I get the impression that many Christians (particularly evangelicals), who voted for Donald Trump, believed that the goal they sought for Christian renewal in America could be achieved, at least in part, by Trump in the office of the presidency. They believed this despite Trump’s demonstrated narcissism, manipulative ways, dishonesty, arrogance, greed, racism, misogyny, intolerance, bullying, authoritarianism, and lack of empathy.
Many seemed to think that Trump, regardless of these detractions, would be good for Christianity and for what they regard as Christian values (which, for many, often include nationalist and hidden white supremacist values). He would carve out a special place for their Christianity. He would give them power and would support their effort to define the United States as a Christian nation, as many have argued falsely that it was in its origins.
Trump’s election, for many, was a matter of “the end justifies the means,” when the truth is that the end is inherent in the means. If the means are wrong so will be the end. If the motivations and means are right, the end and goal will be right.
As Jesus said, “The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil, for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:4-5 )
The desire for a fighter like Trump to pave a way for Christianity demonstrates the falseness of motive and purpose on the part of Christians who were taken in by him. It may also reveal their desire to have positions of power in order to force their particular kind of Christianity on others. It certainly demonstrates a way of thinking and acting that is distant from Christ who did not seek power over people or systems. He came as a servant. He said of himself: “For the Human One came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) Jesus exercised power, but it was not over others, but rather power to heal and liberate others.
Jesus called his disciples to the same path of serving others. Furthermore, he called them to be light in the world, not join the darkness in seeking to get their way and carve out a special place for their religion. If they choose a bully to be president, what keeps them from being bullies.
Instead of power over others and dictating the lives of others, Jesus told would-be followers to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him in serving, in the work of healing and liberating those who are hurt and bound.
Without such following of Jesus, we will choose other leaders to follow. We will choose one who promises to establish us over others, one who will fix things for us. We will choose a bully who breaks up families and destroys people’s lives and easily takes us to war and to other acts of destruction, killing and maiming.
I pray that, as a nation, we would wake up. Wake up to what we choose for ourselves and the world. I pray for those of us who go by the name of Christ, that we wake up to the truth of Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit.