Author: Mitchell A. Sobieski

In the earliest years of Christianity, theological teachings were often shared through letters. They were personal appeals that spoke directly to the challenges and hopes of new believers and to resolve church disputes. Those epistles were written by apostles and later recognized as inspired writings, which were included in the New Testament canon. This “open letter” is crafted in that same spirit, but using the voice of Jesus Christ – the Messiah. It is not as a parody or impersonation, but as a way to reintroduce His message to those who have strayed from it. The essay addresses self-proclaimed...

In recent years, political, and religious commentators have increasingly employed the term “Christofascism” to describe a fusion of extreme Christian Nationalism with authoritarian methods of governing. While the term evokes strong reactions among many believers and nonbelievers alike, its history extends well beyond current debates. A growing body of researchers, theologians, and political scientists argues that this ideology has periodically surfaced throughout history. The ideology has taken on new forms, based on the social and cultural climate of the times. In recent years it has found renewed momentum in the United States through the rise of Donald Trump and...

In today’s political reality, the term “dictator” often evokes images of leaders who have absolute power, quash all dissent, and rule with an iron fist. However, modern autocrats rarely fit this stereotypical mold. Instead, they operate in the gray areas of democracy, pushing boundaries, distorting rules, and exploiting legal loopholes. The actions of convicted felon and the current occupant of the White House, Donald Trump, have led many observers to question whether he qualifies already as a functional dictator under a more realistic, contemporary definition. This editorial review explores how Trump’s behavior aligns with six key authoritarian markers, which...