I still remember the sight of former President Donald Trump standing in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church, just across from the White House, using the Bible as a prop. It was quite ironic and revealing to see Trump, who seemed uneasy, holding the Holy Scriptures upside down. Perhaps if he had taken the time to read the Bible, it could have challenged and changed his perspective.
And now, he is selling his latest Bible edition, the Bless the USA Bible, for $59.99, which is pricier than most Bibles. It’s worth noting that he keeps all the proceeds for himself. Interestingly, he chose to unveil this new venture during Holy Week, a significant period for Christians that commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion on Friday and his resurrection on Sunday. In the promotional video for his Bible, Trump openly discusses Holy Week, Easter, Jesus, God, and Christian values, which is a departure from his previous public statements.
Donald Trump has transformed the Bible from a mere prop into a commodity, diminishing the significance of our Holy Scriptures. His actions and words have surpassed ordinary measures, as his behavior can only be described as unprecedented.
But I can offer a different perspective using religious language. As a faith leader, I, along with many others, am prepared to level two additional accusations against Donald Trump.
False worship, or idolatry, is the first issue that arises with Trump’s proclamation of White Christian Nationalism. By doing so, he effectively taints the inclusive and welcoming message of Jesus Christ’s gospel by associating it with whiteness. Furthermore, the term “Christian” itself becomes distorted and unrecognizable. Instead of embodying values such as service, sacrifice, and love, it is replaced with a desire for control and domination. Trump’s religious disciples unabashedly pursue a “Seven Mountain Strategy,” aiming to establish right-wing Christians in positions of power across various sectors including government, business, media, education, family, arts/entertainment, and religion. This strategy directly contradicts Jesus’ instruction to his followers to make disciples in every nation. Instead of promoting love for all, Trump’s faith promotes nationalism, asserting the superiority of one nation over others. This is evident in Trump’s Bible, which features the documents of one country and bears the words “God Bless the USA” on its cover. Such idolatry represents the false worship of a nation.
The second term is “heresy,” referring to the act of leading Christians and others astray from their faith in Christ. Donald Trump and his MAGA movement are accused of contradicting the fundamental teachings of Jesus, as exemplified in his Sermon on the Mount. Trump’s unwavering pursuit of wealth and lack of concern for the most impoverished and vulnerable individuals aligns with Jesus’ condemnation in Matthew’s gospel, Chapter 25: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
The deceitful and damaging narrative propagated by Donald Trump throughout his life stands in stark contrast to the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of John: “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
In the realm of public discourse, Trump has been at the forefront, steering us towards fear, hate, and violence. However, the Beatitudes offer a different perspective. Jesus declares, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.”
The Republican Party, now under the firm control of Donald Trump, is exerting significant efforts to suppress and undermine the voices and votes of people of color. This deliberate action directly challenges the fundamental belief in the image of God, known as the imago dei, as described in Genesis 1:26, the first chapter of the Bible. In this verse, it states, “Then God said, ‘Let us make all humankind in our image and after our likeness.'” It begs the question: Are the white evangelical followers of Donald Trump willing to acknowledge and take responsibility for their chosen party’s initiatives to hinder the voting rights of their Black and brown brothers and sisters in Christ, even going so far as to target Black churches as polling places?
The concept of equality among all of God’s children surpasses the limited perspective of Donald Trump, who seeks to assert his dominance in the political realm. It is concerning and risky for Mr. Trump to use God’s name in the production and promotion of his Bible. This not only jeopardizes the well-being of our nation’s soul but also poses a threat to his own spiritual journey. It is worth contemplating the notion of seeking forgiveness from God, which you once claimed to never have felt the need for. Perhaps now is a time for reflection.
Jim Wallis, an influential author and advocate for social justice, has written an impactful book titled “The False White Gospel: Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith, and Refounding Democracy.” Holding the esteemed position of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Chair in Faith and Justice at Georgetown University, he is also the Director of the newly established Center on Faith and Justice. Additionally, Wallis served on President Obama’s first White House Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. With multiple New York Times bestselling books to his name, including “God’s Politics,” Wallis has made a significant impact on the intersection of religion and politics. Recognized for his influence, Washingtonian magazine has named him one of the 500 most influential people shaping policy in DC for both 2022 and 2023. Notably, Wallis is also the founder of Sojourners, an organization dedicated to promoting social justice and faith-based activism.
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