The Donald Trump Dilemma – how does a Christian live with the contradictions?

Christianity Today recently published an article making a case for Donald Trump's removal from office, suggesting it unthinkable for a Christian to support him. The mainstream media in the States otherwise keen to ignore Christian opinion, promptly gave it traction, like a disapproving landlord finally hearing a pesky tenant out. In a conversation with an acquaintance, she was quick to assert that Christians are hypocritical in applying their moral standards, by giving Trump a broad pass, just because he appeared to be on their side. She was convinced Christians were being conned. 

We’ve heard some version of this over and over again – Christians have abandoned all principle in favor of political expedience. Not only are they turning a blind eye to Trump’s serious flaws, but they’ve gone so far as to congratulate and uphold him as a role model.

So, what is the truth? Is it as black and white as critics claim? And what if two things were true at the same time?

I enjoy discussing politics and world affairs, and am a minor history buff (although my enthusiasm far outweighs my knowledge), but I’m growing very selective about whom I have these conversations with. Politics has become so extraordinarily tribal, that no longer is it about debating policy or the merits of an issue. It’s now all about picking a side, and sticking with it, no matter the intellectual cost. If your side goes sliding down, you sink with it, or even pretend that all is swell.

In November 2016, I was in India, and convinced that Americans weren’t so ignorant as to elect Donald Trump, reducing the US to a laughing stock in the eyes of the world. There was no question, in my mind, that Hillary Clinton was by far, highly electable, and must win, if the US were to remain a dominant player at the world table. A strong US that speaks for free speech, free markets, religious freedom, and remains, in many cases, a last bastion for human rights across the world, is in the best interest of all countries, including India. I was nearly in tears, as the results from the electoral college started coming in, and it looked certain that Donald Trump was going to be the President of the US of A. His losing resoundingly, seemed inevitable just that morning.

It took a call with my mum, to begin my journey of looking beyond the clamor of one-sided, elitist, and contemptuous coverage of Trump and his voters. My education started with listening to conservative commentators like Ben Shapiro, exposing myself to news from the right-of-centre spectrum, and an insightful book by J.D. Vance, ‘Hillbilly Elegy’.

It helped me appreciate that the US is not homogeneous, and that it’s more than the East and West Coasts. The ravages of decades of leftist welfare policies, and governmental overreach, combined with the opioid crisis, had left deep scars in swathes of middle America, who felt forgotten by politicians and snubbed by coastal elites.

I moved from an antagonist to a sympathizer. Stephen Harper’s (former Canadian Prime Minister) “Right Here, Right Now” added nuance to my broad education, on the rise of populist, right-wing movements in many parts of the West.

So, yes, it’s compatible to be a Christian and vote for Donald Trump. In a landscape of worsening choices, going with a party/politician that will least hasten cultural decline, is a legitimate option. Christians should not judge each other for making a political choice they wouldn’t have made themselves. Ultimately, the office merits respect, and to the extent that one’s conscience is not violated, obedience to the government, and being a good citizen is obligatory for a Christian, irrespective of which political party is in power. 

Another complicating wrench is the plain truth that the President of the United States may not be a stalwart Christian or an exemplary human being. That would be ideal, and when someone comes close, absolutely worthy of celebration. Regardless, a Christian’s duty is prayer for those in positions of power, making well-considered choices based on who aligns most closely with godly values in a rapidly decaying society, and ultimately acknowledging that God is sovereign, over who is elected. 

Sometimes, a ruler is put in charge, for mercy and respite, sometimes for judgement and indictment.

So, one can find a politician’s personal behavior morally problematic, while extending support on a policy-by-policy basis. There's also no question unfortunately, that association with Trump has damaged the evangelical witness, especially when they have remained silent in the face of Trump's excesses and mean-spiritedness. This must be part of a larger critique of the church relinquishing its responsibility and moral high ground in being a convicting voice against cultural decay. 

As loathsome as a Christian may find Trump’s lifestyle and character, fact is, he has surrounded himself by conservative appointees and advisors who support the traditional causes that Christians understand to reflect God's bestowal of common grace to human society. “The least of evils” is not a great argument, but in an era where post-birth abortion is not just accepted, but shouted from the rooftops, and infanticide softened by the deceptive use of words like a “fetus born alive”, voting for a President who intends to curb such an evil practice, is not only wise, but I’d go so far as to call it imperative.

Let’s live with these contradictions; always in tension, never fully reconciled – support the President when he takes a righteous stand, call him out when he is petty and vindictive. Pray for him, without tripping over his supporters to praise him. In a world gone awry, it’s possible to be uncompromising, while being shrewd as a serpent. Most of all, let’s not stoop to what is happening all too often; contempt for a fellow human being who made an unexpected voting choice, instead of empathy for why.

***Update, 2022***

As of this writing, Trump has not announced that he will run in 2024. He should not. Circumstances have changed; our response should wisely modulate. 

He should step aside for someone who has the competence, character, and message discipline to build on and carry forward his policy wins. His party has a deeper bench; there are legitimately good candidates for the presidency. 

To channel Elon Musk, Trump is drama. He cannot stop airing his grievances over the flaws of the last election. He had his day in court to prove his claims of ballot fraud, but was unable to. He could have done much to protect the integrity of the election process, while still in power, to limit the weaknesses engendered by mail-in votes. 

The January 6th 2021 debacle can be pinned on several guilty parties, however, there is no contesting that Trump handled himself poorly and that his heart was not truly into being a peacemaker that day. 

He has served his purpose - the flamethrower who voiced the aggravation of his countrymen, frustrated that their elected leaders and the permanent underclass, were thwarting their voices. 

It would now be better for him and his country, if he could muster grace, play kingmaker, and prompt history to exonerate his administration in the aftermath of the American quest for self-sabotage. Any stable genius would. 

 

Redemption for the woke and the base

While seemingly on unrelated subjects, an imperceptible thread runs through the two books I recommend below. In times antiquated or modern, the voids in our hearts demand to be filled. Where previously, those voids were occupied by faith, family, and faithfulness, we now miserably fill those with confused replacements while ardently denying their very existence. 

WOKE, INC. Inside corporate America's social justice scam, Vivek Ramaswamy

I first came across Vivek's contrarian thinking (by present standards) in a business news segment where he railed against stakeholder capitalism. As one of the few CEOs vocal about the disproportionate pressures exerted by the woke minority on  companies' policies and culture, his voice was a clarion call in a landscape of cowering homogeneity. His is a relatable story, as a second generation Indian immigrant to the US, from Wadakkancherry, a town in Kerala, the state of my ancestors. 

He narrates his experience working at Goldman Sachs, the most elite financial institution in America, where a hallmark event was 'Service Day'. Supposed to be a full-day spent serving the community, few of his colleagues seemed interested in planting trees at a park in Harlem. The group head showed up an hour late in a slim-fit suit and Gucci boots, "let's take some pictures and get out of here". In 30 minutes, they were at a bar where Vivek's colleague justified their flippancy by laying out the Goldman Rule: "He who has the gold makes the rule". 

Vivek is an outspoken critic of the Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) rules, testifying at a congressional hearing about the dangers of distorted capital allocation by investors, in favour of a social justice agenda. He describes the emergence of the woke-industrial complex, an unholy coupling between government and big business, that allows this hybrid model to get away with what neither could, on their own. The pretence of not caring about profit or power has worked out very well for these corporations, by giving them precisely more of each. 

In a ludicrous example, when female employees sued Statestreet, a US mutual fund, alleging a pay gap with their male counterparts, the company did what any responsible one would have done. It erected a statue of a little girl standing up to the iconic bull on Wall Street, with a placard, 'SHE makes a difference'. Turns out, 'SHE' also stood for an ETF which traded on the stock exchange, which when purchased, redounded to Statesteet's benefit. 

The most egregious example of wilful corporate negligence was by one of the world's largest consumer behemoths, Unilever. In a Kenyan tea-plantation owned by Unilever, while offering top-notch security to their well-heeled executives, they left their economically disadvantaged, local, female employees unguarded from 'brutal and foreseeable attacks'. After violent incidents in which several women were killed and raped by local thugs, Unilever compounded its cruelty by refusing liability or making restitution for their wrongdoing. Of course, none of this dampened their worldwide marketing blitzkrieg for the 'empowerment of women tea plantation workers'. Meanwhile, they were fighting the just demands of the local women they mistreated tangibly, while effusively pretending to care for ethereal women globally. 

As an ardent believer in service to one's nation, I've held that governments should encourage their youth to a stint in public office and bureaucracy. Not only would it be an opportunity to tackle seemingly intractable problems with the optimism of youth, but would also inculcate a sense of duty, preservation of a national identity, and the belief of one's rise being inextricably linked to the nation's. 

The author recommends civil service by conscription. I disagree with the desire to make service mandatory, since non-voluntary actions tend to foster resentment and evasion. 

One of the most poignant critiques in the book is on woke consumerism. Signalling virtue through the goods we buy is a vacuous attempt to fill the sense of purpose previously driven by religious impulses. As the author says, in the new American search for identity to give our lives meaning, we make the ordinary sacred. To which I must add its corollary - and make the sacred ordinary. 

OUT OF THE DEPTHS, the autobiography of John Newton

In stark contrast to Millenial and Gen Z's convictions in their own goodness, is the repentant slave trader who never lost awareness of God's condescension to Him. He sails on many voyages to Africa, transporting slaves for trade, as a captain of those ships. Squandering many years of his prime in avarice, rebellion, and mistreatment of his fellow men, he surrenders finally and helplessly, to his need to be saved from himself. 

John Newton goes on to write many timeless hymns, including the unfading, Amazing Grace. Along with William Cowper, the prolific and depressive poet, he published a collection of hymns, including the evocative 'God moves in a mysterious way', a profound gift through the centuries. His friendship offered a respite from Cowper's relentless despair. 

'Out of the depths' is John Newton's autobiography, written as a reflection of God's mercies toward the most hardened of hearts; ever present through acute dangers, rampant backsliding, moral failings, and protracted grief. In our 'cancel first, ask questions later', culture, Newton's life story is a reminder that none of us can set ourselves up as a higher standard of love, justice, and compassion, than the God through whom we have the conception of those ideas in the first place. 

He becomes a prominent abolitionist, preaching against the evils of slavery, as a pastor in London, and a confidant of William Wilberforce. Wilberforce, was an evangelical Member of the British Parliament who strove to put an end to slavery. After campaigning for 9 years to abolish the slave trade and finding it fruitless, he considered retirement from public life. 

Newton wrote him a powerful letter. He believed that God had placed Wilberforce to serve as a witness to Him. "The example, and even the presence of a consistent character may have a powerful, though unobserved, effect upon others. You are not only a representative of Yorkshire. You have the far greater honour of being a Representative for the Lord, in a place where many know Him not, and an opportunity of showing them what are the genuine fruits of that religion which you are known to profess". 

Encouraged, Wilberforce continued his efforts in Parliament, looking to the Bible for direction in all of life, not aiming to separate his faith from politics. Wilberforce recognized that without a spiritual base, those who attempt social reform would not only flaw in their efforts, but in the end, do harm. 

"My judgment..rests altogether on the Word of God. A man who acts from the principles I profess, reflects that He is to give an account of his political conduct at the judgment seat of Christ". A sobering thought, which I hope stays ingrained in my mind when tempted to disengage loftily by dismissing my responsibility to think and act righteously in the so-called culture wars. 

To see you again

You held my hand and walked me through the woods

told me stories by the candlelight

Your eyes twinkling as you read stories of yore

I sat in rapt attention, lost in the sound of your voice.

The meals we shared, all the times we laughed

For every time I held your hand, for every time I shared your joy;

I can't believe I won't see you again

I keep holding onto your hand, your fingers in mine

and time can't take that away.

I had my heart set on happiness

Now, a fist clenching my insides

sinks down my vitals,

and I can hardly breathe

My heavy heart wears me down,

and I'm not alright.

His ways I don't understand,

and I don't even try

It is His to give and His to take away

and I can only look back.

I'll just rest my head at His heart,

lay my hurt on His shoulder

I'll just be held in His arms,

entwine my fingers with His,

and live under the shadow of His wings.

-In memory of my beautiful cousin, Bindu John, whose voice still rings in my ears. 

Confessions of a Doomscroller

I'm sure many of you will find this personal development relatable; a growing anxious attachment to your cell phone, only exacerbated by the last two years of the global pandemic. The confinement to the walls of our homes, limited outdoor mobility, minimal exposure to friends and family, and panic fanned into flames by a monolithic opinion on matters of public policy have caused us to retreat deeper into the distracting folds of social media. 

Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and best-selling co-author of The Coddling of the American Mind refers to the Biblical story in Genesis of the Tower of Babel where God confuses the language of people groups, so they couldn't understand each other. In our modern context, our inability to communicate with each other despite the game-changing optimism heralded by social media has underlying causes far deeper than the tribalism which had existed even prior to recent years, and has only made us better authoritarians. 

Always something of a news junkie, I succumbed to the urgent need to stay aware of each minutiae of the unfolding pandemic at all times. One crisis dovetailed messily into another - a recklessly protracted return to a semblance of normalcy was de rigueur in most countries, while self-sabotaging their economies and the mental health of its most vulnerable populations, through a reliance solely on the blunt tools of lockdowns and a sole therapeutic intervention. To that, add the newfangled transformation of scientists into economists, spiritual advisors, and even foreign policy experts, creating a surging fear of missing out on the latest informational tidbit. 

My mind never rested - even while attempting to switch off for the night, I listened to podcasts from experts, absorbing and processing information - ever alert to formulate, change or confirm my opinion. 

I'm increasingly beginning to doubt my ability to influence monumental shifts in world events through my powers of persuasion. I need to scroll less. And rewire my tired and fraught brain with a new approach. Perhaps, you will find it useful, if you like me, want to deescalate from the wars waged in your world. 

(1) Expanding my mental palette: From consuming a veritable smorgasbord of political opinions and Twitter expertise, I've curbed my appetite for the 24/7 news cycle. Turning instead to a more wholesome diet comprising business, history, economics, science, and cultural theology. The latter is significant - entreating myself to go to the Bible as a starting point for various conflicting issues tearing societies apart has been valuable. And not least due to the conviction that the Scriptures have instruction, direction, and wisdom to be unearthed in each of the situations human societies are finding themselves embroiled in.  

(2) Engaging in deep work: Cal Newport in his Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World says, "Once your brain has become accustomed to on-demand distraction, it’s hard to shake the addiction even when you want to concentrate. To put this more concretely: if every moment of potential boredom in your life—say, having to wait five minutes in line or sit alone in a restaurant until a friend arrives—is relieved with a quick glance at your smartphone, then your brain has likely been rewired to a point where, it’s not ready for deep work—even if you regularly schedule time to practice this concentration.” 

I am trying to carve out time sprints where I work undistracted without reaching for the phone or checking e-mails, with a singular focus on the task at hand. Whenever I've adopted the mindset of a productivity-fiend, not only have I been able to accomplish a greater number of tasks, but also stretched my ability to learn and hone a new skill. 

(3) Calling to mind that God is sovereign: Watching the world seemingly ready to blaze within a tinder box, I can often forget that God is the ruler of all kingdoms and events on earth. It is He who causes nations to rise and fall, orchestrates or permits events, and appoints the days of man. Justice can seem agonizingly slow, peace, a figment of a philosopher's imagination, and joy, a distant and fleeting memory. 

However, for the believer, there is the calm assurance that there are no coincidences in their lives, no freak accidents, no instances of divine negligence. If I didn't believe that even unjust, evil, or maleficent actors can only go as far as God allows them, are entirely subservient to the purposes of God, and whose wickedness can be weaved into a glorious pattern in the life of His children, life would be searingly burdensome at best, and justifiably spent on hedonism at worst. Oh, but thankfully, we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Hurt and Affliction: When there is no end in sight.

By now, you've heard the Will Smith slap loud and clear in your living room and replayed to stirring emotional effect. 

It might be odd to sympathize with the aggressor here, when he is so clearly in the wrong. A misguided stream of support in the aftermath lauded him for defending his wife's honour. A man so relinquished of self-control is weak and defeated, hidden beneath the picture - perfect veneer. 

I say this as a Will Smith fan - I can rap along to the fresh prince of Bel-Air (just say the word), need no background to watch one of his movies (plot and storyline not mandatory) - and until revelations of his wrecked personal life, thought of him as a loving husband and father, stellar as a person, and exemplary as a professional. A secular testament to the virtues of plain hard work, grounded values, rooted upbringing, and integrity - rising up through access to 'common grace'. 

Yet, my heart went out to this man. A desperately broken, wounded, and lonely man. Betrayed, tormented, not knowing which way to turn. No consolation in his accolades, no relief in entertainment, no rest in his thoughts. 

To a greater or lesser extent, we all know this pain, or will know it soon. I did. 

The remedy offered by the world can range from a therapy-laced exploration of the dark recesses of the mind, or a 'revenge is a dish best served cold' battlecry, or a shrinking from people, profession, and pursuit. 

We are either held back by the pain of hurtful deeds said and done to us, or are driven in a quest to prove those wrong; our hearts a frothing of rage and tremors. 

The blessing of a still, calm heart, without the whirling turbulence of thoughts characteristic of the aching heart, cannot be overstated. 

If you thought this bleak narrative was building up to a solution, I have none. Except to begin with recognizing that because modern culture elevates how we feel as of greater value above everything and everyone else, it can be difficult to surface from those immersive waters. 

With that recognition, what do you do next? This is hard and non-intuitive - but might we stop chasing happiness as the ultimate goal? That means acknowledging that life may not go your way, your goals may not be met, your timelines never achieved, and your feelings never adequately protected.

What if ambition looked like a life of quiet pursuit of spiritual disciplines, inward resilience through the means of sustenance established by God, and a determination to not strive without consulting God in the smallest affairs of life?

I'm not a great example, but afflictions have kept me humble. As much as I want the winter to end and walk into sunshine, my need keeps me clinging to God. 

If not God, who. If not to Him, where. 

Staying your ground in the midst of fear of death.

 

Is God’s love reckless, and does it matter?

It is easy for us to think of music as innocuous, and to emphasize melody over meaning. Most popular songs that end up being chart-busters do not achieve that status due to their lyrical profundity. They’re not offering unique insight into the world, or human nature, but simply have a catchy beat. Many are quite formulaic, and we often associate a ‘sound’ with a particular artist. As long as it matches our mood, or lifts our spirits, or even distracts us from the chaos of our thoughts, its purpose is served. 

 

It’s not surprising that that same thinking is carried forward into the selection of church music. A lot of what’s called, Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) also endeavors to make us feel good. In and of itself, this is not problematic, for who wants to listen to music that gets us down, or plumbs the depths of melancholy, or is not appealing to our ears. That’s sometimes the critique from modern worship leaders – that those who appeal to high standards in Christian worship music, simply care about a fuddy-duddy style, familiar and comfortable to an older generation. That reverence toward God has nothing to do with the choice of music, as long as the ‘heart is in the right place’. 

 

Apart from being simplistic, this view is also terribly ignorant of the value that God Himself places on musical worship. In the Old Testament, we see the great care that king David took in the order, style, and decorum of the musicians who were to serve God in the Temple. When the reformer king Josiah celebrated the Passover, he had musicians follow the prescriptions for worship, alongside priests in the service of the Lord’s Temple. 

 

This is not to say that there is no room for variety in worship. In India, where I come from, there are beautiful ghazals and kirtans composed by converted believers, now singing for Christ. These draw listeners in, and help them see that Jesus is not an alien Westerner, but the Creator God of all mankind. That He's the God who died, rose again, and offers redemption to these rural villagers trapped in superstition, and ritual worship of the powers of darkness. 

 

Songs are a deep and entrenching way of memorializing God’s universal truths for generations. When Christians gather for corporate worship, they are singing for an audience of One. Songs rich with Scripture, composed from Biblical passages, declaring God’s attributes and divine nature, serve to fertilize the hearts and minds of those assembled in His Name. They are more attuned to hearing God’s Word, having taken their eyes off themselves, contemplating instead on God. 

 

Now of course, the stirring up of emotions is not only acceptable, but to be expected. There is something marvellous about 300-year old songs, passed down from generations, connecting the modern believer to that universal Church, since ages past. A catchy beat, rhythm, melody, and exuberance are all well and good, as long as they add to, and not detract from the message of the song. 

 

Consequently, biblical standards of worship would easily eliminate the megachurch Christianese songs churned out year after year, by the Bethel/ Hillsong/ Elevation industry. You might wonder, some of their songs appear acceptable, so why throw the baby out with the bathwater. The fact is, even the music produced by false churches and teachers, are not necessarily explicitly heretical. Smart as the enemy is, and true to his modus operandi, the bad theology is packaged aesthetically, with emotive mood-lighting, while half-truths are sung mixed with errors. These songs are then crystallized within immature minds, reinforce the impact of false teaching, and export the rot to nations far and wide. 

 

To be clear - the choice is not between reverence and intimacy. It’s not either/or, it certainly is both. Each time someone encountered the majesty of God in the Old Testament, the only response was to fall down in awe. That did not change in the New Testament – John had the same response to the vision in Revelation. This was the Jesus he knew - against whom he leaned, walked, and shared meals with. 

 

It matters that the songs we accept into corporate worship be truthful, precise, and firmly based on Scripture. It is a solemn responsibility, and one that pastors (and by extension, those in worship ministry) who are entrusted with guarding the flock against false teaching, are not to take lightly. 

 

I do listen to the occasional megachurch song – not all are dyed in the same extreme wool. I apply discretion, and while there are several songs that could be good companions for a long drive, they could be absolutely inappropriate for corporate worship. I won’t get started on the mushy effeminate romance, or the irreverent boyfriend tunes, but, emphatically, God’s love is NOT RECKLESS, the all-sufficient One DOES NOT NEED US, and the Triune God, did not NOT WANT HEAVEN WITHOUT US. 

 

 

 

Should a believer be actively involved in present day politics?

Implied in this question, is the belief that politics is a completely anomalous category untethered to any other vocation or profession. It comes from an erroneous and sometimes a self-righteous position, that considers politics as defiling, and thus unfit for those who are serious about their Christian faith and the Gospel. However, this is not a stand that withstands intelligent scrutiny, nor is it compatible with Scripture. The Gospel has implications for all areas of life, including the political sphere. 

It is important that Christians care about their worldview being presented in all walks of life. That does not mean that we impose our faith or morality on those who believe differently, or have no belief at all, but that participation in politics be viewed as an opportunity - an opportunity to influence, stand up for, and persuade people toward good, as we are motivated by Scriptures to do. 

 

Speak out on behalf of the voiceless,
    and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.
Speak out in order to judge with righteousness
    and to defend the needy and the poor. Proverbs 31:8-10

Most concerns about Christian involvement in politics stem from the underlying assumption that it is impossible to be incorruptible in that sphere. That compromises, turning a blind eye, or bending convictions are inevitable. Certainly, as would apply to any other place of work, tact and wisdom in living out our Christian values are imperative. Daniel, was one of the highest-ranking administrators employed in the service of a pagan king. Perhaps, he could have declined a promotion, or opted out of that role altogether, since he was surrounded by ungodly influences. It might have been a pretty lonely position to be in, where almost no one else shared his values. Yet, the Bible testifies to Daniel’s use of discernment, and diplomacy in his responses to unbelievers, and ultimately God using Him for His purposes and to reveal His glory. 

A very important distinction needs to be made at this point – between a Christian and the church. The church absolutely must not be involved in politics. Whenever religion has become politicized, it has become systemically rotten, and its effects felt for centuries. Think about religion becoming institutionalized after Constantine’s supposed conversion to Christianity. The Roman Empire began launching its territorial conquests in consultation with the Pope. Fidelity to Scripture, and the spread of the true Gospel of Christ, became casualties to the power struggles within the church. 

Government derives its authority from God to promote good and restrain evil. In ‘How Christianity Changed the World’, Alvin Schmidt documents Christian influence in government. Examples include outlawing infanticide, child abandonment and gladiatorial games in ancient Rome, ending the practice of human sacrifice among European cultures, banning pedophilia and polygamy, and prohibiting the burning of widows in India. In the United States, two-thirds of abolitionists were Christian pastors. In the 1960s, Martin Luther King Jr., a Christian pastor, helped lead the civil rights movement against racial segregation and discrimination.

William Wilberforce was a British MP, who after coming to know Christ, saw that his position in Parliament could be used for God’s glory. He was uniquely gifted for a life in public service. He railed against the evils of the African slave trade, and played a key role in abolishing this wicked practice in England. He found great encouragement through his friend, John Newton, a former captain of a slave ship, who after his rebirth wrote the classic hymn, Amazing Grace. He would tell Wilberforce that God had raised him up ‘for such a time as this’ and that ‘God has brought you into public life and has a purpose for you’. 

Christians should not have a defensive mindset and retreat from the public square. Christian withdrawal opens a moral vacuum, making our leaders susceptible to evil influences. Politics affects government, shapes society and influences culture. This is not to say, that the Gospel can spread only when there’s a conducive political environment; it can stagnate during times of political stability, and it can spread like wildfire even amongst hostile governments – the underground churches in China, Indonesia, North India, and the Middle East are testament to this fact. 

Christian witness in the public square advances the cause of communicating timeless values about moral and ethical issues. As salt plays a preserving function, Christians using their influence for good, slows down the inevitable decay of society, until the time the restraint of the Holy Spirit is taken away from this world. 

The ‘All Religions are One’ fallacy.

You hear it often - “All religions teach human beings to be good, and share the same moral values, so why fight in the name of religion, because all religions are ultimately the same.” Same wine, different bottles, or same variation of the theme. But is that true? Although well-intentioned, the argument is specious and does more harm than good.

Those who make the above argument usually mean well; they think they have seen or heard  of too many wars in the name of religion, and the only way to get human beings to get along (if we cannot get rid of religion all together) is to first have everyone agree that all religions are essentially the same substance in different packages. But a closer look at world religions will instantly cause any scales to fall away - different religions make different claims, and thus have different implications. Let’s examine the most common slogan of the “all religions are one” argument - All paths lead to the same God. 

Hinduism requires adherents to perform good deeds, so that karma allows them to be reincarnated into higher beings, and ultimately attain moksha or salvation. Islam demands a strict observance of rules, laws, and treatises to please Allah, who will determine the eventual fate of a Muslim. Buddhism requires followers to achieve nirvana in the footsteps of Gautam Buddha who was called the ‘enlightened one’, but there’s no concept of a personal God. In radical contrast, Christianity claims that works cannot earn our way into salvation, and that to be saved, one must believe in Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

Secondly, religions place such different demands on people and have such different understandings of the afterlife, that it’s impossible to reconcile their contrasting teachings. What does “if your enemy is hungry, feed him” have anything in common with injunctions to slay unbelievers or seek revenge on enemies? Isn’t “all your righteous deeds are like filthy rags (before a holy God)” in stark contrast to earning your way into heaven? Isn’t “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” entirely different from treating the body as mere evil matter? 

This is not to disparage religions that differ from Christianity; however, I do intend to make the point that unity can be achieved despite deep differences among religions, and that we don’t have to stoop to make false equalities to co-exist in society. It should be insulting to the intelligence of a rational man, to be told that the only way to survive in a pluralistic society is to water down differences in beliefs, never engage in searching criticisms of religions, and never consider religion as a topic worthy of discussion in the public sphere. 

All human beings have timeless questions seared in their minds - who am I, what am I doing here, and where am I going? It is every man’s God-given right to satisfy his longing to find answers to these questions, which would invariably mean an investigation into the claims of different religions, and being forced to ultimately make a choice. We should be able and willing to fundamentally disagree with each other, and yet be tolerant of each others’ beliefs, and what’s more, be willing to extend kindness, hospitality, and compassion as fellow human beings and eternal souls. 

Especially if you believe your fellow human is an eternal being, tolerance is not an option, it’s the only way, because in the words of C.S. Lewis, “You have never talked to a mere mortal”. For a Christian, it is high honor to engage, disagree, yet hold the other in esteem, with humility. 

Feelings are overrated.

It’s the first Sunday of 2019. 

New years are supposed to make you feel resolute, optimistic, and hopeful that the best is yet to come, but they can also make you feel drained, battle-weary, and pessimistic about the future. I forced myself to choose realism today - since I swung between both ends, before the day ended. As I’m writing this, I’m telling myself that all I will do, is take one day at a time. On most days, what I find helpful is simply getting up, and showing up, instead of waiting to feel cheerful. I schedule enough things into my day to make me feel productive, and learn enough new things in a week, to feel vital. I don’t underestimate the value of doing the mechanical, until your mind catches up. Feelings are highly overrated, anyway. 

We hear a lot of pep talks that present airbrushed versions of people, glossing over dysfunction, as if life is made up of selfies, vacations, summer plans, and parties. How come we don’t hear talks about how it could be a year of suffering, of heartbreak or loss? Of what you could do to strengthen yourself in preparation for a storm? Why do we prefer open and fatuous laughter, over hidden but real pain? 

I find David’s sighing so relatable, “Why are you downcast, oh my soul? Why so disturbed within me?” He’s having to talk to himself, to remind himself, and to pick himself up. There’s more than a sliver of hope though; it’s a penetrating beam - “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God”. 

So, that’s my anchor for this year - not a blinding optimism about sunshine-filled days, not a vacant sense of impending doom - but a recurring mental note to self: 

That I don’t have to pull myself up by the bootstraps, 

That I can work hard, without fretful striving,

That I can plan for the future, without issuing deadlines, 

That I can forgive freely, without worrying about justice, 

And that I can pray effectively, without expecting thunder. 

So, why indeed, be downcast, oh my soul?

Reflections on the passing of my childhood hero, Billy Graham

Billy Graham died on February 21st, 2018, months short of his 100th birthday. Russell Moore, President of the Southern Baptist Convention, called him the most influential evangelist since Apostle Paul. He preached the gospel to over 215 million people across 190 countries. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association claims that “throughout his life, Billy Graham preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to some 215 million people who attended one of his more than 400 crusades, simulcasts and evangelistic rallies in more than 185 countries and territories. He reached millions more through TV, video, film, the internet and 34 books.”

I remember my dad saying when I was a kid that only 2 people in the world could have their mail delivered to them without their addresses - the President of the United States and Billy Graham. Clearly, no one person has ever had the kind of globe-spanning reach that Billy Graham did. I’ve listened to several Billy Graham sermons on the TV, growing up, and the most compelling part of his crusade was his invitation to people to receive Christ, and his team singing ‘Just as I am without a plea’, as thousands flocked to the front of the stage.

He also came to India and conducted crusades in Bombay, Madras, Delhi and Nagaland. He preached his message to the Nagas who used to be head-hunters, but had turned to Christ when Christian missionaries brought them the gospel of forgiveness and repentance. In a different city, he recounts weeping as he witnessed a cremation where a young man pierced his father’s skull to ‘release his spirit’. 

What makes Billy Graham especially remarkable was the undiluted purity of his message. He did not muddle it with fluff or affectation. Even in his very last crusade in 2005 held in New York he proclaimed “I have one message: that Jesus Christ came, he died on a cross, he rose again, and he asked us to repent of our sins and receive him by faith as Lord and Savior, and if we do, we have forgiveness of all of our sins.” An urgency to drive people toward Christ and away from judgment, delivered with clarity and compassion. His book, Peace with God, which I read in my teens, still remains, in my opinion, one of the best crystallizations of the Gospel, and apart from the Bible, the best gift to someone trying to understand God and His purpose. 

One of my most poignant memories of Graham is when he comforted the nation after the 9/11 attacks  on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. He was a spiritual counselor to Presidents since Dwight Eisenhower, right up to the current POTUS, Donald Trump. He steered clear of partisan politics and instead focused on giving Presidents spiritual advice from the Bible. His body was brought to the United States Capitol for the public to pay respects, making him only the 4th civilian in US history to be accorded such an honor. On his funeral today, in his home state of North Carolina, the gospel was preached under a tent to commemorate his revival meetings - just as in life, even in death, the name of his Lord and Savior was glorified. 

Only at his death, did I grasp the import of his ministry. He was a staunch opponent of segregation. He insisted at his rallies that the ropes separating whites and blacks be removed. This is at a time when denouncing racism was not popular, and even before the US Supreme Court banned racial discrimination. He refused to speak in South Africa to segregated audiences, and went there only after integration occurred. In a meeting in Johannesburg in 1973, Graham said, “Christ belongs to all people. He belongs to the whole world.…I reject any creed based on hate…Christianity is not a white man’s religion, and don’t let anybody ever tell you that it’s white or black.”

Billy Graham was a close friend of Dr Martin Luther King’s and bailed him from jail. Although people forget today, MLK Jr was Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and central to his peaceful agitation was that racism was a sin in God’s sight for human beings created in the image of God. 

It’s also heartening to read that all of Graham’s 5 children and several grand children are firmly rooted in the ministry today. There were personal failures and struggles with faith that several of them experienced, but God was faithful in answering the tearful prayers of their parents, Ruth and Billy Graham and honoring the godly example they set for their children. It’s a testament to the power and influence that righteous parents wield over the lives of their children. 

Lastly, no tribute to Billy Graham is complete without an ode to his humility. Unlike the title-hoarding common today, he did not like being referred to as ‘Doctor’ since it was an honorary degree, and he hadn’t earned it at an institute. The best witnesses of a man’s character are his spouse and children, and his testify that the Billy Graham who thundered from a pulpit, was the same person they saw at home, a gentle and loving father - wholeheartedly devoted to Christ, passionately loving to his wife, a role model to his children, and unflinching until his last breath to the cause much greater than him. An era came to a close with his death. He's said to have been planning his funeral in advance, so that the Gospel would be heard by many - fittingly a leading newspaper put it as ‘Billy Graham Holds One Last Crusade – His Funeral’. 

India’s deathly dance with intolerance

I read an op-ed on Quint (an Indian publication) this morning, titled ‘Why India should not forget the murder of Graham Staines'. Staines was an Australian missionary who was burnt to death by a mob in Manoharpur, Orissa, along with his 2 sons, 7-year old Phillips and 10-year old Timothy. The mob was led by Dara Singh, with links to the Bajrang Dal, a fringe political outfit known for inciting communal violence. Their crime was leaving the comforts of their native land, and making India their home, among the most disenfranchised in society. The Staines family had opened a leprosy home among adivasis, literally washing the sores of those rejected by their own communities. The event sent shock waves throughout the country, and awakened Christians to the fragility of the much-touted fabric of co-existence. 

India has been for the longest time, proud of being a secular democracy, and most leaders of repute have at least paid strong lip service to the values of tolerance and the right to practice and propagate religion, without threats or interference from the government. For the first time, in a long time, things are changing with rapid intensity. 

I was born and raised in Mumbai, and as a first in my memory, saw a policeman posted outside my church on Christmas. There has been a ferocious increase in the crimes against minorities, including Muslims, since then. Muslims, who have had a far more tenuous history with co-existence in India, have been beaten to a pulp, or brutally killed for the mere offense of consuming or storing beef. On occasion, the meat did not even turn out to be beef. 

Of late, crosses are being torn out, churches vandalized, and pastors beaten. What used to happen in the cover of dark, now happens brazenly in daylight. The nefarious elements of society have come crawling out of the woodwork, emboldened by the blatant and unapologetic Hindutva agenda of the BJP government that’s in power. The Prime Minister is deafeningly silent on violence against Christians and does not use the power of his office to dissuade the same group of people who are also his vocal and staunch supporters. 

I wish I could say my countrymen are outraged and are demanding answers from their elected leaders. Apart from the minority commission, and a few opinion pieces, there are no booming voices. I listened with shock as a colleague dismissed reports of persecution against Christians, as being overblown and not a big deal in reality. People have a right to their own opinions, they even have a right to their own prejudices, but not to their own facts. When we can’t even operate from a baseline of truth, reasoned engagement is no longer possible. 

A recent report described the plight of a group of people thrown in jail in Madhya Pradesh who only crime was to go out caroling on Christmas night. According to Open Doors’ World Watchlist, released in January 2018, India now ranks 11th in the world among countries where Christians face extreme persecution, faring only better than Iran. Those sharing the ignominy? Such luminaries as North Korea, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and Yemen. It is a tragic blot on the country’s reputation, a travesty of our legacy, and yet nobody from the political class is bemoaning the sordid state of affairs. In 4 short years, persecution has become par for the course. 

As Indians, we must realize that a government that stands for and protects the rights of minorities, will also be in the best interest of the majority. Nations elect leaders who are a reflection of their values. We didn’t rail against the government when they encroached on press freedom, individual liberties, on the right to peaceful protests, or even the basic right to eat what we please. 

So now, our nation has ended up getting the leaders we deserve. 

#Quint #Persecution #India #Christians #Minoritycommission #OpenDoorsWorldWatchlist