A lot of Christians support Trump, and that is a mystery to me. Many are Republicans, I know, and that explains some of it. Others hated Hillary and that also explains a bit. But in my book, the public policies and personal behavior of President Trump are reasons enough to renounce the man and look for another.
But many Christians reject this road of faith-based renunciation. Not only do they tolerate these misdeeds, they speak about Trump as if he is God’s anointed. Some of them actually refer to him as the anointed of God. I recently commented on this in a Facebook thread and here are two of the responses I received: “Donald Trump talks about salvation. I’m not sure there has ever been a bolder public statement of faith coming from the White House. Simply amazing. Tears.” And: “My soul is encouraged that the President of the United States is so bold to give redemption and the power of a Christ-changed life affirmation! God bless our President and our nation!”
Perhaps you can understand the mystery.
But this is not the first time the Christian community has been so deeply split on matters public and political. For many years, Christians in American were split north and south about race: slavery, segregation, and prejudice. And in our time, Christians everywhere are split about abortion and homosexuality and women in ministry. In fact, differences on these issues are splitting entire denominations and congregations. Across the Atlantic, a mere 80 years ago, Christians in Germany were split about Germany and her leader, the infamous Hitler. The majority of churches and church people went along with his vision; and those who resisted, creating what is known as the Confessing Church, were, first, a minority, and second, martyred. Many of them, anyway, including the famous Dietrich Bonhoeffer. During the American Revolution, Christians up and down the east coast disagreed on the entire enterprise. Some remained loyal to England and her king; and some pitched their lot with the revolutionaries and their vision.
Today, Christians around the world are divided on what to do about the Middle East. Russia, with its Orthodox Christianity, backs Syria, with its Orthodox Christianity; Protestants in America and Europe side with the Palestinians, including the Christians in that population but the Evangelicals in America have thrown their support to Israel and the Jews. And 500 years ago—remember that? We call it the Reformation. There weren’t just two sides in that argument, but legion, many. And it was all Christians, everywhere, taking sides, splitting hairs, raising armies, making war, pulling out, and building up. Everybody thought they were right and everybody else wrong. And it was all Christians, professing Christians, at least.
But these historical summaries are little consolation to the millions trapped in the emotions of political action. Let’s all confess it: it is hard to look around us and tolerate those on the other side of the political fence. We think they have renounced the faith, and they think we are missing the work of God. How can this be? How can people who claim the name of Jesus think so differently among ourselves, and act in such opposite ways, all the time invoking the name of Jesus and the blessing of God.
It is a mystery. I don’t understand it. Not then, not now. From where I am standing the glass is so dark. Not only for me, but for many. One friend, a pastor for 30 years, wrote me recently, reflecting on these differences in the Christian community: “I’m very close to renouncing Christianity and going to another faith tradition.” I understand his frustration. I don’t have an answer.
A lot of Christians support Trump, and that is a mystery to me. Many are Republicans, I know, and that explains some of it. Others hated Hillary and that also explains a bit. But in my book, the public policies and personal behavior of President Trump are reasons enough to renounce the man and look for another.
But many Christians reject this road of faith-based renunciation. Not only do they tolerate these misdeeds, they speak about Trump as if he is God’s anointed. Some of them actually refer to him as the anointed of God. I recently commented on this in a Facebook thread and here are two of the responses I received: “Donald Trump talks about salvation. I’m not sure there has ever been a bolder public statement of faith coming from the White House. Simply amazing. Tears.” And: “My soul is encouraged that the President of the United States is so bold to give redemption and the power of a Christ-changed life affirmation! God bless our President and our nation!”
Perhaps you can understand the mystery.
But this is not the first time the Christian community has been so deeply split on matters public and political. For many years, Christians in American were split north and south about race: slavery, segregation, and prejudice. And in our time, Christians everywhere are split about abortion and homosexuality and women in ministry. In fact, differences on these issues are splitting entire denominations and congregations. Across the Atlantic, a mere 80 years ago, Christians in Germany were split about Germany and her leader, the infamous Hitler. The majority of churches and church people went along with his vision; and those who resisted, creating what is known as the Confessing Church, were, first, a minority, and second, martyred. Many of them, anyway, including the famous Dietrich Bonhoeffer. During the American Revolution, Christians up and down the east coast disagreed on the entire enterprise. Some remained loyal to England and her king; and some pitched their lot with the revolutionaries and their vision.
Today, Christians around the world are divided on what to do about the Middle East. Russia, with its Orthodox Christianity, backs Syria, with its Orthodox Christianity; Protestants in America and Europe side with the Palestinians, including the Christians in that population but the Evangelicals in America have thrown their support to Israel and the Jews. And 500 years ago—remember that? We call it the Reformation. There weren’t just two sides in that argument, but legion, many. And it was all Christians, everywhere, taking sides, splitting hairs, raising armies, making war, pulling out, and building up. Everybody thought they were right and everybody else wrong. And it was all Christians, professing Christians, at least.
But these historical summaries are little consolation to the millions trapped in the emotions of political action. Let’s all confess it: it is hard to look around us and tolerate those on the other side of the political fence. We think they have renounced the faith, and they think we are missing the work of God. How can this be? How can people who claim the name of Jesus think so differently among ourselves, and act in such opposite ways, all the time invoking the name of Jesus and the blessing of God.
It is a mystery. I don’t understand it. Not then, not now. From where I am standing the glass is so dark. Not only for me, but for many. One friend, a pastor for 30 years, wrote me recently, reflecting on these differences in the Christian community: “I’m very close to renouncing Christianity and going to another faith tradition.” I understand his frustration. I don’t have an answer.
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