Our Conference Minister for the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ, Rev. Darrel Goodwin, wrote the following in response to recent postings by Donald Trump depicting himself as Jesus Christ:

I don’t think you can say anything but “Amen” to that!  

Why would someone create such an image?  Do they really believe that they are Jesus Christ?  Are they just toying with people to get a reaction for the headlines?  Is it simply a joke?

In any case, it’s not good.   It has, however, awakened people of all Christian stripes to what has long been apparent to those who claim the mantle of progressive Christianity: that our faith can be hijacked by anyone to promote whatever cause; even when it is in direct contradiction to the ministry of Jesus Christ.

This is especially dangerous when Christianity is warped by someone without ethical moorings.  It is one thing to interpret scripture and the wider Christian faith through a thoughtful, theologically conservative lens.  It is quite another to claim that you are the Second Coming.  That is Christianity that has hit some black ice and slid off the road entirely.

What is most alarming to me is how normalized this kind of behavior has become.  Picture any former president, of either party, presenting themselves as Jesus Christ.  Now picture the reaction.  It would not be limited to saying “it’s ridiculous” as is the case right now.  Yet here we are.

When such things as this happen, my gratitude soars for our church because it is a place where we remember who we truly are as Christian people.  We are those who worship a compassionate God, who follow a Christ of peace, equity, and justice, and a Holy Spirit that pushes us forward with confidence into the resurrection world that God has made possible.