The Case against Trump
People have many reasons to like and dislike Donald J. Trump but Christianity should not be one of those reasons. It’s clear that Donald Trump relies on a pro-Christian message in his rhetoric and the Evangelical right as a major part of his voter base. With those two things as a key to victory during his campaign, it’s a wonder that his constituency has not questioned his lack of basic knowledge of the key tenants of Protestant Christianity. Throughout his time in political theater there have been many indications of this fact, that became crystal clear by his own words after the first assassination attempt on his life.
During an interview following his assassination attempt he was asked about the fragility of life. He admitted that being so close to death certainly makes you aware that at any moment life can be taken from you. Then was the honest admission showing his absent knowledge of the basic principles that every Bible believing, church going, born again, contemporary Evangelical Christian knows from the moment they place their faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as their savior for the forgiveness of their sins. This is what he said…
In typical Trump fashion he started emphasizing how many people were saying that the failure of the attempt on his life was due to divine providence. He talked about his favorite chart, how he never starts a rally like that, and how discussing the chart played a key role in stopping the shooter from hitting his mark. He goes on to expound about the existence of God and the possibility of life after death. What proceeded that statement is the main thesis of this article, that Trump is not likely part of the body of Christ as a redeemed child of God. He explained that he hopes there is a heaven and that he’s good enough to get in.
Unlike walking through the doors of a country club there is but one requirement to enter the Kingdom of Heaven and every Christian knows it. Jesus made it clear in his teachings, the disciples spent and gave their lives to spread the good news, the Catholic church conflated it over time, the reformers again gave their lives to reconcile the message, and from the dawn of missions to the Great Revivals most modern day Americans understand what happens when someone responds to an “alter call”. That’s when you “accept Jesus into your heart”.
Contemporary Christian churches almost treat salvation as a transaction between the Gospel and one of the members of their congregation. It starts with an admission of guilt (confession), follows with acceptance of forgiveness (salvation), and leads to newness of life (repentance and baptism). On any given moment in the life of a church the majority of members, in addition to the pastors, can lead a person through the process of becoming a redeemed child of God. The gift that bestows its receiver with citizenship of eternal life in heaven. This simple concept can be summed up by the apostle Paul in the book of Ephesians (chapter 2 verse 8-9).
⁸ For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2: 8-9
(If you would like all your questions about life and God answered read the context of these versus in chapter 2)
So if the Bible sums up the Gospel so simply, how can Donald Trump make a statement in such contradiction to the message? The Gospel hasn’t changed for over 2,000 years. Trump after the assassination attempt was likely contemplating the danger of a second term to his life by running again for President. It’s also likely that Trump doesn’t read the Bible or understand the Gospel. His whole life has been dedicated to building country club-like places that most people will never get into. The Gospel however, proclaims that you don’t even need to clean yourself up before becoming a member of the community of God.
Furthermore Trump does not display the characteristics of a Christian and on occasion openly mocks believers. Jesus taught to the early followers that if you want to know a tree look at its fruits. This parable reveals a spiritual lesson on how to understand a person’s beliefs by the results of their actions. In the New Testament the apostle Paul describes to the church of Galatia what the life of a believer lead by the Holy Spirit looks like in contrast to the life controlled by sinful desires (Galatians 5:19-23).
After reading those lists what column reminds you more of Donald Trump? Not long after the assassination attempt, during the Al Smith Dinner (known for its good humored reproach between Presidential candidates) Trump made several off-color jokes but subtly mocking the Catholic tradition of faith was far more egregious.
Despite the low view some have on the intelligence of Christians in America, we can tell when an outsider is trying to use the faith to sell Bibles. Or when they take a major event on the church calendar in vain, to use it as a pulpit to disparage their enemies. For the Christian, we hate nothing but sin, and that first Easter was the day that humanity was given the gift of freedom from our sin. That’s a gift that Donald Trump doesn’t seem to understand or has received. All of this is not to suggest that Christians shouldn’t support Trump. Just don’t expect to see him in heaven, unless he has a personal encounter with the one true God.
