Sometimes you just have to give the people what they want. That's certainly what Christian t-shirt manufacturers believe, if my recent trip to the US is anything to go by. In the aftermath of the recent world-shaking Presidential election, American Christians have been proudly wearing slogans which both demonstrate their faith and hint at their political persuasions. And in some cases, more than hint.
81 per cent of white evangelicals voted for Donald Trump, and so it's little surprise that t-shirt providers are doing a roaring trade in political crossover material. Here are just a handful of the designs currently available – some of which I have seen with my own eyes – which seek to trade off the seismic news that Christians put Trump in the White House.
Trump – Amen!
A simple design, this t-shirt simply repeats what millions of American Christians presumably prayed on election night. British readers, who are aware that 'Trump' is popular slang for passing wind, will also associate this two-word phrase with the kid in youth group who could never stop himself from farting during times of silent prayer.
Jesus died for you, but...
Well this is quite a claim. Creating a new 'Holy Duo' of Jesus and Donald, the two men who'll together bring redemption to America, is certainly unorthodox theology. One chap who was pictured in this shirt at a Trump rally recently became an international figure of ridicule, which presumably makes him a safe bet to be a future President of the United States.
Trust (Trump?)
To be fair this shirt merely borrows Trump's famous catchphrase, but it seems to make a clear association between the Republican candidate and the act of trusting in God. To be serious for a moment, this was the rationale among a lot of Christians who 'held their noses' and voted for Trump; they trusted that God would honour their blind faith in an apparently incompetent leader. This may not be fantastic theology, but it DOES look fantastic on a t-shirt. So that's something.
Jesus for President
This shirt, featuring a rather beaten-up Jesus in front of an even more distressed US flag, would rather make America faithful again than great, and thinks the Son of God would have made a much better candidate for President than either of the final two. It's hard to argue with that, but one also imagines that he'd have been eaten for breakfast in the televised debates when Trump decided to label him 'Meek Jesus'.
Jesus can Make America Great Again
You've been looking in the wrong place 'Merica. Jesus is the guy you need if you want your country to be the greatest in the world. Although be warned, his manifesto for such an improvement involves humbling yourself, being the very last, and becoming the servant to all. I'm not sure many voters would have been convinced by that kind of dangerous Commie talk.
No matter who...
Finally, this shirt reasserts Jesus' authority above all Presidents, candidates, elephants and donkeys. And he is King. But he isn't President, and so for the next four years, let's hope that Donald Trump confounds his critics and turns to recognise him for who he truly is, and allows that King to renew his mind and shape his policy. Or at least, let's all buy a t-shirt which suggests that it's all going to be OK, because God is in control...
Martin Saunders is a Contributing Editor for Christian Today and the Deputy CEO of Youthscape. Follow him on Twitter @martinsaunders.
