Thank you so much, Diana, for another powerful and profound reflection. As your neighbours to the north we are very concerned with what might happen in November. As a Canadian Anglican I am dismayed at the deification of the diabolical energy that permeates from the core of this person, who may be given again the most powerful position on the planet. I can only hope with everything that is in me that those who seem blinded to this fact will see the ‘golden calf’ they are creating and wake up to the frightening results such idolatry would bring the world. Thank you, also, for the reminder of that great song by The 2nd Chapter of Acts. I was 14 when it came out and remember it well. The song instantly took me back to that time in my life. It also had me listening again to another of my favourites from that time, “The Great American Novel” by Larry Norman (from 1972). Remember that one? The song had lots of references about the love of the moon (space race) over peoples poverty, the war in Viet Nam, racism following from the civil rights movement etc. it’s still such a great song!. Not too much seems to have changed. But the line that really stood out for me concerns what Mr. Trump is an absolute master of: ….“And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth”. As scary as that is, I’m choosing to stay living in hope and trust….at least for now.
Many thanks again, Diana. I am so grateful for your thoughts and your words.
Thanks for writing on this subject. I’ve been so saddened by folks in my immediate circles embracing this obviously sick person and sick twisted theology with such enthusiasm. Anything I say is met with almost violent reaction or sadness that I’m the one that doesn’t see the “real truth”. I really don’t know what can be done about that other than double down on my own spiritual growth and trying to shine the Christ Light as bright as I can in my life. Anyway, the only thing I would say to add to what’s written here is that this may no longer be White Nationalism. It’s a Transnational merging of the charismatic movement and Right Wing politics. Hispanic folks are joining in alarming numbers.
Frank Shaffer just did an interview here on substack with Dr Matthew Taylor about the history of the evangelical movement and the trajectory they are on which is well worth a listen. Project 2025 is real and it’s a real reflection of their Dominion Theology which they are spreading Worldwide.
I started calling myself a ‘Follower of Jesus’ about a dozen years ago, mostly out of respect for the 1st century church and a protest to TV Evangelism. The change has opened many doors for me (including the exit door of the Pentecostal church I had attended for 30 years) among small groups of people who would invite me to sit with them and participate in their conversations. The word Christian has been irreparably damaged in my opinion.
This is an answer to years of prayer for me! For several years now, my husband and I have been rebuked for our stand against Trump/trumpism and told to either shut up or ask God to cure our blindness to “the truth”. This article articulates so beautifully and powerfully the correlation to the story of the golden calf. It encourages and empowers those of us who see the evil to stand up and not be silent! Thank you 💜🙏🏼
Donald Trump is evil personified and anyone who votes for him or supports his ego idolatry is hardly following Jesus: "you cannot serve God and Mammon (money)". Ernie Pihl
Read article last evening. It is not a good choice for
bed time reading!!! chocolate cookies were in order ! Seriously thank you for a much needed article. I also red all 87 comments and they seemed to cover most of my thinking. And maybe stretch. As one person said, in so many words remember to take sabbatical time for yourself. and when we hear from you I know I am grateful.
It's honestly hard for me to imagine the 1970's context that you describe--my entire life has been defined by right wing evangelicalism. Even on the mission field, that's what I got.
Thank you and Tripp for your passionate expression of views on the "Ruining Dinner" episode I just watched. I left mainline Christianity in my conservative southern town to join the small UU church and that has become a compatible place for my long held liberal views, but my heart breaks for the traditional faith which was an important part of my life. Conversations like the one I just heard make me feel overwhelmed like Diana, but also offer hope.
Thank you. I needed that. I hope it lights more fuses to do something about Christianity’s current state. Check out AU or Americans United. Or even better, perhaps, Faithful American.
This sounds a lot like Germany in the 1930’s. We need to be alarmed, and we need to act, like Dietrich Bonhoeffer did during that time. We need to take a stand, like my German immigrant grandfather, who was a pastor in Texas, did when he was pressured by local authorities to sell war bonds from the pulpit during WWI. He told them, “No, from this pulpit I preach the Gospel.” He spent the night in jail, then his house was searched, to see if there was anything in it the authorities could use to charge him with a sympathizing with the Germans. May I be as brave as he was. We are becoming the Germany of the 1930’s, and Trump has become our Hitler. We MUST not let this happen.
I am ever so grateful that you are in my life.
Amen, sister.
Thank you so much, Diana, for another powerful and profound reflection. As your neighbours to the north we are very concerned with what might happen in November. As a Canadian Anglican I am dismayed at the deification of the diabolical energy that permeates from the core of this person, who may be given again the most powerful position on the planet. I can only hope with everything that is in me that those who seem blinded to this fact will see the ‘golden calf’ they are creating and wake up to the frightening results such idolatry would bring the world. Thank you, also, for the reminder of that great song by The 2nd Chapter of Acts. I was 14 when it came out and remember it well. The song instantly took me back to that time in my life. It also had me listening again to another of my favourites from that time, “The Great American Novel” by Larry Norman (from 1972). Remember that one? The song had lots of references about the love of the moon (space race) over peoples poverty, the war in Viet Nam, racism following from the civil rights movement etc. it’s still such a great song!. Not too much seems to have changed. But the line that really stood out for me concerns what Mr. Trump is an absolute master of: ….“And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth”. As scary as that is, I’m choosing to stay living in hope and trust….at least for now.
Many thanks again, Diana. I am so grateful for your thoughts and your words.
Peace be with you.
Thanks for writing on this subject. I’ve been so saddened by folks in my immediate circles embracing this obviously sick person and sick twisted theology with such enthusiasm. Anything I say is met with almost violent reaction or sadness that I’m the one that doesn’t see the “real truth”. I really don’t know what can be done about that other than double down on my own spiritual growth and trying to shine the Christ Light as bright as I can in my life. Anyway, the only thing I would say to add to what’s written here is that this may no longer be White Nationalism. It’s a Transnational merging of the charismatic movement and Right Wing politics. Hispanic folks are joining in alarming numbers.
Frank Shaffer just did an interview here on substack with Dr Matthew Taylor about the history of the evangelical movement and the trajectory they are on which is well worth a listen. Project 2025 is real and it’s a real reflection of their Dominion Theology which they are spreading Worldwide.
I started calling myself a ‘Follower of Jesus’ about a dozen years ago, mostly out of respect for the 1st century church and a protest to TV Evangelism. The change has opened many doors for me (including the exit door of the Pentecostal church I had attended for 30 years) among small groups of people who would invite me to sit with them and participate in their conversations. The word Christian has been irreparably damaged in my opinion.
This is an answer to years of prayer for me! For several years now, my husband and I have been rebuked for our stand against Trump/trumpism and told to either shut up or ask God to cure our blindness to “the truth”. This article articulates so beautifully and powerfully the correlation to the story of the golden calf. It encourages and empowers those of us who see the evil to stand up and not be silent! Thank you 💜🙏🏼
I haven’t heard that song in eons….and no, I do not fall for his BS. Kyrie eleison….
Amen
I call it the Defecation of trump
Donald Trump is evil personified and anyone who votes for him or supports his ego idolatry is hardly following Jesus: "you cannot serve God and Mammon (money)". Ernie Pihl
Well, it’s back to the Hebrew Bible for me !! Reading it with new eyes. Diana, thank you for this astounding post. I’m passing it on.
And I truly appreciate every word you said today (and always!)
Read article last evening. It is not a good choice for
bed time reading!!! chocolate cookies were in order ! Seriously thank you for a much needed article. I also red all 87 comments and they seemed to cover most of my thinking. And maybe stretch. As one person said, in so many words remember to take sabbatical time for yourself. and when we hear from you I know I am grateful.
It's honestly hard for me to imagine the 1970's context that you describe--my entire life has been defined by right wing evangelicalism. Even on the mission field, that's what I got.
Thank you and Tripp for your passionate expression of views on the "Ruining Dinner" episode I just watched. I left mainline Christianity in my conservative southern town to join the small UU church and that has become a compatible place for my long held liberal views, but my heart breaks for the traditional faith which was an important part of my life. Conversations like the one I just heard make me feel overwhelmed like Diana, but also offer hope.
Thank you. I needed that. I hope it lights more fuses to do something about Christianity’s current state. Check out AU or Americans United. Or even better, perhaps, Faithful American.
This sounds a lot like Germany in the 1930’s. We need to be alarmed, and we need to act, like Dietrich Bonhoeffer did during that time. We need to take a stand, like my German immigrant grandfather, who was a pastor in Texas, did when he was pressured by local authorities to sell war bonds from the pulpit during WWI. He told them, “No, from this pulpit I preach the Gospel.” He spent the night in jail, then his house was searched, to see if there was anything in it the authorities could use to charge him with a sympathizing with the Germans. May I be as brave as he was. We are becoming the Germany of the 1930’s, and Trump has become our Hitler. We MUST not let this happen.