The Existential Hangover was already underway before November 5th. Every 5th of November, I watch V for Vendetta. It wasn’t lost this America’s Presidential Election fell on the same date. Normally, we have our Every Man’s Journey group but we took the week off.

After finishing some work in the morning, I spent a couple of hours disconnecting from the world. My brain loves to spin too many plates, one of many habits that need more work. Between start-up, life, financial decisions, approaching holidays, and my journey, I wanted a moment to breathe.

“On this most auspicious of nights…”

Later that afternoon, my girlfriend and I watched V for Vendetta and checked in on the election throughout the night. Flipping between the different news outlets, listening to the kinds of conversations happening, and reflecting on all the people I know voting in this election…well, the similarities, and differences to V for Vendetta were glaring.

I didn’t vote for Trump. Big surprise! Trump isn’t the “right,” as in good, person – his character and actions don’t match why people voted for him. Christians who bought into the Jesus and “Christian” spinning of Trump’s campaign don’t understand what they had to give up in exchange yet. The benefit of all of this is that characteristic psychological issues within the Evangelical church have been manifested repeatedly in dysfunctions. The problem is clear and unmistakable now.

There is always opportunity in chaos and God will use this election, but it will not be what Evangelicals think. It’ll be beyond what they can think or imagine. This may be exactly what our world needs to go through to grow up.

Trump and Evangelicalism

Nihilism is on the rise and spreading, seeping into everything, including in the Evangelical church. The Evangelical Church and fundamentalist worldviews, those based on controlling people’s behavior, will either fracture or attempt to dominate. Such things A) have never worked according to Scripture and B) don’t work anymore today. The issues within the American church will continue to fracture, their youth will continue to leave, and more pastors and congregants will continue to wrestle with their faith, doctrines, and personhood.

The choice between death and life, while poetic and often hyperbolic, is not simply a cliche or a spiritual maxim: it’s about how we live our personal lives, and how we approach and perceive the world. At some point, the growing Imposter Syndrome that is perpetuated by an underlying flaw within the American Evangelical faith will become too great. Those trying to hold back the Kingdom of Heaven for the future will be at odds with those who have found peace in attempting to live in the Kingdom of Heaven now.

Even politically, those who scream “Patriotism!” forget their roots, reverting to an authoritarian and fear-based government. They’ve become the Kings their American forefathers revolted against. I couldn’t help but think of V’s line, “The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain,” and how fitting it felt in a climate where grievances are inflamed, and sides are taken. Our faith is in ego and politics – not God.

This psychological tension will only amplify under a figure like Trump, especially since every individual can be a Kierkegaard, Joel Olsteen, Harris, Trump, Caesar, Elon Musk, Taylor Swift, or Martin Luther. We all have information freely available to us. That’s not the issue – we don’t seek Truth but hide from it. We’re all exposed today and aware of it. The issue is that we only want to see what we want and only go where we want. Hiding isn’t possible today, only pretending. Even fleeing to the other side of the world isn’t “safe”. Reality catches up to all of us.

A Season of Chaos and Opportunity

This existential crisis America and the world are facing is a good thing, coming from the humble opinion of a recovering pastor. Things need to die to be reborn. As a “Christian nation,” one that “trusts in God,” Evangelicals have put their foot in their mouth and showed what their god is. As Jesus said, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up” (Matthew 15:13).

The next four years will be tedious and enlightening. More people will look inward and out. More people will be tired of the drama and Christianized bullsh!+, especially Christians. Trump’s reputation will be bolstered by his followers’ blind alliances. He’s not just the American King, but also its Pope.

Good luck to the Republicans who think they can control an ego manic with an inferiority complex. Evangelicals siding with this man will have an awkward conversation about their faith on Judgement Day. A “worldly” decision was made, irrational and fear-based, not one of faith or love – just peruse their social media, blogs, and headlines. What comes after 4 years is anyone’s guess.

Modern government and politics, local through global management, can only exist because of human development and advancement. There are big questions and tough problems that need to be worked out. We’re all grown up enough to recognize everyone is talking about it… almost 2/3 of Americans thought the political divide and the state of democracy were a reason they were voting. 2/3 of people also want a viable third party. Sitting with those two facts alone should make anyone wonder when the heck someone will finally figure out how to make conversations happen between people.

“Our masters have not heard the people’s voice for generations and it is much, much louder than they care to remember.” V also said, “People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.”

So, what happens when everyone is afraid of everyone?

Reaping What Has Been Sown

Evangelicals have tied themselves to the Gospel of government and positioned themselves in opposition to the media, science, and people. The Church has signed, for a second time, a contract with Trump – a man who peddles crappy China bibles and can’t quote a single Bible verse, a man who reeks of scandals and corruption. There’s a saying that comes to mind: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Evangelicals voted in accordance with their faith.

Eventually, the American Evangelical Church will realize it is the older son in Luke 15. They hold to the fruit of their labor and miss the party with the Father and Prodigal. Eventually, a divided house will fall. Jesus will still be around and Trump cast in His shadow. Because Jesus isn’t Trump, even if some Christians can’t say it. An unrepentant, habitual liar is in the White House and they voted for him. And Evangelicals aren’t good about admitting when they’ve been wrong.

V declares, “ideas are bulletproof.” There are “ideas” within the Gospel that are far stronger than any political mask or agenda. They’ve conquered countless empires and kings by now. And yet, there’s an emerging generation within the Church, and world, seeking this unmasked, raw truth—a faith without pretense.

If they seek, they will find.