Now the works of the flesh are are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissentions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 ESV
There isn't much in these verses, if anything, that does not describe the public lifestyle of Donald J. Trump for as long as he has made himself visible in the public eye. It's all there. And pointing it out is not being judgmental. Trump made a point of underlining his immoral behavior, ridiculing any kind of moral or ethical standard as weakness and he worked hard at convincing people this was who he was. It was part of his character and his image.
Idolatry and sorcery? He made it very clear that he worshipped the almighty dollar and that was at the very core of the character he demonstrated. I can point to multiple examples that fit the Biblical definition of idolatry, most of them from Trump's own words at public appearances. And as far as the "sorcery" goes, Trump has been involved with groups like Richard Spencer and the National Policy Institute, which dabbles in what is referred to as "New Thought." And there's his admitted admiration of Norman Vincent Peale and The Power of Positive Thinking" which isn't even neo-Christian in its philosophical perspective as far as I am concerned. Gary Lachman brings out this aspect of the Trump era in a recent book, Dark Star Rising: Magic and Power in the Age of Trump.
And for his apologists who insist that there was some kind of repentance or regret which happened before he ran for office in 2016, well, the next few verses in Galatians point out what the fruit of such an experience looks like and I would not say that it characterizes anything Trump said or did after January 20, 2017. On the contrary, Trump's term in office is a contrast to Galatians 5:22-26, in every way. The pathological lying was as bad as the bribes to porn stars he slept with but the last three months of his term in office was clear evidence that there had not been any repentance or conversion. Nothing compares to the evil that was on display in the White House from November 2020 to January 20, 2021.
It is beyond my understanding how Evangelical Christians who support Trump can reconcile his behavior with what they claim to believe the Bible teaches about the strength of godly character. The only way they can is to ignore what he says and does and pretend his past doesn't exist and that doesn't make their support consistent with their faith, it simply makes it a fantasy that doesn't exist in the real world. They have traded their dependence on the power of God's Holy Spirit for a few political bones thrown their way in exchange for sacrificing their reputations and integrity to try and get those over whom they have influence to vote for a demagogue. To put it in Old Testament terms, they have traded their birthright for a bowl of soup.
Character of the Candidate versus The Issues
"Does Character Count?" is the title of a sermon preached by Dr. Adrian Rogers, late pastor of the Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee and former President of the Southern Baptist Convention. In his sermon, Dr. Rogers makes a Biblical case for casting or not casting a ballot for a candidate for public office based on the wholesome nature of their character. It was not a matter of casting a vote for a "commander-in-chief, not a pastor-in-chief." Dr. Rogers clearly proclaimed that the moral and ethical strength of a candidate was the single most important consideration for a Christian voter.
Though Dr. Rogers doesn't mention President Clinton by name, the context of his sermon, and the time period in which it was preached, make the subject of his message pretty clear. Others who cited his words as support for their position didn't fail to mention that President Clinton was the clear subject of all of the rhetoric about character qualification for public office.
By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God; nor is the one who does not love his brother. I John 3:10 ESV
I can't speculate as to whether Dr. Rogers would walk back his words and change his position with regard to Trump's public, demonstrable lack of any kind of character of which he was speaking in his sermon. He passed away before Trump came on the political scene, though I can't imagine him taking back the words of any sermon he preached. But plenty of his Southern Baptist colleagues, along with many other prominent Evangelical leaders, are on the record directly contradicting most everything Dr. Rogers said in order to give Trump a pass. Their god is political gain, not the Biblical Deity.
For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Matthew 24:24
As I see many Evangelicals abandon their principles and beliefs to give their full support, including the use of their pulpit and position, to Trump, this verse comes to mind. And no, I don't think I'm taking it out of context. There is a widely circulated premise among some Evangelicals that Trump is some kind of savior as they seek to fulfill their mission and purpose through political means, not spiritual means.
Trump branded himself as the consequential "man of the world." He bragged about adulterous affairs. He has made it clear in his speeches, and specifically in his book, which he has promoted all through his Presidency, that his god is money and his behavior is driven by acquiring more of it, ignoring ethical standards and moral practices which he says interfere with his ability to profit. The scripture says that those who do these things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21). So why would any sincere, self-respecting Evangelical Christian want to hitch their wagon to that mess? Monetary gain? Is Trump buying their support with contributions? Because of "issues" he claims to support? Is the trade off really worth the compromise?
There has clearly not been any repentance on Trump's part. He has himself stated on multiple occasions when the question comes up that he doesn't need to ask forgiveness for anything. Those are his own words, not any jump to judgement on my part. And observing behavior isn't judging. He puts this out there for everyone to see and with the intention of creating his own image and "branding" himself. Trying to make him into some kind of "instrument of God" or pseudo-savior isn't consistent with the principles of Christian faith.
And if you need any more evidence for the lack of repentance, the last months of his Presidency are a flashing neon sign pointing to it. Trump did real damage to both the Presidency and to the reputation and character of the United States of America, selfishly and for his own benefit. He lied about the election and he lied to his own supporters about the evidence his legal team was presenting in court. All of that stuff they point to in the reports on the extremist media that supports him never appeared in any of the multiple court venues where his claim of "massive voter fraud" was unanimously dismissed. That's a lie, and it is a dangerous one. Repeating it only makes you a liar and you are "sowing to the flesh" as the scripture says. And that's the most accurate characterization of the Trump image that exists. It is a lie.
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the spirit will from the spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8 ESV
The Evangelical leaders who made the deal with Trump to provide him with "religious cover," work to push support for him among Evangelicals and use their reputation and influence to deliver votes in exchange for his use of the secular political power of the Presidency to deliver the things on their political list is certainly "sowing to the flesh". They have apparently lost faith in God's Holy Spirit and sovereign will and have decided to place their faith in a man to get the political gains they want. If they are going to sow to the flesh, they could at least have picked a leader who practiced the same kind of faith they do, instead of a man who has built his brand and made his trademark on his lack of moral character and on his worldly, spectacularly sinful public behavior.
The whole Trump Evangelical bandwagon has left me very empty and discouraged because many of the leaders I once admired and looked up to as role models and examples to encourage my faith have fallen into this seemingly bottomless pit of coveting the influence of worldly political influence in exchange for their loyalty. Well, they have to live with what they've done and it's a good thing forgiveness is a core principle of the faith. How can you rail against abortion when you support a man who wholeheartedly engages in and endorses the kind of behavior that leads to it?
David French, "The Dangerous Idolatry of Christian Trumpism
But be encouraged. Not all Evangelicals have sold their soul for a bowl of soup.
"I do not believe these are days for mincing words. I'm 63 1/2 years old and I have never seen anything in these United States of America I found more astonishingly seductive and dangerous to the saints of God than Trumpism. This Christian nationalism is not of God. Move back from it." Beth Moore, Author and Speaker, Twitter, December 13, 2020
It takes courage to speak the truth, especially in church. Sad to say, but it is true. Beth Moore is a popular author, teacher and speaker because her life reflects consistency with what she teaches and she's truthful. In spite of some blistering criticism she has received from fellow Southern Baptists because she is a woman, and is more widely respected as a role model, author and authority on scripture than any of the male leadership among them, she doesn't step over her boundaries, and she is a leading, and well-respected conservative Evangelical voice.
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