There is an alarming trend in what purports to be Christian theology that needs to be exposed and called out for the false teaching that it is. This unfortunate theological rhetoric flies in the face of the life and teachings of Jesus. What disguises itself in the language of Christian teaching is in reality a power move designed to use the language of Christianity to grasp and maintain power for certain elites, while diminishing the lives and circumstances of those deemed “less than.”

First John 4:1 challenges believers to “test the spirits.” That testing, discernment, is precisely what is missing in the current climate of Christianity, and politics. Because someone is the pastor of a large congregation, authors books, is a political leader, or has a famous parent, does not qualify them to dictate theological truth. The rhetoric that is spewed from the mouths of some of the people holding sway in our theological and political debate needs to be compared to the life and teachings of Jesus. When laid side by side with the life of Jesus much of what passes for Christian theology is heretical garbage.

It is sometimes said that Jesus’ teachings are out of step with current society, and therefore to be ignored. The teachings of Jesus have always been out of step with contemporary society. His teachings were radical when they were first heard and they are still radical. Forgiveness, humility, turning the other cheek, loving one’s neighbor are concepts that are alien in many contemporary Christian contexts. And totally absent in current political rhetoric.

We are told that we do not need to forgive. We hear that one race, or sex is superior to another. People who look different are inferior. Racial and sexual supremacy are always demonic. There is a terrifying plot afoot to enforce a certain brand of Christianity on us and punish those who refuse to accept that way of life. Test the spirits. Read the gospels.

Are we listening at all to the unChristian, un-Christ-like garbage that is pouring from the mouths of influential people? Christians are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ. That means that we are to model our lives on the life of Jesus. Test the spirits. Read the gospels.

If you dare read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). When you read the words of Jesus lay those teachings side by side with what you hear in the social media posts of religious leaders. Their only response to the demands of Jesus is to say that they are not relevant to contemporary society. What is not relevant to Christianity is teaching that some self-proclaimed prophet has the right to legislate the books I can read, the prayers I make, and the worship I choose. Jesus allowed people to make choices and honored those choices.

Jesus’ motive was love that transcends political power. Jesus did not overthrow the Roman oppressors with violence but demonstrated the love of God to anyone who was willing to listen and accept his teachings. The teachings of violence and racial or gender superiority are antithetical to the gospel.

What we are currently hearing is power theology. This theological construct has nothing to do with Christ and everything to do with maintaining political power. Test the spirits. Read the gospels.

John 13:34-35 “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

It is not naïve, or shallow to affirm that God is love. It is in fact the power of the gospel and the life of discipleship.