The first part listening to Trump speak at the 11th Hour Faith meeting in North Carolina revealed that his biggest religious influence was Norman Vincient Peale, author of The Power of Positive Thinking as well as long time pastor of Marble Collegiate Church. Trump spoke fondly of him, as too many have over the years. Peale was supposedly a Christian, but hardly.
Pastor and author Tim Challies in a series on false teachers points out that Peale did not even believe in a personal God. He writes:
“Yet as a Christian minister he denied that God was a being, saying “Who is God? Some theological being? He is so much greater than theology. God is vitality. God is life. God is energy. As you breathe God in, as you visualize His energy, you will be reenergized!” (Plus: The Magazine of Positive Thinking). As a Christian minister he told Phil Donahue, “It’s not necessary to be born again. You have your way to God, I have mine. I found eternal peace in a Shinto shrine … I’ve been to Shinto shrines and God is everywhere. … Christ is one of the ways! God is everywhere.” He denied the very heart of the Christian faith and replaced it with his doctrine of positive thinking.”
The positive thinking has undoubtedly shaped some of Trump’s thinking. This would explain why Trump does not believe he has to be forgiven, but just sets about making things right if he feels he has erred. And positive thinking may include never realizing that you are a sinner who needs forgiveness. It also might explain why as Kelly, his former Chief of Staff stated to New York Times reporter, Michael S, Schimdt, … “that on multiple occasions Mr. Trump told him that those Americans wounded, captured or killed in action were “losers and suckers.”
In my mind connected to all of this is Trump’s liking for authoritarian or strong man leaders including Hitler. Kelly is quoted in the NYTs article:
“Mr. Kelly confirmed previous reports that on more than one occasion Mr. Trump spoke positively of Hitler."
“He commented more than once that, ‘You know, Hitler did some good things, too,’
Mr. Kelly said Mr. Trump told him.”
This understanding of Peale’s positive thinking and flirting with fascism really fits together. The Fascists of Nazi Germany, those who considered themselves Christians, the German Christians as opposed to the Confessing Church, held to what they referred to as Positive Christianity. It wasn’t exactly the same ideology as Peale’s but somewhat like it. Jesus was considered not a bloody savior but a noble warrior. Repentance was not necessary.
Within this positive ideology—what could really be called a pagan faith—there was a negative—the outsider, the “foreigner.” For Nazi Germany it was the Jew, the Roma, the disabled, the Poles, the LGBT community, the disagreeable Confessing pastors who refused to praise Hitler. Within Trump’s positive ideology there are also some negatives—no not China or Russia but enemies within the United States—those who oppose him. If necessary, he will use the military against them he says. And slightly below the opposition, the Democrats, the press, those who disagree with him. The foreigner, those he has referred to as vermin. Those he believes will contaminate the blood of Americans.
Trump’s Maga people also see some citizens of the United States as enemies—some of them are calling for them to be imprisoned or hung.1.
But where is the Kingdom of God in all of this? Where are the people of Jesus? Sheltered in the arms of the Lord, hearing His word, dwelling in His keeping. Caring for those considered unworthy of Trump’s pleasure. Hopefully building a wall of peace and love against a wall of hate, serving a King whose reign is not of this world but is eternal.
Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven, Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations, You established the earth, and it stands. They stand this day according to Your ordinances, for all things are Your servants. (Psalms 119: 89-91)
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