"Sanctuary" (Heidi B. Neumark)

TITLE: Sanctuary: Being Christian in the Wake of Trump
AUTHOR: Heidi B. Neumark
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: William B Eerdmans, 2020, (240 pages).

No matter where we go or what we read, one thing is for sure. The current President of the United States cuts a controversial figure. Just mentioning his name could easily stoke all kinds of emotions. It is common knowledge that Trump's rise to the top post in American politics is credited largely to the white evangelical support. If Trump is truly Christian, and if his support base is what they claim to be, surely, our society would be better off from a biblical standpoint, right? Hard to say. In fact, it could be worse. In this no-holds-barred critique of the POTUS, and how the age of Trump is making society worse, author and pastor Heidi Neumark speaks out boldly against the ills of power politics. She talks about how the age of Trump resembles the age of Herod in terms of fear instilled by the powers on common citizens. In a sharp rebuke of one of Trump's most controversial policies, she writes: "Jesus welcomes children and Trump locks them in cages." This was with reference to the forced removal of children from their parents during the "zero tolerance" immigration policy in 2018. Neumark was appalled at the arrogance of Trump who boasted about himself being a "great Christian." This boasts happen even as many low-income people suffer with livelihood issues. Big businesses are preferred to small time shops. Trump's "great relationship with the blacks" is contrasted with his apparent refusal to distance himself from white supremacy groups. With a whole list of dissatisfaction with the current POTUS, Neumark critiques his policies (and his tweets!) from the perspectives of the vulnerable and marginalized groups in America. Fortunately, this is not the only thing she does. At the end of each chapter, she offers up a plea to be heard, and for the disenfranchised to be heard. People need a sanctuary from all the injustice and hurts happening around society at large. Even if problems have no immediate solution, at least show some empathy and understanding. 

She concludes with hope during the Advent season. Amid the injustice, we see glimpses of good that restores our hope in humanity. Despite the consequences of policies implemented by the powers that be, there are still opportunities for good to be done.  

My Thoughts

First, readers might think this book is anti-Trump. This is not necessarily so. At a glance, this book seems like another of those critical books on Trump and his policies that come across more as using the nation's power to bully the weak. One question at the back of my mind is whether Neumark has gone overboard with her negativity. I sense anger and frustration in the writing. Perhaps, recognizing the background of the author's first-hand experience with the needy, I ought to give the author the benefit of the doubt. For the book was not written simply to critique Trump. It is to pushback on some of the promises by helping us think through the consequences and how to go about solving the real problems of society. The question: "Is America worth saving?" is answered with an emphatic Yes! Otherwise, Neumark would not have written this book in the first place.

Second, the author is well aware of her position as a clergy. Using the Christian calendar as a guide, Neumark points out the dysfunctional aspects of society throughout the year. She begins with Christmas, even calling Trump the Herod of old. She aims at the paranoia and narcissism Herod had come to symbolize. Paranoia resulted in genocide while narcissism led to expensive building projects. It might be a little too dramatic to equate the present-day leader with the first-century ruler, but the point is more symbolic than literal. She uses Lent and Holy Week as a lens to reflect on suffering, pain, and death. She tries to bring out the hope of Easter in the midst of borders that divide. Such borders are not mere intentional boundaries, but also the invisible lines drawn to isolate ourselves according to ethnicities, economic distinctions, and status. Pentecost is also a time to celebrate diversity. Right through to the Advent, we are given much spiritual food for thought on what it means to be Christian in the midst of power politics.

Finally, what does it mean to live in a society when Trump is president? More importantly, how should Christians live during this time? The word is faithfulness to the love of Jesus more than anything else. At the same time, we are called to lament on things that are beyond our powers to solve. We seek healing and reconciliation. We seek goodness in the midst of much evil. We seek God as the final Judge and Arbiter of all things in this fallen world. We need hope, and by closing with the season of Advent, the author has shown us her hand of cards. Whatever terrible things that are happening right now, we can always remain hopeful that the day will come, where things will get better. There will be healing. There will be peace. Until then, let us do our part to create sanctuaries of refuge for those who need it. Every time we open a small sanctuary space for the needy, we bring a ray of hope that flickers in the sky.

Heidi Neumark is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church of Manhattan and author of Hidden Inheritance: Family Secrets, Memory, and Faith. She has more than 40 years of ministry experience, striving to create sanctuaries of refuge for the most needy in society.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

---

This book has been provided courtesy of William B. Eerdmans and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.