This year is no different, except that the year 2025 is historical for the United States of America. For the first time in this nation’s history, the President is a convicted felon, who was twice impeached and who still faced charges when he was elected.
Let that sink in.
Frankly, we don’t know what to expect from this upcoming presidential administration. Some harbor dark imaginings of an apocalyptic nature; others just stare blankly into the dim unknown, resolved to receive whatever fate may bring. There is uncertainty in the air.
But people of faith are called to transcend uncertainty and trepidations. Our trust in God promises to be a bulwark in the face of fearful uncertainties. Coupled with that, “we have also a more sure word of prophecy.” We believe that the Scriptures offer insights and revelations that help to prepare us for times of uncertainty – like these. Better still, there is a living Spirit that still leads and reveals secrets to men and women.
None is a “Prophet,” but each is prophetically shining a spotlight into the future. To be forewarned to is to be forearmed. As we prepare for changes when a new regime takes place, and we tear away the last calendar sheet of 2024, these insights help us to prepare by telling us what to look out for.
Barber cites the divisive and destructive power of White Christian Nationalism as a rising threat:
“This second Trump presidency, which has been heavily supported by white Christian nationalism, brings with it a hate-filled, xenophobic, racist message that obscures the crisis of poverty in America and is contrary to the love, care, and justice of God that we know in our various faith and moral traditions. We face forces that seek to suppress votes, suppress living wages, suppress healthcare for all, suppress high-quality, well-funded public education, suppress equal protection under the law.”
Barber finds hope amidst the gloom, however, and reminds us that there remains a diverse majority, capable of resisting the power-elite, would-be ruling class…
“…we know they do not represent the vast majority of our nation, but rather a committed minority that can win when those who know better sit and remain silent…
Our work ahead is not partisan, but prophetic. We need a moral critique that can inspire and sustain a deeper mobilization of poor and low-wealth people, who make up some 40% of the nation. We must stand and sing, march and organize, struggle and strive for all that is just and love-filled because those who fought, marched, labored and believed, and died when things were much worse shall not have died in vain.”
This is especially true when it comes to the health and well-being of the under-resourced and marginalized, particularly when the titular head of government has shown a willingness to subjugate the needs of the people for the ambitions of the wealthy.
So, Bishop Daughtry warns:
“[W]e must be attentive and concerned about the ways the new Administration partners with us – or works against us – to ensure the good health of our communities, ensuring options for us to get and keep quality, affordable health care. Access to good healthcare in our neighborhoods – doctors, dentists, hospitals, etc. Social Security and Medicare for our elders. Medicaid for those who need it. Clean air and clean water. Food that is safe to eat. Prescription drugs that are safe, accessible, and affordable. So that all of us – not just the rich and powerful — can have and be in good health, so that all of our communities can thrive.”
Burton views the Trump phenomenon as basically the bycatch in a larger net aimed at recapturing a past-America, one that’s much less diverse, and much more retrogressive. He believes that the spirit of the Confederacy – the same notions that fueled the Civil War and Slavery – is alive and well, and actively being pursued and established!
“There was never any type of negotiated settlement to the end of the Confederacy,” said Burton. “This is the resurgence of the Confederacy or at least, a Confederacy long run.”
Burton perceives that there is a wealthy, stealthy conspiracy committed to altering the national government, that has been at work for some time, but is now boldly emerging from behind the scenes!
“I’m very, very concerned about some of the things that are being proposed in Project 2025… we see that the whole Project 2025 agenda of dismantling the federal government is being implemented. You know, this is not even a slow or casual process… It really is a bulldozer move as he’s placing people in positions to ensure that the federal government is dismantled. So, what we basically see is a foundation being laid for what I believe to be a figurehead (presidency); but the strength of it is pulled by so many others – like the Heritage Foundation – but there are a lot of other special interests…”
As a result, Lee lost her 17-year teaching position at Yale University. She also became the target of threats and lawsuits; but that has not stopped her.
Lee is now warning of what she has called “Trump Contagion,” and about its deleterious effects on our national democracy.
“I have always said that the Trump presidency is not really about Donald Trump the individual. But he was a barometer for societal mental health, that the public was vulnerable enough to be attracted to a severely impaired leader as he. That he was an expression of the national state of mind… Our democracy has been eroding in tandem with the rise in inequality… with the rise in inequality, with the adoption of unequal capitalism with democracy, it seems it cancels out the beneficial aspects of democracy…”
We’ve been here before; it’s reminiscent of Bill Murray’s movie Groundhog Day; we make progress, but when we look up it seems that we keep finding ourselves stuck in yesterday. We can already see the effects of this on corporate America, and the cowardice that they are beginning to show regarding DEI.
“We can expect to see attacks on housing equity, job equity, etc. … But just like that movie, we have to find a way to work our way out of this – and we will! African Americans have seen, and survived, worse things…”
“…in this sick reality of ours, poverty is clearly anything but a marginal experience, and yet, as in the last election, it’s repeatedly minimalized and dismissed in our nation’s politics… Looking at Donald Trump’s new appointments and his (and his cronies’) plans for “making America great again,” you really have to wonder: if the poor and our democracy were suffering before Trump was reelected, what will happen now? If, amid relative abundance, the poor were already being abandoned, what will indeed occur when those with the power to distribute that abundance, and protect our air, water, and land, openly disdain the “least of these,” who are most of us, and instead favor the wealthy and powerful?”
The warnings are dire; but none of these ministering souls are in despair regarding the future. While clear-eyed about the challenges that portend, their words are intended to equip us for action. They all seem moved by a Spirit “whose dwelling is not with flesh” (Daniel 2:11) to become even more energetically committed to fighting the battles in which they are all so deeply engaged. I believe that they offer a rhema word for those of us challenged by the unexpected events of recent days. I derived hope from their words; not discouragement.
As the Scriptures admonish, “he – or she – who has an ear, let them hear!”
