Landon Schnabel

Associate Professor of Sociology

Landon Schnabel is an associate professor of sociology who studies religion and social change.

Schnabel says:

“The Catholic-evangelical alliance that anchors the religious right was always more fragile than it appeared. Catholics and evangelicals were adversaries for most of American history — John F. Kennedy had to reassure voters his pope wouldn't run the country. They eventually built a coalition around shared cultural traditionalism: abortion, family, sexuality, and religious authority in public life. That project held for four decades.

“But coalitions forged on one set of issues are vulnerable when new issues expose the theological differences underneath. The Iran war is doing exactly that. Defense Secretary Hegseth prays at the Pentagon for ‘overwhelming violence’ in the name of Jesus Christ and frames the war as divinely ordained. Pope Leo quotes Isaiah in response: God ‘does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.’ Two traditions that agreed on abortion have very different theologies of war. Conservative Catholics who have supported Trump may now feel the need to decide between him and the pope.

“This moment tests more than just the Catholic-evangelical alliance. For many religious Americans, faith leads and politics follows; their beliefs and values shape their political positions. But when a president posts himself as Christ, he asks believers to start with political loyalty and backfill the theology.

“That creates a tension. When people hold two conflicting commitments, deep religious conviction and deep political loyalty, something has to give. Some will adjust their politics to match their faith; Marjory Taylor Greene's reversal suggests that is already happening. But others will quietly adjust their theology to match their politics, finding reasons why the image wasn't so bad, why the pope is the one who's wrong, why this war really is divine will.

“Both responses are predictable. The question for the coalition is which one wins out and whether the coalition can remain united through the cognitive dissonance demanded by these unfolding circumstances.”

Kim Haines-Eitzen

Professor of Ancient Mediterranean Religions

Kim Haines-Eitzen is a professor of early Christianity and an expert on the interpretation of the Gospel of John, particularly its use in political and ideological contexts.

Haines-Eitzen says:

“The latest in the parade of images from Donald Trump is an unmistakable depiction of Trump as Christ. Trump as Christ the healer follows earlier images in which Trump depicted himself as a king and, later, as pope.

“Throughout Christian history, there have been many who claimed to be Christ or claimed Christ’s divine authority. Among the most famous are Sun Myung Moon of the Unification Church; Jim Jones, who ordered a mass murder-suicide in 1978; Charles Manson; and David Koresh of the Branch Davidians. In each case, mainstream Christians from both ends of the political spectrum expressed opposition and even outrage.

“The question now is whether Trump’s so-called Christian base will be willing to speak out against what has long been considered blasphemy throughout Christian history. It is one thing for Christian preachers and leaders to encourage fellow Christians to live in Christ-like ways — giving to charity, caring for the poor, offering forgiveness. It is another thing for a president to present himself as Christ.”