I first wrote this reflection in 2015 and was concerned then about the evangelical embrace of hateful ideologies and rhetoric. Sadly, that embrace has only grown stronger. I am proud to see old essays like this as a testimony to standing against the idolatry of Trumpism early on. I pray we repent. Now for the original essay…
I am so disappointed that there are many Christians who identify with the hate of Donald Trump rather than denouncing it.
I chatted yesterday with a young woman who grew up in a very conservative church I attended. It was a great church with loving members. The pastor was a good deal more conservative than I am theologically and especially politically but he was always okay with me disagreeing with him. Yet, his political rhetoric on Facebook has become increasingly strong and there was a thread yesterday where he and others expressed support for Donald Trump. This young woman commented on his thread. From her perspective, she couldn’t “think of someone more despicable and opposite of what the gospel represents.” Later in the thread, she confessed, “I’m just confused and honestly hurt by what I’ve discovered from this post and the people who support it.” I think that is a completely reasonable response. It can be jarring to learn that people we respect hold beliefs we find repugnant. For this young woman, it was unimaginable to hear these people supporting Donald Trump.
The good side to all this was it gave me a chance to message and hopefully encourage the young woman with whom I hadn’t been in close contact since she was a child. I enjoyed touching base with her. The bad side is that there are Christians who are supporting hate and bigotry. This morning I posted on Facebook “So disappointed that there are so many Christians who identify with the hate of Donald Trump rather than denouncing it.” This led to quite a conversation with many people defending Trump.
One person who is conservative but not a Trump supporter objected, “How could you possibly know that inside Trump, or his supporters’, hearts is hatred and not stupidity? You can’t know that. The left always does this.” I think the answer is clear and Jesus gives it to us, “out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” When someone speaks hate and bigotry it is fair to believe that is what is in their heart. More disturbing though are those who argue that Trump isn’t being hateful at all. He is. Honestly, I don’t see how that can even be argued…but it has been and will be.
I understand people supporting hate. But I don’t understand a Christian doing so. Despite our politics and our public perception recently, Christianity is about love. It is what is expected of Christians by God…it is not negotiable. “[E]very one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (1 John 4:7b & 8)
So, what is this love thing? What does it look like? Fortunately, God in his wisdom inspired Paul to write about this:
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Patient? Kind? Does not boast? Is not arrogant? Does not insist on his way? Is not irritable? Does not rejoice in wrongdoing? Is that Donald Trump? I have to agree with that young woman. I cannot think of anything more opposite of love, more opposite of the Gospel.
No Christian should be supporting Trump and his brand of hate. It shouldn’t even be a question. If we truly love that which is love, how can we then support the rhetoric of hate and bigotry? As much as I may disagree with other candidates there is no other one I would say this about. Reasonable people of faith can disagree. They can profoundly disagree. But, a person of true faith should never back hate, and no matter what justification is used that is what The Donald is selling.
This essay is from our Anastasis Series where we resurrect articles from the past that are either still relevant today or can be easily updated. This piece was first published on December 11, 2015, and has been lightly edited and updated.
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Which democratic candidate meets Paul’s standard of love? Clinton’s rhetoric is venomous. In one of the debates she said her greatest enemy was the GOP. That is a ridiculous statement on its face, yet it was met with thundering applause.
Each time I hear Sanders speak, he’s thrashing rich people. That’s bigotry.
If our presidential candidates must meet the same criteria as that of an elder, I guess I’ll see you at the polls when we vote for Huckabee.
I agree wholeheartedly that we do not need our president to be pastor-like in personality and demeaner. We need someone who will put their country’s needs first.
I agree with you Ronald, that hate is the opposite of what Christ commanded us to do. Trump is truly an example of hating many things and is dividing our country even more. I don’t see how we can ever survive as a country under his leadership. I am asking those believers who suppose him to stop reading the propaganda and take a good look at this man.
Here’s what bothers me about this article and others that decry the hate and the lies of Donald Trump. I’m always feeling gaslit. Why? Because not one of the articles states what the hate and lies really are. There’s no proof either of quotes or behaviors that support the claims–just the claims. Yes, sometimes, rarely, there will be a quote or description, but it is always taken out of context or doesn’t take into account the circumstances or Trump’s personality, or his humor. I wish there was a pill for TDS–Trump Derangement Syndrome.