How Evangelicals Got Hooked by Donald Trump
Michael Gerson
Atlantic Magazine, April, 2018
Mr. Gerson’s assessment that Evangelicals are feeling besieged by unsympathetic ideologies seems correct. It also seems to be a reasonable explanation for their turning to Donald Trump, as a kind of necessary evil for combatting the invasion.
As a fellow Evangelical, I agree with Gerson that, whatever the bond between Trump and Evangelicals, it is inappropriate. Mr. Trump made it his mission to “drain the swamp” in Washington. Apparently he is not mechanic enough to realize that such a task calls for a pump designed for liquids. The tools he has employed, instead of draining the swamp, have created a moral and intellectual vacuum in the Executive Branch, while driving moderate Republicans legislators out of politics, altogether. Whatever Trump’s views may be, they are disconnected from any philosophy or structure. He is the Chameleon Commander, in charge of a disoriented rent-a-staff.
Evangelicals do not bear the full blame for electing Donald Trump. But they, of all people, should have known better. When Jesus walked the roads of Judea, the Jewish people looked for a Messiah who would deliver them from the Roman oppressors, and who would return Israel to the glory days of King David. But Jesus had no interest in political power. Instead, he gave himself up to be crucified. His approach seemed to be the worst of all possible strategies. And it was, unless he rose again from the dead to become Lord over all of creation. Most people consider the resurrection a fable, but for Evangelicals, it is the central and controlling event of human history.
Does America benefit when Evangelical ideas influence its politics? Generally, yes. Is it necessary for Evangelicals to practice ends-justify-the-means-politics? No. Never. Satan himself tempted Jesus by saying, “Lookie, here, Jesus. All you have to do is worship me, and you can have the planet for yourself.” Jesus responded, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Evangelicals, by definition, must follow Jesus, which means they may not make deals with the devil.
America is well worth preserving, which is why, with all (legal and proper) haste it needs to remove Mr. Trump from the Presidency. But that being said, I am not overly concerned about the future of America. It will come to the end of its road, as is the destiny of all earthy nations. I am concerned about Evangelicals, though. What is the great fear that makes them bedfellows with a man like Donald Trump? Is Jesus Lord of the universe, or not? If Evangelicals do not think so, then they should (please) change their label to some other club, such as Materialists for Capitalism, or The Red Society Rights. But if he is Lord, then they should join the chorus of “Be gone, Satan,” and get an Evangelical spine.
Hi E.O. I am a conservative evangelical and the 2016 general election provided a quandary for me. As I saw it, both candidates had severe moral issues. They were not people of good moral character. So, I next looked at party philosophy. The Democrats are the party of progressive liberalism which fully supports secular humanism…the anti-Christian view. While the Republicans are not Christian, life under their administration would serve to retard secular humanism, or at least slow its advance, mostly through helping preserve religious freedom and other rights. Also on the stage was an open Supreme Court seat. A Democrat president uses that seat to tip the high court toward secularism for at least a generation if not longer, a Republican president likely does not. As a Christian, I am to be salt and light. This means working to retard evil and promote justice when I can. I saw voting Democrat as encouraging the secular humanist evil. Voting Republican did not guarantee justice but made it more likely. I saw not voting being the same as voting Democrat, besides I have to be responsible as a citizen before God and vote. I would never embrace Trump personally, as Dr Falwell or some otbers have, mostly beause of some reasons you stated. The whole situation left a bad taste in my mouth.
It is clear that Christians are not represented by either the Democratic or the Republican party. When it comes time to vote, all we can do, all anyone can do is weigh the positives and negatives, and project how these will play out in the future. And I have yet to meet a real prophet. I know many Christians who voted the way you did, for similar reasons. I could not vote for Trump, basically because I see him as self-interested and a terrible listener, which makes him dangerous. I really think all elections should offer the option, “no”. If the highest vote-getter is “no”, you scrap the candidates and try again. Better late than miserable, I say.
As Christians, I think we need to make our public stance on the importance of loving Jesus (that is our identity), and the importance of loving our neighbor, which makes us well-suited to speak on issues of public policy. Generally speaking, I think protecting Christian liberties needs to be deemphasized, while liberties for all should be given greater concern. Are we concerned about abortion? Absolutely. The proliferation of guns and violence? Yes. Racism? Yes. Respect for law and law enforcement? Yes. Lawmakers being bought? Yes. Care for the poor? Yes. Affordable medical care? Yes. Christians must care for the needy and must be concerned about justice for everyone.
It’s difficult to live as a Christian in a pluralistic society because different ideologies have different aims. I don’t think we want to legislate Christianity, but I do think we should be bold about the wisdom and compassionate nature of God. From this perspective we must try to persuade the populace of the social a personal benefits that come from listening to what God has to say. Then, we have to be very careful ourselves, because Christians can and are caught up in foolish ideas, as well. We have to remember, we are not trying to make people to behave like us; we are trying to help people hear the voice of God.
Our Lord is wonderful. Let’s represent him as he said, as harmlessly as doves, but with the wisdom of serpents.
Hi E.O. I think our view on the issues is similar but not identical. I found your comment about deemphasizing the protection of Christian liberties in favor of living out our Christian life in society as interesting. Purely as a matter of priorities, I agree with you. The problem, as I see it, is that the significant reduction or elimination of Christian liberties greatly impairs our ability to exercise our faith in society. The truth of this is evidenced by the numerous and continual news reports of discrimination against or limitations on Christians being Christian. It’s a tough issue to balance. God has blessed those who live in this country with rights. Should we be able to defend those rights and continue to live fully Christian lives or not, and suffer for it? It’s a good question.