NOTES ON THE AMERICAN CHURCH OF 2025 AND BEYOND: ‘HOISTED ON THEIR OWN PETARD.’ – (WITH VIDEO)

1. THEOLOGY

SCRIPTURE. “But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear].

For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith].

Avoid such people and keep far away from them!” – 2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5, AMP

KEY TERMS: “AVOID SUCH PEOPLE!” ‘Apotrepó’ [ἀποτρέπου]: “To deflect, turn away from, shun” [only time this term used in the entire Biblical text]. NOTE: “The verb ἀποτρέπω (‘apotrepó’) is used to describe the action of turning away from something, often with the implication of avoiding or shunning it. In a Biblical context, it can refer to turning away from evil, false teachings, or anything that is contrary to God’s will. ‘It emphasizes a deliberate choice to reject or distance oneself from negative influences or behaviors.’”

QUOTATION. “‘Inasmuch as one cannot avoid Bad Company, one should not be deceived.’ One should see the insincerity behind the mask of friendliness, the destructivenes behind the mask of eternal complaints about unhappiness. The narcissism behind the charm. One should also not act if he or she were taken in by the other’s deceptive appearance in order to avoid being forced into a certain dishonesty oneself. ‘One need not speak to them about what one sees, but one should not attempt to convince them that one is blind.’” ― DR. ERICH FROMM, The Art of Being, 1976; edited

BIO NOTE. “Erich Seligmann Fromm, American social psychologist, psychoanalyst, sociologist, humanistic philosopher, and democratic socialist. He was was a German Jew who fled the Nazi regime and settled in the United States. He was also one of the founders of The William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis and Psychology in New York City and was associated with the Frankfurt School of critical theory.” – EDITORS, Wikipedia, April 14, 2025; edited

• THE PRINCIPLE. “When Jesus heard [the Centurion’s declaration of faith], He marveled, and said to those who followed, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” – MATTHEW 8:10-12, NKJV”

COMMENTARY. “‘Even in Gospel Times there would be Perilous Times; on account of Persecution from without, still more on account of Corruptions within.’ Men love to gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and do their duty. When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another.

‘When men do not fear God, they will not regard man.’ When children are disobedient to their parents, that makes the Times Perilous. Men are unholy and without the fear of God, because unthankful for the mercies of God. We abuse God’s gifts, if we make them the food and fuel of our lusts. Times are Perilous also, when parents are without natural affection to children. And when men have no rule over their own spirits but despise that which is good and to be honoured.

‘God is to be loved above all! But a carnal mind, full of Enmity against Him, prefers any thing before Him, especially carnal pleasure. A Form of godliness is very different from the Power. From such as are found to be Hypocrites, real Christians must withdraw!’ Such persons have been found within the Outward Church, in every place, and at all times. There ever have been artful men, who, by pretences and flatteries, creep into the favour and confidence of those who are too easy of belief, ignorant, and fanciful.

‘All must be ever learning to know the Lord. But these follow every new notion, yet never seek the Truth as it is in Jesus.’ Like the ‘Egyptian Magicians,’ these were men of corrupt minds, prejudiced against the Truth, and found to be quite without Faith. Yet though the Spirit of Error may be let loose for a time, Satan can deceive the Nations and the Churches no further, and no longer, than God will permit.” – MATTHEW HENRY, Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, 6 vols., 1708-1710; edite

II. TEACHING

THESIS: I propose that the current state of the largely White Evangelical American Church has become so willingly corrupted by the MAGA Christian Nationalists that it is left to a Loose Coalition of Liberal Mainliners and Conservative Orthodoxists to Resist that Corruption and bring Reform to the Faith while there is still a little time.DK

In line with this thinking, I now turn to an article by NICHOLAS LIU, a News Fellow at Salon, a politically Progressive news magazine. He grew up in Hong Kong, earned a B.A. in History at the University of Chicago, and began writing for local publications like the Santa Barbara Independent and Straus News Manhattan. He also has an M.A. in Journalism from New York University.

His piece is titled, “‘A Corruption of What it Means to Be Christian.’ Liberal Pastors Challenge Christianity’s MAGA Turn” (Salon, Oct. 18, 2024; edited). Here is a Summary of his MAIN IDEAS.

• DUELING VIEWS ON CHRISTIAN DUTY.  “‘Religious Conservatives’ [radically redefined by MAGA Christian Nationalists], rejecting the notion of Jesus as the kind of Revolutionary described by Barnes and Empsall, have taken great pains to fend off accusations of Hypocrisy and siding with the rich and powerful. Paula White, a spiritual advisor to Donald Trump, insisted that if anyone’s twisting Faith for their own ends, it’s Christians invoking Jesus’ flight to Egypt as a call to help refugees who are most guilty of the charge. ‘I think so many people have taken Biblical Scriptures out of context on this, to say stuff like, “Well, Jesus was a refugee,” White said in an interview with the Christian Broadcast Network. ‘Yes, He did live in Egypt for three-and-a-half years. But it was not illegal. If He had broken the Law, then He would have been sinful and He would not have been our Messiah.’”

• SCHISM IN AMERICA. “Even though [Martin Luther] King and other Civil Rights leaders managed to rally Christian Pastors to their side, the acrimony between Christians over racial segregation and the Movement to destroy it underscored political tensions that were already creating Schisms within American congregations. Feminism, gay rights and the Vietnam War fueled additional discord, with more Traditionalist congregants opposing the ordination of female priests and reacting furiously to Mainline Protestant leaders who advocated from the Pulpit. Many chose to leave and either form their own religious communities or join Evangelical congregations where, according to MatthewHedstrom, a professor at the University of Virginia’s Department of Religious Studies, ‘People could avoid churches that were making them uncomfortable on those issues and challenging them as Christians to think about how they might practice their Faith in a changing society.’”

• THE CHALLENGE OF POLITICS.“Whatever criticism can be leveled at the Christian Right, Pastors across the political spectrum recognize that its leaders have largely succeeded in creating a Network of institutions that has persuaded millions of Christians to consistently support Republican candidates for office.But if Christianity is supposed to be about imitating Christ’s Virtues, then their political power may have come at the cost of moral authority.’ Especially now as many of its leaders transact business with a presidential nominee sullied by credible accusations of sexual abuse and a conviction over hush-money payments to a porn star. The upside, of course, is that Trump gives them the federal judges they want, though whether or not their rulings are actually in the Christian Spirit is, like the refugee status of Jesus Christ, up for debate. ‘It’s exactly this kind of perceived Spiritual Corruption that leaves many Pastors outside the Christian Right ecosystem wary of imitating them.’”

• WEALTH, POWER AND THE MEGA-CHURCH. The moral and intellectual gymnastics that Liberal Pastors say define the convictions of Right-Wing Christians have only hardened with Emerging Models of Worship that orient its congregants in a more consumerist, less politically reflective direction. Megachurches, often multi-denominational and classified as drawing more than 2,000 people on a single weekend, are an especially notable culprit, according to Hedstrom. In large part due to a perverse incentive structure centered on Charismatic Founders who, after completing their Flagship Church, then begin setting up satellite campuses. ‘There’s that old line about what a Preacher’s job is, to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. And there are a lot of American Churches that have zero interest in afflicting the comfortable,’ he said. ‘If you’re a Megachurch Pastor, your whole life depends on selling your product to customers, right? You want as many butts in the pews as possible, because that’s the only way the bills get paid, and that’s the only way your institution grows.’”

• TRUE CHRISTIAN MISSION. “In Luke 19:1-10, Jesus spots Zacchaeus, the hated tax collector, climbing a tree to watch one of his sermons, and singles him out.’Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today,’ the Christian Messiah tells him, to the disapproval of the crowd. Despite Zacchaeus’ allegiance to a corrupt and exploitative state, Jesus recognized someone ready to be saved, and He was willing to save him not just by visiting his house, but also his heart. [Significantly], Zacchaeus then returned what he had stolen from the people and gave half of his remaining possessions to the poor. The Lesson — ‘That anyone, whatever their station in life, can still find a New Perspective — is surely one that has relevance today.’”
  
  III. LAST THOUGHTS

So beloved, what now? Am I advocating that we all become Theological Liberals? May God forbid it! No, what I have been proposing is that: American Christianity has reached a point wherein Secular and Liberal America appears to have more moral sense than the entirety of the White “Conservative” Community among us!

‘Thus is a Small Remnant of Christian Faithful left Homeless, as it were, with no earthly place to call their own.’

OUR CHRISTIAN DUTY. As Doctrinal Turmoil is exploding all around, Paul’s prophetic Letter to Timothy profoundly describes what we must do. ‘Resort to “The Simple Gospel!’” As South African evangelist REINHARD BONNKE often said it at his rallies.

For that important discipline I turn to a most Basic Teaching from the EDITORS and their association of Bible scholars at the online journal, Bible.org. in a piece titled, simply: “The Church in the Last Days” (ret. April 15, 2025; edited).

They wisely propose FOUR SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES that we must all follow to ensure that we are indeed, “In the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

PREFACE.  “Why is Paul informing Timothy about the Last Days? It is because Timothy needed to understand the nature of them so he wouldn’t get discouraged and fall away. Similarly, in warning the disciples about coming persecutions, Christ said, ‘I have told you all these things so that you will not fall away’ (John 16:1). When you know something difficult is coming, it is easier to persevere and be faithful when it happens. We need to understand this Reality as well. Difficulties are already around us and ahead of us.”

1. EXAMINE OUR SALVATION. “Second Corinthians 13:5 says, ‘Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless, indeed, you fail the test!^’ Christ said in the Last Days many will say to Him, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but He will respond, ‘Depart from Me, you workers of iniquity, I never knew you!” (Matt 7:21-23). That type of False Faith will be increasingly common in the Church, as we get closer to Christ’s Coming. It will be ‘Religion without relationship, form without power, a shell without life.’ We must test ourselves to see if we are saved.”
2. MAKE SURE CHRIST IS OUR FIRST LOVE. “The Root Problem of the End-Time Church is Self-Love.’ They love themselves more than God, which results in many other sins—love of money, love of pleasure, lack of family love, pride, abusiveness, etc. This can happen to us as well if we don’t love God first. In Revelation 2:4-5, Christ rebuked the Church of Ephesus for this sin. He said, ‘But I have this against you: You have departed from your first love! Therefore, remember from what high state you have fallen and repent! Do the deeds you did at the first; if not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place— that is, if you do not repent!’ Christ promised them Judgment if they didn’t repent for their lack of love for God. No doubt, this lack of love was causing other sins in their lives, as it does with ours. If we’ve lost it, we must repent and turn back to God. ‘We must put Him First [not “America First!”] as an act of love and obedience.’ As we love God first, we will love others and grow in righteousness.”
3. TEST EVERYTHING!  “‘We must test everything through Scripture—miracles, teaching, etc.’ Like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, we must test everything through Scripture to see if it’s of God: Is the Bible being preached or is Scripture simply a launching point for worldly anecdotes? Are my experiences Biblical or just something that feels good? The Word of God equips the man of God ‘for every good work’ (2 Tim 3:16-17). If it doesn’t pass the Biblical Test, it should be discarded! IF we hold onto Scripture, we’ll be kept from the waves of False Doctrine and lying miracles in the Church.”
4. WE MUST PERSEVERE! “‘We must understand our call to persevere in, to love, and to minister to the Church.’ Many have given up on the Church because they have experienced hurt, betrayal, and abuse during these terrible times. However, Christ said the Gates of Hades will not prevail against the [True] Church! (Matt 16:18)—Satan’s works will not ultimately prevail against her. Also, Christ loved the [True] Church and gave His life for her—knowing her imperfections (Eph 5:25-27). We must love her as well and [be willing to Reprove her] when she is Unfaithful. In this Season, there are tares, bad fish, and leaven within her, but God will ultimately Purify and Restore her [but only those willing to ‘Repent’].

CODA. I have observed several times before that I am much freer to speak to the Unsaved, the Liberal (and the Remnant believers) in our culture today than the so-called ‘Conservative Right.’ They are the ones who recognize Donald Trump being a uniquely wicked Imposter, undeserving of his high office. I have been able to witness to many of them and purchased Bible for a good number of them.

But I can hardly hold a substantive, civil conversation with a Trump Christian. I just cannot do it, try as I have countless times over the last decade. All the more reason to follow the Biblical Protocols outlined in this Commentary. And to address the Reason for so many “Unwise” appearing vastly wiser than the entire White Evangelical Church.

PAUL WRITES: “But God has selected [for His purpose] the foolish things of the world to shame the wise [revealing their ignorance], and God has selected [for His purpose] the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong [revealing their frailty]. God has selected [for His purpose] the insignificant (base) things of the world, and the things that are despised and treated with contempt, [even] the things that are nothing, so that He might reduce to nothing the things that are, so that no one may [be able to] boast in the presence of God.” – 1 CORINTHIANS 1:27-29, AMP

‘He has always selected The Unlikely, beloved, to oppose The False.’ – The ‘Have Not’s’ over the ‘Have’s.’ ‘That none may glory, save for Him!’

MEDIA

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/2gB-5Pt3dCE