Responding to Peter Wehner's critique of Trump's vengefulness, McKnight reads John 12 and Philippians 3 to argue that Christians become what they worship. He contends that political vindictiveness and the pursuit of election wins draw believers away from Christ, who shapes his worshipers toward grace, forgiveness, love, peace, and justice. He warns against worshiping power or the nation and urges Christians to protect the republic's ideals through speaking out and the virtues Wehner names.
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Trump's actions in retaliating against former appointees and gutting the NIH are examples of a vindictive approach to governing.
Trump's openly vengeful conduct and code of conduct threaten to shape the habits and culture of Americans, forming a culture contrary to both America's ideals and the gospel.
- Adopts· Peter Wehner, citing Tocqueville
Religion, including the Christianity of many who excuse leaders' immoral conduct, spread conspiracy theories, and cheer the cutting of humanitarian programs, can become a source of republican vices rather than virtues.
Americans face a choice between being drawn into a moral vortex of vindication and punishment or into the moral vision of Jesus.
Judas's complaint about the perfume, though dressed as concern for the poor, revealed a heart stained by greed and a failure to perceive the presence of Jesus, whereas Mary perceived who Jesus was and the significance of the moment.
Paul, like Mary, found Christ and gave up his status, privilege, and former life as rubbish, choosing Christ as example and righteousness rather than claiming his rights or revenge.
Too many Americans are driven by winning the next election with a desire for domination and elimination rather than by being found in Christ, and cooperation and compromise for the common good have been lost.
People become what they worship, and what they worship shows in how they live and in their politics.
- Adopts· Peter Wehner
The republic and its ideals are good causes worth protecting by speaking out and by recovering love, friendship, compassion, humility, and forgiveness and refusing to live within the lie, as Havel did.
Christians should not worship the nation, though they care about it and it tempts them to give it worship; worshiping Christ instead leads to a life of grace, forgiveness, love, peace, and justice.
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