Published on December 4, 2023, 2:02 am

Renowned left-leaning Jesuit priest Thomas Reese recently stirred the world of real news by asserting that former President Donald Trump embodies a form of the “antichrist.” Ordinarily known for espousing progressive views, which can often be interpretated as extreme, his measures don’t escape being termed farcical.

Reese’s track record includes endorsing the “seamless garment” or “consistent ethic of life” theological theory, placing systemic abortion on a moral footing with subjects like minimum wage and social welfare programs. Controversially, he also suggested that Pope St. Paul VI made a mistake by forbidding Catholics from using artificial contraception per his landmark encyclical Humanae Vitae. Furthermore, he has often lent support to openly gay clergy and calls for altering unchangeable moral teachings on homosexual acts in the Christian worldview.

Despite these controversial undertones, Reese’s relentless attack on Donald Trump propounds an argument worthy of examination. In his recent op-ed for Religion News Service—a platform known for liberal tendencies—Reese implies that today’s authoritarian leaders present themselves as saviors offerring just solutions by all possible means. These leaders aren’t afraid to break democratic laws to achieve their own goals or gain power promising prosperity and success.

However, he is adamant in stating that this is not what Christ’s platform would endorse suggesting these leaders are antichrists of our time, including Donald Trump whom Reese singles out directly.

Considering the Church’s perspective towards the Antichrist concept validates its scarce but critical teachings on this topic which establishes a distinction between “the Antichrist” and other lesser antichrists as documented in Biblical texts.

Catholic doctrine explains an antichrist not as a satanic cult leader but one who offers similar gains to those promised by Christ albeit at the expense of completely denying Christ’s divinity; various sects have interpreted this denial differently demonstrating how interpretations could range from individual perceptions to preaching there’s no God at all.

Prominent Christian authors have contemplated on the notion of the rise of an Antichrist, shaping a collective image in their novels. The antichrist is often represented as an individual promising safety, prosperity, peace and salvation but with varied terms than those proposed by Christ—an echo of supreme deceit like that portrayed in the Genesis.

Reese’s controversial remark about Trump being an antichrist takes judgments to a new height. Reese’s interpretation fails to align with traditional Church teachings proving his grasp over Gospel message uncertain.

However, viewing from another perspective proposes that perhaps Americans have unconsciously treated Trump as an antichrist: a messiah-like figure capable of freeing them from perceived threats such as Marxism and multiculturalism. While expecting political leaders to guide their nation toward security and prosperity is understandable, there exists a danger when it turned into something more spiritual. In this case, treatment for Trump becomes almost Messianic in nature.

Lessons from history recall how God allowed His chosen people to experience trials and challenges when they abandoned Him spiritually—a wakeup call for American Christians who turned to Trump instead of Christ during crises. This argument stands without particularly branding Trump as an antichrist but serves as a catalyst for reflection; especially upon societal expectations from political leadership while remaining grounded in present reality.