churches to which the prophets were speaking resisted.

This includes the fact that they killed Jesus. Then they killed Stephen. Then James. And so on.

I have often noted that it would be intriguing to learn how the book of Revelation was received by the Christ-followers in Thyatira. Did they listen to John when he said that they had a false prophetess in their midst who was leading God’s people astray (Rev 2:20-24)? I suspect that perhaps they did—but only eventually. Although I am certain that when they did, it was not without much animus.

I hope this helps.

But what is the Gospel?

What I haven’t said here is what I believe the Gospel entails. You can see much of what I think on this by reading some of my publications, searching my blog site (use the category “Gospel”), reading my yet-to-be-published book (next year!), and/or watching my yet-to-be-published YouTube series (scheduled to be produced beginning in the Fall of this year).

And, Happy Cinco De Mayo.

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