Acts 17, Nations, and Immigration

I recently heard one of the weekly Scripture-twisters on Christian radio attempt to defend Trump's immigration policies by appealing to Acts 17 when Paul on the Areopagus states that:

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

The right-wing lobbyist in question argues that since God set the 'bounds of their habitation' that therefore nations (and apparently nationalism) are legitimate and so therefore a draconian border policy (including deportations to Guantanamo Bay) is not only permissible but perhaps even some kind of duty or moral imperative.

This Trump-celebrant ignores the fact that the Gospel breaks down these barriers and Pentecost represents an anti-Babel moment. This is only realized in Christ. It is not universal, but for Christians (and this is critical) it shapes how we live and think. We are not of the nations, we are Kingdom pilgrims and strangers in the nations - something this idolator-nationalist rejects. Apparently he thinks that these people will 'seek the Lord' by means of Christians tasing them, shooting them, shackling them, and putting them in cages.

We understand that the lost people of the world will put their hope in the various pseudo-Zions and Babels they construct. That's to be expected and so it shouldn't surprise us when fascists like Trump act like the immoral monsters that they are. But it should surprise us and offend us when so-called Christians sell out to this ideology and support it - and then twist Scripture in the process in order to manipulate their audience. But this is what the Family Life Network is all about and this is why it hosts lying scoundrels like Jason McGuire and Michael Geer every Friday. That's not name calling. That's what they are. Presented as 'experts' they are lobbyist hacks who exist to raise money and stir people toward political action. The fact that FLN gives them an additional platform to add little pseudo-Scriptural commentaries during the news is odious to say the least.

And given Trump's policies to create a new concentration camp at Guantanamo and his administration's dirty deals with Central American satraps to warehouse prisoners - there's a very dark aspect to all of this, and yet this is vindicated and celebrated by these Balaam-prophets for hire. Further, when one understands the historical and economic story of the United States and its relationship with Latin America, the narratives ring hollow and are self-serving. Their idolatry has blinded their eyes and they cannot see or understand what the United States is and what are the foundations of its wealth and power. They blasphemously ascribe its mammon-power-glory to God and thus with seared consciences under judgment, they fail to understand America's history of deceit, treachery, theft, exploitation, conquest, and murder. Trump is but the culmination of this, the ugly face of what has long been the reality. The mask has been removed and rather than recoil in horror - these reprobates love it and fall at his feet. Fools, they do not know that America is but a vapour, another Beast power that will fall by the wayside. It's fate is that of Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Rome, and all the other wicked empires in union with the Dragon.

Thus even now they are blind to the fact that their messiah is undermining and destroying the foundations of American power and driving the nations to look elsewhere for backing and inspiration. Even now the many client states and allies which grin and bear it are quietly looking toward other avenues. With BRICS and the SCO, the possibilities are growing and there are other merchants of death from which they can purchase their weapons, secure their loans, and trade. Hitherto attempts to challenge the dollar have resulted in swift violence and death. The challenges are mounting and will Trump be able to stop them? He makes a lot of noise but we already know from his first term that he is a bully and like all bullies, he is a coward and ultimately inept. He could have established a dictatorship in his first term but abdicated his role in the face of crisis - and then lashed out when he realised the magnitude of his error. Obviously he's learned a few things since then, but his chaos style will turn Wall Street against him and destroy American alliances and the empire's international standing. Just a few weeks in, this process is already well underway.

The American Empire is in a state of crisis and the Trumpite strategy is to lash out with violence and threats. Unless Trump is prepared to back up his threats with bombs, he will find that his bullying may impress momentarily but in the end someone will challenge him and a large-scale revolt will prove more than Washington and its Pentagon can bear.

Shame on these people who strengthen the hands of those who commit evil. Shame on these false prophets and teachers who sell out Zion for worldly glory and the Babylon-empire that is America. Shame on them for proffering a gospel of mammon and yet presenting it as Christ. These deceived deceivers clearly think that godliness is gain and they will destroy themselves and bring down their idols with them.