They worshipped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?’” (Revelation 13.4 I do not believe in THE Anti-Christ. But I do believe in Anti-Christs…. Plural From the looks and sounds of things, we have one sitting right now in the U.S. White House. “An avenging angel stands and beckons, claymore gleaming in his hand. His wings are spread triumphant, framing the radiant halo that encircles his face. Heraldic armor shines in gold, impeccably defined muscles rippling beneath its surface. Except, where the angel’s face should be, President Trump’s face scowls resolutely at the viewer instead. Images like this one have become a disturbingly ubiquitous fixture of the Trump era.”[1] How utterly disturbing and blasphemous is that!? “As people have fallen away from traditional Christianity — and core gospel values of humility, equality, justice, and love — that spiritual void has been filled by faith in a new, Earthly savior — one distinctly unfit for worship. Understanding Trump’s most ardent believers through a lens of faith also helps explain why support remains steadfast despite tumultuous political change. Communities that produce and revel in apocalyptic visions of Trump as a political messiah are unlikely to be moved by technocratic explanations of the damage he is doing to our country. Idolatry must be challenged at the level of belief, by exposing the values that undergird worship. And the iconography of Trump idolatry makes one thing abundantly clear: If we are to defeat Trumpism, as an ideology, we must begin by addressing the dire eschatology, affinity for violence, and toxic masculinity that have become articles of faith.”[2] [1] Benjamin Perry, “The Trump Iconography Permeating the Social Media Underground,” sojo.net [2] ibid “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him… And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name…. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations” (Revelation 13.5-7).
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