Christian author Eric Metaxas has strongly condemned the presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church for linking opposition to former President Donald Trump with the resistance of German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer to Adolf Hitler.

Metaxas denounced Bishop Sean W. Rowe’s comments in a July 4 essay as an offensive attempt to draw historical parallels, sparking a debate over politics, faith, and the legacy of Christian martyrdom, The Christian Post reported.

Rowe, who began his tenure as presiding bishop in 2024, published an op-ed on Independence Day reflecting on The Episcopal Church’s historical missteps and its current cultural role. He emphasized how the church now identifies more with resisting authoritarianism and nationalism than with holding societal power.

In that essay, Rowe warned of rising political threats and drew comparisons between modern American political movements and the early days of Nazi Germany. He observed that some churches had historically supported authoritarian regimes, while others, like Germany’s Confessing Church, chose a path of defiance.

“The history of the church in Nazi Germany is a cautionary tale about how Christians can falter in perilous times,” Rowe wrote, highlighting the resistance of Christians such as Bonhoeffer, who was executed for attempting to overthrow Hitler.

Public backlash over Bonhoeffer reference

Metaxas, a prominent conservative commentator and the author of the bestselling biography Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, condemned the comparison of Trump critics with Nazi resisters. He labeled Rowe’s analogy “shocking” and an exploitation of Bonhoeffer’s sacrifices.

According to Metaxas, this framing dishonors those who genuinely risk their lives for their faith. He argued that The Episcopal Church, in using Bonhoeffer’s story, is attempting to compensate for a loss of theological direction and cultural influence.

“This pathetic plea for relevance only serves to remind us of ECUSA’s decades-long slide into an abyss of permanent irrelevance,” Metaxas said. He accused the church of avoiding real issues while adopting trendy political stances to appear morally authoritative.

Episcopal Church's political stance in recent months

Over the past year, The Episcopal Church has taken several visible stands against policies and actions associated with the Trump administration. In February 2025, the church joined a legal challenge to a policy expanding ICE arrests in sanctuaries such as churches.

Then, in May 2025, the denomination ended its cooperation with the federal government on refugee resettlement. That decision followed a request to aid in the resettlement of white Afrikaners, which came as part of a broader rollback of the refugee program.

These moves have been framed by church leaders as part of a moral and theological opposition to what they see as increasing authoritarian tendencies in Washington. Rowe’s essay explicitly connects these actions to a broader spiritual duty to confront threats to democracy and religious integrity.

Clashing views on gospel and politics

Metaxas was not the only religious figure to criticize the church’s rhetoric. In January 2025, The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde used a National Cathedral service marking Trump’s inauguration to issue a public rebuke, calling on him to show greater compassion to immigrants and LGBTQ youth.

The sermon prompted backlash from some Christian leaders, including the Rev. Rob Pacienza of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Florida. He described Budde’s remarks not as a message of faith but as a divisive political lecture.

“She attempted to preach on unity, but her rhetoric and very unwelcoming spirit created more division,” Pacienza told reporters. He found the tone of the message to be more confrontational than pastoral.

Eric Metaxas emphasizes theological clarity

In past public appearances, Metaxas has warned that liberal leaders are using phrases like “Christian nationalism” to deter conservative Christians from political engagement. He has also advocated for believers to find churches that stand firm on traditional Christian teachings.

In his recent critique of Rowe, Metaxas said The Episcopal Church is silent on central tenets of Christian theology, including belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus. He questioned whether the denomination still holds clear positions on key doctrines.

He further claimed that by adapting to culture rather than adhering to historical faith, church leaders have strayed from spiritual integrity. “They are ‘clouds without water,’” he said, suggesting that the church lacks genuine substance and direction.

Episcopal Church declines to comment

The Episcopal Church has not responded publicly to Metaxas’ criticism. The Christian Post reached out to the denomination for comment, but the request was declined.

Rowe has not issued any follow-up statements in connection with the reaction to his essay. His focus, according to the essay, remains on reevaluating the church’s role in society and acknowledging both its past mistakes and current responsibilities.

With tensions continuing around the intersection of faith and politics, Metaxas’ response highlights wider concerns among conservatives about the politicization of religion. At the same time, Rowe’s stance reflects a growing movement within certain Christian circles to confront what they see as moral challenges facing the nation.