WHY ME, LORD? NOTES ON FINAL SIFTING OF WHEAT FROM CHAFF IN THE AGE OF THE AMERICAN ÜBERMENSCH (WITH VIDEO)

“Mankind is made of two kinds of people: wise people who know they’re fools, and fools who think they are wise.” – SOCRATES, c. 404 BC

1. THEOLOGY

SCRIPTURE. “Just look at your own calling, believers; not many [of you were considered] wise according to human standards, not many powerful or influential, not many of high and noble birth.

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 1:26-29, AMP

KEY TERM. “FOOLISH.” ‘Móros’ [μωρὰ]: “The dull, absurd, or heedless; also, uninformed, senseless, lacking in understanding or discernment.” NOTE: “The word translated “fool, foolish” (Strong’s Greek 3474) consistently depicts Moral and Spiritual Dullness rather than mere intellectual deficiency. Scripture applies it to people, attitudes, controversies, and even—to expose Human Pride—the Gospel itself.”

QUOTATION. “It was a rare moment to cherish, although a common and simple moment, but aren’t most precious moments made of ordinary things merely perfectly arranged?”  – H. MELVIN JAMES, Tares among the Wheat, Volume II, 2019; edited

COMMENTARY. “‘But God hath chosen the foolish things.’ — Or, supplying the word, προσωπα, the foolish persons of the world. Such persons as are ‘of little esteem in the world;’ for want of learning, parts, eloquence, and such other endowments as some have attained, and who are judged altogether unfit to teach others, especially the Greeks and Romans. 

‘To confound the wise.’ — To shame those who account themselves, and are accounted wise; and of whom the world is most ready to boast. In this passage the Apostle imitates the contemptuous language in which the Greek philosophers, and men of learning, affected to speak of the Christian Preachers: Yet, as he does it in irony, he aggrandizes them. The first Preachers of the Gospel, as Bishop Newton observes, ‘Were chiefly a few poor fishermen, of low parentage, of no learning or eloquence, of no reputation or authority, despised as Jews by the rest of Mankind’ … What improper instruments were these to contend with the prejudices of the world, the superstition of the people, the interests of the priests, the vanity of the philosophers, the pride of the rulers, the malice of the Jews, the learning of the Greeks, and the power of Rome! ‘But the weaker the instruments who converted the world, the greater was the display of the Power of God by which they acted.’ See on 2 Corinthians 4:7. 

‘And the weak things of the world’ — Persons who pretend to no extraordinary abilities or endowments; ‘to confound’ — Or shame; ‘the things which are mighty’ — Which, with all their boasted powers and qualifications, have never been able to work such a reformation among men, as these despised disciples of Jesus have been the means of effecting. And base things of the world — Things accounted vile and despised, εξουθενημενα,  ‘set at naught; and things which are not’ — Which are as little regarded, or as much overlooked, as if they had no being, and were below contempt itself; ‘hath God chosen’ — To be His instruments in renewing and saving mankind; ‘to bring to naught’ — To annihilate; ‘things that are’ — In the highest esteem, and that make the most illustrious figures among mankind. 

‘That no flesh’ — A fit appellation; flesh is fair, but withering as grass; ‘should glory in His Presence’ — That no human being might boast of any advantages or distinctions, or of any excellence in himself, as the cause of his being appointed an Apostle, Evangelist, or Minister of Christ, and employed in preaching the Gospel: And that none who are converted by the preaching of such, should consider their conversion as the effect of any human abilities, natural or acquired, but should be compelled to ascribe the glory of all to God.” – JOSEPH BENSON, Notes on the Holy Bible, 5 vols., 1811-1818; edited

1. TEACHING

THE QUESTION. Something virtually all of us thought in light of the massive ‘Falling Away’ taking place in the primarily White Evangelical Church these day runs something like this:

“Father, of all the life-long Christians I have known closely, why have they all left the Faith over the Donald Trump issue, and I and a small number of others have remained?” I am certainly no better than they, nor have any special qualifications that I know of, Sir. Indeed, Lord: “Why me?”

There is an astonishing phenomenon taking place in the American Church today in the midst of our Unprecedented Crisis that should never have occurred. The great majority of White Evangelicals have effectively turned to a desperate ‘SEARCH FOR SUPERMAN’ to solve our problems.

And they have discovered him in the vile personage of PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, a False Messiah of the lowest possible professional and moral standards in the entire history of the American Presidency.

This idolatrous idea reminds uncomfortably of Friedrich Nietzsche’s concept of the ‘Übermensch,’ his postulation in Thus Spoke Zarathustra (1883)that Society invariably needs to: Shift from away from “otherworldly Christian values” and find The IDEAL LEADER instead.

Precisely what the American Church has done, beloved!

To address this extraordinary BREACH OF TRUTH in the Church, I begin with a newly released report by the Pew Public Religion Research Institute (Mar. 2, 2026; edited). Here is a Bullet Point Summary of their major findings. Hope you are sitting down.

• OPEN. “This Spotlight Analysis uses new PRRI data collected from February 10-18, 2026, to examine recent changes in President Donald Trump’s favorability ratings through the lenses of Party, Religious Affiliation, Christian Nationalism, Race, and Age. A year into the second Trump administration, our latest data show that ‘36% of Americans hold favorable views of Donald Trump,’ down from 40% in September 2025, while ‘six in ten Americans view Trump unfavorably (60%).’” DK: One third of the Nation supports Trump (White Evangelicals); One third of the Nation actively Opposes him; and the other third remains Silent. That effectively gives Trump a 2/3 electoral majority.

• PARTY. “Most Republicans (81%) continue to hold favorable views of Donald Trump, slightly down from 85% at the end of 2025, after experiencing noticeable increases since early 2023. Among independents, 28% view Trump favorably, down from 30% in September 2025. By contrast, just 6% of Democrats hold a favorable view of Trump; Trump’s favorability among Democrats has remained very low over the past decade.”

• RELIGION. “WHITE CHRISTIANS continue to be more likely than Christians of color and non-Christians to view Trump favorably. Today, roughly seven in ten White Evangelical Protestants (69%) view Trump favorably.’ While White Evangelical Protestants remain the religious group most likely to view Trump favorably, their favorable views of Trump have declined by 7 points from an all-time high of 76% in May 2025.”

• RACE. “‘Today, 45% of White Americans hold favorable views of Trump, compared with 24% of Hispanic Americans and 15% of Black Americans.’ While favorability has fluctuated across all groups, White Americans are the only group to show a constant increase since June 2023, rising from 36% to 45% in February 2026’ with a slight decline from 48% in September 2025. Trump’s favorability among Hispanic Americans was lowest in October 2015 (16%) before rising to 29% in October 2017 but then falling to 20% the next year.”

• AGE. “‘Trump’s favorability ratings remain lower among younger Americans than older Americans.’ Among Americans ages 18-29, Trump favorability rose sharply from 19% in 2015 to 36% in October 2017 before falling to 21% in 2018. Favorability rose again to 35% in both September 2024 and March 2025, before falling to its current level of 27%. For Americans ages 30-49, Trump favorability rose from 31% in 2015 to 38% in 2017, then fell to 31% in 2018 and remained in the low 30s until increasing to 36% in September 2025. Now, Trump favorability stands at 30% among Americans ages 30-49.”

DK’S TAKE. As we step back from this Closeup of the Data, here is what I see.

One: ‘Republicans and White Evangelicals taken together are in firm support of Donald Trump in 2026 at 75%.’ This in spite of a few percentage point loss following Trump’s vastly increased use of ICE violence and reckless wars of convenience in the Middle East, there is an undeniable ‘Racial Divide’ in America. Even in the Christian Church.

Two: ‘Young People are much more cognizant of Trump’s corruption than are those from ages 30 and older.’ For older Americans, the president finds his strongest support. ‘Those over 50 years support him and his policies from 53-87%.’ Ironically, while our Elders are supposed to hold the high ground on matters of ethics and morality, they are the least able to discern Good from Evil, including the Leadership of most institutions – ‘including the Church!’

Three: From these findings I find alarming evidence that, as the subtitle of my book proposed, ‘The Rise of Donald Trump’ is undeniably conjoined with ‘The Decline of the American Order’ (The Sixth Seal II, 2024; edited). More ultimately, should Trump prove to in fact be the Biblical Antichrist, he shall destroy the entire World Order.

“Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out CONQUERING AND TO CONQUER [‘nikaó (νικῶν) subdue, overcome, prevail‘] …

And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If anyone has an ear, let him hear.” – REVELATION 6;1-2;  13:5-9, NKJV

1. FOUNDATIONS

ROOTS I. One of the most important principles I discovered during my tour of duty at Regent University’s Institute of Public Affairs Journalism in the 1980s was articulated by DR. RUSSELL KIRK. Regarded as the Father of (True) American Conservatism, his classic work, The Roots of American Order (1974) says it this way:

“Those who neglect the Roots of Order, one may add, are compelled to water those Roots desperately—after wandering in the parched wasteland of Disorder.”

Arguing further that the very first need of all human beings is in fact, ‘The Need for Order,’ unlike the foolish tendency to ‘Christianize’ American history, he wisely noted that our American Roots were not all ‘Christian’ Roots.

‘Rather did the intellectually accomplished Founders cull from the several Ideological Sources.’ I chuckle as I write what follows because I was at first angry when I read Kirk, having been indoctrinated by the David Barton School of History with its massive perversion of objective historical reality.

• Jerusalem: For Moral Law and the Sacredness of the Soul.
• Athens: For Reason and Philosophy.
• Rome: For the concepts of Duty, Law, and the Republic.
• London: For Common Law and Representative Government.

‘You will carefully note that at our very Foundations, America was 50% Judeo-Christian, while the other 50% was clearly Secular.’ Not anywhere near the false “Christian Roots” Narrative bandied recklessly by the Christian Right.

Selah.

ROOTS II. Very likely because of that Historic Syncretism at our Origins, we are also victim of Darker Roots that I have written of at least twice. Here is a brief Review that I created for this study drawing from my own historical research (e.g., “Notes on the Daughter of Tarshish,” 2025, etc.), and an AI Overview (ret. June 8, 2026).

• OPEN. America’s Founding was anchored in THE GREAT CONTRADICTION: ‘A Nation built on the ideals of Universal Liberty simultaneously institutionalized the brutal reality of Chattel Slavery, the Displacement of Indigenous Populations, and stark Socioeconomic Inequality.’

• PARADOX. ‘The Rhetoric of the American Revolution—asserting that all men are created equal—coexisted with an economy and social order heavily dependent on the Enslavement of roughly half a million African Americans.’ The Framers of the Constitution grappled with this Moral Crisis by drafting Compromises that codified Slavery without explicitly using the word in the text. This to mollify the Slaveholding South.

• RACISM. ‘The Three-Fifths Compromise allowed States, therefore, to count three-fifths of their Enslaved populations for purposes of political representation and taxation, inflating the power of slaveholding states.’ This of course a mendacious denial of the very humanity of Black Slaves for over two hundred years.

• SLAVERY. ‘The Slave Trade Clause: Protected the international importation of enslaved people until at least 1808. The Fugitive Slave Clause: Mandated that escaped enslaved individuals be returned to their owners, making Free States complicit in the institution.’ The unmistakable historic AMERICAN HYPOCRISY is part and parcel of our Political DNA, “Suppressed in Unrighteousness” by unprincipled American leaders to this very day (Romans 1:18).

• FOUNDERS. Thomas Jefferson, revered Author of the Declaration of Independence, who famously declared that “all men are created equal,” owned hundreds of enslaved people throughout his life. He notoriously kept Sally Hemings, an enslaved woman, in bondage, holding her and their children as property. George Washington, the first President and Commander of the Continental Army held over 700 enslaved people at his Mount Vernon Estate and chased down and recovered the over 40 slaves that had escaped.

• GENOCIDE:‘The deliberate, systematic attempt to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group’. The Expansion of the New Republic was driven by the aggressive seizing of Native American Lands under the false and secular “Manifest Destiny” Narrative.The Foundational Belief that the Continent was a Divinely “Chosen Territory” destined for Continental Expansion, that fueled policies of forced removal, broken treaties, and warfare against Indigenous tribes whose presence predated the Colonies. This was preceded by the savage exploitation of the Natives “discovered” by Christopher Columbus in the latter 16^th Century.

• SHAME. The “Trail of Tears” refers to the forced, deadly relocation of approximately 60,000 Native Americans of the “Five Civilized Tribes” (Cherokee, Muscogee, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw) between 1830 and 1850. Driven by White Settlers and the Indian Removal Act signed by President Andrew Jackson, the Ethnic Cleansing resulted in the deaths of up to 15,000 people due to disease, exposure, and starvation.

• MEXICO. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848, formally ended the Mexican-American War which was an American assault to gain a massive swath of Western Territory. Under its terms, ‘Mexico ceded over 500,000 square miles—about 55% of its territory—to the United States, encompassing the present-day states of California, Nevada, and Utah, most of Arizona and New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.’

• REVISIONISM. ‘Erased Bloodlines and Hidden Histories’ History has long crafted Romanticized Narratives, frequently omitting the vital contributions of Black and Indigenous founders. To explore the truths and erased bloodlines of the era, resources like the New Hampshire Legislature provide context on the struggles against Institutional Oppression.

• FREEMASONRY. Freemasonry played a significant role in the American Founding, providing a network for Colonial Unity and modeling Democratic Self-Governance before the United States was formed. KEY FIGURES like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were active Masons, and Masonic Symbolism remains embedded in early U.S. architecture and civic design. Of the 39 signers of the Constitution, 13 were Freemasons. Of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 9, including John Hancock, were Masons. 33 general officers in the Continental Army were members.

NOTE: The kindest view of Freemasonry is that there are Dangers that revolve around spiritual conflicts, secretive practices, and controversial histories. Because Freemasonry requires a belief in a “Supreme Being” (or ‘Grand Architect’) but does not dictate a specific religion, it has faced particular scrutiny from organized religious groups and society at large. In addition, critics object to the ‘Solemn Obligations or Oaths’ required of members. Historically and ritually, these involve Symbolic Penalties (e.g., having one’s throat cut or tongue torn out) for violating the Secrets of the Fraternity, which Christian leaders argue violate Scriptural Injunctions against swearing oaths.

1. LAST THOUGHTS: REMNANT OR REBEL?

THE CHRISTIANS WHO REJECT TRUMP. Christians who refuse to follow Donald Trump are incredibly diverse, spanning mainstream denominations, progressive communities, and even traditional conservative or evangelical backgrounds. They often cite concerns over his Rhetoric, Personal Character, and the blending of Faith and Nationalism.

• Progressive & Mainstream Protestants: Christians in historically mainline denominations (like the Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church USA, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) often oppose Trump’s policies. They generally focus their theology on social justice, care for the marginalized, and environmental stewardship, which they see as opposing Trump’s platform.

• Theologically Conservative Evangelicals: High-profile conservative Christian leaders, authors, and theologians have openly distanced themselves from Trump. They argue that unconditional support for him compromises the long-standing conservative stance that a candidate’s personal morality, character, and humility matter.

• Black & Hispanic Christians: Most Black Protestants and Hispanic Catholics strongly oppose Trump. They are often driven by a “Social Gospel” focused on Matthew 25—which emphasizes feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, and racial equality—and frequently reject his stance on immigrants and minorities.

• Organized Faith-Based Activism: Specific groups of Faith Leaders organize to mobilize voters based on the “common good” rather than strict partisanship. Movements such as Vote Common Good actively work to persuade religious voters away from Trump, while Coalitions of Christians unite to denounce his administration.

BE THE WHEAT!  “Now this same John had clothing made of camel’s hair and a [wide] leather band around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the [divine] wrath and judgment to come? So produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin]; and do not presume to say to yourselves [as a defense], “We have Abraham for our father [so our inheritance assures us of salvation];” for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children (descendants) for Abraham. 

And already the axe [of God’s judgment] is swinging toward the ROOT OF THE TREES [‘rhiza’ (ῥίζα) ‘unseen taproot that anchors, nourishes, and ultimately determines the destiny of the whole plant’]; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

As for me, I baptize you with water because of [your] repentance [that is, because you are willing to change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret your sin and live a changed life], but He (the Messiah) who is coming after me is mightier [more powerful, more noble] than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to remove [even as His slave]; He will baptize you [who truly repent] with the Holy Spirit and [you who remain unrepentant] with fire (judgment).

His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out His threshing floor; and He will gather His WHEAT (believers) into His barn (kingdom), but He will burn up the CHAFF (the unrepentant) with unquenchable fire!” – MATTHEW 3:4-12, AMP

The Scripture defines “WHEAT” as: ‘Those who genuinely repent, produce good spiritual fruit, and accept and actually obey the teachings of Jesus to their very end.’

MARK OF A CHRISTIAN. A great number of Bible scholars and theologians have wrestled with a definition of what distinguishes a ‘True Follower of Christ,’ sinceat least the times of Constantine and the Nicene Creed of 325 AD. I have read, for example, the works of Harry Blamires, Francis Schaeffer and others who have weighed in to these important waters.

However, after a review of several excellent (but greatly detailed) examinations of this vital issue, I once again settled on a superbly accurate and concise AI Overview (ret. June 9, 2026; edited) of the several distinguishing marks of “THE TRUE CHRISTIAN.”

• OPEN. A True Christian is distinguished by an authentic, life-altering relationship with Jesus Christ. Rather than mere religious conformity, ‘Genuine Faith manifests through Inward Transformation, Obedience to God’s Commandments, and an Active Love for others.’

• FRUIT. The inward Presence of the Holy Spirit produces specific Character Traits, including: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. – Galatians 5:22-23

• LOVE. Jesus declared that Self-Sacrificing Love for God, fellow believers, and the lost is the ultimate identifier of a true disciple. – John 13:35

• OBEDIENCE. A Mark of Saving Faith is a lifestyle characterized by keeping God’s Commandments and a genuine Turning Away from willful sin. – John 14:15

• HUMILITY. Believers are marked by Mercifulness, Forgiveness, and a Heart that aligns with the “Poor in Spirit” (the opposite of pride) as described in the Beatitudes. – Matthew 5:3-10

• PERSEVERANCE. ‘True Faith Endures!’ – Through trials, remaining steadfast in hope. constant in prayer and the aggressive study of the Scriptures to hear God and learn of Him. – Matthew 24:13

THE RELUCTANCE OF MOSES. So let me finish who I view as arguably one of the finest Godly Leader-Servants of all time with a brief profile of the PROPHET MOSES.

“Now the man Moses was very humble (gentle, kind, devoid of self-righteousness), more than any man who was on the face of the earth … But Moses said to God, ‘WHO AM I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt? … Please my Lord, send the message [of rescue to Israel] by [someone else,] whomever else You will [choose].’” – NUMBERS 12:3; EXODUS 3:11; 4:13, AMP

After teaching courses related to Biblical Principles of Christian Leadership, I developed A MAXIM that ran something like this: ‘Search for a leader who is reluctant to lead, and all other qualifications being held constant, that is likely the best one to lead.’ One devoid of self-interest or promotion, who shall only serve if GOD instructs, however disinclined to do so.

Canadian writer and editor JESSICA HEIKOOP sums up this powerful Biblical Truth in the conclusion of her piece titled, “Moses: Reluctant Leader” (Words of Hope, Jan. 22, 2013; edited). NOTE: Ms. Heikoop died at the age of 31 in 2013.

“‘Countless times in the Bible we see that God uses the most unlikely people to accomplish the most extraordinary things.’ With God’s help, MOSES stood before Pharaoh and delivered God’s messages, performed signs and miracles, and led his people to freedom. I’m sure Moses had no idea that day as he approached the burning bush that he would be used in such a profound way. But that just makes it all the more awesome, when we see God’s Plan come to fruition through the most unlikely candidates.”

CODA. Therefore beloved, when you begin to succumb to feeling insignificant or unqualified or worse, when your closest friends and even your own family REJECT you for not measuring up to their standard, Recall this:

“Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers FOOLISH in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are POWERLESS to shame those who are powerful. God chose things DESPISED by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.” – 1 CORINTHIANS 1:26-29, NLT

The very Words of our God to all us, ‘Lower Magistrates,’ indeed, “to the least of these,” His true brethren.

For God Himself and all His holy angels shall together “UNDERTAKE FOR US” (‘arab’ [עָרְבֵֽנִי׃], ‘in Solemn Pledge to the Obedient’) when we are in The Crucible, beloved (Isaiah 38:14). Indeed, He Promises to virtually consume us with His Unquenchable Fire at such moments!

MEDIA

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/QuxV6RR1Woc