First Baptist Church of America – Donald Trump, Pastor
Many people scratch their heads when it comes to conservative Christians supporting Donald Trump.
Not me.
I grew up in a fundamentalist environment and spent my early adulthood in “Bible believing” communities. It saddens me, but doesn’t surprise me that fundamentalist Christians love Donald Trump.
It helps to know some of their core beliefs to put this in perspective.
Firstly, Christians who believe the Bible is inerrant and inspired believe that we’re all wicked, pathetic sinners. “All of our righteousness is as filthy rags.” We’re all incredibly flawed, and we fail every day. We shouldn’t expect much from our leaders because they’re just like us - pinballing from one failure to another.
Secondly, the Bible teaches that God uses unworthy vessels to carry out his will. Many prominent characters from the Bible – Noah (drunkenness), Moses (murder), David (adultery), Peter (blasphemy), and even Judas (betrayal) – were flawed individuals who were used to fulfill God’s divine plan.
Thirdly, the Bible glorifies ruthless, violent leaders. Read the books of Deuteronomy and Joshua sometime. Here are a few choice quotes:
“They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.”
“When the Lord your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy.”
“Completely destroy them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the Lord your God has commanded you.”
Finally, fundamentalist Christians believe that our American society has been in a downward, Godless vortex for decades. Anyone in power who gives voice to this perspective, and promises to reverse that trend becomes the darling of conservative Christians.
If you claim to stand up for the unborn (appoint Supreme Court Justices who support overturning Roe v. Wade), your inexcusable character flaws are completely irrelevant.
Of course, these views are not representative of all who claim to be Christian. There are many Christians who valiantly hold to “Love your neighbor,” and “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” Fortunately many of them will not vote for Mr. Trump in November.
Those who will vote for him will do so because “He’s better than Biden.”
But when the “world” sees the “church” actively supporting a mean, self-absorbed, divisive, petty man, is it any wonder that they want nothing to do with it?