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Today's post is devoted to Lucado, Trump, Evangelicals and the 2016 Election (if nothing else consider my 10 takeaways at the conclusion of this article).
What spurred me on to write today's post? I decided to write this article after I saw how many Christians reposted a "Anti-Trump" blog article written by Pastor Max Lucado. In the past two months I have never read more critical pieces of a Republican candidate written by conservative and/or Christian authors. In a follow up interview "America's Pastor"said that he does not normally inject politics into his pastoral ministry. Lucado noted that "I don’t even put a candidate’s bumper sticker on my car. People don’t attend church to hear my views on a presidential candidate."
Though I do not agree with Lucado's theology on a number of points, (or his philosophy of ministry- see Homespun Gospel), I think his default position on politics and the pulpit is wise. The centrality of Christ, the gospel, and the core doctrines of Scripture can be unintentionally eclipsed when Christian preachers become political commentators on Sunday morning instead of 'mouthpieces' of God (to use the language of 1 Peter 4:10). Having said that, if a cultural/political issue is addressed in the Scriptures, the man of God (2 Tim. 2:15) should faithfully communicate God's position on X, Y, or Z (Acts 20:27-35). (Examples include: the sacredness of life (at conception), God's view of marriage, gender, and human sexuality, a theology of work in relation to welfare, the role of government, the sinfulness of racism and genuine bigotry, etc).
If a minister of the gospel decides to address a controversial, hot-topic issue from the pulpit (such as race relations and the police, the Ferguson riots, social justice, immigration, Israel, welfare and poverty, gender equality, Roe vs. Wade, SCOTUS, etc) they must be very careful to not read their personal opinions into the inspired Text. If your pastor says, "This is heaven's perspective on such and such" you better be certain that his finger is pointing to a book, chapter, and verse AND that he is rightly interpreting the true meaning of Holy Scripture (Phil Johnson recently called out brother Thabiti Anyabwile for this very thing- see Against Mission Drift). Over the years, many errors and half-truths have been propagated from American pulpits (often times unknowingly).
So why did "America's Pastor" post an public article that was critical of Donald Trump (the current front-runner of the Republican party)?
To quote Lucado, "It’s a case of public derision of people. It’s belittling people publicly. It would be none of my business, I would have absolutely no right to speak up except that he repeatedly brandishes the Bible and calls himself a Christian." Before anyone jumps to a premature conclusion. No, I have not joined Pat Robertson or Jerry Falwell Jr.'s "make America great again" (Trump) bandwagon. For a number of reasons, (some of which Lucado addressed), I am not supporting Trump in the GOP primaries. More importantly, it is clear that Trump's theology (his understanding of the gospel) and his life testimony provide no biblical evidence that this rich, old ruler (see Mark 10:17-27) is truly born again (see 1 John and/or John 3). As with President Obama and Secretary Clinton I am concerned for Donald Trump's eternal soul. As Jesus said, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels (Mark 8:36-37)."
Perhaps one of the most relevant verses for American voters and politicians alike, is 2 Corinthians 13:5; "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" In this vein, I'd encourage everyone to carefully consider Pastor Steve Lawson's article, Salvation: How To Be Absolutely Sure. You do not want to wrong about the most important issue in the world (Heb. 9:27).
Having said that, if Max Lucado were being consistent (per his quote above) he should have written an article criticizing President Obama, who after the passing of SCOTUS, gave "hearty approval to such things" (see Romans 1:18-32) by lighting the White House rainbow bright. Arrogance and derision is manifested in many different ways. Like Trump, Obama calls himself a "Christian" and yet our "Christian" President actively champions the mass murder of unborn children (did you watch the undercover Planned Parenthood videos?) and makes heretical religious assertions like, "I believe that there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people." Apparently Jesus Christ was gravely mistaken when he said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life, and NO ONE comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). President Obama's statement about "all roads leading to the same destination" is just as blasphemous as Trump's comment about not needing to ask for forgiveness (1 John 1:8-2:1).
If Max Lucado were consistent he would also write a critical blog post concerning the leading Democratic party candidate, Hillary Clinton, who on Sunday preached at two "Christian" churches. Evangelicals should have major problems with Clinton's sermon for the following reasons: 1) Like Trump, Clinton does not embrace the biblical gospel that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. 2) To hand over the pulpit to a pseudo-Christian (be it Trump or Clinton) is both unwise and sinful (see Jesus' sermon in Matt. 7:13-23; or the apostle Paul's strong warning in Galatians 1:6-10. 3) The "Christian" message of love and kindness that Mrs. Clinton preached this Sunday perverted the true meaning of the holy Bible (see 2 Tim. 4:3; Is. 5:20) 4) The last time I checked, 1 Tim. 2:9-15 is still part of the Christian Scriptures.
Back to Mrs. Clinton's professed Christian faith. "Clinton was raised in the First United Methodist Church and wrote in her book It Takes a Village and Other Lessons Children Teach Us that 'religion figures in my earliest memories of my family. Our spiritual life as a family was spirited and constant. We talked with God, walked with God, ate, studied and argued with God. Each night, we knelt by our beds to pray before we went to sleep." In the interest of time I not going to highlight all the unbiblical policies Clinton advocates nor mention major character flaws from her time in public office. Suffice it say, many politicians claim to be something they're not when it comes to Christian discipleship; (As America becomes more secular, like Europe, fewer politicians will identify themselves with Jesus and Christianity).
Final Takeaways: 1) Evangelicals should be just as flabbergasted at President Obama and Secretary Clinton's "professions of faith" as they are Donald Trumps (unbiblical actions and immoral policies speak just as loudly as self-righteous and unloving words).
2) Self-deception among fallen creatures is real (Matt. 7:21-22 2 Cor. 11:13-15). On the other hand, some candidates will say anything to win an election. Surprise, surprise! People lie without restraint to gain power and prestige. Therefore, Christians must ask God for discernment as they approach the ballot box.
3) Religious hypocrisy is found in both parties. As my Greek professor in seminary use to say, "God is not a Republican or a Democrat." Dr. David Farnell would likely agree with many of Dr. Carl Trueman's assertions in his book Republocrat: Confessions of a Liberal Conservative.
With widespread religious hypocrisy it is vitally important that true believers provide examples of "godliness and dignity" (note 1 Tim. 2:2; Matt. 5:16; 1 Pet. 2:15-17). When redeemed sinners fall short of God's standard(s) we who truly believe must demonstrate what genuine repentance looks like (see Psalm 51 esp. v. 13; 2 Cor. 7:10; 1 John 1:9-2:1).
4) The support Trump enjoys among Evangelical leaders is troubling, but it really isn't surprising. Why are Christians acting as if this Trump phenomenon is so astonishing?
If the vast majority of professing (black) evangelicals supported a "Christian" politician like Barack Hussein Obama in 2008/2012 should it surprise us when a large percentage of professing (white) evangelicals support a "Christian" politician like the Donald in 2016?
By definition, juvenile believers have very little discernment and are prone to jump on various bandwagons (see Ephesians 4:11-16, esp. v. 14; and the book Reckless Faith). If you believe (as many do) that Hebrews 5:12-14 describes a vast majority of professing "evangelical" churches in America then you should be saddened but not shocked by all this (note also 2 Tim. 3:1-4).
Take a few minutes reviewing the poll research that was gathered after the 2012 election. My research found that 21% of white evangelicals voted for Barack Obama. I humbly suggest that this number is actually higher if you include all the "evangelical" voters who stayed home (which indirectly contributed to President Obama's re-election in 2012). The percentage is also higher if you add all the "evangelical voters" who filled in "Mike Huckabee" or "____" because they would never vote for a Mormon President, or because Romney was a closet Progressive, etc. I imagine most of you graciously interacted with evangelicals who held these personal convictions in 2012 (I will try and clarify my perspective further in my 8th takeaway).
5) What was true during the ministry of Jesus and the apostles is true today. Not everyone who professes to be an evangelical is a genuine follower of Jesus (John 14:15, 21). Have you read the 6th chapter of John lately? (John 6)
6) If the professing "Christian" church and religious pollsters like George Barna are confused concerning what constitutes a true evangelical, we should not be surprised when the secular media is clueless.
This is the ultimate question. What is a Christian? (note Matt. 16:13-20) See Dr. Martyn-Lloyd Jones' clear address, What Is An Evangelical?
7) Sinful fear and anger seem to be major factors as it pertains to voters and this year's election. Pastor's need to patiently remind their congregations what God says about both (see Matthew 6:25-34; Phil. 4:6-7; Eph. 4:26-27). The book of Revelation is a most encouraging book especially during troubling times such as these (Jesus has revealed the end of the story! Come! Come! Come!)
8) Search the Scriptures diligently, share your personal convictions with grace, devote yourself to prayer, seek wise counsel, vote in faith (according to your Biblically informed conscience), and leave the final results in the hands of One who is both sovereign and good (1 Thess. 5:21; Col 4:6, 2; Prov. 15:22; Rom. 14:23, 8:28-39).
9) Pray faithfully for the salvation of our unsaved leaders and governing officials. God commands believers to do so.
1 Timothy 2:1-5, First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
How faithfully have you prayed for the salvation of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and/or Donald Trump?
10) When it comes to wisdom decisions, good and godly individuals will sometimes come to different conclusions. How Christians disagree, while striving to maintain the unity of the faith, speak volumes to a lost and dying world.
Like everyone else I have read numerous comments and opinion pieces written by Christian friends and pastors about the upcoming election. The vast majority of them have basically said, "I will not, under any circumstances, vote for Donald Trump!" (Judges 11:34-40). It is generally assumed that the same applies to Sanders or Clinton-(I think). Another godly pastor whom I love and respect has privately said he would not vote for Rubio or Trump which is at odds with Pastor Jesse Johnson who publicly supported Rubio on Super Tuesday. What gives? When it comes to politics it should come as no surprise that brothers and sisters don't always see eye to eye, especially when dealing with wisdom issues like this.
On one hand, I understand why my fellow Bible-believing friends are deeply troubled by the widespread support Trump has received among "evangelicals," particularly when candidates with superior character and established conservative values are running for the same position (Carson, Rubio, Cruz, etc). Brothers and sisters in Christ I feel your pain! However, unlike some of my ministerial colleagues, I am not convinced that if the GOP nominates Donald Trump, that the wisest thing to do is to either stay home on November 8 or to write in "John Piper" or "Ted Cruz." In a two-party political system the voter is sometimes left to choose between the "lesser of two evils" or "the best of what is available." It's kind of like when you go to Panera Bread after work and you're left with the remaining 12 bagels (so much for my kid's "Cinnamon Crunch" toasters; and how many people want to eat a "onion" bagel)! Except what we are talking about is a little bit more important then dessert.
For me the bottom line is this. As a husband/father who dearly loves his wife/kids, and as a Bible-driven preacher, a Hillary Clinton presidency concerns me more than a Donald Trump presidency does. I have intelligent friends who feel differently. At this point, we respectfully agree to disagree; (Before you hyperventilate or go postal on me, go back and reread points 1-10. Also remember I am on heavy medication post-surgery). As with everything you read (that is not inspired truth) swallow whatever is helpful and wise and spit out whatever is not!
What every politically informed American seems to agree on is that November's national election is a very important day in the history of our country. If nothing else, the 45th President will nominate the 9th Supreme Court Justice of the United States. In the words of Senator Lamar Alexander, "The stakes are high! If a conservative nominee does not win, Hillary Clinton’s liberal justices will control the Supreme Court for 30 years..." Actions (and elections) have consequences.
Many leading evangelical leaders (MacArthur, Piper, Keller) have gone on record post-SCOTUS saying they believe more targeted persecution against institutions and individuals that uphold biblical morality seems likely in the coming days. In view of everything that is going on in the world it is easy to see why so many Christians are tempted to panic or freak out. Sometimes it may appear as if the "sky is falling!" May Jesus' people find special comfort in the promises of Christ (see especially the Master's "Parting Sermon" in John 14-16 and Revelation 20-22).
Now is not the time for Christian's to retreat from our chief mission (Joshua 1:8-9, Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5;18-21)! These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
