The day after every U.S. Presidential Inauguration, Washington National Cathedral (of the Episcopal Church) hosts an interfaith National Prayer Service. Normally, this event does not get a lot of attention. It is a mundane tradition of American civic religion. This year was different, however. 

            Bishop Mariann Budde delivered the homily for the service. In her homily, she took a few moments to remind President Trump of the importance of showing mercy to others, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized in our communities. Trump and his supporters responded to this homily by claiming that Bishop Budde was “politicizing” the faith. Trump specifically called her a “so-called Bishop” and “Radical Left hard line Trump hater”. He also demanded an apology from the bishop and the Episcopal Church. 

            The simple truth of the matter is this: Bishop Budde preached what Jesus preached. Jesus constantly taught his followers (and us today through the gospels) that we are called to love God and our neighbor first and foremost (Mt. 22:34-40). Jesus taught that God desires “mercy, not sacrifice” (Mt. 9:13). There are many scriptural references along these lines. Loving other people is the foundation of Jesus’ teachings. Jesus also went to the cross on our behalf due to his love for others. Jesus also taught us to carry our cross and follow him. Christ commands us to love as he loves and teaches us that Christians will be known by their love (Jn. 13:35). 

            Trump’s reaction to Bishop Budde’s sermon reveals the truth about Trump’s character: he is anti-Christ. In scripture, we are taught that there are many antichrists, and antichrists are those who deny and oppose Christ’s gospel (1 Jn. 4:3). It is not like many modern evangelicals claim that there is a singular antichrist who will take over the world in the end times. Donald Trump’s words and deeds show that he has no interest in living the teachings of Jesus Christ or applying them in his administration’s policies. 

            How should Christians respond to this level of unchristian behavior in the most powerful office in the land? There are some answers within the history of the Church. For much of Christian history, the Church has existed under authoritarian regimes and in various times of persecution. The Church existed within the Roman and Persian empires, in Islamic states, Nazi Germany, and in Communist states (to name a few). As with the US today, in many of these moments, members of the Church cozied up to those with money and power. However, there was always a prophetic wing of the Church that challenged the rich and powerful to come to repentance.

One example from the East is St. Basil of Moscow. St. Basil came from a family of serfs, and he had a radical love for Jesus and the poor. Much like St. Francis of Assisi, St. Basil would live with and help the poor, often begging alongside them. Basil took things a bit further, however. Like Robin Hood, he would steal (shoplift) to give to those in need. He was also known for directly challenging those in power, including openly criticizing Czar Ivan the Terrible. According to tradition, he was one of the only people who could get away with insulting the Czar directly to his face. 

Basil was known as a “fool for Christ”, and there are many prominent saints and monastics in church history who have likewise been seen as “fools” (see 1 Cor. 4:10). In the early church, it was foolish to follow Christ when Christianity was seen as an illegal, atheistic cult. The early Pentecostals and Charismatics were also fools for Christ. It was considered crazy and foolish to have female preachers and prophets. It was foolish to have racially integrated churches. It was foolish to be pacifist. It was foolish to embrace signs and wonders.

Sadly, many in the Church today have forgotten our history and the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the American Church, it is often the Pentecostals and Charismatics who are the most diehard supporters of Trumpism. We must call people to repentance and back to the gospel of Christ.

It is foolish to love your enemies or give to the poor. It is foolish to challenge those with money and power. It is foolish to embrace signs and wonders. It is foolish to advocate for the Kingdom of God. However, that is what Jesus commands us to do in moments like these. That is how the American Church must respond to people like Donald Trump. 

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Rev. Kevin Daugherty is a bivocational priest and new monastic in Phoenix, AZ. He serves as a pastor/priest at Solomon’s Porch and abbot at the Companions of the Holy Spirit. Kevin can be contacted at kevin@pcpj.org.