First up, I want to state for the record that I’m not a theologian. I have no desire to be one. However, I have been a Christian all my life, so have a pretty good handle on what Christianity is, and is not. So while a discussion on theology forms part of this essay, I’m going to try to keep it as simple as I can – purely because I myself can’t handle more complex theological discussions – and also, I don’t want to bore you.

In recent weeks, several statements have been made by various members of the new leadership in the United States that have caused significant disturbance among Christians (and non-Christians, it must be acknowledged) worldwide. There are several influences behind the new leadership in the US, including more than one “Christian”-affiliated influence. The statements in question are:

“There is a Christian concept that you love your family and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens, and then after that, prioritize the rest of the world.” – JD Vance“The so-called Bishop…brought her church into the World [sic] of politics in a very ungracious way … inappropriate statements” – DJ Trump“Do not commit the sin of empathy.” – Ben Garrett

My purpose here is to identify the origins of these statements, to clarify why they are un-Christian, even anti-Christian, and to consider what Christianity, by contrast, should represent.

Without going into too much detail, as I’m short of time – I may expand on this briefing at a later date – the three influences are: Christian Fundamentalism / the patriarchy (a cult), liberation theology (a heresy), and the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR – a cult). Liberation theology underpins the teachings of the NAR. I will briefly look at each in turn.

Christian Fundamentalism is found within the evangelical tradition, primarily in the United States. One of its underpinnings is the teachings of Gothard and his “Umbrella of Authority”, which is a perversion of God’s teachings on authority as contained in the Bible.[5] In particular, it places a heavy emphasis on submission, which results in psychological, and sometimes physical, abuses. Levings [4] points out that the phrase “sin of empathy”, which many of us had never heard before, is very well-known to women trapped in Christian Fundamentalism / the patriarchy – and that it is abusive. Her exposition on it makes for interesting, and disturbing, reading. I would remind the reader that God is a compassionate God. In John 11:35, we read “Jesus wept.” The reason? Compassion. Jesus told us the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). A perfect example of loving one’s neighbour – doing to another what you would have them do to you. That’s empathy. And finally, Jesus, God Himself, became a man and lived among us, SO THAT HE COULD EMPATHISE WITH US as He represents us before God as the perfect High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). Empathy is biblical.

This is the first group that we find as an influence behind the current leadership in the US.

Liberation theology originated in South America in the mid-20th century, in an attempt to draw the attention of Western/rich evangelical (in particular) churches to the plight of the poor and downtrodden in developing countries. It did achieve this aim – of making the evangelical church aware of its obligations to the poor and the needy. However, its roots are in Marxist teachings, with the result that it defines “classes” – specifically, oppressed and oppressors – of people, and necessarily identifies an “enemy” – in this case, the oppressor. These are both problematic elements for the Christian, as the Bible says we are all equal in God’s sight (Galations 3:28; Ephesians 6:5-9), and that our enemy is explicitly NOT people (Ephesians 6:12). Attempting to define people as being “unhumans”[9] does not suddenly render them not “flesh and blood”. Liberation theology also places the socio-political order first, before the Bible, with the result that the teachings in the Bible are effectively dismissed. This negates the injunctions, in both the Old and the New Testaments, to use the Bible (or God’s teachings, specifically) as the measure/guide by which to live and interact with the world (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In my life I’ve learned, the hard way, about putting anything else above God. It doesn’t work.

Further issues with liberation theology include:

It necessitates action towards societal change [1] [2] – the society is not favourable towards the oppressed, so they must change the society accordingly. This is negated by Jesus (John 18:36), who says He did not come to enact an earthly kingdom.It does not rule out the use of violence [1] – Returning to John 18:36, Jesus explicitly rules out the use of military power. Christians are not to use wars and murder to attempt to further God’s kingdom. God’s kingdom is explicitly a spiritual kingdom in this age.There is a phrase that raises my hackles – that violence may be “for the enemy’s good”. For the life of me, I cannot find it, but there’s a quote by somebody about some of the worst abuses being committed “for their own good”. And I agree with the sentiment.

The founder of the New Apostolic Reformation, C. Peter Wagner, took liberation theology and applied it to Christians in the US.[9] The Christians who have followed his teachings have adopted the mantle of victimhood – because they are in the minority in their country, and the majority of citizens of the country wish to live in a more liberal state. (As an aside, surely it is the majority that sets the tone in a democracy?) Unwilling to accept the status quo – against all logic and against everything the Bible teaches – and with the application of liberation theology, they have long sought (and now may well have succeeded) to overthrow the liberal state and apply their outdated patriarchal practices to the entire society.[10]

The Bible explicitly does not give Christians the ability to call themselves victims. In fact, Paul in Romans 8:37 states that we are already conquerors IN Jesus’ death and resurrection. There is no room for Christians to consider themselves victims. Further to this, by calling us “salt of the Earth” (Matt. 5:13), Jesus immediately implies that authentic Christians will be vanishingly scarce in the world. That is, we will ALWAYS be in the minority.

Over the last four decades, the NAR took the tenets of liberation theology and dressed it up in the pentecostal/charismatic movement, spreading their talking points through the use of modern-day “apostles” and “prophets”. And there is evidence of them applying radicalisation tactics in the lead-up to the 2024 US elections [7] to stir up a literal army willing to do violence upon the enemy.

The NAR leadership have been located close to the new leadership in the US, and form the second religious influence.[9]

Sources and Further Reading

Liberation Theology

[1] Coffey, J. (2017). A Critique of Liberation Theology. Philosophical Investigations. December 26, 2017. Available at: https://peped.org/philosophicalinvestigations/critique-liberation-theology/.

[2] Frame, J.M. N.D. Liberation Theology. The Gospel Coalition. Available at: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/liberation-theology/.

[3] BBC – Religions – Christianity: Liberation theology.

The Patriarchy

[4] Levings, T. 2025. What is the sin of Empathy. Facebook post. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18gYe2a8PG/.

[5] The Umbrella of Oppression.

[6] By Tia Levings: A Well-Trained Wife – TIA LEVINGS.

NAR

[7] McCrummen, S. (2024a). “The Christian radicals are coming.” The Atlantic. October 1, 2024.Available at: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/10/eau-claire-tent-revival/680097/.

[8] McCrummen, S. (2024b). “The news, directly from God.” The Atlantic. November 3, 2024. Available at: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/11/flashpoint-new-apostolic-reformation/680478/.

[9] McCrummen, S. (2025). “The army of God comes out of the shadows.” The Atlantic. January 9, 2025. Available at: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/02/new-apostolic-reformation-christian-movement-trump/681092/.

US Politics and History

[10] Richardson, H.C. (2025) “February 4, 2025”. Letters from an American. Available at: https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/february-4-2025?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1b7ve0.