One of the most common analogies in scripture is the herd of sheep and the shepherd. In nearly all of these analogies, the herd of sheep represent the general population, nearly helpless to the dangers of the world and reliant on a protector. The shepherd’s role is to keep them safe, and guide them through the world into salvation. Jesus uses this metaphor in Matthew chapter 10, for example:
Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Matthew 10:16 (ESV)
Following the analogy further, it is a given that some sheep will be led astray. It is a part of life. When this occurs, what is the role of the shepherd?
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.
Matthew 18:10–13 (ESV)
The shepherd should put everything on pause and go rescue the one sheep that has been led astray. There should be no excuse for letting one person leave the herd. Instead the sheep is in danger, and the wolves are out to stalk their prey.
So when you see this image, do you think these are shepherds or wolves?
Is Trump acting as a servant to God, or is he becoming a false idol to American Christians?
Not So Fringe Anymore
Images like the one above are being less fringe and more mainstream in the USA. The former president himself has been relying on religion to maintain a firm grasp on his followers. This is demonstrated at a recent rally in Ohio.
While the imagery of the crowd reminds me of the USA’s history in the 1920's , I find it concerning that politicians are using religion as a means to garner support. In truth, I would find it equally concerning if the Democratic Party were using the same strategies as well. There is nothing sincere about using religion to maintain political power, the two ideas are simply not compatible.
Allies of Trump are engaged in similar tactics to keep up Republican member numbers, such as Micheal Flynn’s “One Religion” movement. While he never says the quiet part out loud, it is obvious and undeniable that his goal is to spread Christian Nationalism throughout the USA.
In both of these videos, these “shepherds” vaguely warn of dangers coming to conservative Christians. There is nothing substantial to these claims, or hardly any truth to them either. Instead, he relies on patriotic language and imagery to establish his credibility, even though his views and actions are far from genuine patriotism.
Micheal Flynn tells his crowds that the government is coming to shut your churches down, though no such thing has ever happened. Besides, the right to religion is protected by the first amendment, why would anyone be worried or think these claims are true. Sure, COVID restrictions might have temporarily prevented some churches from meeting in person at the height of the pandemic, but those decisions were made at the city level, not at the federal government level. There was no attack on the church, just precautions to keep the city populous safe.
The most heartbreaking piece of this movement is observing the amount of American citizens being swept up in this movement. I try to put myself in the place of these folks swept up in the movement, and try to understand why this give this movement their support. All I see is manufactured reasons to be outraged, and false opportunities to take action and “give your life meaning”.
Shepherds or Wolves?
Is this movement genuinely Christian? How do we know if these political leaders like Trump and Micheal Flynn are truly shepherds or wolves?
I’m sure you can already extrapolate my opinion so far, but let’s start with Trump. When looking at an individual, I like to apply the “Christian Litmus Test” I spoke about in a previous article I wrote. This searches for fruits of the spirit that the Apostle Paul wrote about in chapter 5 of Galatians. Let’s remind ourselves of that verse really quick.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:16–2122 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22–23
Going through every single piece of this verse as it applies to Trump deserves its own article, but there is one thing I am sure of: when you remove the patriotic branding and imagery of his political image, you’ll only find evidence of his participation in the actions described in Galatians 5:20–21.
Instead, let’s look at Micheal Flynn. His speeches sound sincere, and he certainly knows how to fire up a crowd. But what does he gain from hosting these movements? Looking at an article released by the AP titled “Michael Flynn’s ReAwaken roadshow recruits ‘Army of God’”, there are some questionable practices. For example:
Ticket prices ran as high as $500 for VIP seating or $250 for general admission, though tickets were only sold by phone and sales agents were eager to bargain. An AP reporter bought two tickets to the Batavia show for less than $100. A retiree said he paid more than $700 on admission for two — one VIP ticket for himself plus a donation of $250 for a general admission ticket for someone who couldn’t afford it.
From “Michael Flynn’s ReAwaken roadshow recruits ‘Army of God’”
Why is Micheal Flynn charging anyone to hear the word of God? I doubt Jesus himself charged his own disciples a subscription fee to hear his Word.
But it doesn’t stop there.
In booths inside and outside the church, buyers could pick up a $3,300 vibrating platform that could purportedly ease back pain and increase sexual function, a $259 blanket sold to shield the user from 5G, and a “power pendant” that supposedly helps people absorb “the natural living frequencies to empower your body, mind and spirit.”
From “Michael Flynn’s ReAwaken roadshow recruits ‘Army of God’”
So in the same event, scammers are welcomed to host booths selling absolute junk. If Micheal Flynn’s organization welcomes scammers and liars to take his followers money, the answer is clear: Micheal Flynn is a wolf, not a shepherd.
Where are the Real Shepherds?
That’s the thing, I don’t know.
I haven’t seen any sincere Christians stand up and speak against this Christian Nationalism movement. I haven’t heard any pastors stand up and declare that Donald Trump is a false idol, and is not worthy of worship. I haven’t seen any Christian leaders stand up against Micheal Flynn’s movement and call it out as a scam. It’s heartbreaking and terrifying.
But here is what I do know: when these younger generations find themselves deciding whether or not to remain in the Christian faith, they find themselves picking between faith and morals. They choose between joining a group of faithful that claims to love their neighbor, or to actually show love to their neighbor. And yet the church is baffled why it’s membership is at an all-time low.
The truth is that the Republican party is irresponsibly stoking flames of Christian Nationalism to maintain relevancy and power. It is using the church as a tool and keeping it’s congregation in a heated culture war, preventing individual Christians to look out into the world and witness reality. I have not seen one shred of sincerity among the leaders of the Christian Nationalism movement. Instead these wolves lie to this herd of sheep, trying to convince them they are lions. And what do they gain by lying to the sheep? Money. Of course, these wolves lie about everything, including the source of their merchandise at these rallies.
So to the genuine and sincere Christians remaining, why do you remain silent? Why are you letting members of your herd be led astray and falling victim to these wolves? When will you take on the role of a shepherd and rescue your brothers and sisters?
