The big story that garnered all the media coverage last week was "Did our (presumed racist) Commander in Chief call corrupt, third world nations and/or impoverished people" a 4-letter word?" When this story broke it quickly became "the same song, different tune." In short, a pattern of rush to judgment, pro "social-justice," pro "illegal immigration" fueled commentary pieces from evangelical leaders- such as Russell Moore and Thabiti Anyabwile- and from evangelical ministries such as "Desiring God: and "the Gospel Coalition"- has become par for the course. More on this in a moment.
Back in 2016 the Tim Keller-led Gospel Coalition failed to convince enough professing evangelicals that it was unwise and/or unbiblical to vote against the pro-abortion, pro-LGBT, pro-globalization agenda of Hillary Clinton. As the polarizing presidential election of 2016 played out many evangelical "Never-Trumpers" warned Christian voters that "the Donald" was a liar, a narcissist, a sexist, and that he would run the country as a "closet Democrat" anyways. "He's only telling socially-conservative voters that he will protect your religious liberties because he wants to win." "He'll appoint a liberal-leaning Supreme Court justice" (which was perhaps the most important issue on the 2016 ballot). Plus, "if you vote for Trump/Pence, for any reason, it will ruin our Christian testimony in the world," etc.
For a number of reasons Donald J. Trump was NOT our first, second, or third choice during the Republican primary. However, my wife and I agreed with the collective wisdom of Robert Gagnon, John MacArthur, and R.C. Sproul and voted against the far-left, anti-religious freedom, hyper-Feminist candidate Hillary Clinton. Despite Trump's loose tongue and his unsavory personal baggage it was an easy decision to vote for Trump/Pence (when the only viable alternative was Clinton/Kaine). After 8 years of far-left governance we came to see exactly what President Obama meant when he talked about"fundamentally transforming" our nation. If nothing else, Andrea and I hoped to prevent the pro-SCOTUS Clinton/Kaine ticket from winning the White House/Supreme Court-but now I digress.
After his unexpected victory, Trump kept many of his campaign promises to "the religious right," such as appointing Judge Neil Gorsuch as a Supreme Court nominee (in addition to appointing many other social conservatives to key leadership positions).
Sadly, these "Never Trump" critics rarely acknowledge that they were wrong on multiple issues. These same evangelical pastors have no problem however posting articles that magnify the many shortcomings of President Trump (both real and perceived). Certain evangelical church leaders seem to pounce upon every opportunity they find to justify their failed "never-Trump" campaign(ing) from 2016. "See, we told you so!" I expect this kind of thing when reading the Huffington Post thought I find it quite off-putting when I read in "the Gospel" Coalition.
As a church leader most of the time I choose to stay out of DC scuffles. Chiefly, because politics is a dirty business and I have more pressing things to do. The lying, scamming, defrauding, power-playing, and slandering that takes place weekly in Washington DC is a scandal unto itself. I have also come to find out that "social justice" leaning evangelicals will not hesitate to publicly label YOU a "racist" if you push back on the "black lives matter"/"white America is a still very much a racist country" narrative. The "content of your character" and your "life example" matter very little if you do not view certain political and cultural issues the way these evangelical leaders do; (please note the many examples that are presented below).
Back to last week's "main event." Almost as soon as the anti-Trump mainstream media began nonstop coverage of Trump's alleged racist comments Pastor Thabiti Anyabwile wrote an article titled, "My Immigration Family." Dr. John Piper's Desiring God ministry quickly posted a related article with the subheading: Eulogies to Martin Luther King, Jr. from white, Reformed, American Christians sound hollow when the echoes of white supremacy still haunt our halls. Another Southern Seminary pastor wrote an article on "Trump, Immigrants, and the Image of God." Russell Moore rebuked the President in a series of tweets (which is not uncommon for him). He also posted a piece titled, "How Martin Luther King Jr. Overcame 'Christian' White Supremacy." None of these authors seemed to care that various eyewitnesses went on record claiming that they never heard the President say what Democrat Dick Durban (whose reputation is anything but reputable) told the media concerning the controversial "S-hole" comments. I expect this from the New York Times. I expect more from "the Gospel Coalition."
Before my "Never-Trump" friends blow a gasket, keep in mind, that on many occasions I've acknowledged what a terrible testimony it is when Christians defend clear cut sin and/or unbiblical actions/words just because the person in question is on your side/team.
Having said that, many evangelical leaders today try and make complex, multi-layered issues into black and white moral issues; often viewing these matters from a left-wing (Liberal) worldview. From Affirmative Action, to Welfare Reform (2 Thess. 3:10), to Border Control and National Security (Rom. 13), to Illegal Immigration, to choosing between Trump and Clinton or Moore and Jones in a political election, to Title IX, to Global Islamization.
Here are some recent examples that support the central thrust of today's article. According to social justice touting, left leaning, evangelical leaders:
If you voted against Hillary Clinton and pulled the lever for Trump/Pence you are morally compromised for "voting for the lesser of two evils." Note 4 Problems with WHITE Evangelical Support of Donald Trump; OR "Can We Talk? Why I Think a Trump Presidency Is Intolerable..."- OR "Evangelical Leaders: Tell Us to Vote for Clinton" Gospel Coalition articles. Have you also noticed how you rarely (if ever) read articles on the Gospel Coalition where professing evangelical black voters are scolded or shamed for voting for anti-Christian, Pro-LGBT candidates such as Doug Jones, Barrack Obama, or Bernie Sanders/Hillary Clinton? Why is this? For some, (perceived and real) racial discrimination is the most important issue of our times.
If you believe that the Gospel Coalition is hypocritical, for on one hand shaming anyone who contemplated voting for Roy Moore, (in order to prevent a far left Democrat from winning a key Senate seat in a conservative leaning State); but on the other hand, celebrate the political and social achievements of Martin Luther King Jr (who himself was a serial fornicator/adulterer and who himself denied fundamental tenants of the Christian faith)- you are persona non grata. Note the following articles that imply how a faithful and discerning Christian would never vote for Roy Moore articles penned by social justice authors- see here, here, here, and here).
For example, Southern Baptist leader Russell Moore encouraged Christian voters "to stand against Roy Moore." Yet the same Russell Moore/TGC unashamedly stands with MLK, Jr. despite Dr. King's own dark closet of ministry disqualifying sexual escapades/sins (see 1 Timothy 3; 1 Cor. 9:27). Note also John Piper's recent article, "Dear Dr. King." For a helpful and balanced view of this selective demonizing see Dr. Robert Gagnon's thoughtful articles- click here).
If you do not immediately rush to judgment when a minority is killed by a law enforcement official you are either blinded by your own "white privilege" and/or you are racially insensitive; (you may even be a closet racist). (This position is still held long after Ferguson was burned down and the officer in question was legally acquitted in a court of law). See also this article that states- "Virtually all racists are Republicans..." To some it is an incontrovertible fact the unarmed black men are routinely targeted by the police.
If you believe "illegal immigration" is a complex issue and that it is not as a simple as selectively proof texting certain Old Testament passages of Scripture (to the exclusion of many other Old Testament passages), you are sub-Christian. Russell Moore has tweeted careless comments like- "Jesus was an illegal immigrant." The same Russell Moore also supports the building of controversial Muslim Mosques. Ironically, Moore does not quote the Old Testament Scriptures that highlight how God directed the Israelites when entering into the (pagan) Promised Land. Suffice it to say, one needs to be very careful when selectively citing the Old Testament in support of any political position.
If you do not wholly embrace the liberal led ideology of "white privilege," and "unintentional racism" you are proud and/or ignorant and/or a closet racist.
If you believe that the NFL players protest of the National Anthem was unwise and/or do not believe that Colin Kaepernick is a courageous Civil Rights hero you are racially insensitive.
I hope to post some additional articles regarding the Christian's gospel mandate (Acts 1:8) as well as highlight some evaluations related to left-leaning, social justice evangelical politics.
