Posted on 11/29/2015 6:12:20 AM PST by Kaslin
I understand the tremendous popularity of Donald Trump in America in 2015.
He is a larger than life reality TV star; he is incredibly rich and not beholden to anyone; he is fearless and speaks his mind; he articulates the frustrations and anger of millions of his countrymen; he gives the impression that he can fix our economy and will put an end to illegal immigration; he is not a Washington insider; he could be a strong leader who could face down our global enemies; he can even be winsome and self-effacing at times.
Yes, I do understand all this to the point that, for some weeks, I wondered to myself if I could get behind Trump as a candidate. And the question still remains, if the presidential race was between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, could I cast a vote for Trump? (I could not possibly vote for Hillary Clinton.)
But let's not deal in hypotheticals now. The immediate question is: Should evangelical Christians support Donald Trump as the Republican candidate? I do not see how we can if the Word of God is to be our guide and if it's important to us that a candidate have a solid moral compass and a biblically based worldview and I mean to be our president, not our spiritual leader, since we are electing a president, not a pastor or priest.
The Scriptures teach that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45), and so Trump's consistent pattern of reckless speech points to deeper issues which could make him unfit for the office of the presidency.
I'm not just talking about his silly attacks on Megyn Kelly (blood), Carly Fiorina (face), and Marco Rubio (sweat) or his more serious attacks on Mexican immigrants (accusing the many of what the few do) and others. I'm talking about his character assault on Ben Carson, comparing him to a child molester who has pathological problems and, most recently, his apparent mocking of the disability of New York Times reporter Serge Kovaleski.
Worse still, rather than apologizing for his most recent remarks, he claims he is being unfairly attacked for his comments and alleges that he doesn't even know what Kovaleski looks like. Is he lying?
Notice that he referred to Kovaleski, who suffers from arthrogryposis, which visibly limits flexibility in his arms, as a "nice reporter," before saying, "Now the poor guy, you've got to see this guy," flailing his arms as he pretended to be Kovaleski.
Is this the man you want to be our president? The warnings in Proverbs are strong: "Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him" (Proverbs 29:20). And, "A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back" (Proverbs 29:11).
We need a statesman, not an irresponsible flame thrower, and one can be a strong political leader who is cutting and fearless with words think of Winston Churchill without making a fool of oneself.
What of Trump's claim that, "I have no idea who this reporter, Serge Kovalski is, what he looks like or his level of intelligence," and, "Despite having one of the all-time great memories, I certainly do not remember him"?
If this is true, why did he refer to him as a "nice reporter" and what did he mean when he said, "Now the poor guy, you've got to see this guy"? And did he merely flail his arms mocking someone who, he claimed, couldn't quite remember things correctly this was Trump's defense or was he making fun of Kovaleski's arms? (Watch for yourself and you be the judge as to whether he is telling the truth.)
Kovaleski, for his part, states that, "Donald and I were on a first-name basis for years. I've interviewed him in his office. I've talked to him at press conferences. All in all, I would say around a dozen times, I've interacted with him as a reporter while I was at the Daily News."
How could Trump have forgotten someone with Kovaleski's condition?
Trump pointed to the large sums he has given to help people with disabilities, and I don't doubt that he has, nor do I doubt that he cares about the disabled and handicapped.
But what is undeniable is that he is often irresponsible and reckless in his speech, something that could be utterly disastrous for the president of the United States of America. As noted by Jay Ruderman, an advocate for the disabled, "It is unacceptable for a child to mock another child's disability on the playground, never mind a presidential candidate mocking someone's disability as part of a national political discourse."
Yet there's something that concerns me even more when it comes to evangelicals supporting Donald Trump and that is the issue of pride, the sin that is often at the root of a host of other sins (Isaiah 14:11-15), the sin which God resists (James 4:6), the sin which leads to destruction (Proverbs 16:18).
Trump seems to have little understanding of what it means to ask God for forgiveness, while his very open, unashamed boastfulness is part and parcel of his persona. Trump and pride seem to walk hand in hand, quite comfortably at that.
So, while I do understand why many Americans are behind Donald Trump and while I do believe he could do some things well as president, I cannot understand how evangelicals can back him, especially when we have a number of solid, God-fearing, capable alternatives.
(For my video commentary on this, with the relevant clips from Trump, click here. The ugly comments from Trump supporters are quite telling.)
A preacher or a warrior?
I would follow a warrior.
The first thing a warrior must do is define the enemy.
Can you define...have you defined the enemy?
If not...step aside and let a soldier take your place.
That said, you seem adrift.
Can I help you?
Like you, I serve the Lord.
I make a million mistakes before my second cup of coffee.
But can I help?
>>P.S.
BTW, 69 years ago, the Presbyterian USA church was much less liberal than it is now.
I’m sorry, Kaslin. I thought it was you that had said the Presbyterian USA church was liberal (which it is, now).
I’m not looking for a preacher to be President. I am looking for a social and constitutional conservative. I do not think Trump is either of those things. I do not trust him to think, talk, act, or govern like a conservative. Plus, I think he exhibits a distinct lack of class and character. Frankly, every time he opens his mouth, he comes across as a shallow, narcissistic, boorish blowhard.
The Pope did not run for Pope
The new Pope is chosen by his fellow Cardinals. It is not an elective office
I will vote for Trump in the General Election if he is the nominee.
bttt
Like Ted Cruz.
So what's the difference?
I doubt very much that the gentleman who wrote this article, or many other evangelicals, voted for Obama.
I am a Pastor of a church, and I would always prefer a Christian leader, however God can use anyone He wants to bring our Nation back to a Commitment to God and our Constitution
And what makes you think Trump is the man to do that?
I think he is. And I think he's concluded that someone like Ted Cruz is the better choice.
What do you mean the Republican candidate didn't meet my lofty ideals?
There were many in here who rather sat on their behind because they didn't like the the republican nominee. They did the same thing in the 2008 election.
I voted for our nominee as I always do. That is why I will vote for Trump if he is the nominee but not before
I am sick and tired of getting blamed for what someone else wrote.
Stop it!!!
Apologies accepted. :)
I think they like Jeb.
Don’t you worry. He will probably meet him
You obviously get it, while many in here don’t
“I am sick and tired of getting blamed for what someone else wrote. “
OMG, I know that - but I agree, it looks like it was directed at you.
Sorry, and I’ll be more careful.
He will CERTAINLY meet Jesus. Fixed!
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