I identified myself as an evangelical before Donald Trump’s presidency. Now, I cling to my Christian faith, but I dropped the evangelical label; I am ashamed. American evangelicals challenge biblical principles to support Trump’s vile, rude, and crude conduct. He gave them pro-life laws and moderate judges, both vital to his cause. So they say that the end justifies the means. However, that reasoning is not biblical. It is sophistry. This is what Jesus teaches:
Therefore, whoever relaxes one of these smaller commandments and teaches others to do the same, very little will be called into the kingdom of heaven; but whoever fulfills them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19 (ESV)
Trump’s actions are anti-Christian
I believe in a free market, a small government, few but useful rules for business, and a robust private sector. The government should not tax businesses or provide them with welfare. They should allow businesses, society’s sole generator of wealth, to create productive jobs. I am against abortion, for lawyers like Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, and for secure borders. But unlike evangelicals, I cannot deny basic Christian values and defend Trump’s routine vulgar behavior. That is not Christian. We can forgive some of Trump’s misdeeds, but not his usual vicious attacks on those who challenge him.
Why do evangelicals choose the timid path and not condemn Trump’s behavior? A vital characteristic of following Jesus is loving people as we love ourselves – the Golden Rule. As Christians, we do not criticize a person. Instead, we pray for him or her, but condemn his or her behavior. Donald Trump’s conduct shows that he is a narcissist who lies – including lying to the Special Counsel – intimidates and degrades people, and boasts of groping women. These offensive traits are anti-Christian, but evangelicals back it up. The message from evangelicals is clear: to get anti-abortion laws and moderate judges, we will ignore Trump’s unbiblical offenses.
Evangelicals Compromise Christian Values to Support Trump
Evangelicals tout Trump as the most pro-life president who is remaking America with his choice of moderate judges. So, they must back it up. So they ignore behavior that defies almost everything Jesus taught. It’s a sad day when Christians who should shape moral ideals in society fall into the depths of Trump. I think abortion is wrong, but I know from scripture that tolerating Trump’s rude and abusive style is unbiblical and shows the opposite of Jesus’ messages. Like my mom said, two mistakes are never made right! If Trump attended my university, I would expel him from my class for his behavior and bullying tactics.
Where do young people look for moral and ethical leaders? Trump demoted the Office of the President. The politicians’ approach is shortsighted. They focus on their favorite projects and serve their donors and sponsors, not people. Evangelicals gave up their moral clout to support Trump with his fluid views on abortion and his laid-back moral character. They lost their moral fiber. The Republicans claimed they had the moral ground; but, like evangelicals, they are silent. They fear Trump’s venom if you don’t like their reactions to his personal attacks on others. Democrats are quick to bet positions further to the left than the next.
Is it any wonder that young people cry out for socialism even though polls show they don’t understand what it means? They hope it’s better than the current mess. But they don’t realize that politicians would gain significant influence in the economy, and history shows that that would be disastrous.
Jesus teaches love, not hatred and division
Trump’s rhetoric divides Americans and damages race relations. The division is deep and hatred is increasing. The next president will have a tough job but with different priorities. It should offer a hopeful vision, a story, and restore dignity and moral leadership to the Office. The United States and the world expect that person to unite, not divide, encourage, lower, and pull the country out of the Trump swamp. The leader must be free from corporate ties, commit to the country, not the party, and distance himself from evangelicals.
Politicians from both parties failed people who want action taken to resolve their concerns. Neither party has answers to the current problems; nor do they focus on the ills of the country, but rather on his reelection. They do not ask essential questions to find solutions; They do not focus on people’s problems, but on politics. Both parties must reassess their basic values and stop doing politics and serving the people.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law, but fails in one point, is guilty of all of it. 11 For the one who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not kill.” If you do not commit adultery but kill, you have become a lawbreaker. James 2: 10-11 (ESV)