I read with interest Stephen B. Young's Jan. 22 commentary on the religious aspects of Donald Trump ("The gospel of winning"). On the one hand, I think it is admirable that Trump is concerned about full employment for all, rusted-out factories and urban violence. I think everyone can agree those are theologically accurate and commendable aspirations. However,on the other hand, the article discussed the "Gospel of Prosperity," which goes back to a Calvinist concept that those who are doing well financially are being shown they are being blessed by God.
I have to admit that having been a hospital and hospice chaplain and now a parish minister, I have seen the true adversities of humanity — mental and physical illness, poverty, interpersonal discord, employment layoffs beyond one's control, prison, and so many more human troubles — I have a particular difficulty accepting the Gospel of Prosperity. Theologically, Christianity has always had a special place for the poor and, in fact, I think, it tells us that we are all "poor" in one way or other in the sight of God. Although it never had anything against material possessions, Christianity's position's was that "treasures in heaven" (love, forgiveness, reverence toward God, etc.) were more important than "treasures on earth." Therefore, if the Gospel of Prosperity is saying that your faith will result in material success, I just can't buy into that. Maybe it will. Maybe it won't. But that isn't what Christianity is all about.
The Rev. Bob Haskin, Minnetonka
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Young dedicates gallons of ink and reams of newsprint in analysis of Calvinist thought, social Darwinism and the work of Herbert Spencer as he tries to build a case for a theological basis or philosophical underpinning for the new president's politics, policies and proposals. The simple reality is that the Groper in Chief's pampered life of privilege and preference has not afforded him any spiritual or philosophical foundation whatsoever. Calling his "it's all about me" mind-set a "gospel" is an insult to Calvinists, Presbyterians and Christians everywhere. This president is not a thinker, a worshiper, or even a reader, and Young's suggestion to the contrary is silly.
Mark Catron, White Bear Lake
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The horrifying part of the "gospel of winning" is that it makes poverty a sin: "Misfortune and disadvantage are your own damn fault," says that gospel. "And whatever trouble you got you deserve." The gospel of winning excuses selfishness and turns charity into defiance of divine will. The "gospel of winning" is not a gospel. It's a golden calf. It worships wealth. The people who believe in it will destroy us if we let them.
Phil Norcross, Roseville
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Young's excellently written "The Gospel of Winning" accurately captures a strand of biblical and especially American theological currency. Winning economically and politically has been judged to be a sign of divine favor. And in the wisdom literature of Judaism and Christianity, there seems to be a promise that the just will prosper, the unjust perish. This runs afoul, however, of the overall theological landscape of both Judaism and Christianity in which the covenant with Noah (referred to as the Noahic Covenant), Genesis 9, decrees that God will not seek to enforce justice in this life — the rain will fall on the just and the unjust. God will, indeed, bring about justice, but this providential outcome will ultimately be seen as a matter of eschatology (life after life) and in terms of what should be our aspirations. It is the Noahic covenant that makes the book of Job possible in which a just person, Job (whom Christians later see as a type of Christ), suffers, and while he is granted prosperity in the end, he still must endure the loss of his children. The wisdom literature "promises" of prosperity for the just is to be read (in light of the Noahic covenant) as what should be our aspiration. In other words, we ourselves are supposed to build a world in which the unjust are brought to justice and those who are just should flourish. This is why that great Democratic presidential hopeful Adlai Stevenson (1900-1965) opposed the prosperity, sinners aren't winners, so if you are winning you are blessed theology of Norman Vincent Peale when he said "I find the Apostle Paul appealing and the Apostle Peale appalling."
