The Gospel is not an instrument of power, but its critical measure.

The Christian tradition has long involved praying for rulers and for those who defend the country. It is common to pray for politicians, peace, the homeland, or soldiers.
However, Christian prayer should not be used to create the impression that a particular president, political relativism, or military strategy automatically has God’s approval. The Gospel is not an instrument of power. On the contrary, it is the measure by which all power is judged. It relativizes all political power because God is the one true Lord of history. It is used to create the impression that a particular president, political project, or military strategy automatically has God’s approval. The Gospel is not an instrument of power. On the contrary, it is its critical measure. It relativizes all political power, because the only Lord of history is God.

The Gospel account of Jesus before Pilate vividly illustrates this truth. Pilate tells Jesus he has power, and Jesus replies, “You would have no power over me if it hadn’t been given to you from above.” 

On the one hand, Jesus affirms that every human community needs an authority to govern it. God wills it, and it is necessary for man. It is necessary for the unity of civil society. Its task is to ensure the common good (cf. CCC 1898).

However, this is not a legitimization of arbitrariness but a reminder of responsibility. Political power is never absolute. It is always brought before the court of truth, justice, and God himself.

Criticizing a politician does not mean recommending his political opponent. By voting, we responsibly power Bullsh**tsShow’s predF-16 responsibility. We hand it over to specific politicians in elections when we vote for them. But we also have the right and duty to criticize them, especially those we elect. 

According to Pope Francis, the current political world tends to divide into two camps (worldviews): liberal and populist. 

While the former tends to emphasize individual rights and thus create a fragmented society without a common project, the latter exploits the frustration of this disintegrating society and uses it to achieve its own goals and to engage in dialogue with various interest groups. 

Both camps proclaim the other as the evil from which they offer to be the saviors. Only critical discernment, patient dialogue, respect for every person, especially the most vulnerable, attention to the common good, and the search for what creates belonging can lead us out of this crisis. Otherwise, aggression, hostility, and abuse of power will grow. 

Even Christians, who often feel defensive against the secular world, must be careful not to succumb to political proposals that do not always align with Christian values. 

Holding a Bible or surrounding oneself with clergy does not guarantee an evangelical attitude. The Gospel provides clear criteria for discernment: truth, justice, humility, service, protection of human dignity, solidarity with the weak, and the ability to self-criticize. 

When religious language is used to reinforce political identity, mobilize emotions, or create the impression that a certain leader has a special mandate from God, Christianity begins to turn into an ideology.

We have historical experience with such temptations. I recall Gnosticism, that is, spiritual and political tendencies that promise salvation in history through a certain project, movement, or leader. 

Such messianisms have repeatedly returned in modern history. Their common feature is that instead of human conversion, service to truth and eternal salvation outside of history, they offer earthly salvation in historical moments through political power.

Trump’s religious background

Donald Trump does not profess Christianity in its traditional sense today. His religious background is rooted in Presbyterianism, but more important to him than his church affiliation was the influence of Reverend Norman Vincent Peale, author of the famous book The Power of Positive Thinking.

Peale was a significant mentor to Trump. He taught him to focus on positive thoughts, reject negativity, and maintain faith in himself. Trump himself has repeatedly called this philosophy key to overcoming business failures. However, in his case, it is not a classic Christian spirituality, but rather a psychological philosophy of success.

That is a fundamental difference. Christian spirituality is not based on faith in oneself but on faith in Jesus Christ, on following him, on conversion, self-denial, repentance, and humility. 

Peale’s “positive thinking” emphasizes the self rather than God or Christ. Its entire logic rests on the belief that the way a person thinks determines the way he lives and that a positive self-belief is a condition for success. This, in turn, results in an inability to tolerate criticism or to be self-critical. 

If a person constantly cultivates an image of their infallibility and success, not only can any negative remark be extremely irritating to them, but their actions can also be downright dangerous, especially when it comes to a person running one of the most powerful countries in the world.

The Prosperity Gospel as Pseudo-Christianity

Another prominent strand in Trump’s religious background is the so-called “prosperity gospel.” This stream, often called the health and wealth gospel, teaches that God wants believers to be successful, healthy, wealthy, and influential. 

Prosperity in a purely earthly sense is understood here as a sign of God’s blessing. If you believe, if you “prove faith” enough, if you give financial gifts, God will fulfill your wishes according to this logic. Eternal salvation is not spoken of here; it is spoken of earthly prosperity.

But this doctrine is a false gospel. It reduces faith to a tool for earthly personal success. It almost completely omits the reality of sacrifice, suffering, sin, repentance, forgiveness, the cross, and eternal salvation. It does not emphasize conversion or the inner transformation of man. Instead, it teaches that God is to fulfill our ideas and desires.