An anti-MAGA reverend is going viral for comparing right-wing beliefs to those of Jesus Christ and pointing out that they don’t match up.
Reverend Dr. Caleb Lines has been sharing his views after starting a TikTok series called MAGA vs. Jesus, which has reached millions of people on the social media platform.
Lines, senior minister at University Christian Church in San Diego and co-executive director of the Center for Progressive Christianity, has over 291,000 followers on the app.
Highlights
- Reverend Dr. Caleb Lines' TikTok series, MAGA vs. Jesus, contrasts right-wing beliefs with Jesus' teachings, reaching millions online.
- Lines highlights Bible verses to challenge MAGA views on abortion, gender, gun control, immigration, and enmity.
- He stresses that the Bible defines life as beginning at first breath, not conception, opposing typical MAGA anti-abortion claims.
Reverend Dr. Caleb Lines started a series called MAGA vs. Jesus
Image credits: Rev. Dr. Caleb J. Lines
Some of his most popular posts include topics such as abortion, racism, misogyny, guns, and drag queens.
In his 12th installment of MAGA vs. Jesus, Lines holds up a piece of paper that reads, “MAGA says: ‘The Bible is against abortion.’”
He then flips the page, “The Bible says: ‘God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.’ (Genesis 2:7).”
“The Bible defines life as beginning at first breath, not conception,” Lines says in the video.
In the same clip, Lines holds up several other sheets of paper explaining MAGA view points, one of those being: “We need to make men men again.”
Opposing this viewpoint, Lines shows viewers the Bible stance, which is, “There is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’ (Galatians 3:28).”
Image credits: Rev. Dr. Caleb J. Lines
He goes on to explain, “Jesus didn't call for macho followers, he called for faithful ones.”
Back in the second part of his series, which has 16 videos so far, Lines takes on the topic of gun control in the U.S.
He describes the conservative viewpoint as “MAGA says: God, Guns, Country,” before flipping to what Jesus says: “Those who live by the sword will die by the sword.”
Lines also discusses immigration with his followers, referencing Trump’s mass immigration crackdown by sharing that MAGA says to build the wall.
Lines compares many conservative viewpoints to what Jesus said
“We hear this over and over again—that we are to welcome the foreigners, and Jesus even says, ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Just as you do it to the least of these, you do it to me.’ And he said there are consequences if you don’t,” he added.
In the latest part of his series, Lines appears to touch on Trump’s attempts at retribution towards his perceived political enemies.
“MAGA says: Destroy the people who oppose us,” the placard reads.
Image credits: Rev. Dr. Caleb J. Lines
The other side states: “Jesus says: ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’ (Matthew 5:44)”
“Demonizing your enemy is never a good look,” Lines tells his followers. “Instead, we are called to create peace by seeing the face of God in absolutely every human being.”
Speaking to BuzzFeed about the series, Lines spoke of the feedback he had received and said it was not about converting people to Christianity.
“[The feedback] has been a beautiful mix of ‘Thank you for saving my faith,’ and ‘You’re going straight to Hell.’ So, pretty standard for the internet.
“If someone throws a ‘gotcha’ verse at me, all I have to do is quote the sentences around it. It’s amazing how fast the Bible becomes inconvenient for those promoting oppression when you read more than eight words.”
Some of his videos have been viewed millions of times
Image credits: Rev. Dr. Caleb J. Lines
He added, “I’m not trying to convert anyone. If people find love through Christianity, wonderful. If they find love through another religion or no religion at all, wonderful.
“The world needs compassion and justice, not more people performing the ‘right’ theology while being awful to their neighbors.
“The church has caused enormous trauma by telling people they’re unworthy. If my work helps someone reclaim their dignity as a beloved child of God, that’s a sacred victory.”