The architecture of MAGA culture—its rhetorical patterns, emotional appeals, and policy priorities—has been shaped by a worldview that consistently elevates the tribe and nation. It's a culture that's defined by grievance and loss, not gratitude - "Make America Great Again". Not every adherent embraces this consciously.
Some would say "you cannot give from an empty tank" or that "saving, working, and providing" are biblical virtues. On most days, wisdom says: look after your family, set aside for tomorrow, rest your body. That's responsible stewardship. But the abuse begins when prudence becomes a permanent policy—when "care for your own" becomes a mandate for exclusion. From a Christian persepective, do you recognise a problem here?
There are moments when the Spirit calls us to override prudence. Scripture and history are full of examples like this! Abraham, the widow's mites, the martyr — sacrifice that defies calculation.
By contrast, MAGA nationalism — and its many nationalist iterations—draws most of its strength from grievance: we've been robbed; we must take back what is ours, by force if necessary. Its emotional register is anger framed as justice.
When this happens, the faith of its adherents is compromised—even inverted. Most are not malicious, but led astray. The doctrine itself—"me first" as Christian duty—is theological malpractice that leads to a hardened heart. It turns the God who became an outcast among His own people into a divine border agent.
This place of solidarity with the outcast is exactly where the Christian belongs.
When Jesus said "love your neighbour", He wasn't just referring to members of your own tribe. When "an expert in the law" (Luke 10:25) asked Jesus, "who is my neighbour?", He told them a story about the good Samaritan — an outsider who showed mercy:
Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.
Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side.
But when a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, he looked at him and had compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and on my return I will repay you for any additional expense.’
Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
“The one who showed him mercy,” replied the expert in the law.
Then Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke 10:25-37
