The Lord Christ instructs us to “make righteous judgments” (John 7:24). Scripture reminds us, “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life”
In light of those Scriptures I am compelled to assess all things as belonging to God’s people.
Should I apply making a righteous judgment regarding Donald Trump and his candidacy for President this is what I know,
1.) He has twice broken sacred wedding vows. If a man can break these sacred wedding vows as before God and man what reason do I have to believe that man on anything? If he lied to lied to God and to his wives why should I ever believe he is telling me the truth? Ronald Reagan’s divorce was an issue in 1980. Reagan was the only man ever elected President with a divorce in his background. Have Christians fallen so far in their estimations of a candidates character that Trump’s two divorces are no longer a legitimate consideration in voting for him?
2.) Until very recently Trump was pro-abortion. Does a 65 year old man really suddenly change his view on something like this? It is possible but I don’t think it likely. Trump has his stories that he tells regarding his shift but I, as a discerning voter, am not obliged to believe him.
3.) Up until recently Trump was funding Hilary Clinton and far leftist Sen Chuck Schumer. He has been chummy with the Clintons. He says that is just the price of doing business in New Y0rk. That strikes me as indicative of a lack of backbone and principle that a man would compromise his own principles just so his business could prosper. This is an important consideration.
4.) As late as September Trump was praising the Socialist health care of Canada saying that it “works for them.” That is not true. It does not work. Now since then he has walked back his support for socialized medicine but what am I to believe … his first instinct or the later appended statement?
5.) The two things that Trump has done I can salute is that he has given good speeches denouncing Political correctness and Immigration. But talk is easy and given the above I don’t think any Christian has a solid basis to believe or support Donald Trump.
6.) He is obviously trying to manipulate the Christian vote by his saying that he “loves the Bible,” and dropping that he is a Presbyterian. However, when asked for specifics he dodges the question thus revealing that he couldn’t cite a favorite scripture if his life depended on it. What does this say about his integrity, to cite how he loves the Bible but to refuse to offer one specific verse when asked?
7.) Much of Trumps millions has been made on Casinos. In my own lifetime non conservative Christians would have ever supported a candidate as conservative if they were pushing gambling.
8.) Trump has articulated his support for sodomite marriage saying that “the Supreme Court has ruled” and it is “the law of the land.” Trump could have said that he disagreed with the Obergefell vs. Hodges decision. Trump could have said that he agreed with the Minority opinions but instead he is willing to support this outrage against the whole concept of marriage and the law.
9.) When the revolutionary Marxist Nelson Mandela died, Trump tweeted out, “Nelson Mandela and myself had a wonderful relationship—he was a special man and will be missed.” Is any right thinking Christian who, understands the battle against Communism, going to vote for a chap who sentimentalizes a villain like Mandela?
10.) Mr. Trump called Eric Snowden, who faces Espionage Act charges for his role in leaking information about the NSA’s phone-snooping program, a “total traitor” and said he “would deal with him harshly.” Here we have Trump calling a whistle-blower on mega Statist activities of spying against the citizenry, a “total traitor,” who he “would deal with harshly.” Snowden should be given a medal for fighting Statist tyranny but not according to Trump. Doesn’t that tell us that Trump is a Statist?
Now, if I have reason to reassess Trump I will do so, but to date all of this is all I need to know to know that Donald Trump is out of bounds when it comes to the vote I have … a vote that belongs to the Lord Christ and not me.
And I haven’t even mentioned his pompous arrogant mannerism nor the superficial answers he gives to nearly every policy question put to him.
Trump has no core. He is whatever people want him to be. He is doing the same thing Obama did in 08 only with a twist. Whereas Obama was a blank canvas that people could project their image upon, Trump is a canvas that has every painting on it one can imagine and so you can just choose the Trump you want him to be that fits with your projections. Trump will take care of any number of things simply because he is Trump. He has a “fabulous plan” that we will love. He has a “great idea” that will take care of all of that. However, when asked concrete detailed specifics there is very little that Trump offers.
Trump is a populist and populists by definition are long on charisma and short on policy. Populists get people excited and mesmerize voters into thinking that they are a messianic type deliverer. Please do not misunderstand. I love that Trump is making chaos of the Republican field. I love that Trump is tweaking the nose of the Republican establishment. I love what Trump is saying on issues like Immigration and Political Correctness. However, I can love all that and still be opposed to Christians casting their vote for Donald Trump.
Thank you for a solid, Christian perspective on Trump. I think that those on the Christian right have been so desperate for something different, that we are overlooking a lot of stuff with Trump. I myself have serious doubt that Trump would ever restrict Muslims from entering the country. It’s mostly, if not all, talk, in my opinion. Great post, brother.
Hans,
I think it is the case of desperation. You are right there.
These are all good reasons not to put your hope in Trump.
But Trump gave you three supreme court nominations, that overturned Roe v. Wade and has basically denied the Marxists from making any progress through SCOTUS.
He refused to condemn Charlottesville, and refused to concede the election, under great pressure. His shaping of public opinion is the main reason to be a Trump voter.