In recent years, commentators across political and theological lines have noted curious parallels between two seemingly unrelated phenomena: Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) and what some have dubbed Calvinist Derangement Syndrome (CDS). While one is rooted in the realm of American politics and the other in Christian theology, both involve strikingly similar patterns of behavior among their most passionate critics.
Though the comparison may initially seem humorous or provocative, it reveals something deeper about the human condition—namely, our tendency to react emotionally and tribally when confronted with people or systems that challenge our core beliefs. This post explores the behavioral similarities between TDS and CDS, and offers a balanced evaluation of the analogy’s strengths and limitations.
Defining the Terms
Trump Derangement Syndrome is a colloquial term used to describe individuals who are so consumed with hatred or opposition to Donald Trump that they lose perspective. The term was coined to highlight irrational or extreme reactions that go beyond policy disagreement into moral hysteria.
Calvinist Derangement Syndrome is a less common but increasingly recognized term among theologians and pastors to describe those who react to Calvinism—particularly the doctrines of grace—with excessive emotion, caricature, or moral condemnation, often without serious engagement with the actual theology.
Both terms, though not clinical, help identify a pattern of discourse marked by emotional excess, tribal signaling, and intellectual shortcuts.
Behavioral Parallels
1. Emotional Overreaction
Critics of both Donald Trump and Reformed theology frequently react with disproportionate intensity. Trump is not just wrong, he is “a threat to democracy.” Calvinism is not just incorrect, it portrays “a monstrous God.” The targets are not merely mistaken, they are morally repugnant.
In both cases, the opposition tends to be deeply visceral, often framing itself in moral or apocalyptic terms. Instead of engaging in reasoned dialogue, critics turn to moral denunciation.
2. Straw Man Arguments
Those suffering from TDS often argue against caricatures: Trump is a fascist, a dictator, or literally Hitler. Those with CDS say things like, “Calvinists believe God forces people into Hell,” or “Calvinism teaches that humans are just puppets.”
Rather than interacting with actual speeches, policies, or theological writings, critics construct exaggerated versions of the opponent’s views, and then passionately destroy the straw man they have created.
3. Virtue Signaling and Tribal Identity
In both cases, rejection becomes a badge of honor. In progressive or academic circles, publicly disavowing Trump is often a way to signal virtue, intelligence, or moral superiority. Likewise, in many seeker-sensitive or Arminian circles, opposing Calvinism signals compassion, humility, or openness.
The psychology of belonging to a tribe is powerful. Denouncing the “enemy” becomes a way to reinforce one’s identity and reassure one’s peers of their loyalty.
4. Rejection by Association
Critics often reject the entire worldview because of bad experiences with its most zealous followers. Trump critics may cite QAnon or Twitter trolls as reasons to reject Trump entirely. Calvinism critics may point to so-called “cage-stage Calvinists” as justification to abandon Reformed theology altogether.
In both cases, the misdeeds or immaturity of individuals are used to discredit the broader belief system.
5. Unwillingness to Engage Primary Sources
Many Trump critics rely on media summaries, out-of-context quotes, or late-night satire rather than primary speeches or policies. Similarly, critics of Calvinism often base their views on hearsay or blog posts, rarely engaging with Calvin himself, the Westminster Confession, or modern Reformed theologians like R.C. Sproul, James White, or Sam Waldron.
This reflects a deeper problem: the abandonment of intellectual curiosity in favor of ideological comfort.
A Comparative Table
| Feature | Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) | Calvinist Derangement Syndrome (CDS) |
|---|---|---|
| Emotional Intensity | High outrage and moral alarmism | High outrage and accusations of cruelty |
| Use of Caricature | “Trump is Hitler,” “dictator” | “Calvinists are heartless robots” |
| Identity Signaling | Denouncing Trump = moral signal | Denouncing Calvinism = spiritual signal |
| Guilt by Association | MAGA extremists used as examples | Cage-stage Calvinists used as examples |
| Engagement with Sources | Often absent | Often absent |
| Area of Conflict | Political leadership | Doctrinal theology |
Evaluating the Strengths of the Analogy
There is much to commend in the comparison. Both TDS and CDS exhibit:
- Tribalism: Where loyalty or rejection becomes more important than truth.
- Emotion over Evidence: Outrage replaces logic and inquiry.
- Reductionism: Complex individuals or systems are flattened into moral cartoons.
- Anti-Intellectualism: Deep reading and theological nuance are avoided.
This parallel suggests something about human nature: when confronted with a truth (or person) that threatens our assumptions, we often respond defensively and emotionally. We build walls instead of bridges. And we preach to our echo chambers instead of reasoning together.
In that sense, the comparison is not just satirical—it’s diagnostic. It exposes how easily the flesh responds to perceived threats with contempt rather than comprehension.
Recognizing the Weaknesses
Despite its usefulness, the analogy has limits:
1. Different Realms of Concern
Trump is a political figure; Calvinism is a theological system. Comparing a man with a doctrine can risk oversimplification. While critics of both may behave similarly, the content of their criticisms is very different: national leadership vs. eternal truth.
2. Different Standards of Judgment
Political criticisms may rely on popular opinion, media framing, or civic concerns. Theological criticisms are (or should be) judged by Scripture. That means that while some criticisms of Trump may be valid from a pragmatic or moral standpoint, criticisms of Calvinism should rise or fall based on biblical exegesis—not emotional reaction.
3. Unequal Justification for Critique
Some criticisms of Trump are grounded in actual behavior: coarse language, moral inconsistencies, or questionable alliances. By contrast, much of Calvinism’s content has stood the test of rigorous theological and biblical analysis for centuries. The doctrines of grace—including total depravity, unconditional election, and limited atonement—are well attested in Scripture and in church history.
To equate critiques of a political personality with critiques of a biblical theological system may give too much credit to the former or too little to the latter.
Final Reflections
The resemblance between TDS and CDS is more than coincidental—it reflects how modern people respond to authority, whether in politics or in theology. In both cases, the opposition is less about policies or doctrines and more about what the person or system represents.
Donald Trump represents nationalism, masculine leadership, and populist defiance. Reformed theology represents the sovereignty of God, the depravity of man, and the exclusivity of grace. Both offend modern sensibilities in profound ways. And both provoke reactions that reveal just how much people don’t want to be ruled.
At root, these derangement syndromes are not just political or theological—they are spiritual. They are a reminder that the flesh hates authority, the natural man resists the things of God (1 Cor. 2:14), and human pride recoils at the idea that God chooses, commands, or judges.
And…I admit….there is a hint of jocularity involved in this comparison with Trump Derangement Syndrome and Calvinist Derangement Syndrome.
S.D.G.,
Robert Sparkman
rob@christiannewsjunkie.com
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