There are few things more tribal than our political affiliations. Groupthink and confirmation bias thrive in politically like-minded groups, which can blind us to anything that contradicts our existing views. New information can be overlooked, false assertions accepted without any checks on their validity, and we can isolate ourselves from discomfort by only getting our news from sources we already agree with.
I want to reach out to a particular group of believers who are coming under enormous pressure right now – those whose theology has become kind and inclusive through the process of deconstruction, but who also voted for Trump. Some of these people are influential online and have made themselves a home among others with similar theology (but opposing political convictions).
These people must be highly uncomfortable right now, perhaps unable to understand why almost all the friends who share their theology think that voting for Trump is unconscionable. People who used to have huge progressive followings are finding that many have stepped away from fellowshipping with them or taking them seriously as thought leaders. Their once hugely loved posts now get only a handful of likes, and though they might be tempted to move over to Truth Social, any friends they make there are pretty much guaranteed to consider them a heretic for their progressive theology. I want to reach out to this group of believers, who might be feeling spiritually homeless, and shine a light on a possible pathway forward.
How did people find themselves in this position?
The journey of deconstruction begins for many when they realise they can no longer reconcile the dogma of Hell with the loving, inclusive nature of God. This can be a scary time, but an increasing number of believers are going down this road. Such folk are finding each other online, forming social media networks that are a great source of strength for Progressive Christians. When we reject the doctrine of Hell, we discover that the Gospel is much greater than we ever dared to believe. The Good News is that through Jesus, all people will be included in God’s plan of salvation. There are various ways of expressing this, but in essence, they are all some form of universalism, which is one of the most liberating revelations a believer can ever have.
After understanding there is no Hell, some try to draw a line at that point and end the process of deconstruction, but that’s entirely unnatural. Having crossed the Rubicon, most find it necessary to question other reformist assumptions such as Biblical inerrancy, exclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community, and the subordinate role of women in the church. And why wouldn’t they? Having realised that a fundamental aspect of inherited dogma is false, it only makes sense to shake the branch a little harder and see what falls out.
So we have this group of believers in a sensitive phase of transition, who have accepted that God includes us all in his plan of salvation – that he has no favourites and values us all equally – but who haven’t necessarily considered the implications of their theology in their political choices. The hard truth is, there is very little about right-wing politics that can be reconciled with the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Let’s be honest about Trump
I cannot understand how those who have been set free by kind, inclusive theology can ally themselves with the obscene exclusion of Trump’s regime. Immigrants, disabled people, people of colour, the LGBTQIA+ community, and many women are being systematically excluded, perceived as either invaders or DEI hires. How is this compatible with the teachings of Jesus?
If we take a look at Trump himself, we can weigh his qualities against the Biblical definition of love. I hope readers will have the courage to do this honestly, considering Trump’s character and agenda in the light of 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7,
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Is Trump patient? Clearly not. He is writhing with impatience at every stage. He wants what he wants, and he wants it now. Look at the way he’s steam-rolling his agenda in the first few weeks in office, rushing into decisions such as cancelling USAID without even considering the consequences in people’s lives.
Is Trump kind? Absolutely not. He is only kind to those who support him, and as Jesus stated in Luke 6, even sinners love their friends. Trump is profoundly unkind to anyone who disagrees with him. Just look at how he treated Bishop Budde. She had the courage to humbly plead for vulnerable people, and suddenly he is calling her a nasty woman who isn’t good at her job.
Does Trump envy? A person who constantly claims to be the best, the most, and other superlatives has to be riddled with self-doubt and in desperate need of the praise of others. Trump’s lies about his crowd sizes, for example, stem directly from envy of Barack Obama, who drew far more people to his first inauguration than Trump did.
Does Trump boast? It’s hard to type that without laughing. I have never heard of a more boastful person.
Is Trump proud? A proud person is caught up in ego. Trump’s constant claims about his own importance are hard to overlook.
Does Trump dishonour others? I would say he delights in doing so. Think of his comments about the late John McCain, who was held for five and a half years in a POW camp while serving his country – “I like people that weren’t captured, okay? I hate to tell you.” (Donald Trump, July 8th, 2015). And what of placing his 90-minute phone call to Putin without consulting Zelensky or European leaders? What of his constant name-calling and mockery?
Is Trump self-seeking? The man is a serial fraudster and sex pest. He boasted about using his celebrity status to grab women by their private parts. How is that not putting himself above others?
Is Trump easily angered? Again, he has no tolerance for disagreement, always ready to lash out as he did at Taylor Swift, Colin Kaepernick, Bishop Budde, etc…
Does Trump keep a record of wrongs? I think it’s fair to say that Trump keeps a record of every wrong ever done to him. He is vindictive, vengeful, and vicious! Since 2022, when he began preparing for the presidential campaign, Trump has issued more than 100 threats to investigate, prosecute, imprison or otherwise punish his perceived opponents.
Does Trump rejoice with the truth? This is a man who takes enormous liberties with the truth, claiming falsehoods are truths and truths are falsehoods. It is well known that during his first term, Trump lied over 30,000 times, and in his second term, he’s at it again. This is a person who deliberately lies so that nobody knows what is true anymore, or they won’t do if they get their news from a pro-Trump source. He not only hates the truth but might not even know what it is anymore.
Does Trump always protect? Only if you tick the right boxes – white, Protestant, male. He is a threat to all others, whether they realise it or not.
Does he always trust? I don’t think he knows how to trust. How can he, when he normalises distrustful behaviour each and every day?
Does he always hope? As this is the Biblical definition of hope, this is hard to say. I haven’t reached a conclusion on that one.
Does Trump always persevere? This one’s easier, as this can only be talking about persevering in love, given the context. Trump perseveres in deception and division, but does he persevere in love? I’m yet to see him do or say anything that aligns with the definition of love in this passage.
Believer! Why are you supporting a man and a regime that is the opposite of love? You believe that God includes us all in his plan of salvation, that he loves and values us unconditionally and equally, that he has no favourites. You know the Bible teaches us to love and welcome the foreigner, and that the person who loves their neighbour is the one who reaches out to help them, even if they are political and religious enemies. How does your understanding of God’s generous nature impact your political choices? My hope is that, even as you read this, the Lord will open your eyes and soften your heart.
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