Posted on 02/20/2016 6:08:39 AM PST by Kaslin
Donald Trump has challenged the Christianity of Ted Cruz while also raising questions about the nature of Ben Carson's faith. In the past, he also suggested that President Obama might be a Muslim rather than a Christian. Now, the Pope has questioned the Christianity of Trump.
It appears that what goes around, comes around.
Trump's immediate response was to call Pope Francis's comments "disgraceful" and to state that, "No leader, especially a religious leader, should have the right to question another man's religion or faith."
So, Trump can question the faith of others but the Pope cannot question his?
In defense of Trump, Jerry Falwell, Jr., has stated that, "I have no doubts that he is a man of faith, that he's a Christian."
Welcome to the 2016 version of the presidential race, representing reality TV at its most unscripted and bizarre.
Two serious questions, though, are begging to be asked.
First, according to the Bible, do we have the right to judge someone's profession of faith, let alone the mandate to?
Second, if we are called to judge, what are the criteria?
On the one hand, the Bible tells us repeatedly that only God knows the heart and in that sense, only He knows who belongs to Him and who doesn't. At the same time, the Bible repeatedly calls us to examine what a professing Christian believes and to evaluate how that person lives, to judge the tree by its fruit, as Jesus put it.
Using that criteria, we know, for example, that Richard Dawkins is not a Christian, since he denies the existence of God, the authority of Scripture, and the atoning death and bodily resurrection of Jesus. We also know that Osama bin Laden was not a Christian, since he was a radical Muslim and an unrepentant mass murderer.
In the same way, albeit in a much less extreme fashion, we know that our friendly next-door neighbors are not Christians when they demonstrate no understanding of their own sin, no recognition of their need for forgiveness, and no knowledge of who Jesus really is or why He died on the cross. And we can say this with certainty even if they attend church services every year at Easter and Christmas.
A Christian believes core Christian doctrines and lives a basic Christian lifestyle.
The Christian faith begins with an acknowledgement of our sin and a profession of faith in our Savior and is then evidenced by a godly life - not a perfect life, but a godly life. As Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matt. 7:21)
James (Jacob) echoed this saying, "Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works" (Jas. 2:18b).
In other words, talk is cheap. Let's see how you live.
That's why Paul could contrast the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:17-23), adding, "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Gal. 5:24).
That's why Paul could also state plainly that no adulterer or drunkard or practicing homosexual would enter God's kingdom (among other lifestyles; see 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:5-7; Galatians 5:17-21), also noting, "And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:11).
How does Donald Trump line up?
We know that in the past he boasted about his numerous adulterous affairs and that he built the first casino in America with its own strip club, actually featuring 36,000 square feet of adult entertainment. Yet he sees no need to ask for forgiveness for these past acts (which are just a small sampling of ungodly behavior) because he is "a very good person."
This is the opposite of Christianity, which begins with a recognition of guilt and an open confession of our need for forgiveness. As for Donald Trump, at no point in any interview that has ever been conducted with him has he offered the slightest understanding of the heart of the gospel.
That alone would indicate that Trump is a not a real Christian.
As for his conduct, while we have no idea how he lives in private, and while he presumably has many good qualities that are commendable, we do know that his public conduct is often deplorable, with his tweets and comments violating almost every standard of Christian decorum.
This is the standard Paul laid out for followers of Jesus: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Eph 4:29, NIV).
Trump's vitriolic, nasty, often vulgar, sometimes patently false attacks on others violate this verse from beginning to end, both in spirit and in letter. And remember that it was Jesus who told us that it was out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.
Jesus also "told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt [does this sound familiar to you at all?]
'Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector [remember that in New Testament times, tax collectors were notoriously corrupt].
'The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: "God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get."
'But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!"
'I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.'" (Luke 18:9-14)
Which one sounds like Donald Trump, the Pharisee or the tax collector? And which is more characteristic of Mr. Trump, the person who exalts himself or the person who humbles himself?
Again, God is the ultimate judge, but He does tell us to judge the tree by its fruit, and that means that Donald Trump could really use our prayers.
You may still plan to vote for him to be president, even though he shows no true signs of being a genuine Christian (although it's clear he believes he is one). That's obviously your call entirely.
But let's not foolishly proclaim him to be a Christian when, until recently, many of his ardent supporters acknowledged that he was not. And just consider what a world changer Donald Trump could be if he really knew the Lord. Through prayer and God's mercy, it could happen.
When the Catholic Church crawls up from the muck and finally excommunicates the vile trash it counts as its "flock"....such as the Kennedys, the Pelosis and all those who revel in butchering infants at the false altar of Liberalist Marxism, then, MAYBE, just MAYBE, any "anti-Catholic bigotry" can be addressed.
As it stands, any Catholic official or layperson who associates with these Satanic bastards deserves to be dismissed as agents of Hell.
You should be smiling. Drinking the Kool-aide is a high to be savored, the converted say.
I would have some if the Crewz hadn’t swigged it all down over the last few months. So thanks for protecting me from myself.
You folks have a not of nerve tossing out the cult moniker after acting as you have.
I think sin is sin, you don’t have to be committing the same sin to be a hypocrite. I also think in our last heartbeat or, possibly even beyond, we have the chance to transform and accept Jesus as our Savior and receive forgiveness for our sins no matter how horrible they are. You can’t say God would condemn another to hell, only God know where we will begin and where we will end.
Sometimes it’s a safe bet. The 19 terrorists on 911 probably didn’t reconcile with the Lord before crashing the planes that killed thousands of innocent people.
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“I think sin is sin, you don’t have to be committing the same sin to be a hypocrite.”
—
God knows our hearts. He also tells us to turn from sin. You make it sound as if it’s okay to continue a life of sin.
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“I also think in our last heartbeat or, possibly even beyond, we have the chance to transform and accept Jesus as our Savior and receive forgiveness for our sins “
” ... possibly even beyond .. “ ?? I really don’t know how you come up with that. Salvation is a gift from God. It is not offered forever. Either we accept it or we don’t.
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You can’t say God would condemn another to hell, only God know where we will begin and where we will end.
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I believe the Holy Bible to be the word of God. There is only one way to the father .......... John 14:6 -— Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
No. I certainly cannot tell you who all is going to heaven or hell but the Holy Bible tells us that there is only one way.
I take the long view of history. Times come and go. Charlatans and snake oil salesmen, like Trump, are inevitable. The weak minded, though they believe in their own superiority, will always follow their little Pied Pipers to ruin. Human beings are genetically predisposed to self destruct with a certain regularity. God sends forth obstacles and Trump is one of them. If the people are "worthy", they can avoid the pitfalls. If not, well....so be it. All cults eventually die off, though some, like islam, are stubborn. Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, Mao, Pol Pot, Heaven's Gate, Jim Jones, they usually collapse and get swept away.
How long Trump lasts, we will wait and see.
Since last June or July. Whenever he announced for president.
Only the arrogant try to judge the beliefs of others. It is also a sin. Not very Christian.
Planned Parenthood butchers more babies per year than Isis.
Ever heard of cognitive dissonance?”
My friend, Guess who brought out all of the above into the Republican campaign not any of his competitors. I voted for Cruz when he was elected Senator, but in 2016 we need a “:ball-buster” like Trump! The other dude Rubio is a three faced (one is Espanol) lying dog concerning his buddy Chuckie Schummer!
I take the long view of history. Times come and go.
Yes they do. And Ted's place in history ends tonight, not even a meaningful footnote in U. S. history. Yep, just like we said it would.
Charlatans and snake oil salesmen, LIKE TED CRUZ will be spoted, avoided, and ignored...
... and unlike Trump who isn't a snake oil salesman or a charlatan, are not inevitable. Yes. Good men are inevitable. Too bad Ted didn't figure that out on his road down oblivion's highway.
The weak minded, though they believe in their own superiority, will always follow their little Pied Pipers to ruin.
Yes, you guys sure proved that. "So what were you were doing in 2016? Well, I was actually an ardent supporter of... what's his name. Give me a minute...".
Human beings are genetically predisposed to self destruct with a certain regularity.
As you toss these out, please keep in mind who is going nowhere, and will not affect U. S. history in the slightest. Now back to your program,
God sends forth obstacles and Trump is one of them.
God sends forth solutions too, and who are you to judge if this is God's plan or not?
If the people are "worthy", they can avoid the pitfalls.
I guess we were worthy then. We sure avoided Cruz.
If not, well....so be it. All cults eventually die off, though some, like islam, are stubborn. Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, Mao, Pol Pot, Heaven's Gate, Jim Jones, they usually collapse and get swept away.
You poor dear. You're so traumatized by all this. If your crewz hadn't acted like such ridiculous boorish fools on the forum over the last few months, I'd have a glimmer of mercy for you.Here you are facing the death of the Cruz campaign still mud slinging with the most vile comparisons your mind can concoct.
Meanwhile Hillary has her notebook out copying down every insult you folks could hand her campaign. And you're not done yet.
These next months should be amazing, watching you folks go hand in hand with her toward November trashing our nominee.
Thank goodness that's not cult-like..
How long Trump lasts, we will wait and see..
Yep. Despite you folks doing your best to help Hillary, I think he'll do just fine.
Trump has donated to Schumer and will throw you under the bus as soon as he makes the sale.
He offered up Lee Liberman, in the same debate. This makes you a liar, too.
Sorry, but that’s not quite correct. When Cruz and Trump were arguing about Roberts, Cruz said he would have nominated Liberman instead of Roberts. They were discussing the past during that exchange, not replacing Scalia.
I guess you can't count.
Unhinged to the point of spitting. Is it the Kool-Aide? Is it the adoration and worship of a Liberal dressed up as a "savior"? Is it the smooth words and the playing on the fears, hopes, dreams, longings of a lied to and abused conservative base? Will the TRumpites be watching and hoping tonight, with the Rocky III theme on replay in the background? Like children, clutching their Trump dolls, giddy and fidgeting?
No matter the results, one constant the Trumpites will have is this irrational hatred of Cruz. That is, until the next Trump Boogie Man is presented to their drooling throngs.
Still reading your posts with a smile on my face.
Desperation isn’t a pretty color on you.
In that event, it is not Cruz supporters who are tools of Hildebeast or the GOPe or any other faction. It is the Trumpites. Plain and simple.
Desperation drives Trump and his sycophants, his lapdogs, his minions, his tools to destroy Cruz and marginalize Cruz supporters. Destroy the GOPe's hated foe and you have a clear path forward.
Watching Trumpites, and Trump, as they are used and abused by the GOPe puppeteers is fascinating. It reveals the once disregarded claim that many so-called "conservatives" are as stupid and low information as most "liberals".
The after game analyses in years to come will be quite interesting as to how this all came about.
One again I am left smiling.
Each of your posts explain is some way how you deal with defeat.
- I didn’t prevail, common sense (in my estimation) is not something they can deal with, so I won and they are very flawed. -
Your candidate did not appear to others as he appeared to you. Two out of three people disagreed with you.
It still hasn’t dawned on you, that the majority could have seen things you didn’t, and could actually be right.
That’s the problem with stacking nothing burgers to the ceiling. Eventually you are convinced you’ve really got something there.
No, you have nothing stacked to the ceiling.
Once again projecting from the ranks of defeat.
There are two options.
You and your fellow travelers are smarter than everyone else.
You and your fellow travelers are the ones who followed the pied piper.
You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.
Abraham Lincoln
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