Recently I had the chance to interview one of my biggest role models in life — Pastor and theologian Greg Boyd from Minnesota in the United States! 🙌 Greg has written a number of fascinating books, such as Letters from a Skeptic about how he led his father to faith in Jesus by responding to objections to the Christian faith, and The Myth of a Christian Nation, in which he challenges Christian nationalism and coercive theology.
Like me, he calls himself a charismatic Anabaptist and works for a church that unites signs and wonders with peace and justice by keeping Jesus’ miraculous, loving, and nonviolent life at the center!
I spoke with him for an hour about everything from the state of American Christianity to the church’s mission in a time of climate crisis. We talked about why so many Christians continue to support Trump even after he has become a convicted criminal due to his abuse of women and is running on a platform of deporting millions of Christians into poverty and persecution.
We discussed how a broken ideal of leadership in many charismatic contexts can lead people to be more impressed than alarmed by violent, authoritarian political leaders.
We also talked about what the future of evangelical Christianity in the U.S. might look like, how churches globally can be a safe harbor amid an increasingly dangerous climate crisis, and why, in the end, Trumpism will be defeated by the Kingdom of God.
Micael Grenholm is a Swedish church historian, author and an editor for PCPJ.
Pentecostals & Charismatics for Peace & Justice is a multicultural, gender inclusive, and ecumenical organization that promotes peace, justice, and reconciliation work among Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians around the world. If you like what we do, please become a member!
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Many “Christians” have bought into an idea of sexualized manliness and heavenly reward on earth. The more money you make the better man you are, you only do so by being “right” with God. It is not necessary to do anything to be right with God, except know the right people, wear the right clothes and have a “good wife” and children. People with problems and poverty lack faith and favor with the Lord. If your wife and children go stray you can write them off and the man gets forgiven and counseling, you love ones can return to church when they straighten up and fly right, which is mostly impossible. Satan is an ever present threat, a man who gives into temptation needs counseling and forgiveness, blame the devil; women are the devils tool. Trump clicks all the boxes for a man who is flawed and can be forgiven for his transgressions. This behavior actually, to them, is acceptable.
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