Dispatch Faith: Is MAGA Christianity True Christianity?, by Paul D. Miller (Georgetown):

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” These words, from Matthew 7:21, are among the more frightening words that Jesus spoke

It was clear to many observers that Charlie Kirk’s funeral last month put on display two versions of Christianity: the first, rooted in the gospel, in forgiveness and love; the second, rooted in justice, vengeance, and anger. Erika Kirk’s gospel versus Donald Trump’s, in a nutshell—but also Marco Rubio’s against Tucker Carlson’s, or Rob McCoy’s against Jack Posobiec’s. The contrast was shot throughout the service. 

How stark is the contrast? Is MAGA Christianity–the kind exemplified by Posobiec’s call to arms, or Trump’s comment that he hates his enemies–so different as to be a false religion? Are MAGA Christians who cheer on such comments akin to those who say, “‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’” to whom Jesus will reply, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:22-23)? 

Even to ask the question is provocative and could anger some readers. How dare I presume to judge someone’s eternal salvation by their political choices? How dare I make party affiliation a matter of primary importance? How dare I confuse the political application of the gospel with the gospel itself? 

The thing is, conservative Christians make those kinds of judgments all the time—every time they call left-wing churches false churches. And they’re not necessarily wrong to do so. In fact, all Christians make such judgments whenever we decide with whom we would share fellowship, which churches to go to, what creeds to profess. 

In fact, Jesus commands us to carefully discern who is, and who is not, truly among his followers. How dare I not scrutinize closely those who publicly use the name of Jesus while lying, calling evil good, and perpetrating injustice? All Christians are called to exercise discernment, to seek wisdom, to beware false teachers. When MAGA Christianity so clearly and so publicly parades its religion, when it waves a Jesus flag in our faces, it invites—demands, even—a response from other Christians.