The Evangelistic Need of Our Day: Disentangling Christ from MAGA Christianity

Over the weekend, I again helped lead a group of Christians from various churches—through a non-profit of which I am the Executive Director, Pray March Act—in the No Kings event in NYC. In case you are not aware, No Kings is a movement demanding that our current administration remember they are mere stewards of our Constitution, laws, and system of government—not authorities unto themselves. For what it is worth, despite what some might claim, we are not antifa, Marxists, paid actors, or haters of the United States. We love our nation.

However, the continued unilateral decision-making, extrajudicial killings with weak or non-existent justifications, constant fear-mongering and blame-shifting (including the endless “whataboutisms”), the excessive force and inhuman treatment used in immigration enforcement, the ignoring or marginalizing of the judicial process, the use of government agencies for personal gain or vanity, the demands for loyalty over almost any other standard, and so much more, have been egregious abuses of power. Of course, we know President Trump is not actually a king, but many believe his posture and assumptions continue to erode our constitutional republic. That said, the specific issues with the Trump administration are for another day and, frankly, for others to expound.

The Evangelistic Need of Our Day

Yet, what strikes me is the extent to which, in the midst of the chaos in which we live, we may be missing the evangelistic need of our day. There is a deep and urgent need to disentangle faith in Jesus from MAGA Christianity. When political leaders exalt themselves, especially in ways we have seen recently, Christians must resist by bearing witness to our true King—not only because of the inevitable political corruption, but also because of the spiritual confusion it creates for a watching world.

I was again reminded of how desperately this evangelistic need is through the interactions I have at these rallies. The sign I and others carry, which says, "The only King we serve is our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ," gets a lot of attention. During these rallies, I have countless conversations with people who say things like, “Thank you for marching with that sign,” or “I didn’t think Christians cared about this,” or “I disagree with you theologically, but I appreciate what you’re saying.” For me, protesting and activism have always been part of what it means to be a faithful Christian. But, for many, when they come across a Christian in these settings, it’s as if they’ve stumbled upon a unicorn. Why?

For many, there’s an assumption that Christianity—and, in particular, evangelical Christianity—is MAGA Christianity. Frankly, at this point, I’m not even sure what “evangelical” means anymore. So maybe they’re correct. But while the sign signals how evangelicals tend to talk about their faith—that is, perhaps the most standard evangelical purity test is the extent to which one claims “Jesus is my Lord and Savior”—it also reflects the faith I claim. I am, in nearly every way, theologically and, in many ways, socially conservative. I will save you the reflection, but I could list off all the conservative credentials and commitments I hold.

But the point is simply this: I would absolutely be categorized as a conservative evangelical Christian in the way that category has been historically used. One would be hard-pressed to find a belief in my convictions that do not align with historic, conservative Christianity. And most importantly, my evangelical convictions mean I want people to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus through repentance and faith, as He is the only way of salvation. I want to see people, including myself, submit their lives—body and soul—wholly to Him and live as though He truly is Lord and Savior. Yet—and here is the main point—for many in our current landscape, being a Christian also means submitting to a MAGA version of Christianity. The two have become the same. 

Claims of Faith

Additionally, a real issue is also that not everyone who claims “Jesus is Lord and Savior” or says that "Jesus is King" actually believes those claims. Such claims mean nothing if they are mere words. We are reminded in one of the most haunting passages of Scripture, that some will stand before Jesus with claims of working in His name only to hear Him say, “‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matt. 7:23). This ought to be a sobering passage for us all. It is not enough to say that Jesus is King. We can attach the name of Jesus to anything we want, claiming we are doing His work, but it will be the conduct of our lives, the quality of our character, and the posture of our hearts that will prove whether or not we know Jesus. This is the case for me and anyone who claims the name of Jesus.

Relatedly, my concern is that there is much being written about a revival happening in our nation. However, those claiming this revival often view the rise of a MAGA-style Christianity as proof of that revival. I’m not entirely sure what to make of those claims, and I think time will tell which seeds ultimately have landed on rocky soil or among thorns. I do wonder the extent to which many are claiming the name of Jesus, and even claiming to work in His name, yet in the end, it will be shown that Jesus knows them not. But while such sorting of the sheep and goats is a task for God alone, what I do know is that there are those appalled by this administration who desperately need to know that faith in Jesus is not a faith in MAGA Christianity. Again, this is the evangelistic need of our day.

Disentangling Faith

What do we want people to believe about Jesus? Jesus Christ is King and Lord over all. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. As our Creator King, He demands that we turn from our sin and rebellion against Him and instead submit every area of our lives to Him. For not only is He King, but He is also Judge—the One before whom we will one day give an account. Yet, out of love for us, Jesus Christ has taken upon Himself the consequences of our sin and rebellion against God. Through this grace, for those who trust in Him for their salvation, when we one day stand before that judgment throne, we can have confidence that it will not be our works that save us, but the work of Jesus on our behalf. And in that knowledge, we can trust that the Spirit of God will sanctify us so that our lives more and more reflect the holiness, righteousness, and purity of Jesus.

That, however, is wholly different from a MAGA-Christianity that attaches those beliefs to propping up, promoting, and even, at times, venerating an administration and movement that is so often antithetical to the nature and character of Christ and His Kingdom. And in case it needs to be said, I also agree that there is much on the other end of the political spectrum that is antithetical to the nature and character of Christ and His Kingdom. The difference is that only one end has attempted to co-opt Christ and the evangelical faith.

For many reading this article, you are also feeling the weight of fighting a battle on two fronts. On one front, we want to reach those—like the people I meet at these rallies—who need to hear about Jesus detached from MAGA Christianity. We want them to know Jesus. On another front, we want those who have conflated Jesus with a brand of conservative politics to detangle their faith. We also want them to know Jesus. I long for them to one day hear Jesus say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” and not, “Depart from me, I never knew you.” Again, I do not know for sure who is who. Only the Lord knows those who have experienced genuine conversion. But what I do know is that MAGA Christianity is clouding clarity about who Jesus is.

Ultimately, let our allegiance and submission to Christ be so clear that no one can mistake our faith for a political movement.

Father, give us grace, wisdom, and courage to make clear the message of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection to those in need of His redemption. And guide us through the fog of these current days that we might present Christ clearly and holistically to all in need of His saving grace.