The Curious Case of Donald Trump and Christianity

Earlier tonight Donald Trump, Republican frontrunner in every poll for the 2016 Presidential nomination, withdrew from the last scheduled debate on FOX News before the Iowa Caucus on February 1. It is the latest occurrence instigated by Trump in this most unusual of election years that has the media up in arms exclaiming "THIS" is the mistake that could lead to his downfall. Trump has brought dynamics to this race, some very positive, some in my opinion not, more than any candidate in my lifetime. He's tapped in to the furor from grassroots America against politics as it has been, often referred to as the "establishment." He's dominated media coverage with an in your face, take no prisoners, downright crass style that has offended many. In the latest polling he leads among Evangelical voters by 17 points in spite of an inability to articulate his faith, and garnered the endorsement of such noted conservative Christian leaders as Jerry Falwell, Jr. To some he is grotesque, to others a hero. To all he is an enigma, balking every conventional political method yet still garnering apparent huge support.

As a Christian, I adhere to a biblical worldview. I support candidates who also have that worldview. Most Christians have, though in recent years those lines have been blurred. In 2012 Mitt Romney was the Republican nominee, and in spite of his Mormon faith, which most of conservative Christianity does not consider Christian, still collected most of the Evangelical vote cast. In 2008 John McCain, who like Trump this year, has  profession of faith that is "light," also garnered most of the Evangelical vote. Evangelical is a term that really has no meaning anymore, as it is used to describe such varying degrees of Christianity, it is literally undefinable. For the conservative Christian who believes the bible the literal word of God, this election seems to carry a significance beyond any I can remember. How is that?

I believe this will either be the year that conservative Christianity either reclaims some relevance as a voting block, or loses it completely. For many it is a dilemma with no easy answer, tired of having to choose between two candidates, neither of whom really represent their worldview adequately. They are frustrated, and Donald Trump has ignited debate in this rather large voting block like no one ever.

I see both sides of the Trump debate. Politically he is not a conservative. But he's not running as a conservative, even though he claims to have changed past views on social/moral issues important to conservative Christians. He's running as an America first populist that is as tired of the "stupid" politicians as much of America is. I agree with what he says in regards to politicians, as I view the system as corrupted and one in desperate need of an overhaul. People are ready for an option other than the same vote they've been casting for years that has reaped little to no real effect on the status quo. Trump, although running as a Republican, I believe can rightly be called a Third Party Candidate. I see the voter angst clearly as I too wish for more options than we currently are presented with in our rigid two party system. I think we need radical change.

But I also believe character matters, and this is where I struggle with Trump. Trump has some admirable qualities. His children, unlike many of the offspring of the rich and famous, all are upstanding, hard working, respectful people. That does speak to him as a father. I actually believe Trump would be a great negotiator, as that is what he does. But as a Christian, with that Christian worldview, I also see a man who has lived a life that is far from one that represents Christ. One that for us who claim the mantle Christian we all should be seeking to live. Trump claims to be a Christian, as do 99.9% of all politicians, even the Mormon Romney. I don't expect perfection at all. If that were the case, no one but Christ is worthy of anything. I do wish to see someone who claims to be Christian, have a life that reflects that. That cannot be said of much of Trump's life.

The dilemma for the Christian is where do we draw the line in regards to something that is purely secular like politics, and our faith? Can the Christian with a biblical worldview knowingly cast a vote for someone who has displayed such un-Christian behaviors? I don't believe there is a concrete answer for that, and because of that we see extremes on either side of the debate. Some claim they could never vote for a man like Trump. But the character of past President's is hardly exemplary in most cases. Others say it doesn't matter, I'm not voting for a pastor, but for President. Both have a point. So what is the answer?

The bible tells us in Philippians 2:12 that we should "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling." We do need to be consistent that our faith translates to all areas of our lives. Jesus also tells us in Matthew 22:21 that we should "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's." Politics are not our faith or church. The bible also says we have "liberty in Christ" in regards to non-essentials of the faith. Politics are most definitely a non-essential when it comes to faith. How we approach things such as politics are a matter of our own personal conscience, as is anything the bible does not specifically call sin.

So why do I feel this is such a crucial election for Christians with a biblical worldview? Well, it's not for the reasons many espouse. You see, me, personally, feels as though politics has become a "golden calf" in many Christians lives. Instead of seeking to see the world changed through the proclamation of the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit, we have turned to politics and men to attempt to spread our biblical worldview. The bible tells us we should be "salt and light," yet through this faith we've placed in political means, we have become far to salty with far to little light. We seek the change that salt brings apart from the light that is the only thing that can truly bring it.

As an American, I love this country. As a Christian, I know the only thing that can save our nation from ruin is a movement of the Holy Spirit, not any political candidate or party. We should participate in the process as salt, but we have to repent and abandon the idol that politics is the means to the change that so desperately needs to occur. And I fear that if a Christian worldview does win out, our dependence upon the political realm will only grow. Does that mean I openly root for an ungodly government? Not at all! It does mean that I believe our nation needs, must have, a change of heart. And only God can give us a "new heart."

The early church faced an ungodly government, and the Holy Spirit moved powerfully. He moved because they were not focused upon overthrowing Caesar, but sharing Christ. That's what we must get back to as the church. With a win of the Christian worldview, I can see that inevitably delayed. With a loss, however that is defined, quite possibly we stop looking to men and instead cast our attention once again to our true, "blessed hope," Jesus Christ. If an even worse and hostile America means a revived body of Christ, but an America that is more in line with our worldview means a continuing absence of the power of the Holy Spirit, which should we desire? This earth is not our home.

I pray one day abortion is illegal. It is murder and sin. No nation can truly prosper flouting God with such abomination. I pray one day our government can once again not endorse the sin of homosexuality and gay marriage. I pray our nation can turn from it's obsession with money, materialism, culture of celebrity, me first appetites, all of which the bible calls sin. I do want, as Donald Trump says, for America to be great. But the only way that happens is through a heaven sent movement of God, not who we vote for. Whatever it takes for the church to get that, understand that..........that is my prayer to happen.