I’m stymied, continually shaking my head over the multitude of evangelicals who continue to support Donald Trump and his bid for a second term as President of the United States. Before I go any further, let me state a few caveats.
There are dozens, maybe hundreds, of varieties of Christians and not all Christians are evangelical.
In Christianity, theological and political beliefs run the full spectrum from the most conservative (fundamentalists) to the most liberal.
- Every American has the right to believe what they choose to believe and to support whichever political candidates they choose.
- Being an American doesn’t make one a Christian. Being a Christian doesn’t make one an American. Those are two separate things.
- Allegiance to a country should be secondary to belief in a higher power—if one believes in such.
- All of us make misjudgments and mistakes, including committed Christians.
- Neither Donald Trump nor Joe Biden are saints.
Christians of all ilks look to the Bible as the handbook for their faith. Still, even within that belief there are Christians who view the Bible differently.
There are at least three ways to view the Bible’s message. First, “What did each book of the Bible mean for the time in which it was written?” Secondly, “How does the Bible relate to the time in which we live?” Finally, “How do the words of the Bible inform me as to how I should live today?”
Jesus is the central figure of the Bible. In the Old Testament a Messiah who would rescue the faithful was foretold. In the New Testament Jesus was considered to be that very Messiah. His teachings are paramount in Christianity.
Donald Trump claims to be a Christian, but in multiple interviews he’s said that he’s never done anything to ask forgiveness for. In other interviews he softened that, saying that when he dies he hopes there will not be a lot he needs to ask forgiveness for. The Bible teaches that we’ve all sinned and should confess those sins and ask forgiveness now.
Multiple articles I’ve read and even a book or two have pointed out that Donald Trump has committed all of the Seven Deadly Sins: pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth habitually and apparently without remorse—“apparently” because we cannot know another’s heart unless they reveal it to us. (Google it, if you dare.) Yet some of his most staunch supporters are Christian evangelicals. How does this conform with the ethic of Jesus? Go figure.
In its 7/13/2023 issue, (updated on 04/15/2024) Politico reported that Trump has been indicted on over 150 felony charges—but who’s counting? We all should be counting because where there’s smoke there’s fire. Even though Trump has not yet been found guilty in any of these yet-to-be-tried cases, this is a painfully pitiful precedent for a Presidential candidate who says openly that he wants to be a dictator. Yet the majority of evangelicals still support him. Do the well-intentioned faithful believers forget the words of Jesus at the ballot box?
The issue of abortion and a woman’s right to choose is of primary importance to most evangelicals. That issue is one of several that can cause significant internal conflict in evangelicals and other Christians. Many whose faith includes a desire for a nationwide abortion ban hold fast to their related beliefs. Given that, I can understand why zealous evangelicals would vote for Donald Trump as he holds the same belief that is so important to them.
Our choices aren’t always great, but we do have a choice and we alone are responsible for those choices. No one should be denigrated for exercising their constitutional right to vote for either Biden or Trump in November. One thing is certain: whomever is our next President will need our prayers. I just hope that those who pray will do so with their eyes, minds, and hearts open.
…and that’s the View from The Balcony.
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.
—Matthew 7:15-20, Evangelical Heritage Version
Randy Weeks is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified Shamanic Life Coach, an ordained minister, a singer-songwriter, and an actor. His father once told him that there are three things you never tell anyone: how much you make, who you voted for, and where you caught your fish. Randy may be reached at randallsweeks@gmail.com.
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Randy
Amen. Amen. Amen
Well written
Thinking about the loss of your darling sister. Linda mczgehee