A Note to Christian Trumpists: Alan Hawkins
A Note to Christian Trumpists
“Trump will win the election”… but he lost.
“The election was fraud and we’ll prove it in court”… but we did not.
“It won’t be certified in disputed states”… but it was.
“The vice president will reverse it Jan 6,”… but he didn’t.
Prophets begin to recant… “it’s too early!”
No… it’s too late.
All of this is done by leaders of movements, churches, and constituencies in the name of Jesus. They are speaking for God.
Meanwhile, the evidence fails.
The stopgaps fail.
No problem… we will invoke the resurrection of Jesus.
Really?
Is there nothing you won’t do for political power and self-authentication?
Meanwhile, advocates act like their left wing foes.
We claim things we haven’t proved.
These election fraud claims are no more proven than the racism claims in the deaths of citizens at the hands of authorities.
No matter. Neither side cares. We have righteousness on our side.
Really? You are righteous because of some underlying conviction?
The dots don’t connect.
My leaders have taught me that honor is a vital core value.
They are devoted to it.
In fact, if I dishonor someone they quietly ‘cancel’ me.
How does Donald Trump do with this test?
Horribly!
Examples include three men in swing states. It vindicates the lesson of honor but those who teach the lesson ignore it.
He dishonored these men at their death; John McCain of Arizona, John Dingell of Michigan, and John Lewis of Georgia.
In all three cases Trump lost those states that he formerly won.
“Fraud!”
Really? Perhaps dishonor.
Trump lost by his own hands.
The prophets could have injected the tiny word “if” into their prophecies and saved us an ocean of misery.
Donald Trump turns on everyone.
He dishonors everyone.
Just this week he has turned on the Supreme Court members that he nominated.
He has turned on Mike Pence… his greatest advocate and our Christian brother.
He had already turned on Bill Barr the most potent ally he had during impeachment and post Mueller probe.
It’s time for the prophets to look at this “king” and call him to account.
When you do he will toss you to the mob.
Further, when you do, the mob you’ve been leading will turn on you.
I voted for Trump. I support conservative politics. I loath the progressive left and what it portends for the future.
Nevertheless, today I am ashamed. I am ashamed of us.
I am ashamed of our selling the kingdom for partisan political self-justifying myths.
Repentance, not apologies are in order.
Repentance, not apologies will restore us.
Meanwhile I am ashamed that we too cower each other into silence.
I am ashamed of myself.
Alan
There is much on which we might disagree, but I respect your candor and honesty.
i love my church, and I am just starting the online service. But, I have noticed warning signs of things creeping into the senior pastor’s sermons that hint of Christian nationalism-he mentions the benefits of Parler as a safe space for conservatives, why we should all support Trump, the persecution of the church because, in our county in CA, we”re only allowed outside meetings (I won’t attend right now. And when asked I mention love of neighbor to stop the spread and Rom. 13). Meanwhile, they insist on being “open” and filing the church. I am being prayerful, but if today’s sermon is really pro-Trump, that “nothing” happened in the Capitol, etc. this morning, I will probably be leaving. I feel more and more disconnected, and I am at a loss at this point.
Linn,
If a pastor says (especially from the pulpit), “he mentions the benefits of Parler as a safe space for conservatives,” I think you have everything you need to make a decision.
Now, if a pastor said, “The Bible and Jesus Christ is a safe place for Christians,” I might want to hear more.
I taught last night and didn’t mention Trump, America, or anything to do with current events.
Couldn’t find that in the text…
Linn
Very tough decisions. We’ll be praying…
Duane,
Thanks for your prayers! It may just take a while to process, and I know these are tough times for pastors and their flocks.
When my friend Alan sent this to me last night, I paused before posting it this morning.
I had a “tiny” stroke Friday and really didn’t want the stress.
However, the things he speaks of are truth and light…and I want to be remembered as someone who promoted both.
He speaks of the need for repentance and I agree.
I do not think the need is on one side.
We all have been consumed to some extent and to the extent we are consumed, we lose sight of Christ.
The divisions, anger, and strife have literally made me sick…there has to be a better way.
A way forward.
I pray we find it.
I will be praying for you, Linn. Leaving the evangelical church I had attended for 38 years was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I left my church over many of the same reasons you mentioned. My husband and I actually left that church for a year, then returned to it again a year later because we were going through a crisis . Our supportive Christian friends welcomed us back because we left on good terms. However, nothing had changed, in fact it seemed that the church had become even more political. We left again after only a year and never returned.
Sorry your having a rough weekend Michael.
Thanks, Nathan…this too shall pass…
Question is, ate we prophets or observers?
Sometimes i confess in my prayer that i don know what to pray for and then i remember our Lord praying to be delivered, but He concluded “Thy will be done.” And, sometu reluctantle, i confess, i pray, me too, Father.
sometu??? = sometimes
reluctantle??! = reluctantly
Sigh, put your glasses on, granny
That has been the pastoral challenge of late: trying to help believers get their eyes back on Jesus. Like Solomon, many have been tempted to find substance in that which is ultimately vanity.
@10:19 AMEN! ! !
Good article Alan, and thanks for posting this Micheal…prayers that you will be well. I second that Amen to PH at 1019am!
Thank you, Pastor Hawkins.
Appreciate everyone’s posts today- Thanks!
I pray that you can find rest in Jesus, Michael, and I will be praying for your body to be healed and strengthened. A friend of mine had a stroke right before Christmas at age 60 and was hospitalized. His sons flew out to Idaho to see him and they weren’t even allowed to visit him in the hospital due to Covid restrictions. He had to have brain surgery and he is now at a rehab center recovering. He’s a very fit looking healthy 60 year old so it was such a surprise to everyone. Please take this seriously and do whatever you need to do to reduce your stress! You are being used by God and you are helping so many here. You are needed and making a difference.
Bride of Christ,
Thank you.
I’m taking it seriously…it shook me a bit.
Pastor Hawkins. You speak of men of honor. You are one of them. Thank you for this. I disagree with you vehemently on politics. But you have shown here today that you’re a man of good will. A man willing to speak truth, even when it hurts. A man of honor, indeed.
I will confess and repent publicly as well. I can be a flamethrower and that’s not the Spirit of Christ. I sincerely apologize to every reader for my flames. Please pray for me. I’m struggling greatly and I am also ill. I do love you all, Christian brothers and sisters.
MikeE (and others) sometimes the tables need to be tossed – remember our Lord in the Temple… 2 kinds of righteousness we have to deal with… IMV… “honest,” and ” self”
I see more attempts at honesty here, not much self righteousness…
A powerful message from the former Governor of California
Hmm, 1/2 way there.
Thank you Alan for writing this. You are a good man and our nation and our Faith need more people like you.
My big concern, which got much bigger this week, is that people are BOTH political sides look the other way and don’t acknowledge their shortcomings.
Our consciences, our families, our churches and our nation cannot afford this.
I repent.
At least one prophet has apologized..
https://cf.jeremiahjohnson.tv/jjm-apology-01-07-eub?fbclid=IwAR0LcaeX2zm_FKNNhAwop7pPlZ8eocilCgPaPJrSQQBZU0UiPs-feHJU2Dg
Thank you, Alan and Michael
Well said, Alan!
Thank you, Michael.
The more humility that is sown, the more national health we will experience. Our pride, greed and selfishness cannot be sustained.
Thanks, Alan, for putting it all out on the table.
‘Pope Francis, Speaking of the Capital Assault, Says Those Who Would Overturn Democracy Should Be Condemned’ is also a headline in the news today.
Couldn’t agree more!
You are also a liar :
“These election fraud claims are no more proven”
The proofs are all over the place, on video, suitcases full of ballots.
No judge wanted to look at it tho. Does’t mean it’s not proven, it is to any honest and reasonable human.
We have a representative Republic and those who would destroy it SHOULD be condemned. However, they can be hard to identify…. 🙆
If there were real evidence both law enforcement and the judiciary would have followed up.
There isn’t any that would suggest an election has been stolen.
Dave,
Good job today…they needed you.
There you are!
#JesusNeedsNewPR
” I support conservative politics. I loath the progressive left and what it portends for the future. ”
But this is what conservative politics gave us! Why do we continue hating the leftist boogeyman when our “conservative” plan has been a monumental disaster?!?
This is why it will happen again.
Josh,
Trump and the white supremesists that he aligned with, and the spineless Republican politicians who cowar under him, do not represent conservatism.
Conservatism probably needs to be retaught to Americans, because people apparently have no idea what it means. I’m not poking at you Josh.
Disagree Jean. This is who they are. 70+ million voted for him again. Conservative may have meant something at one time, but now, this is it.
Josh,
You have concerns with the statement:
” I support conservative politics. I loath the progressive left and what it portends for the future. ”
I see some valid concerns there, too. I believe this new article from David French addresses some of the issues here:
https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/only-the-church-can-truly-defeat
In it, French differentiates between enabling lies and activating lies. Enabling lies are those that tell an exaggerated portrayal of the left leading to fear and hatred. Activating lies are those such as a “stolen election” that lead to action because people are primed to do so based on their belief of the enabling lies. French argues that ultimately we’re not going to fix things by dealing only with the activating lies but we need to get to the deeper root cause, which are the enabling lies.
I give credit to Alan for recognizing and speaking against the evil of the activating lies and their fall-out. Many people who are Trump supporters and “loathe” the Left fail to recognize this evil, and fewer still have the humility and courage to admit and speak out against it.
But yes, deeper still we need to deal with the enabling lies which cause fear and hatred of the “other side”, as both sides of the political aisle do this. Many concerns are valid, but when pushed and embellished too far, they become detrimental lies.
And I also fall somewhere in the middle between you and Jean. I don’t believe conservative politics as a whole caused this, but a large and significant sub-section of people who claim conservative ideals did so.
Alan Hawkins, you are not the only conservative who’s decided to step onto the right side of history.
All across our Nation, many conservatives have realized that the President does not embody conservative values. He never did.
Depends on what the working definition of conservative is. I consider myself a moderate actual conservative than a neo-con or a rightist but then when I think about what frame of reference that even meaningfully describes what that is I’m stuck with having to say something like, “Well, uh, I’m a Mark Hatfield style Republican” which, of course, contemporary “conservatives” don’t regard as a “real” conservative at all.
It’s like all the groups that William F Buckley made a point of disenfranchising from movement conservatism took over the GOP after he died, whether the Randroids or the farther right revanchists, etc.
that post I wrote was in conversation with josh, for sake of clarity.
In discourse, we must define our terms. In the famous words of Inigo Montoya (paraphrased), “You keep using that word, but I don’t think you know what it means.”
The other key to discourse is not just making statements, but asking questions. The goal should be understanding, not trying to pummel one’s particular view onto another. So, what is a conservative? The answers would likely be informative and intriguing.
In fairness, conservatives defined the terms when they voted twice for Trump. They don’t get to go back now.
I think a defining of terms is absolutely necessary also.
We have to leave room for people to redefine themselves around better things…
I do get what you’re saying. I also get what WTH is saying.
I don’t have all the answers, but if someone asked me what conservatism stands for, I would point to the following principles as generally shared by conservatives:
Traditional family values;
Rule of Law;
Personal Responsibility;
Free Enterprise;
Low Taxes;
Fiscal Responsibility; and
Personal Liberty.
Well, Jean. I think you do know what a conservative values….
Personal liberty with responsibility – to put a finer point on it…. 👍
Of all I’ve read in the PP comments over the last few days, the ones that I find most difficult to digest are the comments that are:
(1) devoid of conversation but instead autocratic and smugly confident
(2) laced with blame and punishment.
Alan shared his perspective. You may not agree with him, but I appreciate hearing where someone is coming from. True listening and civility is the only way through.
Conservatives have no concern for traditional family values, unless I have no freaking clue what traditional family values are either.
I disagree PH. Alan was on here stumping for Trump just a few weeks ago. At some point, we have to take responsibility for our actions, recognize the destruction our decisions have caused, and figure out how to move forward. But there is a root cause to this disfunction that must be uprooted, or it is bound to happen again.
Josh, Trump isn’t the only thing wrong with our country.
No crap, but he’s the major issue at this moment.
And the subject of this article.
Em,
If you pluck out one or two attributes that you like, you lose the definition. For example, you cannot IMO claim to be conservative and not be fiscally disciplined. It’s really a basket of values IMO. In addition, you can’t want personal liberty without affirming the rule of law, without which liberty is at risk.
Well, in my mind Alan is the subject of the article. 🙂
Well, Alan dealing with Trump.
And that’s what I’ve commented on.
I think what Josh is getting at is that the vote for Trump was not just a “whoops.” It was touching a hot stove while people around you were warning you: You’re going to burn yourself. (And your nation)
“It was touching a hot stove ” For 4 straight years.
And now we’re all burned looking for a way forward. “I guess Trump is bad, but I still hate liberuhls” is not the way forward.
Josh,
I don’t believe Alan is speaking of liberals but the radical equivalent on the left. Both are deadly.
Michael, he doesn’t get a pass from me with a “both sides” defense. He needs a mirror. We all need a mirror.
Josh,
In my mind he looked in the mirror and repented…publicly.
That took courage and a love for truth.
What more do we want?
But some might say that the vote for Biden/Harris ticket will also do damage to our country.
I certainly don’t look upon our upcoming administration as a perfect beacon of virtue. In some ways I see opportunity for good to come about, but I also see some “hot stove” issues that deeply concern me. It will most likely not come out as ugly or psychotic as Trump, but perhaps come about more insidiously.
This is why I say that Trump is not the only problem for our country. Yes, he is the topic d’jour, and rightly so, but not all of our problems lay at his feet.
What I heard from people close to me over the last 2 elections was how dissatisfied they were with both choices for president. I know I’ve been pretty disillusioned across the board when it comes to our national governance.
pH – American politics are garbage, however, in this case, both sides are not equal. Trump is, was, and always will be a raving madman, and conservatives hitched their wagon to him. He has almost destroyed us.
Conservatives have to own it, figure out why they were so eager to fall for the lies and compromise their core tenants. And then they have to regroup and figure out how to go forward. It won’t be quick or painless.
Michael, there are so many things about this article that really irritate me. I love Alan, and am glad he finally abandoned the SS Trump, but there is still too much finger pointing and too much falsehood involved. Hopefully, this will be his first step, not his last.
Just in the last hour, it has been reported that the FBI is warning of armed pro-Trump demonstrations in all 50 state capitals leading up to January 20. In addition, the National Guard is activating 50,000 troops to guard the inauguration.
That is where we are as a nation; and it is terrible. It is a gift to external enemies.
Citizens of this nation, who wish it to continue as a democratic republic (and not as a dictatorship), a land of opportunity for all (and not just for white people), and a country in which young married couples will desire to have children and build families, must stand up now and repudiate Trumpism in all its forms. No equivocation will do at this moment. No other risk, internal or external, is a clear and immanent danger to our republic.
Josh, i so disagree with you, but the swamp IS deeply and subtly entenched …
Trump talks like the workers on a construction project, but as a businessman he has weathered the ups and downs and come out swinging… Is he nice, is he honest? God knows, i don’t.
When power and money are at stake, we see the worst in human nature and, once in a while if we are lucky, we see the best also. . .
Pelosi, AOC & company, Schumer, Sciff, Biden, Harris etc. these politicians scare me… But then i am old. 👵
There is a person who posts here – maybe more than one – who seem to be globalists.. ?
Doesn’t this route set things up for antichrist? I remember God’s words at the tower of Babel….
My 30 year old daughter sizes up politicians into 2 categories: wolves and bears. Both will kill you, they just do it in different ways. I love her insight! My thought is that I don’t want to give my support to wolves in response to a bear attack. And when it comes to our government, I think there are way more wolves. Trump was the rare bear. Over the last 4 years the one thing I’ve said about Trump is he lets you know where he’s coming from. He’s a brute with no poker face. He’s been telegraphing his character consistently. But I’m no less concerned about the wolves running around Washington DC who smile like Cheshire cats but go about the business of ruining our country over a long period of time.
All in all, I’ve never been one to trust in much is politics or politicians. The sinfulness of men and women too often rears its head in places of power. Government is a necessary evil, but more often than not, its pretty evil.
I will say I think it is too easy to think that every person who voted for trump is part of some monolithic movement that thinks and acts the same. It’s the same when people try to lump Democrats into one, lock-step heap (as was often done during the summer riots). Do all democrats want property destroyed and cities held hostage? I think not.
My game is pointing people back to Jesus. They’ve put enough stock in politicians too long.
“who seem to be globalists.. ?
Doesn’t this route set things up for antichrist?”
LOL!!! Find it in the text and get back to me.
In 2016 conservatives had at least a half dozen conservative primary choices. Men and women with the values and character to be a good president. Republicans picked a gutter rat. As Josh implies, it’s on them for what is happening now.
To add to what Jean said:
There’s an old adage that applies here and to me summarizes things:
“When you sup with the devil, better carry a long spoon.”
Interesting, I don’t hold every Clinton voter responsible for what happened with him and Monica Lewisnky in the oval office. And there were strong indications that he was not a man of sexual morality. His choices and conduct held the potential to put the US in some dangerous, compromising situations. But I’d say most of the voters sought to do what they felt was best.
I regret and retract calling the president a rat. That was a cheap shot. He’s a fascist. He meets the textbook definition:
“Fascism: a political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition.”
If one were to read through this thread, it would be easy to decide that many are not interested in moving forward in grace and healing.
I hope that’s not the case…
I just looked at the photo that leads this blogpost. Sad to see Michael Tait (formerly of DC Talk) part of whatever was going on there. I expect Paula White to be a bit of a nut case. But, Michael, say it isn’t so…
Em, I think the world of you, but you’ve been deeply deceived like so many others. Trump is a really bad man. Many construction workers, are good decent, men. Trump is not. He has not carried himself in any moral way, ever, at any time in his life. Personal and business.
Michael, I am interested in moving forward when I think we’ve reconnected in reality. One particular group has created an alternate reality, and that really has to come down before anything else can be done. “I’m sorry” is cool, but if the next choice is still based on the false premises…we are going to be in trouble again.
Michael, the reason our local rescue/recovery mission does so well is that it meets big time screwups with both truth and grace. The grace gives them the courage to move forward. The truth gives them handles on how not to fall in the same pit again. And when it comes to those who help serve these people, only people who can share grace really help accomplish the mission. People who sign up to help who are judgmental or legalistic don’t last very long. Why? They are too focused on the client’s mistakes and not their potential.
You can define a liberal or a conservative with about the same accuracy you can define an evangelical… the labels just don’t work.
PH – That sounds good for your local ministry, but our Capitol was just attacked a few days ago. Let’s start with truth to see if we can keep that from happening again. Once we’ve established truth, we can work on grace, perhaps.
Yes, it is very hard for someone to argue for the character of Trump. This old adage always helps me out in life: “The person who is nice to you, but not the waiter, is not a nice person.” Trump shows himself consistently to be thin-skinned, cruel and self-serving. Politically, he may do something that a person affirms, but that doesn’t mean that he’s a morally good person.
And for the record PH – I was on board for Clinton’s second term. I have had to repent years later, because it turns out that character DID matter. He desecrated the office of President in ways that we have never recovered from. Though I was only 22 at the time (18 at his first election, and a big Perot fan), I have to admit that I rubber stamped his immorality because his economy got me a good job.
Yet Alan shared his heart of repentance and was met with judgement, not grace. If he can’t repent, who can? Is the hatred for Trump so thick that when one seeks to leave him they are told they can’t?
Josh
I think what you are hoping for is accountability. Repentance, especially for someone in a leadership position in the church, includes accepting responsibility for what they have said and written. It’s not merely changing one’s opinion…
Josh, i am not deceived on any level… I, at this point in life, am a realist about godless mankind… there are politicians left and right who are self serving with no allegiance to our Constitution. . Trump? Well, he’s wise enough to know the Republuc is in jeopardy and that the Christian faith has been the backbone of this nation. A really bad man? No i am not smart enough to make tat call…..
Sadly, i learned from someone on the scene that our Supreme Court refused to hear the arguments for a breach of the Constitution’s directives on voting because they felt it would lead to an armed conflict….
Compromise on some levels seldom works well in this fallen world
But time WILL tell…. God keeo
Trump a fascist? Well, he IS on the way out, so … do we end up with a dictatorial democracy? Time WILL tell….. 🙆
Again, I’m glad he jumped off the Trump boat. I applaud that.
He spends the first part pointing fingers at others in his tribe, takes a few swiped at the dirty liberals, and advances a false narrative about race.
If it’s a statement of repentance, its a bad one.
Michael,
I’m often obtuse, so when I read your 1:20 pm, I reflexively think you’re talking about me. If so, I apologize.
We all have individual takeaways from last Wednesday.
For me, I saw that if 30 seconds had gone differently, we could have seen members of congress and/or the VP in handcuffs paraded live streamed before the world. They might have been beaten, maybe killed.
That’s how close it came. I don’t know how a mob is controlled, or what the sinister plans were, but I think there were out of control people there and others with control who meant much more harm, had 30 seconds gone differently.
The gravity of the event scares me and leads me to urge stridently for this movement to be condemned and rooted out of our society.
Duane – YES! And full repentence…stop pushing the lies now.
Em, please. You are wrong on all counts. You are believing lies.
Josh
I actually have high regard for Alan, but for me repentance is more than a change of opinion… it is an amendment of life which involves substantive change…
When you see the videos and learn of all the phone calls for help, the president’s hands off response alone, given his office as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive is inexplicable. I can only assume that some part of him liked what was happening.
Jean:
Consider Benito Mussolini’s definition: “Fascism should rightly be called corporatism as it is a merger of corporate and government power.”
Here is an example of what we can expect more of: AAPL, Google, Twilio and Amazon, liberal darlings all, successfully conspired to kill Parler in the span of 48 hours.
Happy to dialogue if anyone is interested. Not surprised by the assessments or the criticisms. I am grateful for the input and the kind affirmations. I am not put off by the attacks. Iron sharpens iron. Josh and I might do better face to face but maybe not.
I am not seeking any absolution from this group so perhaps our talk of repentance is being overblown and misunderstood. Probably this post should go elsewhere but I have isolated myself from any public group context. Came here because of my relationship with Michael.
By now it is doubtful that language will save us. We have reached the place in our nation where that has failed and we seem unwilling to lower the temperature.
Jim V.,
I value my country more than protecting a platform which facilitates white supremacy and violent insurrection.
Josh Hamric@6:09
Seems more than likely- let’s keep our eyes on Jesus more than ever before!
Jean,
I wasn’t directing my comments at anyone.
When Alan sent me this, my heart rejoiced because I knew it would be a light to many leaders who are struggling with these issues.
I also rejoiced that he was sharing this with a heart of repentance.
I thought all here would rejoice as well.
At the moment it looks like we should rename the place to represent a group of “older brothers” from the prodigal parable.
This intractability is going to ruin us all.
Josh @1:52
Believing lies? Hmmm… As I’ve said many times here, i think….
Time will tell..😘
Thanks Michael.
I think one of the things that may be going on is that when there is a bad actor (politician), if we’re (the voter) getting what we want out of him/her, we are willing to ignore (maybe not even see) the badness.
I think we all need to be able to discern the evil in a politician, compare it with the competition, and try to keep the greatest evil from gaining power and authority.
At first a politician’s badness may not impact us at all, if we are getting what we want out of him, but remember that your neighbor is bearing the full brunt of that badness. Moreover, when you allow an extremely bad politician to gain power, and they don’t want to relinquish it later, you can actually imperil the entire nation.
After what we saw last week, can anyone with a straight face actually say, as we’ve been told, that the current president has been good for Christianity or the Church or religious liberty, or the Gospel? 5 souls departed (maybe 6) due to that event. Dozens injured, dozens arrested, more being investigated, reputations ruined, careers lost, enemies aided and comforted, and our nation weakened. How can this be called a good president?
The thing is, even if you voted for Trump because you are anti-abortion/anti-gay agenda, you can still disavow him now without abandoning your conservative Christian principles. It’s not all or nothing. I think some people feel they are letting go of Christian morality if they let go of Trump. No! Let Trump go and see how clearly you can begin to think about things. Kick him out of your mind/heart/soul and make room for the things Christians should keep in their mind/heart/soul. He’s taking up so much room in so many people’s minds that they are unable to remember what being a Christian is all about. Don’t let him steal another brain cell or heart beat! Kick him out, not only from the White House but from you heart/mind/soul!
Not to be too dramatic, but it’s almost like demonic possession for some people, present company excluded.
IMO, the prudent steps that Facebook, Twitter, Google, Amazon and other tech firms are taking against inciters and organizers of sedition and recruiters of hate, are true patriotism, in which they are placing the peaceful transfer of power in our nation over their own profits.
Can’t help but believe there was lots and lots of demonic activity at the nation’s capitol last Wednesday.
Don’t care who you voted for. It’s time to pray!
This is what a Washington Post reporter experienced last Wednesday with these domestic terrorists.
“When a delusion is promoted by the man with the nuclear codes, normalized by Republican leaders and reinforced by armed groups aching for a revolution, it’s not just democracy that’s in danger. We all are. These mobs will turn on anyone who doesn’t support their version of reality.
They truly believed the lie — apparently shared by millions — that the media changed the election results by working with Big Tech, judges, state officials, Democrats and now, apparently, the vice president. Some believed that President Trump was ordained by God, and that only “dark forces” could explain his loss.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/01/11/this-is-what-it-looks-like-when-mob-turns-you/?arc404=true
Jean,
I have read some of the posts Parler put up (including the one from Lin Wood calling for Mike Pence’s execution), and no sane person, let alone Christian, has any business being on that site. The Lin Wood post was deleted, but there were many posts calling for the murder of anyone who disagreed with the poster.
Dan,
And Linn Wood is an attorney, who took an oath to uphold the law.
I assume everyone here has seen the “mobs” stretching from the Capitol Bldg. all the way west to the Washington monument – very peaceful assembly….
And those people breaking into the Capitol Bldg. began their assault while Trump was still addressing the “mob.” He urged a peaceful protest – heard the whole address. ..
Who were the ones breaking in? Well, they were not following a Trump directive. They did scare congress spitless and that is kind of humorous – IMV.
i believe it important to keep in mind that none of this surprises our Triune God, Who should be our focus. It will all go according to His will. So?
So focus on the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, our Commander in Chief….
In my humble opinion……..
They did scare congress spitless and that is kind of humorous – IMV.<<<
Are you serious???
Em,
I can’t believe you said. that.
I hope this was a twisted attempt to be funny.
Otherwise, I have to conclude you’ve been brainwashed.
Jean: Yes, fascism is great until it turns on you. How has Trump acted as a fascist based on the definition that Mussolini provided in the quote above?
Good to see you here, Dread. You know I couldn’t let you off that easy 🙂
Nothing but love and respect for you. I just didn’t like the statement.
Gosh, Em, FIVE people were killed! Folks really thought that they would be murdered and their children would grow up fatherless or motherless. You really think that’s funny? I think what you are attempting to do us “minimize” the seriousness of what happened. You have completely lost perspective. What would Jesus think of your comment?
It is sad to see Christians refusing to see what is right in front of their eyes. What can explain such irrational behavior? I truly am perplexed and dismayed. People resort to denial and minimization when reality doesn’t match their beliefs and the cognitive dissonance becomes too great. But minimization and denial are dysfunctional coping mechanisms, and a sign of a troubled mind.
Trump forces people to choose. Truth and grace don’t stand a chance.
Since i have offended so many here. The humor that i saw was the smug, safe in their building politicians realizing that they aren’t as insulated and safe from us rabble as they thought….
For the record, the actual deaths that afternoon WERE NOT FUNNY! ! ! ! ! NOT ON ANY LEVEL and at least two of them should never have happened
Interesting to see the interpretation s of things posted here – who is going low and who is going high? Strange times
“The humor that i saw was the smug, safe in their building politicians realizing that they aren’t as insulated and safe from us rabble as they thought….”
The rabble wanted Trump, and if they don’t get him, the politicians won’t be safe.
For the reader who asked me how Trump has acted fascist, here you have it.
We’ve gone way beyond the scope of this article.
Speak to each other as if you were speaking in person…with respect for the person if not for their views.
I will no longer tolerate anything else.
Hey Josh
I didn’t write it with you in mind and your rejection is not taken personally. But a liberal is not a progressive. It’s the latter I find, what was your word…?
Anyway it’s interesting to come back and to read and see the points of view. After being away I still profoundly disagree with much I read in the comments but appreciate and respect you all. Grace and peace.
Thank you, Pastor Alan, for writing this, and Michael for posting it. We need to hear these words.
An important article to read by David French…
https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/only-the-church-can-truly-defeat
Thanks for posting this link Duane.
Duane, that was an excellent article. It does explain partially why Christians have been so easily deceived with Republican lies and QAnon conspiracies. I remember when I left Calvary Chapel after 35 years it was,a,long drawn out process. I knew that I must leave, but it took two years of soul searching and resistance before I actually left. I remember rationalizing disturbing behavior I saw and then quickly putting it out of my mind. I remember telling myself that not EVERYONE at Calvary was saying/doing those the things I knew were wrong. I had decades old friends and a history at Calvary. I was married at Mike McIntosh’s church in 1978( it was the church I attended while a college student at San Diego State). After I left Calvary I struggled for a year at least. One of the hardest thing for me to work through was WHY I was willing to because a part of something I now realized was not right, and unhealthy for me( and so many others as we all here know). It was incredibly humbling. My father is an MIT rocket scientist and high levels of intelligence run in my family. I was told I was intellectually gifted, and both of my children were identified as intellectualy gifted at age 7 and put in special public school programs. I’m not bragging – I actually felt like a bit of an outsider growing up. My dad wad the classic Einstein- like mathematical researcher and not a very good father. Mgy mother was an artist and a published underwater photographer and not a very good mother. They wete eccentic. How many parents scuba- diveed in the 1970s? Mine did. How could A smart person like myself be “taken in” by such a controlling, cult like church and donate tens of thousands of dollars to it? Leaving Calvary forced me to take a hard look at myself, and it was incredibly damaging to my self-esteem. I saw all kinds of vulnerabilities and identity issues that I had never dealt with. I think that admitting you have been duped, admitting you were WRONG, and publicly admitting it, is an incredible blow to any person’s self esteem. 0nce you have finally admitted your mistake, and left, one often must begin a laborious process of rebuilding ones identity and often, adopting a different view of one’s world . In an above posted reslknse to Em, when I said that minimization and denial were coping mechanisms of a troubled mind, this is what I meant. I never meant to demean anyone, if I did, I do apologize
B of C
Thank you so much for that remembrance of what must have been a difficult transition. Yes, admitting that you have been deceived is humbling. I think it has happened to most of us at one time or another. It is so easy to lapse into denial. It takes real courage to make a clean break…
Thank you for sharing, Pastor Hawkins. I appreciate it.
Thank you, Michael, for sharing Alan Hawkins article. Again, it is very much appreciated. Carry on with caring for His people. You are doing well, Michael.
Don’t know when this thread will fade away, but when i first saw Pastor Hawkins’ post yesterday… before coffee, it startled me a bit as i thought he was addressing Christian trumpet players.
I apologize in advance to those who find my humor egregious 🙏
Em
I never say Trumpists. I say Trumpeteers (and I’m not one of them. I couldn’t abide Trump back in his Shark Tank days, if I’ve got the right program that I tried to watch once.).
Linn yes, trumpeters, but i hadn’t had my coffee yet… 😏
Em
BEAUTIFUL
Trumpsters
Dread. thanks for the piece. I’m appreciative of the content & the heart that accompanies it. I’m speaking little & thinking much these days, but wanted to express my thanks for the article.
Filistine.
Thank you fil