HEEDING THE TEACHINGS OF CHRISTIANITY

Heeding the Teachings of Christianity

As the holiday season unfolds and Christians around the world celebrate Christmas, it is a fitting time to reflect on Jesus Christ's teachings and how they contrast starkly with the values espoused by Donald Trump and the radical right. Both Christians and liberals alike should revisit the Bible’s lessons to recognize and reject the perverted societal values promoted by these figures, which stand in opposition to the virtues of compassion, justice, and humility central to Christianity.

A particular tragedy in this narrative is the way many evangelical Christians have been hoodwinked into aligning themselves with the radical right. In doing so, they have forsaken the core teachings of Jesus and embraced a vision that prioritizes power, greed, and exclusion over love, generosity, and inclusion.

Jesus Was a Radical Advocate for Justice and Equality

Though Jesus lived centuries before the emergence of industrial capitalism, his teachings have long inspired critics of economic systems that prioritize greed and wealth accumulation over human dignity. Jesus was, in many respects, a revolutionary advocate for social justice—a figure whose actions and words embody what some might today call "democratic socialism."

• In Matthew 6:24, Jesus declared, “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and Money,” condemning materialism and the idolatry of wealth.
• In Luke 12:15, he warned, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions,” emphasizing that life’s value transcends material wealth.

Jesus preached love, generosity, and care for the marginalized. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and prioritized the needs of the poor and outcasts over the desires of the wealthy elite. These teachings challenge the radical right’s obsession with wealth, power, and exclusion.

The Tragic Deception of Evangelicals

It is a disgrace that many evangelicals, who claim to follow Christ’s teachings, have allowed themselves to be deceived into supporting the radical right and figures like Trump. This alignment is not only a betrayal of Jesus’ teachings but also a blatant contradiction of the values evangelicals claim to uphold.

Trump’s rhetoric and policies—marked by greed, exclusion, and cruelty—stand in direct opposition to the virtues of humility, compassion, and justice that Jesus embodied. Yet, many evangelicals have been seduced by promises of political power and cultural dominance, forsaking the Gospel’s call to love one’s neighbor and care for the least among us.

By supporting policies that demonize immigrants, neglect the poor, and prioritize wealth accumulation, these evangelicals have abandoned the principles of Christianity. They have traded the teachings of Jesus for a distorted vision that elevates nationalism and materialism above faith and moral integrity.

Pope Francis and the Modern Critique of Capitalism

Pope Francis has become a leading voice in the critique of unfettered capitalism, echoing Christ’s teachings. In his 2013 document, he described unrestrained capitalism as “a new tyranny” that prioritizes profit over people, creating vast inequality and dehumanizing millions. He condemned the “idolatry of money” and urged political leaders to guarantee dignified work, education, and healthcare for all—a vision in harmony with the values of Christian compassion and justice.

In a recent speech, Pope Francis went further, blaming the “god of money” for extremist violence, noting that economic systems that marginalize and exploit people breed anger and despair. This critique underscores the dangers of a Trump-led agenda that perpetuates division, xenophobia, and greed, while ignoring the systemic injustices fueling societal unrest.

Rejecting the Radical Right’s Distortion of Values

The radical right’s co-opting of Christian rhetoric to justify policies of exclusion and inequality is a profound perversion of Christ’s teachings. Their vision, driven by greed and authoritarianism, is fundamentally incompatible with the Gospel’s call for love, humility, and justice.

Evangelicals and all Christians must confront this betrayal of their faith. Supporting the radical right is not an act of devotion; it is a forsaking of the very teachings they claim to hold dear. True faith demands that we resist such distortions and realign ourselves with the values Jesus exemplified.

A Path Forward: Embracing True Christian Virtues

America is at a crossroads. There is immense pent-up demand for leadership that articulates frustrations with inequality and injustice while inspiring hope rather than fear. By drawing on the long tradition of Christian socialism and social democracy, we can reimagine a society that honors Christ’s vision of love and justice.

This Christmas season, let us all heed the call to embody the true spirit of Christianity—not through hollow rhetoric or selfish ambitions, but through actions that uplift the marginalized, heal the wounded, and create a world where all can thrive.

It is time for Christians and liberals alike to reclaim the teachings of Jesus and reject the radical right’s perversion of faith. Only by doing so can we honor the true message of the Gospel and build a society that reflects the compassion, humility, and justice of Christ.

William James Spriggs