Snarky Faith

The show today is part one of a two-part show

Join us as we discuss the changing landscape of Christianity in American and abroad. With the rise of Christian fascism in Europe, there's similar posturing under the Trump administration. Many in the administration's orbit continue to move more ideologically towards theocracy. This may sound extreme, but the seeds of change have been planted for years by the religious right and the Moral Majority. Theocracy's a crazy conservative fever dream that some buy into, either in practice or perspective.

We must remain vigilant and awake as the religious right continues to wield its power in politics. What will the future hold? Well, it's up to you to stand firm and oppose this. None of this has to do with Jesus, so why does Christianity get so tied up in it?

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When Christianity Today's editor, Mark Galli, published his editorial about why Trump should be removed from office it sent shockwaves through the conservative community. While trying to seem even-handed in his assertions about Trump, the editor committed the unpardonable Evangelical sin, trash-talking the Orange Bloated Messiah. While some of the arguments rang true, it was still too careful and calculated. In a moment, it was almost like the grew a par, but they seemed to stop just short.

Also, don't let the backlash against Christianity Today fool you. It's an exercise in missing the point too. To speak truth to power is a prophetic act, but Galli was speaking to the wrong persons of power. Trump's immorality and selfishness isn't the point. Trump's spent decades being a disgusting human being. The real issue should be about how Christianity lost its way and why they kowtowed so easily to the Grifter-in-Chief?

It seems like Evangelical faith has become nothing more than a pro-life, pro-Israel and pro-religious liberty (for a select few) political organization. In its current form, the faith no longer lines up with the teaching of Jesus.

Jesus prioritized the faith in simple, yet, comprehensive terms when he called his followers to, ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ and to ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’

For a faith grounded in love, where is the love now? That's really what Christianity Today should have been calling out. 

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Donald Trump ruins everything he touches and he always seems to know how to make things worse. I just that's just his spiritual gift. He's a King Midas that turns everything into 💩.

When he signed an executive order aimed at tackling anti-Semitism on college campuses at a White House Hanukkah reception, he made sure to include Pastor Robert Jeffress who has said on numerous occasions that all Jews are going to hell. This is also the same president that continues to allow Stephen Miller, a known and documented racist, to remain within his administration.

So today, let's take a deeper dive into Trump's new executive order and how it's corrosive, manipulative, and really has nothing to do with tackling anti-semitism. So while he's saying that he's a friend of the Jewish community, we've also seen anti-semitic attacks rise by 60% in the first year of his presidency. This is merely political double-talk that's being used to hide a racist president and the white nationalists base.

Hanukkah should be a time to remember God's goodness and faithfulness, it shouldn't be sullied in such a way. In the same sense, Christmas is also a time to remember God's presence in the margins with the people that have been forgotten by the empire. The message of both of these holidays is that God is still with us and all of his creation matters. Let us all remember this and continue to do the work of the Lord laid out in Isaiah 61,

""The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."

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The advent season is filled with shopping, families, parties, gifts, and joy. We all seek the perfect picture of Christmas with presents under the tree and houses decorated to the hilt. This is the epitome of Christmastime.

Advent was never meant to be like this. The story of Christ's birth happened far away from the parties and festivities. It takes place in the gutter away from warmth and cheer. And yet, this story is about longing in a place of uncertainty and finding hope in hopeless times. It was a reminder to the forgotten that God is still with us and this was good news.

Let us not lose the story and call from the story of Jesus' birth in the midst of wrapping paper and eggnog. For advent to be good news to the world, we need to live incarnationally. We need to be Jesus to others. We need to embrace hope and bring that hope to those that are forgotten and marginalized. It is my hope that this time of year reminds us of that.

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Justin T. Miller was just a regular undergraduate college student when he felt the desire for something bold and extraordinary.

In his new book, Beyond Blood: Hope and Humanity in the Forgotten Fight Against AIDS, Justin lays out the story of how he met Duncan Kimani Kamau and Cornel Onyango Nyaywera, two men who had grown up witnessing firsthand the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS in their own communities in Kenya. Though Kamau and Nyaywera grew up in opposite ends of the country and came from opposing tribes, they overcame prejudice and cultural expectations to bring healing to their communities. With Miller's help, their dream of empowering people to live a life beyond AIDS became a reality.

Once Kamau, Miller, and Nyaywera realized their common purpose, CARE for AIDS was born. But it was only the beginning of their fight against AIDS, as they quickly discovered the fear and stigma that blanketed the disease. If their fledgling nonprofit was going to empower anyone, they would need help--and they found it, one local church at a time. As they slowly but steadily grew their network of friends and allies, Kamau, Miller, and Nyaywera discovered that the most complex problems can be solved through intentional, redemptive relationships.

Join me as I talk with Justin about the intersection between faith and advocacy. We'll also talk about ways that church can look beyond the Sunday service to integrate into the needs of the marginalized it the community. It's a great ride that you're sure to enjoy.

You can find Justin T. Miller's book, Beyond Blood: Hope and Humanity in the Forgotten Fight Against AIDS, here. 

You can also find out more about Justin and Care for AIDS here: Care for Aids and Justin T. Miller.

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