The Pope, The Donald, & Franklin Graham: 3 Men, 3 Very Different Versions Of Christianity

Let me take our minds back to the words of the pope maded on 18th of February, the Internet blew up when Pope Francis dropped this truth bomb on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump…

A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. This is not the gospel.

Not surprisingly, The Donald™ wasn’t too thrilled with the Pope’s criticism of his conveniently newfound faith. Calling the Pope’s comments “disgraceful,” Trump went on to claim that Pope Francis “would have only wished and prayed that Donald Trump would have been president” in the (in Trump’s mind inevitable) event that ISIS crosses the Tiber and takes over the Vatican.

Also not surprisingly, Facebook hot take extraordinaire Franklin Graham couldn’t help but weigh in and defend the candidate he clearly supports but for whatever reason can’t bring himself to endorse. In his latest bold stand for the faithful, Graham had this to say…

I agree that as Christians we should try to build bridges with everyone that we possibly can, but that doesn’t mean that we should compromise our national security….My advice to the Pontiff—reach out and build a bridge to Donald Trump. Who knows where he may be this time next year!

Though Pope Francis being interested in Franklin Graham’s advice is about as likely as Donald Trump being President of the United States “this time next year,” I personally found Graham’s comments fascinating or at least revealing when put alongside what both the Pope and The Donald™ had to say.

To me, they almost perfectly capture the 3 versions of Christianity which shape the Christian faith in these here United States of America. Of course, though distinct, there is some bleeding over between the 3. But that being said, I think these 3 men and their versions of the faith offer an important snapshot of Christianity today or if you will, since we are in an election year, a State of The Faith.

 In The Donald™’s response  we see a wonderful example of culturally convenient Christianity. His political maneuvering and religious pandering is a great example of why culturally convenient Christianity can be so appealing: it comes with a great benefit plan. 

In Franklin Graham’s comments, we see quintessential American Christianity distilled down to it’s very essence: “I agree with what Jesus said [or did], but…” Or as someone once put it, “I follow Jesus – up to a point.” Of course, it’s not always just one point or one “but.” More often than not, there are several exit points from the path of true discipleship.

Here is a summary of Franklin's Christianity

I’ll follow Jesus, but I’m not giving away my money.
I’ll follow Jesus, but I’m not gonna just turn the other cheek.
I’ll follow Jesus, but I’m not hanging around those people. 

 Ultimately American Christianity is focused on serving the self, not serving Jesus. It may begin with a decision to follow Jesus, but the commitment to true discipleship ends whenever and whenever following Jesus becomes too costly.

 Finally, in the Pope’s initial remarks we see authentic Christianity on full display. His words demonstrate an authentic form of the faith in that they express an unwavering commitment to the radically and fundamentally inclusive nature of the gospel. Following Jesus requires a certain amount of boldness and a willingness to adhere to the gospel no matter the cost and no matter how unpopular it might (or will) be to do so. Pope Francis is far from perfect and the faith he practices is absolutely not above critique. But his fundamental and unwavering commitment to loving and embracing the other is the very heart of the gospel.

Until next time... remain blesses