Christians in the Age of Trump: A Contrasting View
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Donald Trump rose to power amid controversy. Two and a half years into his administration, there is no sign that’s ever going to change. No doubt, he’ll continue to be a controversial figure long after his administration has moved into the history books.
I agree with much of what Greg Barkman had to say on the topic yesterday, particularly the negative assessments of President Trump’s character and behavior. I agree also that some of the President’s policies have been helpful to the nation and sensible in the eyes of conservatives. I concede, too, that in an election, deciding what candidate to support can be difficult—especially if we only consider those who have a chance of winning. If we accept that constriction, we’re stuck with what the parties decide to offer us.
Those are the primary points of agreement. Philosophically, I’m sure we agree on much as well. Most of the controversy among conservative Christians has to do with how to apply principles we share. Still, these principles are often not articulated in the more Trump-friendly perspectives I hear from fellow-Christians. I believe that if these truths are more front-of-mind, they’ll have more influence on how we evaluate presidents and make electoral choices.
1. Christian perspective is long and deep.
I’m using the word “Christian” in this post in a particular sense: not “the way Christians actually are,” but rather, “the way Christians ought to be,” that is, the way we are when we’re true to what Christianity is.
When I say the Christian perspective is long, I mean that Christian thought always puts now in the context of the whole story of humanity—which is God’s story. So our analysis of consequences should be quite different form the analysis that is normal in our culture. Rather than, “If we do X today, what will happen tomorrow?” Christians should think, “If we do X today, where does that fit into eternity?” From there, we work backward to the present: “What’s the consequence generations into the future? What’s the consequence in twenty years?” Admittedly, we often can’t answer those questions. But it gets easier when we get down to, “What impact does this have in a decade? Or in eight years?”
But I think we rarely start our analysis of consequences with the question of eternity. How will my choices in this moment matter when all this is over? (and they will matter—Matt. 12:36, 2 Cor. 5:10). When it comes to public policy and elected officials, we just about as rarely consider political outcomes a couple of election cycles down the road. This is a failure to look through the Christian lens.
The Christian perspective is long. It’s also deep. When we’re looking at things Christianly, we’re not only driven by our relationship to the God who sees the end from the beginning, but also to the God who sees and knows the real essences of things and is never fooled by mere appearances (Heb. 4:13, among many others).
The deep perspective takes some work. “Man looks on the outward appearance” (1 Sam 16:7), and by default, surface realities are what’s most real to us. But at the current political moment, we’re called to look past both the bashing of left-leaning punditry and the cheerleading of right-leaning (or right-off-the-edge!) punditry to sift out what’s really factual and wise. We’re called to tune out the noise and dazzle and hype, and read thoughtful, reflective considerations of the issues we face in our times.
2. Christian ethics looks beyond results.
Genuinely Christian ethics does include results when evaluating the rightness or wrongness of actions. “Love does no harm to a neighbor” (NIV, Rom. 13:10). “It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble” (ESV, Rom. 14:21).
But outcomes are not the only consideration, or even the primary consideration. This is because everything a Christian does is personal. Worshipful service of our Creator is supposed to be an ever-present motivational layer in all we do (Rom. 12:2). The apostle Paul points out in 1 Corinthians 6:16 that Christian sexual ethics is not only driven by the goal of holiness but by the fact that Christ Himself is joined in some way to everything we do. Elsewhere Paul describes his own motivations in life as a drive to “please” a real person—Jesus Christ, whom we call Lord (2 Cor. 5:9).
Whatever else we might say about Christian ethics, we have to acknowledge that what ultimately determines right and wrong from our perspective is how Somebody feels about it. This shatters the popular utilitarian reasoning that whatever brings about the greatest good for the greatest number is the morally right thing to do.
Because Christian thought takes the long and deep view, we know that discerning what really brings about the greatest good for the greatest number in the long run is often impossible to know. Because we evaluate our choices through a personal grid—the good pleasure of our God—human good isn’t even mainly what interests us.
It’s possible to accept all that and still believe that a Christian should (a) vote only for a candidate that can win, and (b) vote for the least objectionable candidate that can win. But there’s a lot of thinking and evaluating that should happen before we even get to that point. In the long, deep, and Personal analysis, what really constitutes “winning”?
3. Christian values emphasize persuasion over coercion, understanding over compliance.
If we managed to put the ideal candidate in office—one who lacks all the character and conduct negatives of a man like Donald Trump—there’s still only so much he could get done, and only so much that would survive the next swing of the electoral pendulum. There’s only so much external constraints can accomplish.
Christian thought understands that faith in God-revealed truth is eternally transforming (Rom. 10:9-10, 17). There isn’t anything on earth more mighty than genuine Christian faith, because that faith is a heart-soul-mind surrender that permanently entwines us with the Creator God.
No law, or set of rules, or series of court decisions can do that.
And even on the time-bound plane of social concerns and public policy, only winning hearts and minds—genuinely persuading people of enduring truths—can produce changes that endure through election cycles.
A president who can get some policies enacted but who does it in a way—and from an ethos—that closes minds to important ideas and values may well do more harm than good. On the other hand, a president who is opposed to Christian views of society and justice (as those on the left are) but who provides a clear and sharp contrast with the ideas at the core of both conservatism and Christianity, may unwittingly persuade many to reject leftist beliefs.
To sum up, none of us really knows beforehand what the long and deep outcomes of a presidential election are going to be. We often don’t even know that years afterwards, with much confidence. What Christians should do then, in the electoral ethics department, is ask ourselves what pleases our God. And though that also doesn’t make the decision obvious, it does change the equation. We know that our Lord is at least as interested in how we get somewhere as He is in where we arrive.
“…for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Eph 5:8).
Aaron Blumer 2016 Bio
Aaron Blumer is a Michigan native and graduate of Bob Jones University and Central Baptist Theological Seminary (Plymouth, MN). He and his family live in small-town western Wisconsin, not far from where he pastored Grace Baptist Church for thirteen years. In his full time job, he is content manager for a law-enforcement digital library service.
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Aaron, I expected I would probably disagree with the column you announced yesterday. Actually, I find myself in substantial agreement. I guess the difference occurs in how we apply these excellent principles to the present political situation.
G. N. Barkman
An important reminder:
There’s only so much external constraints can accomplish.
"The Midrash Detective"
Compare him to Obama.
Did Obama lie regularly (you can keep your doctor… I heard about that when I read the paper…)
Did he appoint people who made godly choices?
Did Obama have affairs? How do you know one way or the other?
Did Obama ridicule opponents?
Did Obama tell the truth when asked?
Did Obama appoint people to the judicial bench who would promote godly justice?
What was Obama’s past? Reefer bus…
On and on… really look at him in comparison to Trump. How far apart are they? Don’t just go off of what CBS and MSNBC tell you. Really look. I suspect you’ll find they are not that far apart.
@Mark… I don’t see Obama as relevant. Unlike Trump, he had an actual political philosophy and an agenda consistent with it. For that reason, he was never someone I considered voting for.
My topic in the post was how to approach weighing options as a conservative Christian voter.
@Greg, yes it’s certainly possible to apply the principles differently. Most of the arguments I see for backing someone like Trump, though, are focused on results—and short-term, superficial, and coercive ones at that. With those removed, there isn’t much left to commend a vote for Trump. It becomes a toss up, at best.
I didn’t find it difficult at all to vote for a man who couldn’t win in 2016, because I had a very different idea of what a win for conservatism could actually mean in that election.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
[Mark_Smith]Compare him to Obama.
Did Obama lie regularly (you can keep your doctor… I heard about that when I read the paper…)
Did he appoint people who made godly choices?
Did Obama have affairs? How do you know one way or the other?
Did Obama ridicule opponents?
Did Obama tell the truth when asked?
Did Obama appoint people to the judicial bench who would promote godly justice?
What was Obama’s past? Reefer bus…
On and on… really look at him in comparison to Trump. How far apart are they? Don’t just go off of what CBS and MSNBC tell you. Really look. I suspect you’ll find they are not that far apart.
It is certainly interesting that about the best a lot of people can seem to do to defend Trump is to compare him to someone they consider worse. Not only is such a comparison meaningless from a logical standpoint but in this case, it is hardly fair to suggest Obama may have had affairs with not a shred of evidence and bring up a reefer bus reference (as if that defines him).
However, if we have to make this about comparisons, I will say this. I am just not sure what one can say to convince those who can’t see the new lows that Trump has brought the presidency through his juvenile actions and words. Here is the truth in a nutshell: in spite of his problematic beliefs, Obama acted with dignity almost all the time; Trump rarely does. Obama may have lied some (though I don’t think your example is a lie regardless of how many times FoxNews says it is) and Trump lies thousands of times in obvious ways where he clearly doesn’t even care if he is caught lying.
Obama was the most recent. Man you guys…. Really compare him.
My point is if you really look, Trump is actually more honest. He shows you what he really thinks, while others hide it.
For example, Trump yesterday called the British ambassador “wacky.” You might say that lacks decorum, and you would be right. Who cares? Obama (picked because he was the last president and my memory is better, not because I am a raving anti-Obama type) was recorded multiple times saying all kinds of unkind things about his opponents in private fund raisers….
My point, ultimately, is if you think Trump is bad, you are a hypocrite for not seeing the bad in previous presidents. There is little difference between Trump and them other than your opinion.
For conservatives, Reagan was the last Republican president that had a consistent philosophy that was based on his thought. Both Bushes were establishment more than conservative. We can see that now. I actually think Trump is doing a respectful job with his government work. I only wish the Republicans the first 2 years had supported him better rather than joining the Russia train and the 50+ retiring and not running for reelection. Congressional Republicans failed him.
When it comes to Democrats, they are all about philosophy, and that is what is so scary about them! They mean to remake America in their image. No thanks. I have no respect for their philosophy and I give them no points for it.
I agree with Mark Smith quite a bit. For all this anxiety about how a conservative Christian voter should think of Trump, of course he’s a blowhard and often behaves with an appalling lack of grace.
But, go ahead and name one Democrat you would rather have instead of Trump the way they are right now. Can you name just one? Name one, even one “moderate” Democrat you would vote for who would dare to not follow their current extreme leftist lemming culture.
Also, name one president whose overall policies didn’t have problems or influenced negative consequences down the line. Name one president who made every decision out of principal and ignored political expediency.
Please name one. We’ll wait.
At THE end of the day in the 2020 election its either Trump with at least some chance at conservative values being enforced and promoted OR a vote towards open borders, giving illegals free this & that, trillions of dollars going to pay off student debt, the Green New Deal thinking, hyper-triggered snowflakes, and (insert your favorite socialist American value sucking program here).
And Yes, a vote for someone other than Trump IS a vote for the Democrats because who other than Trump has any chance of defeating whatever candidate the Democrats put out against him?
As conservative Christians and Americans it would be ideal if our president was a true born again Christian and would follow Biblical and conservative principles with every single decision. But, that isn’t what we’ve got and even in our country that will not happen … . ever.
So, at the moment, we are left with either Trump or … .
From my perspective, Trump, with all his flaws, is doing an overall good job as president. He gets things done. Further, you know he is an American and cares about America. After all, this is America, right?
I may be holding my nose while I vote for Trump in 2020, but I will be voting for him.
mmartin, you understand the situation exactly as I do. Anyone who fails to vote for Trump will be helping a left-wing candidate be elected. Politics, unfortunately, is almost always about how to prevent the worst results.
G. N. Barkman
[G. N. Barkman]mmartin, you understand the situation exactly as I do. Anyone who fails to vote for Trump will be helping a left-wing candidate be elected. Politics, unfortunately, is almost always about how to prevent the worst results.
It’s funny. I didn’t vote for President Trump in ‘16, and I was told by many that I was helping Hillary win the White House. This binary thinking is simply not accurate.
It’s funny. I didn’t vote for President Trump in ‘16, and I was told by many that I was helping Hillary win the White House. This binary thinking is simply not accurate.
Ditto. The person I voted for has proven to be a disappointment as well, and maybe I did ‘waste’ my vote, but I can pillow my head knowing that I refused to vote for either of the two major players with all of their accompanying baggage.
If President Trump acted more like a President and less like an obnoxious and immature child, it would help him immeasurably. But I think that’ll happen when pigs fly, and it may cost him the Presidency in 2020 if the Democrats can just nominate someone who isn’t utterly crazy. I agree that the current list of Democratic contenders leaves…tons…to be desired. Maybe Howard Schultz is that man. I don’t know. Right now I’m leaning towards voting for Godzilla.
"Our task today is to tell people — who no longer know what sin is...no longer see themselves as sinners, and no longer have room for these categories — that Christ died for sins of which they do not think they’re guilty." - David Wells
[GregH] I am just not sure what one can say to convince those who can’t see the new lows that Trump has brought the presidency through his juvenile actions and words.
Two points:
- We all know Trump had affairs (pre-White House)… but as far as we know he hasn’t stepped to this “low”
- See Kennedy: All the President’s women and specifically Mimi Alford (White House intern): “That afternoon she was invited to what she thought was a “welcome-to-the-staff get-together” that turned out to be in the White House’s family quarters. “Would you like a tour of the residence, Mimi?” the president asked. And then, ushered into Mrs. Kennedy’s bedroom to admire the décor, she was a goner. … “Once Upon a Secret” includes a couple of truly vile episodes in which the president humiliated Mimi by telling her to service other men sexually.”
Why is it not accurate to conclude that a vote removed from Trump does not help his opponent? That seems like pretty straight forward mathematics to me.
G. N. Barkman
[Dave White]Two points:
- We all know Trump had affairs (pre-White House)… but as far as we know he hasn’t stepped to this “low”
- See Kennedy: All the President’s women and specifically Mimi Alford (White House intern): “That afternoon she was invited to what she thought was a “welcome-to-the-staff get-together” that turned out to be in the White House’s family quarters. “Would you like a tour of the residence, Mimi?” the president asked. And then, ushered into Mrs. Kennedy’s bedroom to admire the décor, she was a goner. … “Once Upon a Secret” includes a couple of truly vile episodes in which the president humiliated Mimi by telling her to service other men sexually.”
Speaking for myself, the lows I refer to are not the womanizing. I am referring to the fact that the guy speaks and acts like a 4th grader and is the laughing stock of pretty everyone important in the world from his own staff to world leaders.
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