Trump: Godless Boaster or Answer to Our Prayers?

Lots of people like Donald Trump. His unabashed rhetoric and his larger-than-life accomplishments charm people. Yuuuge crowds dominate his rallies. Contrary to the mainstream media, posing the real estate mogul as a Nativist fraud, Americans of diverse backgrounds love the Donald. Even when National Review blasted his dwindling numbers at an Alabama campaign event, and conservative commentators are stuck asking: “Where’s the beef?”, Trump’s polling numbers rise, with one pitching him at 41%.

What should Evangelical Christians think? Should they vote for him? Or should they shout at him: “You’re Fired?” He sounds like the Answer to many Christians’ prayers. He wants to bring back “Merry Christmas”, and he has no problem calling out the attacks against Christians, including their merciless decimation in the Middle East. He has donated to numerous charities, and can even take a joke.

And yet, is Donald a Christian? Is he even going to heaven? Trump certainly thinks so. He believes that he is a Christian going to heaven. “I hope so. That’s what I strive for.”

Really? Heaven is not about works, but the grace. Any sound reading of the New Testament will place the power in God’s hands, and His grace to all men who believe on Him. Jesus declared: “This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom he hath sent.” (John 6: 29). Paul affirmed repeatedly to the Ephesians who saves: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2: 8-9)

Not what we do, but what Jesus did. Yet Trump loves to talk about what he does. “I make deals. We’ll fix it. I will build a wall.” Notice also the problem of boasting. Man needs to know that he receives all things freely from Him (Romans 8: 31-32)

Donald Trump (Michele Sandberg)

Trump is a smart guy, but he wants everyone to know it, and to know that he knows it, too. This intellect lacks an effective muzzle to some spectators. Pastors and spiritual leaders in America wonder if anyone can get behind an unfiltered candidate who not only talks tough, but recklessly, too:

“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” (Proverbs 29: 11)

The same candidate who forced Obama to release his long form birth certificate, also offended with this:

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

He has since then walked back those comments, claiming that he loves the Mexican people. No one should read into the comments to suggest that he hates Mexicans. It's chrystal clear he leveled his attacks against the criminals entering the country illegally,

He also attacked Fox News Anchor Megyn Kelly, who immediately questioned him on his frank yet insulting remarks toward women. He also mocked Carly Fiorina’s face, but she had the last laugh. Trump even took unsightly digs at Marco Rubio’s sweat. Really? He recently mocked a reporter with disabilities, too. Political incorrectness is one thing, but transformed into shameful demagoguery, the power of the message is lost, and so is our credibility.

If a man cannot control his tongue, then he has no control at all: “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” (James 3: 5)

Donald Trump, a man who “boasts great things”, refuses to watch what he says. Can Christians, conservatives trust him in the White House as the Spokesman for the United States?

Also, with pride comes a great fall. Donald Trump believes he does not have to ask God for forgiveness, he believes that his works will get him to heaven. If there is any god he worships, it seems more likely to be himself. If he can control his tongue and rally support from across denominations and ethnic groups, he can make it. Otherwise, his train wreck may be coming soon.