I had two episodes recently
involving faith and Donald Trump. The
first one involves a sermon I preached about three weeks ago. The second one was an email I received from a
friend asking me the following question.
“Is there a biblically based argument to demonstrate that
according to the teachings of Christ one cannot concurrently follow the
ideology of Christ and Trump?”
Because both are related to each other I will address the together in this post. I will start with the sermon. I used as my text Matthew 5:33 which reads: "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
I used these words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount to show that as a Christian our words are important and we need to be truthful in all our interactions. At one point I said that our speech has consequences and if we are not honest and speak with integrity those consequences will not be favorable for us. I went on to explain how the Jews of the first century would split hairs over how they swore an oath. If an oath was made using the Name of the Lord it was considered binding and irreversible. If, however, the oath was made in the name of anything other than God’s name it was not considered binding. This is the motivation for Jesus’ teaching in this passage. Our Lord says we should not need to reinforce our words with additional conditions. Just say what you mean and mean what you say. That is the only recipe for integrity.
I then used the illustration of the 34 people indicted or who pled guilty during the Robert Mueller investigation. Many of those 34 people spent time in jail because they were caught lying under oath. Their “yes” did not mean “yes”, in other words. I then added that we have a President whose documented lies while in office now number over 10,800. This is not my opinion. It is documented in numerous fact-checking sources, especially Politi-fact.
I knew it was questionable to mention that from the pulpit but I felt justified with the facts. I did not offer any commentary on policies or ideologies. Jesus did not address those things in this passage. You see, I try to be true to the scriptures when I preach. Nevertheless, after the service I was reprimanded by a lady who told me she did not appreciate me saying that the President was a liar. I should show more respect for the President. She then said, “It is obvious where you are coming from.”
I do not apologize for speaking the truth. In fact, the Bible is clear that we need to speak the truth – even to power, if need be. The scriptures are filled with examples: Moses; Elijah; Elisha; Amos; Jeremiah; John the Baptist. Even Jesus spoke truth to power, rebuking Herod and, to some degree, Pilate. God told the prophet Ezekiel that if he does not warn the people of their sin, he will be responsible for their fate (Ez. 33:7-9).
Then, out of the blue, I received an email from my friend Jason. It came about 2 weeks after my sermon. Jason did not hear that sermon as he lives some 200 miles away from where I was preaching. Jason asked: “Is there a biblically based argument to demonstrate that according to the teachings of Christ one cannot concurrently follow the ideology of Christ and Trump?” He was looking for specific references from the Bible. I am not sure why he asked. I did not bother to seek the details. I figured that if he wanted to fill me in, he would.
Here is my response to him.
Yes I think there certainly is biblical evidence. But its hard to simply point to a verse or two. What one needs to do is take into consideration the full teachings of the Bible and, more importantly, the person of Jesus Christ. Still, I have compiled a list of scriptures to address just a couple of topics that are prevalent today. For the most part I just listed verses of the Bible without commentary. Let God’s Word speak to you and see what you think.
No matter what I say a true Trumpist will not accept it, I am sure. They will call it “Fake News” or “Alternative Facts”. It is sad that we have become so incredibly divided and entrenched in our ideology that we no longer are willing to LISTEN to other views and, as Jesus said, “Count the cost” of discipleship (Luke 14:28-33).
The real problem lies with hermeneutics - - that is, with how we interpret the Bible. For example, do we place equal authority on the New Testament and the Old Testament? Does the New outweigh the Old? As Christians should we look only to the New? Do the words of Jesus take priority over the words of Paul or Moses?
Most people will pick and choose what works best for them based on what they want the outcome to be. The problem with that is WE tell the Bible what it should teach, rather than letting the Bible teach us.
ON IMMIGRATION:
Exodus 22:21 (NIV)
21 "Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.
Exodus 23:9 (NIV)
9 "Do not oppress an alien; you yourselves know how it feels to be aliens, because you were aliens in Egypt.
Leviticus 19:34 (NIV)
34 The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
Numbers 35:15 (NIV) This one also supports “sanctuary cities”
15 These six towns will be a place of refuge for Israelites, aliens and any other people living among them, so that anyone who has killed another accidentally can flee there.
Deuteronomy 10:19 (NIV)
19 And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt.
Deuteronomy 14:29 (NIV)
29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
Malachi 3:5 (NIV)
5 "So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty.
Ephesians 2:19 (NIV)
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,
Hebrews 11:13 (NIV)
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
ON HATING OTHERS AND INSULTING PEOPLE:
Leviticus 19:17 (NIV)
17 "'Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.
1 Samuel 2:3 (NIV)
3 "Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.
1 Samuel 15:23 (NIV) This verse speaks directly to rulers & leaders, in this case, King Saul.
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."
Isaiah 13:11 (NIV)
11 I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.
2 Corinthians 12:20 (NIV)
20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
Matthew 5:43-44 (NIV)
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
REGARDING ARROGANCE & PRIDE
Psalm 5:5 (NIV)
5 The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.
Psalm 36:2 (NIV)
2 For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.
Psalm 10:2 (NIV)
2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.
Proverbs 8:13 (NIV)
13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
Mark 7:20-23 (NIV) This one covers many topics!
20 He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.'
21 For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.
23 All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'"
20 He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.'
21 For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.
23 All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'"
Psalm 31:18 (NIV)
18 Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.
Psalm 59:12 (NIV)
12 For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter,
Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 13:10 (NIV)
10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)
18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 21:24 (NIV)
24 The proud and arrogant man--"Mocker" is his name; he behaves with overweening pride.
Jeremiah 49:16 (NIV) This one also speaks of the violence and hatred we are now seeing from the alt-right & Neo-Nazis. They are clearly inspired by the words of our President and have credited him for their recent demonstrations.
16 The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill. Though you build your nest as high as the eagle's, from there I will bring you down," declares the LORD.
Ezekiel 28:2 (NIV)
2 "Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "'In the pride of your heart you say, "I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas." But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god.
Amos 6:8 (NIV)
8 The Sovereign LORD has sworn by himself--the LORD God Almighty declares: "I abhor the pride of Jacob and detest his fortresses; I will deliver up the city and everything in it."
Zephaniah 2:10 (NIV)
10 This is what they will get in return for their pride, for insulting and mocking the people of the LORD Almighty.
AGAINST CATERING TO THE RICH (AS THE TAX CUTS DID, AND MANY OF HIS POLICIES ARE DOING)
Proverbs 22:16 (NIV)
16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich--both come to poverty.
Matthew 19:23 (NIV)
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 19:24 (NIV)
24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Luke 6:24 (NIV)
24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.
Luke 16:21 (NIV)
21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
Luke 16:22 (NIV)
22 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.
1 Timothy 6:9 (NIV)
9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
James 2:6 (NIV)
6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
James 5:1 (NIV)
1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.
Revelation 3:17 (NIV)
17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
I did not even begin to address his racism and anti-Muslim comments and policies. Those behaviors are also condemned in the Bible but I would need to study that in greater detail.
For me, the best thing is to put an image in your mind of Jesus, and then one of Donald Trump or whoever you want to consider. It may be helpful to take a sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle. At the top write JESUS on one side and TRUMP on the other. Then just think of traits, character issues, attitudes, statements made by both, and anything else you can use for comparative purposes. Make a list. I am pretty confident you will find that Donald Trump and Jesus Christ are nearly the complete opposite of each other. Understand that the Bible clearly teaches that we are to imitate Jesus. We are called to model our life after his. Others are to look at us and see Jesus. I don’t think you will find that in Donald Trump.
For me personally, the biggest thing I have trouble with concerning Trump is his arrogance and his lies. He is deceitful. He mocks others. He cheats. And he is deeply prejudiced. And yet he has a way of mesmerizing people who in turn follow him to their own peril.
But do not take my word for it. Look at the evidence. Read the scriptures. Decide for yourself.
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Looking back on my response to Jason I know he will look at the evidence and make his own decision. That is the kind of person he is. It is easy to feel so strongly about an issue that we want to seek something in the Bible that will justify our position. But that is essentially telling God what to say and do. It’s getting the cart before the horse, and it just does not work. We must let the Word of God speak to us and pray for the faith to accept what it says.
G. D. Gehr
August 20, 2019
Comments welcome.
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