Christian Nationalism – An Artificial Category to Label MAGA Supporters Could “Christian Nationalism” [CN from this point forward] actually be a category and a convenient tool for those who dislike President Trump? Some Christians are angry. They are content to join the haters and to condemn both Trump and the Christians who support him. When Did “Christian Nationalism” Become So Popular? As I said in my opening article, I had not heard of CN until the past few months. I... Read more
In the first article of this series I presented a definition of “Christian Nationalism” [CN this point forward] and went through it phrase by phrase. I do not agree with one single clause of the definition I was given, and I do not personally know anyone who holds the views/opinions of that definition. It seems clear that CN is the newest slander term to pin on MAGA supporters (reminds me of “the basket of deplorables…racists, homophobe, islamaphobe”, etc. per H.... Read more
Christian Nationalism: Progressives, Liberals and Hypocritical Christians Join Forces In the last 3-4 months I have heard Christian Nationalism used more than a few times on Facebook. NOTE: Prior to the last 3-4 months I cannot remember ever hearing anybody using this term in any definitive way. I am busy preparing to teach three classes next semester…BUT I feel compelled to offer a series of articles on Christian Nationalism (CN moving forward unless “CN” is in a heading/title, etc.) 1. Introduction:... Read more
Why a Christian CAN Vote for Donald Trump – Part 4 alienation…this constant fear of an “inside” from which they have been left “outside”… populism…a new kind of conservative Christian who was patriotic and pro-American – including capitalism – but concerned that the country was going to hell in a hand basket. I hear Trump-haters and liberal media personalities make prejudicial statements about MAGA and Trump supporters all the time. We have been called a “basket of deplorables…racist, sexist, homophobic,... Read more
Why A Christian CAN Vote for Donald Trump – Part 3 Remember two things about WHY I am writing this series: 1. I have had probably a dozen committed Christians sincerely ask me: “How can you as a Christian…as a Pastor…as an academic, vote for Trump? [so I am explaining that in this series] 2. My target audience is the serious Christian who feels (or has been told) they should not vote for Trump. I am NOT speaking to Democrats... Read more
Why A Christian CAN Vote for Donald Trump – Part 2 I have heard statements like this many times by Democrats and Never Trumpers: “Donald Trump is crude and arrogant. He brought the lack of civility to our politics with his divisive, abusive comments and disrespectful name-calling.” Before I begin I want to make it clear: I do not like it when Trump speaks crudely. Some of his comments and name-calling are uncalled for and crude. Oftentimes he says things... Read more
Why a Christian SHOULD Vote for Donald Trump A Response to: “Christians Supporting President Trump is Hypocritical” Several weeks ago a good friend called me to ask a simple question: “Why do you support Donald Trump?” This was not the first person who singled me out wanting to know my reasons (as a Christian) for being a Trump supporter. Both of my adult daughters confronted me in 2015 with this question. I am going to write a series giving solid... Read more
Historical Errors in Pagan Christianity My previous article was “Is the Sunday Morning Preaching Sermon Inherently Pagan?” In that article I showed how several leaders in primitive Christianity were highly educated. This includes the apostle Paul and Apollos, both of who were formally educated before becoming Christians. It is likely that Apollos was trained in the great philosophical school of Alexandria – he was certainly trained in philosophy. The previous article was focused on Viola’s ignorant statements about using rhetoric... Read more
Biblical Errors in Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola and George Barna, Part 3 There is nothing in Scripture to indicate its existence [the contemporary sermon] in the early Christian gatherings. (Viola, Pagan Christianity, p.88) In this edition of “Errors made by Frank Viola” we will look at his critique of Sunday morning preaching. In addition to the opening statement above, Viola says apostolic preaching was “sporadic…extemporaneous and without rhetorical structure.” (p.88) In chapter four of his book Viola attacks... Read more
Historical Errors In Pagan Christianity By Frank Viola In my introduction I mentioned five historical errors made by Viola that are critical. An underlying critique for me is Viola’s use of footnotes, but rather than focus on this I am going to point to specific errors. Almost ALL of Viola’s errors include either poor footnotes or significant errors IN the footnotes. Yet for the average reader, the 700+ footnotes alone provides a cloak of scholarship. Is Constantine Responsible for Christians... Read more
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