Christian author Philip Yancey is the most recent believer to question the evangelical support of Donald Trump. Thrice-married, avowed adulterer, and an ego big enough to claim he has never needed to ask God for forgiveness, Trump does not fit nicely into the evangelical mold.
Jerry Falwell, Jr., lead the charge by giving Trump his endorsement early in the campaign after having Trump speak at Liberty University, and has faithfully supported Trump since. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, has resorted to calling fellow Christians names if they don’t jump on the Donald Trump bandwagon, and staunch Christian conservative James Dobson has excused Trump’s more insensitive remarks claiming he is a “baby Christian.”
While each of these men hold a place of respect in my mind, their support of Trump sounds more like shrill desperation and political expediency than the truth. To what can we attribute this kind of support for a man who doesn’t appear to have a clue about what it means to be a Christian?
It is the fear of a Hillary Clinton Administration and her stated support of two issues of deep concern to evangelical voters, abortion and same-sex marriage. The first is killing off the next generation and the second cannot produce the next generation, and both undermine the future welfare and security of our nation.
Jeffress has characterized this election as a choice between “good and evil,” and Dobson said his fear of a Clinton administration “haunts my nights and days.” But a Trump Administration may not be as good as Jeffress is hoping and may haunt Dobson if he is elected. The one bright spot in Trump’s campaign is his choice of Mike Pence as a running mate.
I am still praying about the election in November. Many are saying this election is important; I believe they are all important. I have conflicts within and concerns without, and one of those concerns is the extreme emphasis by Christians on the importance of this election.
Long ago the prophet Isaiah declared, “Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales…All the nations are as nothing before Him, they are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless,” Isaiah 40:15, 17.
Come November I will step into the ballot box and cast my vote. That is my right and responsibility as a citizen of this country, but my hope for the future welfare of this nation is not in the political process of America that in comparison to the purposes of God “is less than nothing and meaningless.”
My concern this election year is for those who are willing to sell their birthright of faith for a mess of political pottage; who are willing to compromise their character and actions to advance either political cause. If the Church had been more intent on winning souls, it might not be so intent on winning elections.
Well said!