Thank God for Donald Trump
When I first became a follower of Jesus, I was eager to consume as much Christian content as I could. This was before the internet and so I watched Christian TV and listened to Christian radio. Since I lived near the border, I listened to an American Christian radio station (at the time Canadian Christian radio was not allowed).
As I listened to Christian radio, I clearly heard the message that Christianity (at least conservative and evangelical Christianity) and the Republican party were closely connected. Being a good Christian meant being a good Republican. It was as simple as that.
I found it a bit confusing that something Americans saw as clear, was a bit more fuzzy in Canada. Although many of my Christian friends in Canada generally voted for the Conservative party, it was not talked about near as often. There definitely was a wider divide between the church and politics in Canada. I have grown to appreciate the Canadian culture very much.
What does this have to do with Donald Trump?
It has been very interesting to watch American politics as a Canadian observer. In the previous election, I watched as evangelicals struggled over supporting Mitt Romney. They wanted to support the Republican party and they agreed with Romney’s politics, but disagreed with his Mormon faith. I’m sure they were hoping for an easier choice in this election.
And here we have Donald Trump.
There are still many evangelicals that want to support the Republican party. But if they thought supporting a Mormon was hard, it is even harder with Trump. Even if Trump will support many of their policies, Trump comes across as far less Christian than any Mormon. We have watched as even some of the evangelicals who initially supported Trump, are now abandoning him as more of his character is revealed.
Why should we thank God for Donald Trump?
Too many evangelicals have put their hope and faith in a political party or a political leader. If only we can win this one election, our spiritual goals will be attained. But that was never going to work. Young Christians (including evangelicals) have been turned off by this worship of a political messiah. The wedding of the church and politics must come to an end.
I’m not saying that Christians should not be involved in politics or that we shouldn’t vote. As much as we are citizens of heaven, we are also citizens of our earthly nation and there are responsibilities that come with that.
What I am saying is that our hope cannot be in a political victory. The culture war in which the person of the “enemy” party is always wrong (even when they are right) and the person of our party is always right (even when they are wrong) must stop.
My hope is that Donald Trump has helped to bring about the break between the church and politics. Trump may have been exactly what this world (not just the USA) needs to remind us of the weakness of our political leaders.
Nice analysis and reaction, as real Christians are separated from the the dirty world of politics for it is dirty. As far as Trump is concerned I say… to them that are without sin, let them cast the first stone.
A president is not a saint, he is the commander of the armed forces, one of the three parts of the balance of power.
The main thing of Trump is that he is opposing the hijacked and bought government of the US and it is really resonating with a lot of people. He is being attacked and vilified by the media for stupid things he says, but he is a force to be reckoned with and this is why the establishment is attacking him.
I plan on voting for Trump. I figure if God can forgive him. So, can I. I think we can learn a thing or two from Trump.
Great analysis from a christian’s perspective. While Trump was not my first choice I believe he is now the best choice. There have been many stories in the bible of how God used imperfect people to accomplish his goal. In my opinion I would rather have a flawed person as opposed to to an evil person as president.