NOTES ON THE COURAGE TO BE A FOOL FOR CHRIST: PAUL’S STINGING REBUKE OF TRUMP’S FALSE NATIONALIST CHURCH – (WITH VIDEO)

THEOLOGY

SCRIPTURE. “We are [regarded as] fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are highly esteemed, but we are dishonored. To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are continually poorly dressed, and we are roughly treated, and wander homeless. We work [for our living], working hard with our own hands. When we are reviled and verbally abused, we bless. When we are persecuted, we take it patiently and endure. When we are slandered, we try to be conciliatory and answer softly. We have become like the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.” – 1 CORINTHIANS 4:10-13, AMP

KEY TERM: “FOOLS.” ‘Móros’ [μωροὶ]: “From a base word in the Greek meaning, ‘A secret or mystery [enigma];’ absurd, foolishness; blockhead; dull, insipid, tasteless; as one lacking understanding; without discernment; impious, godless; a rebel; mentally inert; lacking a grip on reality.”

QUOTATION. “Persecution is an Enemy the Church has met and mastered many times. Indifference could prove to be a far more dangerous foe.” ― BROTHER ANDREW, God’s Smuggler, 2001

COMMENTARY. “We are fools’ — In the account of the world, ‘For Christ’s sake’ — Because we expose ourselves to so many dangers and sufferings for His Cause: Or because we preach the plain truths of the Gospel and affirm such High Things of One who was Crucified as a Malefactor. ‘But ye are wise in Christ’ — Though ye are Christians, ye think yourselves wise; and ye have found means to make the world think so too: Or, you think you have found out a way at once of securing the blessings of the Gospel, and escaping its inconveniences and persecutions!

‘We are weak’ — In presence, in infirmities, and in sufferings: ‘but ye are strong’ — Just in opposite circumstances. ‘Ye are honourable’ — Adorned with extraordinary gifts, in which you are ready to glory, and some of you appear in circumstances of external distinction. ‘But we are despised’ — Treated with contempt wherever we come. Or the Apostle may be considered in this verse as repeating ironically the things which his enemies in Corinth said of him, and as attributing to them, in the same spirit of irony, the contrary qualities.

‘Even unto this present hour’ — Not only at our first entrance upon our office, when all the world was set against Christianity, but still, though many thousands are converted; ‘we both hunger and thirst,’ &c. — Are destitute of necessary food and apparel, and exposed to wants of all sorts. Who can imagine a more glorious triumph of the truth than that which is gained in these circumstances? When Paul, with an impediment in his speech, and a person rather contemptible than graceful, appeared in a mean, perhaps tattered dress, before persons of the highest distinction, and yet commanded such attention, and made such deep impressions upon them!

‘Being reviled, we bless, suffer it, entreat’ [‘parakaleó,’ implore, beseech, plead, beg!]— We do not return revilings, persecution, defamation; nothing but blessing [for their Eternal Good], ‘We are made as the filth of the world, and the off-scouring of all things’ — Such were those poor wretches among the Heathen, who were taken from the dregs of the people to be offered as expiatory sacrifices to the infernal gods. They were loaded with curses, affronts, and injuries, all the way they went to the altars. And when the ashes of those unhappy men were thrown into the sea, those very names were given them in the ceremony.” – JOSEPH BENSON, Notes on the Holy Bible, 5 vols., 1811-1818; edited

II. TEACHING

Beloved, for as long as there have been human beings on the face of this Earth, there have been TWO CLASSES OF RESIDENTS: Those who truly Belong to God, and those who truly Belong to the World. And for just as long, the Latter have always hated and fought against the Former.

It is not different today, but in point of fact more heated than ever before. Ever. Before.

MAGA CHRISTIANS VS. REMNANT CHRISTANS. This is the only way I have in making a realistic distinction between the Two Major Classes of Christians in America today. This Bifurcation, or more seriously, ‘SCHISM’ [“serious breach of unity among people of the same religious faith”], started the moment our Church Leaders met with Donald Trump in New York on June 21, 2016, and gave him our effectively Faustian Promise to support him if he would “Defend Christianity.”

American Christianity has never been the same since that time, nor shall it ever be again, beloved. Not ever.

I came upon a superb analysis by ZACHARY WAGNER, Editorial Director of the Center for Pastor Theologians. He is currently studying for his Ph.D. degree in New Testament at the University of Oxford. He holds degrees in theology from Wheaton College and the Moody Bible Institute.

Here he is writing for an online journal I have come to respect, Pastor Theologians.com, in a superb analysis titled, appropriately: “Jesus is Not a Republican and Christianity is Not Nationalism” (Jan. 11, 2021; edited). He offers us an incisive view of his thoughtful academic community’s Purpose Statement.

“The Center for Pastor Theologians serves a network of clergy who share a passion to lead the people of God theologically and to do so from the point of view of Orthodox Protestant Teaching. We are interdenominational. We agree on the Cardinal Doctrines of the Christian Faith and on the Reformation Solas, but agree to disagree on things that separate Protestants: Church Polity, The Sacraments, Roles for Women in Ministry, the finer points of Predestination, etc. We oppose racism, ethnocentrism, and prejudice in any and all forms. We hold Traditional Views of sexuality and gender identity and do so with deep love and respect for all people and a commitment to learn from and minister to all. We care about the Culture in which we live and sometimes take stands amid political controversies—but do not let them define us. We want to be known for our Love of the Triune God, the world that he has made, and our desire to make God and His Gospel known everywhere, ‘not least in the Church.’”

THE CONFESSING PELOTON FELLOWSHIP. My friends, this comes as close to a Vision Statement that could well suit our own largely online Fellowship. Though more generalized than the historic Barmen Declaration from the German Confessing Church in May 1934 that directly Renounced the Corruption of the German Church, it is arrow-straight Repudiation of the entire framework of the Maga Christian Nationalists who have identically defiled the Gospel and the entire Biblical Canon so seditiously.

Beloved, I consider these Scholars to be among the Vanguard of Christian Professors who can help us remain True to Christ and Mission in this vicious Age of Antichrist and Apostasy. Indeed, the very title of Dr. Wagner’s article simultaneously serves as HIS THESIS:

“Jesus is Not a Republican and Christianity is Not Nationalism” (January 11, 2021; edited). Dear friends, prepare to be instructed and greatly encouraged by one of the wisest, penetrating understandings of this agonizing Gaping Divide in American Christian ranks.

What follows are his FOUR COROLLARIES attached to his overall Thesis Statement

ONE: ON JESUS. Dr. Wagner segments this Corollary into what I shall designate Three Axioms beneath the General Proposition.

Jesus is Not a Republican. “This has been said before. But now it must be said more loudly and more clearly than ever. There are good and godly men and women who vote Republican and serve in elected office as Republicans. But the association of the Name of Christ with the Republican Party of Trump has become a ‘scourge of shame’ for the Church. The time has come––indeed, it is long overdue––for the entire Church to denounce this association in the strongest possible terms.”

Jesus was Not a Violent Revolutionary. “It is not uncommon for Christians, particularly Progressive Christians, to describe Jesus as a Revolutionary. Of course, in a sense, this is absolutely true. During Jesus’ First Life on Earth, He challenged many social norms having to do with Torah observance, women’s roles in society, and association with the marginalized. However, Jesus was not a violent revolutionary. The ‘Zealots’ of Jesus’ day were revolutionaries who aspired to Violent Rebellion against Rome in God’s name. Jews had successfully (though temporarily) thrown off the rule of their imperial overlords in the ‘Maccabean Revolt’ less than two centuries earlier. The Jews would rebel again in the century following Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, this time unsuccessfully and with devastating results for the Nation.”

Jesus is Lord. “In spite of all of this, Jesus remains truly the Master and Ruler of the entire World. His Rule is not subservient to or enacted through any political party. He rules ‘over Democrats and Republicans.’ Any implication that being a Christian requires a certain political allegiance should be firmly and finally rejected by God’s people. Our allegiance is to Jesus. The kingdoms of this world will pass away. And indeed, they must. But Christ’s Kingdom will abide forever. The association of any earthly kingdom with Christ’s is an insult to the True King, one He will not tolerate, and neither should we.”

TWO: ON CHRISTIANITY. This time there are Two Axioms that define this crucially important matter.

Christianity is Not Nationalism. “This point is closely related to the previous one. But let me say this clearly then unpack what I mean. ‘Christians should not be afraid of what will happen to the United States.’ As Christians, we have renounced our citizenship to this Nation in favor of our Citizenship in God’s Kingdom (Phil 3:20). This means that I have more in common with a Christian woman in Nigeria with whom I am bonded by the Blood of Christ than I have in common with my co-citizens of the United States. Because of this, my Hope is not built on the future and flourishing of America. Christians should seek and serve the good of our Nation and its institutions as we are able. God told his people during the Babylonian Exile, ‘Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles’ (Jer 29:7). But seeking the prosperity of our Nation does not make us Americans in an Ultimate sense any more than seeking the prosperity of Babylon made the Jewish exiles Babylonian. ‘We are Christians first, Americans second.’ If loyalty to American identity compromises our allegiance to Christ, then let us reject our American identity without hesitation.”

Christianity is Not a White Supremacist Religion. “Much has been said on this point but allow me to say it again. Christianity is not a White Man’s Religion. Jesus was not (and is not!) European. Not a single one of the authors of Scripture was of European descent [with one possible exception]. ‘Christianity’s Roots are thoroughly Jewish,’ which is to say, Non-White. Moreover, much of the early history of the Church was characterized by an unlikely association between Middle Eastern, European, and African saints. Today, the vast majority of Christians are Non-White and the Church’s population centers are in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. ‘The past, present, and future of the Church is not Western, and Western Christians must Repent of our Ethnocentrism in thinking that it is or ever was.’”

THREE: ON THE CHURCH WITNESS. Three Axioms fall under this horribly maligned aspect of American Christian life.

The Church We See is Not the True [Remnant] Church. “Again, this point is related to what I’ve just said. We must remember that the ‘Visible Church’ is not the same thing as the ‘True Church.’ Yes, the Visible Church ‘contains’ the True Church. But False Christians, those who do not truly yield to the Lordship of Christ, are also included in what we and the world see in the Church. Wheat and Tares grow together. And it is Jesus who will ultimately pronounce who truly are and are not His disciples. ‘Still, the Church should strive to maintain purity within her ranks.’ If we are timid or hesitant in this effort, how can we possibly tell a watching world that the actions they see done in the Name of Christ are not representative of ‘True Christianity’?”

True, Lasting Damage Has Been Done to the Church’s Witness. “‘Let me say plainly that Christianity’s association with Trump’s Republican Party has severely marred our ability to contend for the Gospel in this generation.’ I cannot overstate how devastating I fear the Consequences of these four years [2017-2021] will prove to be for the Church. Indeed, the political machinations of these days have Eternal Consequences. Certainly, this damage to the Church’s Witness is not felt as deeply in every American context. But I feel that older saints in particular don’t always appreciate the seriousness of this harm. As a Millennial, I fear that there are millions of young Americans in my generation that will be hardened to hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ for their entire lives because of what has been said and done and tolerated in the name of Jesus these past four years.”

Ongoing Repentance is Needed. “In recent days, I’ve seen some Christian leaders express sorrow over the state of our Nation and the violence at the Capitol in particular. This sorrow is often expressed in generic terms: ‘The real problem in our Nation is sin. And the real solution is Repentance and Faith in Christ.’ This is of course true on a basic level. However, this does not say nearly enough. It is not enough to send out a simple condemnation of sin or a generic call to repentance. ‘Let’s get specific!’ That’s what I’ve been trying to do in this article. Let’s begin by looking inward at the Church’s own sin. And let’s prepare ourselves for a long and painful process. MARTIN LUTHER: “If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every proportion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the World and the Devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.” (c. 1530 AD).

FOUR: ON JUDGMENT. Dr. Wagner burns further with God’s Fire in his last Severe Rebuke of the MAGA Nationalist American Church. I was profoundly inspired by it as I am sure you will be as well.

God is Not mocked! “‘It is time for Judgment to begin in the House of God’ (1 Pet 4:17). It seems the American Church will now reap what she has sown for decades. I am both sobered and comforted in the knowledge that God is watching all of these events unfold. ‘His Judgment will come,’ against Republicans and Democrats, professing Christians and non-believers alike. ‘No one is getting away with anything!’ Psalm 2 is well-worth revisiting in a moment such as this. The Resurrected Jesus, enthroned in Heaven, laughs and scoffs at the kings of the earth (vv. 1–4). God has rebuked us in His Anger; He has already installed His King (vv. 5–6). All things and all lands have been given to Him [v. 8]. Let us heed the Warning of His Coming Judgment and serve Him with fear and joy (vv. 10–11), lest we too be destroyed (v. 12).

III. LAST THOUGHTS

Year 2025 will mark the 10^th Year of my Circuit Rides to warn of the Disgrace of the American Church. For me, like so many of you, it began the very day Donald John Trump descended the Golden Escalator in his New York Trump Tower on June 16, 2015. Unknowingly, I began to draft the first of two books titled The Sixth Seal on May 17 of that year.

Two Coterminous Events that would radically change the course of my life and calling for the rest of my days.

ARE YOU READY? As I began to conclude this Commentary, I glanced at this burning question one of our Fellowship members had recently posted, and it caught me by the metaphorical throat and demanded my attention. More specifically, she posted a Meme that said this:

“I don’t care if you’re Pre-Trib Rapture, Mid-Trib Rapture, or No-Rapture…Are you ready for what’s coming? ARE YOU READY?” (Amy Hollis Crouse, Oct. 14, 2024; edited).

CODA. With that in the center of or attention, I end with the Conclusion of the good Mr. Wagner’s stirring Deconstruction of Christian Nationalism: “All of this I commend to you in hope and humble submission to the True Sovereign of the United States of America and of the world, the Lord Jesus of Nazareth.”

His is Coming, beloved, very soon now. – First: To Rescue His True Church. Second: To then Judge the Unredeemed. ‘Be on your best watch!’

Selah.

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/BqW3pc4xkQM