Christians Aren't Taking It Lightly With Trump Following Sale of 'God Bless the USA' Bible For $59.99
The recent endorsement of the 'God Bless the USA' Bible by former President Donald Trump has stirred a complex reaction within Christian communities, revealing a deep-seated tension between faith and nationalism.
“Happy Holy Week!” Trump announced on social media Tuesday, during the most solemn period of the Christian calendar, the last week of the Lenten season marking the suffering and death of Jesus.
“As we lead into Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless The USA Bible.”
The Bible, priced at $59.99, features an American flag on its cover and includes the lyrics to Lee Greenwood's song, along with foundational American documents.
Trump's promotion of this Bible during Holy Week—a period of profound religious significance—has prompted some Christians to voice concerns over what they perceive as the commodification of their faith for profit.
The blending of patriotic symbols with the Christian text has raised questions about the appropriateness of such an endorsement.
Rev. Benjamin Cremer, a pastor from South Carolina, has been vocal about his disapproval, suggesting that the endorsement could be seen as a form of heresy.
"It is a bankrupt Christianity that sees a demagogue co-opting our faith and even our holy scriptures for the sake of his own pursuit of power," said Cremer.
Jason Cornwall, another pastor, echoed these sentiments, viewing Trump's Bible endorsement as a violation of the commandment against taking God's name in vain.
Historian and author Jemar Tisby pointed out that the project resonates with the values of Christian nationalism, which has historical ties to prejudice and white supremacy.
Historian and author Jemar Tisby commented on the project’s alignment with Christian nationalism, stating,
"There’s a very long tradition of what is included and what is not included in the Bible. What has caused outrage with this Bible is that it includes the Declaration of Independence, US Constitution, and even the lyrics to a Lee Greenwood song".
The endorsement of this Bible is sacrilege,” said a communications director from Christians Against Christian Nationalism,
"It’s a misunderstanding of what our faith stands for and conflates Christianity with a single country’s nationalism".“This is not just un-Christian, it’s anti-Christian,” declared David W. Peters, a priest and author,
"The message of the Gospel is one of peace and unity, not division and nationalism".
Another Reverend reacted saying “The Bible is not a prop for nationalism,” insisted Rev. Dr. William Barber II, a prominent pastor and social justice advocate,
"To use it as such is to misinterpret its message and purpose".
While some have condemned the endorsement, others have embraced it as a celebration of American Christian heritage.
The Bible's inclusion of nationalistic elements has been defended by those who see the United States as a fundamentally Christian nation.
