A woman I was dating some years ago, who would later become one of my wives, though not t the same time, mind you, as the others, once commented rather effusively that I was "like Jesus". My immediate reaction was one of cringing embarrassment. Of course, I understood what she meant to convey--that, unlike others she had been with, and under whose influence she had suffered considerably, I seemed uncommonly, almost miraculously kind. Nonetheless, I knew the comparison to be wholly inaccurate and undeserved. No human being can possibly live up to such an association. Moreover, it seemed a standard, an expectation that I could not possibly meet, being, in fact, much more similar to Lucifer than to Jesus--and in fact, by the end of the marriage, she would think the latter association more fitting, I'm sure.
But I think of this because we have now a Christian (so-called) conspiracy theorist declaring that Donald Trump is the second coming of God, the chosen one, the savior of Israel, and we see Donald not embarrassed or dismissive, as any sane person would be, but embracing the comparison, basking in the worship, actually stating before the press that he is "the chosen one". Good God.
I do know something about this popular theory--more than I care to know, really. It is imagined that Trump is a modern-day Cyrus, king of Persia, elevated to the throne by God Himself to restore the temple in Jerusalem and return the Jews to the promised land. What this all has to do with Christianity or Christians, I do not know. It is simply yet another example of contemporary wacko insistence on conflating the story of the Jews with the Christian message and destiny. The temple that Jesus describes, after all, is no longer in this world, but in the heart of the believer (John 4:21; 1 Cor 3:16 & etc).
I feel that same pang of cringing embarrassment, and much, much more, at both this ludicrous misappropriation of scripture and at the man who would stand with face raised toward the sky, declaring himself to be the chosen one. Was Donald joking? Well, he will no doubt say so in future meetings with the press, and his handlers in the wreck that is now the White House will be quick to say so as well; but as pointed by the writer of an article in the New York Times, and by others, the man is not joking at all. This is the pinnacle of his narcissism, the chilling extent of his increasingly delusional thinking.
And it may well backfire. Does anyone remember when John Lennon made the offhand remark that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus? That didn't go over well. Of course, Lennon quickly and apologetically explained the meaning of his comment. Again, any sane person would. Donald Trump makes no such concession, offers no such apology. For in his disturbed, unhinged mind, Donald is the second coming, the savior.
But I think of this because we have now a Christian (so-called) conspiracy theorist declaring that Donald Trump is the second coming of God, the chosen one, the savior of Israel, and we see Donald not embarrassed or dismissive, as any sane person would be, but embracing the comparison, basking in the worship, actually stating before the press that he is "the chosen one". Good God.
I do know something about this popular theory--more than I care to know, really. It is imagined that Trump is a modern-day Cyrus, king of Persia, elevated to the throne by God Himself to restore the temple in Jerusalem and return the Jews to the promised land. What this all has to do with Christianity or Christians, I do not know. It is simply yet another example of contemporary wacko insistence on conflating the story of the Jews with the Christian message and destiny. The temple that Jesus describes, after all, is no longer in this world, but in the heart of the believer (John 4:21; 1 Cor 3:16 & etc).
I feel that same pang of cringing embarrassment, and much, much more, at both this ludicrous misappropriation of scripture and at the man who would stand with face raised toward the sky, declaring himself to be the chosen one. Was Donald joking? Well, he will no doubt say so in future meetings with the press, and his handlers in the wreck that is now the White House will be quick to say so as well; but as pointed by the writer of an article in the New York Times, and by others, the man is not joking at all. This is the pinnacle of his narcissism, the chilling extent of his increasingly delusional thinking.
And it may well backfire. Does anyone remember when John Lennon made the offhand remark that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus? That didn't go over well. Of course, Lennon quickly and apologetically explained the meaning of his comment. Again, any sane person would. Donald Trump makes no such concession, offers no such apology. For in his disturbed, unhinged mind, Donald is the second coming, the savior.
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