In 2016, 80% of white Evangelical Christians went all-in on Donald J. Trump. It's a decision that will impact the future of the American church. In the past, the church has had strange bedfellows, but this was very different.
After years in the making, conservative Christianity had finally traded in evangelism for a political power move as a means to change the nation. The church had long been on a war against culture, and this was the final piece; the presidency.
It seems as if Jesus couldn't change American, then it might as well be Donald Trump pushing an Evangelical wishlist forward. Their culture war had finally paid off, but it was the devil's bargain.
Through their Orange Messiah, they packed the courts with conservative judges, used scripture to defend putting kids in cages, denied science during a pandemic, and were finally able to say again, "Merry Christmas." They got much of what they wanted, but at what cost?
With a world watching, those that worship Jesus on Sunday spend the rest of their week being hateful and bigoted. The ways and teachings of Jesus became mere lip service to them that would prefer an angry and vengeful God. Loving neighbors became "owning the libtards."
The church was already in a slow decline, but the election of 2016 and Christianity's alignment with Trump kickstarted the mass exodus. They may have felt like they gained the world, but at the expense of their witness.
It doesn't have to be that way. There's always another chance to right decisions of the past. It's like they say, "fool me once, and use my faith, arrogance, and selfishness to appeal to my warped perspective of God. Shame on you. Fool me twice..."
But who knows?
2020 is a crossroads for the church and the country. I hope that Evangelicals learn to make new mistakes instead of repeating the old ones. I'm sure Jesus would love to be welcome back into your churches someday. But I also think he's fine hanging out with the others outside the building and down the block.
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