Right on Al. I think you’ve highlighted an important point, though some would argue that Trump’s actual success (versus his inherited wealth) are overstated. Your point stands however – he embodies everything America Evangelicalism “wants” to be (and plenty of wealthy, so-called progressive societies the world over – like Australia where I live – are leaning more and more to fear based, protectionist stances ). As wealthy westerners, I suppose we fall into the category that Jesus spoke about when he said how hard it is for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God – such are the perils and temptations of wealth, or even just the pursuit of it.

I think it should be noted though, that Jesus’ message has always faced the same challenges – there were wealthy beneficiaries of the Roman Empire along with those who were chewed up by it. For me, the hopeful fact is that the narrative of the Kingdom of God doesn’t need to compete in the same way that people / businesses need to in a free market – even with globalisation, our economics, politics etc can only tell a small story in comparison to Jesus’ total upending of the universe. Somehow through that story, lived out in the small, supposedly useless acts of love, service, compassion, sacrifice etc, the Holy Spirit heaps coals on the claims of any Empire, whether it be Roman or American Evangelicalism.

Great comment. Have you seen this, Al?
http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/trumps-worldview-mirrors-most-archaic-and-apocalyptic-christian-beliefs#.WAQqn1YpfPA.email