Two Opposing Gospels
This week, there were two types of Christianity on display.
One version was on display at the presidential inauguration.
Black pastor Lorenzo Sewell gave a benediction prayer that didn’t invoke Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s great “I Have a Dream” speech as much as it provided a poor imitation.
He prayed, "We are grateful you are the one who has called him for such a time as this, that America would begin to dream again."
He continued:
"We pray that you use our president that we will live in a nation where we'll not be judged by the color or our skin but by the content of our character. We are grateful today that you would use our 47th president so we would sing with new meaning, 'our country 'tis of thee.' "
Sewell’s prayer was preceded by a prayer by Franklin Graham, son of renowned minister Billy Graham, and a fervent supporter of the president.
Graham prayed:
“Our Father and our God, thou has said blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. As the prophet Daniel prayed, blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are his. He changes the times and the seasons, he removes kings, he raises up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”
“Father, when Donald Trump’s enemies thought he was down and out, you and you alone saved his life and raised him up with strength and power by your mighty hand. We pray for President Trump, that you watch over, protect, guide, direct him, give him your wisdom from your throne on high. We ask that you bless him and that our nation also be blessed through him. We also ask that you bless and protect Melania, his first lady. We thank you for the beauty, the warmth and grace that she shows not only to this nation, but to the whole world.
This was one version of Christianity on display this week.
Another version was demonstrated during an inaugural prayer service where the Episcopal bishop of Washington, the Right Reverend Mariann Budde, prayed over the president with a fervent plea:
“I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.”
“There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families, some who fear for their lives.”
“The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. (They are) “good neighbors” and “faithful members” (of religious communities).
Her prayer drew criticism from the far right and from the president himself, who said that he “didn’t think it was a good service” and demanded an apology from the bishop.
These opposing versions of Christianity are very different.
One praises God for anointing the president as a modern-day messiah sent to earth to make America Great Again.
The other focuses on mercy and charity for less fortunate and marginalized groups already suffering under the new administration.
It is appalling to witness how these “Christians” and “Jesus Followers” blindly worship someone who demonstrates not a scintilla of faith.
He does not lead with mercy, compassion, or charity, but with vengeance and wrath.
He is attempting to roll back federal civil rights statutes that provide equal protection under the law.
He says that federal funds for California wildfire damage remediation will come with conditions like voter ID laws.
He has removed protection from Dr. Fauci and others who were critical of his actions or publicly disagreed with policy decisions during his last term.
He talks of dismantling FEMA because he thinks the states should take care of their own damages.
And yet, he God’s chosen one to his “Christian” followers – a contemporary Moses who will lead America to some promise land.
Even Charlton Heston might have trouble processing this reasoning.
Those that call themselves believers may continue to follow the president, but they will continue to expose themselves as Gospel hindrances.
There is no better example of why some leave the faith or refuse to consider it than the disgraceful cabal of so-called Christians who follow a political leader who demonstrates no Fruit of the Spirit, no holiness, and no spiritual awareness.
Their politics and personal morals (or lack thereof) have led them to continually pledge fealty to someone who couldn’t be further from a spiritual, moral leader.
These same people were quick to attack Bishop Budde, even though her words were in keeping with the Savior that the president’s adherence claim to worship.
For them, love, mercy, compassion, and charity for the poor and disenfranchised have been superseded by love, mercy, compassion, and charity for the rich and powerful.
Pastors Sewell and Graham should know better.
Instead, Sewell invokes the words of one of America’s greatest leaders and clergymen on behalf of a president who would have no use for him if he were alive. (To be fair, Reverend King would have no use for him, either).
Sewell’s prayer was embarrassing. He is another Black pastor who is more minstrelsy than ministerial. These pastors bow and scrape at the president’s feet rather than challenge his discriminatory policies.
Graham’s father may have befriended President Nixon, but he learned his lesson and distanced himself from politics.
The elder Graham own words:
“I want to preserve the purity of the Gospel and the freedom of religion in America. I don't want to see religious bigotry in any form. Liberals organized in the '60s, and conservatives certainly have a right to organize in the '80s, but it would disturb me if there was a wedding between the religious fundamentalists and the political right. The hard right has no interest in religion except to manipulate it.”
And his thoughts on the Moral Majority, which began this unholy union of religion and politics:
“It would be unfortunate if people got the impression all evangelists belong to that group. The majority do not. I don't wish to be identified with them. I'm for morality. But morality goes beyond sex to human freedom and social justice. We as clergy know so very little to speak out with such authority on the Panama Canal or superiority of armaments. Evangelists can't be closely identified with any particular party or person. We have to stand in the middle to preach to all people, right and left. I haven't been faithful to my own advice in the past. I will be in the future.”
It's a shame that Franklin Graham didn’t learn from his father’s mistakes or wise counsel.
Bishop Budde challenged the president because she is concerned about the things that concern God.
She was the religious leader on display this week who authentically demonstrated spiritual leadership and the moral authority to speak truth to power.
The “Christians” who support the president and his fascist, dictatorial policies may continue to fool themselves into thinking they are doing God’s will.
But they are the only ones who are fooled.
Many believers know better and are acting accordingly.
Unfortunately for the president’s Christian coterie, God also knows better.
And He will have the final say.
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