Firstly, Dr. Bird, I appreciate your critical insight into US politics. Even as a Texan and American, I value the constructive critique of other people, especially Australians who love America and BBQ. ;)
That said, I am concern that Trump will stop supporting Ukraine. The argument that the $40 billion should have gone to the people instead of Ukraine isn't grounded. Our inflation isn't due to support of the war but due to the excess money that was printed during COVID shutdowns. Something like 25% of all US dollars in existence was printed between Trump and Biden.
I'm also concerned that Trump empowers Christian Nationalists to be bold. Moore said in an article about Alistair Begg that the SBC gained conservatism at the expense of protecting those who were assaulted, mistreated, and abused sexually within their member churches. Moore's not wrong. Evangelicals traded the Christian sexual ethic of the Bible for "Not Hillary" in 2016. A 2nd Trump presidency can bolster Christian Nationalists to say and do more crazy things. It's already bad enough that I, a Filipino immigrant, have to contend with the Xenophobia as well their stoic, philosophical racism they defend as Biblical. With Trump, it's not just democracy that's at stake but also the Christian ethic.
I am American born and bred, but I have to agree that we are very cray-cray over here, especially in the church culture. Or maybe everyone else is sane and I'm a few fries short of a happy meal. It's one or the other. Thanks for your thoughts, as always.
Well said in relation to Trump and the world at large. Here in the UK, the Trump mindset suffused the debate around Brexit and has left the country poorer because of it (although I appreciate you have a different view on this).
I am looking forward to Jesus and the Powers very much.
Your perspective is a very welcomed balance to our Americanized theology.
The US is a Constitutional Republic, not a “Democracy”. The distinction is important.
The issue of election integrity has been far too politicized- and demonized- instead morphing into, “Election Denial” and then becomes the domain of only the lunatic fringe or far right wing conspiracy theorists. To those of us so concerned, this has been falsely associated with being in complete alignment with the extreme MAGA Republicans- whatever that means?!
Many of us American evangelicals (if I may), who care about our country and are fully aware of the many problems we face, are also concerned about election integrity. We are not simply hallucinating. Being concerned about election integrity should matter to all Americans. It is a concern in my current state of Montana, both locally and in state-level legislation.
Christian Nationalism exists and I’m fully aware of its dangers. However, I do not hold those beliefs or associate with those that do. The term seems to be used pejoratively to associate those that may support and/or vote for Trump as being adherents to it’s beliefs. This view creates a false dichotomy.
We have a border crises because the current administration has refused to even act and assume the lawful and constitutional obligations regarding our borders and immigration policy. As a result, we have mass illegal immigration that affects not just border states but most if not all of our 50 states in one way or another. I’m all for Legal Immigration, but literally $151 Billion tax dollars are being spent annually to provide essential services to these ‘illegals’. Seems to me like we’re helping the world?
The USA is a country of some 331 million people. We have a very diverse population and that brings about many challenges, politically, economically and socially. But, we remain prayerfully committed to the tension of being in the world but not of it.
Yes, what we do in the USA affects other countries. Again, many of us are not supporters of the constant militarization, intervention and proxy-wars favored by the political elite. Redux: our tax dollars fund this stuff!
I have pre-ordered and look forward to reading your upcoming release, Jesus and the Powers.
I live in Australia and there is definitely a rise of the religious right in this country. This is a link to a conference being held in Brisbane next month. https://www.churchandstate.com.au/
Firstly, Dr. Bird, I appreciate your critical insight into US politics. Even as a Texan and American, I value the constructive critique of other people, especially Australians who love America and BBQ. ;)
That said, I am concern that Trump will stop supporting Ukraine. The argument that the $40 billion should have gone to the people instead of Ukraine isn't grounded. Our inflation isn't due to support of the war but due to the excess money that was printed during COVID shutdowns. Something like 25% of all US dollars in existence was printed between Trump and Biden.
I'm also concerned that Trump empowers Christian Nationalists to be bold. Moore said in an article about Alistair Begg that the SBC gained conservatism at the expense of protecting those who were assaulted, mistreated, and abused sexually within their member churches. Moore's not wrong. Evangelicals traded the Christian sexual ethic of the Bible for "Not Hillary" in 2016. A 2nd Trump presidency can bolster Christian Nationalists to say and do more crazy things. It's already bad enough that I, a Filipino immigrant, have to contend with the Xenophobia as well their stoic, philosophical racism they defend as Biblical. With Trump, it's not just democracy that's at stake but also the Christian ethic.
Hi Brian, totally agree!
I am American born and bred, but I have to agree that we are very cray-cray over here, especially in the church culture. Or maybe everyone else is sane and I'm a few fries short of a happy meal. It's one or the other. Thanks for your thoughts, as always.
Can I reclaim The Office as British please?
Well said in relation to Trump and the world at large. Here in the UK, the Trump mindset suffused the debate around Brexit and has left the country poorer because of it (although I appreciate you have a different view on this).
I am looking forward to Jesus and the Powers very much.
Your perspective is a very welcomed balance to our Americanized theology.
The US is a Constitutional Republic, not a “Democracy”. The distinction is important.
The issue of election integrity has been far too politicized- and demonized- instead morphing into, “Election Denial” and then becomes the domain of only the lunatic fringe or far right wing conspiracy theorists. To those of us so concerned, this has been falsely associated with being in complete alignment with the extreme MAGA Republicans- whatever that means?!
Many of us American evangelicals (if I may), who care about our country and are fully aware of the many problems we face, are also concerned about election integrity. We are not simply hallucinating. Being concerned about election integrity should matter to all Americans. It is a concern in my current state of Montana, both locally and in state-level legislation.
Christian Nationalism exists and I’m fully aware of its dangers. However, I do not hold those beliefs or associate with those that do. The term seems to be used pejoratively to associate those that may support and/or vote for Trump as being adherents to it’s beliefs. This view creates a false dichotomy.
We have a border crises because the current administration has refused to even act and assume the lawful and constitutional obligations regarding our borders and immigration policy. As a result, we have mass illegal immigration that affects not just border states but most if not all of our 50 states in one way or another. I’m all for Legal Immigration, but literally $151 Billion tax dollars are being spent annually to provide essential services to these ‘illegals’. Seems to me like we’re helping the world?
The USA is a country of some 331 million people. We have a very diverse population and that brings about many challenges, politically, economically and socially. But, we remain prayerfully committed to the tension of being in the world but not of it.
Yes, what we do in the USA affects other countries. Again, many of us are not supporters of the constant militarization, intervention and proxy-wars favored by the political elite. Redux: our tax dollars fund this stuff!
I have pre-ordered and look forward to reading your upcoming release, Jesus and the Powers.
Thanks Brad!
I live in Australia and there is definitely a rise of the religious right in this country. This is a link to a conference being held in Brisbane next month. https://www.churchandstate.com.au/