"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves,"- Matthew 7:15

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TRUMPISM vs THE CHRISTIAN BRAND

Many ardent, vociferous,Trump acolytes and apologists, are leading figures within the US evangelical movement. They are quick to erroneously claim that Trump shares their Christian values, and are just as quick, to criticize those who would dare to suggest otherwise. We must avoid any hint of arrogance or condemnation in shedding light on the prevailing, wilful blindness, rather, it behooves us to speak the plain, unadulterated truth fearlessly. To wit, current trends point to the inescapable conclusion, that the faith movement is on the slippery-slope of apostasy.

The Apostle Paul averred: ''I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus." Galatians 6: 17 (NIV) As someone who prides himself on being a branding guru, Trump is fully cognizant of the importance of acquiring, and zealously representing the imprimatur of a brand. Trump, however fails dismally, to project basic Christian principles and truths, whilst his public actions openly mock and are in direct opposition to the core tenets of the faith. Trump does not bear on his body, the "brand-marks" of my Saviour Jesus Christ.

A case in point is the well-founded allegation, that during his presidential term,Trump told more than 30,000 lies.

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This depraved, lawless conduct is more in sync with the modus-operandi of the adversary, of whom Christ said: ''When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.'' John 8:44(NIV)

The bible contains accounts of disparate individuals, who after an encounter with Christ underwent a radical change of heart and became true followers of Christ. Examples include Mary Magdalene, a scarlet woman, and Nicodemus, a professorial religious leader. Similarly, the eleven disciples, all, from varied backgrounds, metamorphosed into intrepid, close intimates of the Messiah. To a person, they left behind their diverse livelihoods to follow His peripatetic ministry, risking their lives to spread the good news.

What are some key brand marks of Christianity that accompany a change of heart?

Awareness of sins and the need for forgiveness

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."- 1 John: 8-10 (NIV)

A Hunger and thirst for righteousness

King David, the man after God's own heart passionately encapsulates the yearning for an ever-closer bond with God. He declares ''As the deer pants for the streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.'' Psalm 42:1(NIV) Because God hates sin, David further states: ''Create in me a clean heart, O God."- Psalm 51:10 (KJV) The gravitation towards righteousness, and away from the sordid and wicked, undergirds the hearts of true followers of Christ.

Love of others

The second greatest Christian commandment is to; "Love your neighbour as yourself." Matthew 22: 39 (NIV)

Glorification of God not self

God is the creator of all things and does not want to share his perfection and glory. "I am the Lord; I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols." - Isaiah 42: 8 (NIV) When we engage in lavish, unrestrained self-promotion, touting real or imaginary accomplishments, with no mention of God's presence in our lives we are denying God's unique role as the creator and sustainer of the universe.

Care for the hurting and oppressed.

True followers of Christ manifest empathy for the needy and down-trodden, despite our overwhelming and universal self-enthronement culture. The parable of The Good Samaritan, summons us to show mercy and compassion to strangers and those not considered natural allies.

The Fruit of the Spirit

Our spiritual regeneration is evidenced by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who will begin to work in us from the inside-out. As we shed our unredeemed nature, we take on more of the character of Christ, becoming conduits to express his love and goodness, to a fallen, hurting world. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5: 22-23 (NIV)

How do these brand marks of the Christian faith apply to Trump?

Is Trump aware of his sins and the need for forgiveness?

Trump has stated that he has never asked God for forgiveness, or for that matter repented, because in his estimation he makes no mistakes. According to the late Billy Graham, a world renowned evangelist, refusing to turn to God and accept his forgiveness - is the eternal sin.

Does Trump hunger and thirst for righteousness?

The day after the release of the Mueller report into Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential race, Trump corruptly strong-armed the leader of Ukraine, bidding him to launch a bogus criminal investigation into his main political rival. In furtherance of his corrupt demand he withheld congressionally approved military aid, which was desperately needed by Ukraine to ward-off Russian aggression. These are the words and actions of a disloyal citizen, mob boss and career criminal; certainly not consistent with a soul that is seeking to follow a path of righteousness.

Does Trump love others?

Trump's Machiavellian rhetoric and actions aimed at minorities, Moslems, women and political rivals, showcase a heart incapable of love or affection for other categories of humanity, and those who are not in service of his deleterious and inhumane agenda. His climate science denial reflects his enslavement to rapacious, death-dealing corporate entities. Furthermore, it underscores a callous disregard for present and future threats to all forms of life on earth. This anti-life stand amounts to a failure to love and protect future generations.

Does Trump glorify God or himself?

Trump makes false, nonsensical, and outlandish claims about himself ad nauseum From his false claims of the crowd size at his presidential inauguration, to his claims of having the IQ of a stable genius and his ridiculous assertions that he knows more about military matters than his Generals; he is a study of someone desperately seeking to be a tin god and thereby receive adulation.

Does Trump care for the hurting and oppressed?

At the southern US border Trump's cruel, infamous immigration policy was responsible for brown infants (many of them suckling), being ripped from their parent's arms and locked up in cages. Trump was spitting in God's eye, and piercing His heart, as the bible says:"See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:10 (NIV)

Does Trump manifest any Fruit of the Spirit?

As a private citizen, Trump's life-long, licentious and lewd conduct is well-chronicled and he is now legally defined as a sexual predator. As a businessman, he swindled hundreds of hardworking contractors, and as President, he openly profited financially from his office. His criminal proclivities earned him 2 impeachments during his presidential term. and he presently faces 91 felony counts as a commoner. Due to the fact that Trump is a morally bankrupt individual, he is incapable of sowing, cultivating, or disseminating any "fruit of the spirit."

Final Thoughts

Many rank and file members of Trump's evangelical support base, inanely, cynically or somnolently, believing him to be at least a "baby" Christian or a latter-day King Cyrus; invest their time, treasure, and talent in his past, present and future political fortunes. They have made a Faustian bargain. Leadership which promotes hate, moral turpitude, and run-amok lawlessness; will result in the triumph of the law of the jungle, where everyone loses irrepperably, to the point of bloody and deadly, mass bloodshed and mayhem.

Perhaps for generations to come.

(Article changed on Sep 02, 2023 at 8:28 AM EDT)

(Article changed on Sep 02, 2023 at 3:49 PM EDT)

Authors Bio:

Nigerian International lawyer (LL.M Harvard),based in Lagos, Nigeria. My career spans the United Nations Geneva, Switzerland (World Health Organization, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), Nigerian energy sector(Shell Petroleum, Conoco), Human/Women's Rights and Education (secondary/tertiary). I am an opinion writer for the Guardian Nigeria. My work has also appeared in The Hill, Washington DC, Kyiv Post, Ukraine, Women in leadership, London, UK and European Network against Racism, Brussels, Belgium.