- Feb 5, 2002
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President Trump said he wants to go to heaven. Trump cited his supernatural desire as his motivation for attempting to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, “I wanna end it . . . I wanna try and get to heaven if possible. I’m hearing I’m not doing well. I am really at the bottom of the totem pole. But if I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons.”
His comment garnered the mockery of Shawn McCreesh at the New York Times: “Holy mother of God! What a thing to say at 8 o’clock in the morning.” Father James Martin, SJ, editor of America Magazine, praised Trump for his laudable sentiment and gently guided him toward service of the poor. He even sympathized with him, “I’m trying to do the same thing, imperfectly.” Russell Moore, editor in chief of Christianity Today, also wrote an open letter to the president in which he admitted, “I would kind of grumble if I saw you next to me in worship in glory,” although he also added, “That part of me is of the Devil.” At Crisis Magazine, Mark Haas lectured Trump on soteriology and the finer points of the faith-works debate.
Of all these approaches, the liberal Jesuit took the best tack. Instead of throwing Pauline epistles at the President, he considered the tone of the President’s rhetoric: honest, humble, hopeful. The idea of doing good works to get to heaven is very offensive to modern Christians despite Jesus’ explicit injunction to “store up for yourselves treasure in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). In attempting to do the right thing for the right reason (rare among politicians), the president is to be commended and encouraged.
Perhaps Trump envisions himself at the pearly gates guarded by Saint Peter asking why he should let him in. Trump’s approach reminds me of Abraham’s bargain with God in Genesis 18. God wants to destroy the city of Sodom, and Abraham is haggling Him down. After starting with “Wilt thou spare the city for fifty righteous men?”, Abraham finally gets God to consent to spare the city for the sake of ten righteous people. This is the mercy of God: He will spare an entire city of Sodomites for 10 godly people living among them. Donald Trump, like Abraham, is trying to avenge God’s wrath with ten good deeds.
Continued below.
catholicstand.com
His comment garnered the mockery of Shawn McCreesh at the New York Times: “Holy mother of God! What a thing to say at 8 o’clock in the morning.” Father James Martin, SJ, editor of America Magazine, praised Trump for his laudable sentiment and gently guided him toward service of the poor. He even sympathized with him, “I’m trying to do the same thing, imperfectly.” Russell Moore, editor in chief of Christianity Today, also wrote an open letter to the president in which he admitted, “I would kind of grumble if I saw you next to me in worship in glory,” although he also added, “That part of me is of the Devil.” At Crisis Magazine, Mark Haas lectured Trump on soteriology and the finer points of the faith-works debate.
Of all these approaches, the liberal Jesuit took the best tack. Instead of throwing Pauline epistles at the President, he considered the tone of the President’s rhetoric: honest, humble, hopeful. The idea of doing good works to get to heaven is very offensive to modern Christians despite Jesus’ explicit injunction to “store up for yourselves treasure in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). In attempting to do the right thing for the right reason (rare among politicians), the president is to be commended and encouraged.
Perhaps Trump envisions himself at the pearly gates guarded by Saint Peter asking why he should let him in. Trump’s approach reminds me of Abraham’s bargain with God in Genesis 18. God wants to destroy the city of Sodom, and Abraham is haggling Him down. After starting with “Wilt thou spare the city for fifty righteous men?”, Abraham finally gets God to consent to spare the city for the sake of ten righteous people. This is the mercy of God: He will spare an entire city of Sodomites for 10 godly people living among them. Donald Trump, like Abraham, is trying to avenge God’s wrath with ten good deeds.
Continued below.
Is Trump Going To Heaven? – Catholic Stand
catholicstand.com
