Can Politics Trump Character?
The U.S. presidential election interests me because it is a nation with more active Christians than any other Western country. Without their support, Donald Trump would stand no chance in his political ambitions.
What signal does this send to the world about the credibility of what Christians preach and stand for? This is a prophetic question,
What signal does this send to the world about the credibility of what Christians preach and stand for? This is a prophetic question,
well worth pausing to reflect on.
The Republicans
are primarily a business-oriented party, who want lower taxes and fewer regulations. They are also backed by conservatives who want to promote traditional family values, including active Christians.
are primarily a business-oriented party, who want lower taxes and fewer regulations. They are also backed by conservatives who want to promote traditional family values, including active Christians.
Trump, as their presidential candidate, represents a contradiction to much of this but is popular because he is refreshingly unpolitical in his demeanor and opinions. Many who feel forgotten or mistreated by the authorities hope he can shake up "the system." As president, he advanced political goals important to Christians, such as more restrictive abortion laws and support for the state of Israel.
The Democrats
are primarily a social democratic party that emphasizes social justice and equality regardless of race and sexual orientation, and healthcare for all, including women's right to abortion. They represent a liberal cultural openness that many Christians are skeptical of. Traditionally. Democrats are not the first choice for Christians, and sure it´s our rights to support the party that aligns mostly with our values, BUT…
are primarily a social democratic party that emphasizes social justice and equality regardless of race and sexual orientation, and healthcare for all, including women's right to abortion. They represent a liberal cultural openness that many Christians are skeptical of. Traditionally. Democrats are not the first choice for Christians, and sure it´s our rights to support the party that aligns mostly with our values, BUT…
An Ethical Dilemma
The president will be influential not only in the U.S. but also as a role model, for better or worse, in the global village the world has become. Who do Christians want installed in this important role? Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, is, like all of us, imperfect, but in life and behavior compared to her counterpart, she is an honorable person, with moral and personal integrity.
The president will be influential not only in the U.S. but also as a role model, for better or worse, in the global village the world has become. Who do Christians want installed in this important role? Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, is, like all of us, imperfect, but in life and behavior compared to her counterpart, she is an honorable person, with moral and personal integrity.
Can Trump, who in practice tramples on the most fundamental Christian core values, be the person Christians want as the role model and leader of the Western world?
YES, says the majority, because we support the Republican platform! We vote for good policies, so we close our eyes, hold on our noses, and vote for Trump because the party platform trumps character.
If this the solution on this demanding ethical dilemma, will it ultimately promote the gospel and good values?
If this the solution on this demanding ethical dilemma, will it ultimately promote the gospel and good values?
Politics Is Not Church.
So, one must think tactically and compromise, is a common argument.
So, one must think tactically and compromise, is a common argument.
Political policies are more relevant than a politician's motives, lifestyle, and integrity. It's about passing good laws that steer the nation in line with what Christians believe are important values.
BUT even the most eager Christian Trump supporter would not suggest him as an elder in their church, let alone as the leader of their denomination.
WHY is well-known:
Liar
one should be careful to label a person as a liar, but "The Washington Post" documented 16,241 false statements from Trump's presidency, about 15 lies per day. In political discourse, one might "bend the truth" or resort to more or less "white lies," but Trump's deliberate use of lies is so rampant because its a important part of his personality and strategy.
Lies thrive in the digital darkness that covers the earth, and who will bring forth the fruit of the Light, which is Truth,
while Christians support a pathological liar?
Jesus was clear His words about who the father of lies is! John 8:43.
Jesus was clear His words about who the father of lies is! John 8:43.
If ever there is an needed renewed respect for the TRUTH, it is in our digital environment!
Exposing lies and defending truth must be the hallmark of Christians.
"A High Conflict Personality"
Another character trait that emerges when Trump speaks is vulgar insults, slander, bullying, and demonizing opponents. This is a deliberate strategy to incite fear, anger, and hostility.
Another character trait that emerges when Trump speaks is vulgar insults, slander, bullying, and demonizing opponents. This is a deliberate strategy to incite fear, anger, and hostility.
He has succeeded in dividing the nation to the point where many fear civil unrest when he loses the election in November.
Central to Paul's description of the works of the flesh are
"hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions," Gal. 5:20.
What a nightmare it would be to have a church member who, in speech and behavior, practices this
—how much worse for an entire nation in a time poisoned by hostility and conflict.
This behavior is the total opposite of:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness," Gal. 5:22.
Jesus: Blessed are the peacemakers. Paul: The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace, Rom. 8:6.
Jesus: Blessed are the peacemakers. Paul: The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace, Rom. 8:6.
A Morally Bankrupt Individual
What about the many other violations of core Christian values, from financial fraud in countless variations, for which he was convicted 34 times, to a series of sexual misconducts, including a conviction for rape?
Can someone who emerges naked from these smoldering ruins of burnt moral principles, and dresses himself in promises to Christians, be trusted?
We are not called to be moral police, or condemn sinners, we are all under the same judgment. But we are called to be SALT and LIGHT in a rotten and dark world!
Not all Christians, of course, vote for Trump. "I am pro-life. I am Bible-friendly. I am pro-Jesus. But I cannot, in good conscience, support the behavior of a man who mocks decent behavior in words and deeds," said one of them.
Not all Christians, of course, vote for Trump. "I am pro-life. I am Bible-friendly. I am pro-Jesus. But I cannot, in good conscience, support the behavior of a man who mocks decent behavior in words and deeds," said one of them.
Dangerous Incompetence
Key members of Trump's administration said he was unfit as a leader. He put personal interests above the national ones, was self-absorbed, lacked discipline, was ignorant and mentally unstable.
Psychologist Professor John Gartner published a book in 2018 titled
"Rocket Man: Nuclear Madness and the Mind of Donald Trump."
The book is based on extensive psychological studies of Trump's behavior concludes that he suffers from malignant narcissism. Malignant because his narcissism is combined with three other severe pathological components: paranoia, sociopathy, and sadism, characterized as the "quintessence of evil."
Key members of Trump's administration said he was unfit as a leader. He put personal interests above the national ones, was self-absorbed, lacked discipline, was ignorant and mentally unstable.
Psychologist Professor John Gartner published a book in 2018 titled
"Rocket Man: Nuclear Madness and the Mind of Donald Trump."
The book is based on extensive psychological studies of Trump's behavior concludes that he suffers from malignant narcissism. Malignant because his narcissism is combined with three other severe pathological components: paranoia, sociopathy, and sadism, characterized as the "quintessence of evil."
The legendary psychologist Erich Fromm claims that this diagnosis describes a human monster.
The thought of such an unpredictable and incompetent leader having their fingers on the nuclear button in our time is a terrifying scenario.
The Ten Commandments
In meetings with Christian leaders, he promises to fight for the Ten Commandments to hang on the walls of all schools.
God's commandments, which he shows zero respect for in all his conduct, he uses to make Christians voting for his murky motives to seek presidential power. This in itself is a cynical misuse of God's name, a violation of the second commandment:
"You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God," far more severe than any curse word.
A Black Hole
How has Trump managed to manipulate millions of Christians into this black hole of egoistic darkness?
How has Trump managed to manipulate millions of Christians into this black hole of egoistic darkness?
Do they believe in the "troll factories" that let algorithms on social media inform "believers" of how persecuted the godly Trump is by the Democrats and the Marxist child-murderer Harris?
Do they believe that God saved him from assassins because he claims that God has called him "to clean up our country"? (Hitler survived 42 assassination attempts.)
Do they believe that God saved him from assassins because he claims that God has called him "to clean up our country"? (Hitler survived 42 assassination attempts.)
Do they think GOD need Trump to fulfill His plans for Israel...?
Give me a break, please!
Where are the prophets within charismatic circles who preach about spiritual gifts and faith that moves mountains, but are so lost that they don't even have the ability to
Where are the prophets within charismatic circles who preach about spiritual gifts and faith that moves mountains, but are so lost that they don't even have the ability to
"test the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1)? WHO will clear up the confusion, expose conspiracies, and distinguish black from white, when Christians not only remain silent but allow themselves to be used as his cheering squad?
Is it Robert De Niro, known for his crime films, who, in the absence of a clear trumpet from Christians, stands up and exposes Trump as a hollow ego without values, ethics, morality, or compassion—worse than a gangster?
Is it Robert De Niro, known for his crime films, who, in the absence of a clear trumpet from Christians, stands up and exposes Trump as a hollow ego without values, ethics, morality, or compassion—worse than a gangster?
Abortion
The intention to protect the unborn life is probably the most important reason why Christians vote for Trump. "- If you vote for the Democrats, you are a baby killer," said a well-known faith preacher...
But the issue of abortion shows that politics is a labyrinth with many unforeseen dead ends and exits.
The Catholic Church has succeeded in getting abortion bans in several African countries, which has led to tragedies for the weakest in society, hundreds of young girls die every year in horrible conditions, but those who have money have none problem to get abortion whatever the national law say.
Should we Christians, like Muslims, rely on laws and bans to force through what we believe is best?
In most democratic countries, including USA, the right to abortion has majority support, so establishing a lasting law against abortion is impossible.
Of course, Trump shifts with the political winds and is no longer for a complete abortion ban—he now suggest individual states should decide.
What Christians can and should fight for is that pregnant mothers considering abortion receive support and help to carry the child to term and. Many believe that the Democrats are better than the Republicans in this regard, and in that way, they reduce abortion numbers.
Internal Consequences
If the value of integrity, which is central to the Christian worldview, means little when it comes to political leadership, with what moral and spiritual authority can one then guide others in important life choices? How can those who support a liar, fraud, and abuser as a national leader and role model then criticize musical styles, haircuts, and clothing choices in homes and churches with any moral weight?
If the value of integrity, which is central to the Christian worldview, means little when it comes to political leadership, with what moral and spiritual authority can one then guide others in important life choices? How can those who support a liar, fraud, and abuser as a national leader and role model then criticize musical styles, haircuts, and clothing choices in homes and churches with any moral weight?
Pastors who praise Trump but find fault in a line from a Taylor Swift song, suspecting it disrespects Christians, aren’t they caught in the trap of double standards?
When a son or daughter is guided on good values, can parents point to a wide framework and open gate when it comes to lifestyle, knowing they voted for Trump as a national role model?
When a son or daughter is guided on good values, can parents point to a wide framework and open gate when it comes to lifestyle, knowing they voted for Trump as a national role model?
External Consequences
What will honorable, good-hearted people with respect for Christian values and openness to the gospel think? They will notice that what is preached and taught in evangelical and charismatic churches is in full conflict with their choice of political leader.
What will honorable, good-hearted people with respect for Christian values and openness to the gospel think? They will notice that what is preached and taught in evangelical and charismatic churches is in full conflict with their choice of political leader.
What does this say about the authenticity and credibility of what is being preached?
Can this difference between teaching and practice alienate and provoke contempt among many who otherwise be open to the gospel’s message.
The church loses its spiritual authority if it places political power above moral integrity.
Not only does this betray Christian values, but many honorable, good citizens will see a glaring dissonance between decent, humane behavior and whom Christians support as their political leader.
Today, a spiritual battle over values is taking place with a prophetic perspective, where many turn to Christianity as a possible answer in a culture dominated by nihilism, godlessness, atheism, and hopelessness. At the same time, they see millions of Christians support a national leader who, in his actions, embodies grotesque violations of core Christian values and basic human decency.
Today, a spiritual battle over values is taking place with a prophetic perspective, where many turn to Christianity as a possible answer in a culture dominated by nihilism, godlessness, atheism, and hopelessness. At the same time, they see millions of Christians support a national leader who, in his actions, embodies grotesque violations of core Christian values and basic human decency.
As D.L. Moody said: "Most people don't read the Bible, but they read Christians!"