What do Christians Now Think of Trump


All readers know people who self-identify as Christians have all the variety of political views as the general cross section of voters. The only difference, as I see it, is that a subset of Christians claims to have some divine wisdom that should be used in voting decisions. Those with that view then sometimes vote against their own economic and even social best interests. A Christian wrote about the dilemma his group faces with Trump.

The link points out that while Trump appointed anti abortion judges more abortions are being performed than ever. Trump now seems to have lost interest in the issue. It is apparent also Trump has appointed as many gay and trans people to official offices as Biden did. He does not have much interest in this either.

On top of that, millions of Christians have been made worse off with Trump's odd approach to tariffs. On again then off again. 

It is worth reviewing, then, the link author writes, whether Trump is the King David of the Old Testament some Christians yearned for. According to the Bible stories, King David was a flawed human but moved forward the Old Testament version of the faith. The link's suggestion is that Trump is a flawed human who is also flawed at advancing the faith.

The mistake Christians like the link author make is trying to give Biblical meaning to things that happen today. That there is a story of David in the Bible does not make the story meaningful today. The actual David may have been much different than what showed up in the Bible. Whatever is happening today has nothing to do with the prophesy that happened to make it into the Bible or prophesy that made it into Islam or Hinduism. 

Some Christians can always say the Democrat Party nominee is less Christian than Trump or whomever runs after Trump. In the case of Biden, who testifies as a devout Catholic, he is the wrong version of Christianity, and the wrong version is worse than no version.

Experience tells us voting for a Christian will not advance Christian tenets nor will it make Christians better off economically. Yet, Christians may well make the same mistake over and over again.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ancient God, Bel (Baal), the Main Character in an Ancient Play

Image
In a British museum is a preserved stone tablet from Babylon. It dates to about 2,000 BCE. Someone labored patiently to inscribe an entire passion play featuring the god Bel. I reiterate this is a stone tablet, not a recopied papyrus. The play begins with the god Bel arrested by soldiers and taken off the stage. He reappears at a trial in the Hall of Judgement. Bel is innocent but is sentenced to death. In the next scene Bel is accosted by a mob. He is despised and rejected. The actor playing Bel is then taken by guard to a hilltop in a sacred grove. Two criminals are taken with him. One of these is released. The the audience then leaves the theater and follows the actor Bel and his guards to the top of a hill where the death scene is enacted by hanging from a tree. The audience returns to the theater for the dramatic final scenes. The dead Bel is stripped and prepared for burial. On a theatrical hill to the side of the stage is a tomb where the body is placed. A stone is rolle...
Read more

Who Suffers from a "Hardened Heart"

Image
Some years ago on this blog there was a discussion about what the Bible calls "The hardened heart." The "hardened heart" was the explanation given for why people like me cannot accept the tenets of Christianity. We are unable to believe there are floating spirits and gods or imaginary places people go when the die. Now, a prominent Christian preacher and author has given us a way to diagnose the "hardened heart." It contained some surprises.  Rev. John Piper, who spoke about the hardened heart, said we can see this in a person who lacks "ordinary tenderness and compassion." He went on to describe the characteristics of a person without the affliction of the hardened heart. A healthy person displays empathy and sympathy. Those with the hardened heart are like stone. Jesus wanted compassion for the poor. The hardened heart discussion referred to atheists only if they are sinners and then it was indirectly. Sin, Piper said, hardens one's heart a...
Read more

What Was the "Argument" in the Election

Image
I hate to add my blog to the piles of blogs and pundits analyzing and pondering the meaning of the just passed election. But that's what I feel like doing today. I've always like Senator Ted Cruz's summary of politics. He once said, "First, win the argument. Then, win the election." I think there is a way of applying that to anti abortion Catholics and Protestants. The link talks of Catholics who now feel they have no political home because Republicans let them down with Trump but they remain against abortion rights. Taking Cruz's win-the-argument thesis, I'd call the past election about an argument between two groups. One group's argument was, "Trump's a jerk." The other's argument was, "Abortion is wrong." The group, "Trump's a jerk," won the argument and then the election.  While one can argue the election, or any election, it about more complex issues, I believe in the end elections hinge on very simple ar...
Read more