Feb 28 2025 25 mins 7
This is an audio version of an essay on my substack, Process This. The essay explores the evolving spiritual landscape of America, noting the decline of traditional religious institutions and the rise of new forms of meaning-making. Here, I examine how Donald Trump and the MAGA movement reflect a unique manifestation of a new civil religion, combining aspects of self-creation, positive thinking, and atavism. Historical context traces the roots of self-creation from Martin Luther’s reforms through the Enlightenment and the rise of consumer capitalism. I highlight how Trump’s persona and the MAGA movement resonate with American cultural consciousness, focusing on self-promotion, community, and opposition. It also explores the psychological and sociopolitical implications of this movement, the erosion of community, and the yearning for a mythological past, providing insights into the appeal and dangers of this modern spiritual-political fusion.
I hope you enjoy it and consider supporting my work by joining 80k+ other people on Process This. You can READ and respond to the essay here.
Resources:
(Book) Self-Made: Creating Our Identities from Da Vinci to the Kardashians, Tara Isabella Burton
(Book) The Expulsion of the Other: Society, Perception and Communication Today, Byung-Chul Han
(Lecture) Self-Creation, Tara Isabella Burton
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Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.
This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack – Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
