Donald Trump has been bringing religion into the conversation more and more recently.
He keeps saying he is led by God, and he thanks God for anything that happens that he likes, like the time that would-be assassin put a bullet through his ear. He thanked God for saving him (although he never mentioned the guy behind him who took the bullet and died).
Remember the time he posed in front of The National Cathedral and held up a Bible (upside down) so a photo could be taken of him? (Remember also how it infuriated the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of Washington?).
Or more recently, remember when he showed the world an old, battered Bible (presumably the one that contains the book “Two Corinthians”) he claimed was the family Bible that his mother gave him? (“I remember my mother giving it to me.”) He indicated it will be on public display someday.
But most of all, he wants to turn the U.S. government into a Christian government, a movement that has nothing to do with Christianity and everything to do with politics. It’s called Christian Nationalism, and it wants to make the U.S. government a Christian government, which it is not and never was intended to be.
What brings this to mind today is a recent Substack newsletter, Caitlin’s Newsletter, written by Caitlin Johnstone. She was inspired by the words of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), but her reply fits Trump so closely I couldn’t resist quoting her.
What specifically inspired her was Graham’s warning that God will “pull the plug” on Americans if they stop supporting Israel.
“This is not a hard choice if you’re an American. It’s not a hard choice if you’re a Christian,” Graham said. “A word of warning: if America pulls the plug on Israel, God will pull the plug on us. And we’re not going to let that happen.”
That quote drove Ms. Johnstone into the Old and New testaments in search of passages that might help Graham along. They apply so closely to Trump that I couldn’t resist sharing them with you. I’m sure they will guide both Graham and Trump in their search for Truth:
Exodus 20:13, “You shall not murder.”
Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
Lamentations 2:19, “Lift your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint for hunger at the head of every street.”
Proverbs 24:11, “Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.”
Psalm 101:7, “No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.”
Proverbs 6:16–19, “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”
Deuteronomy 27:25, “Cursed be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood.”
Mark 12:31, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Romans 14:19, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
Second Corinthians 13:11, “Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
Ephesians 4:3, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Hebrews 12:14, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
James 3:18, “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
First Peter 3:11, “They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.”
Galatians 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Luke 6:35–36, “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Genesis 12:3: “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
- Trump’s Actions Go Against Biblical Teachings
- Leaders like Trump have always existed. Here’s what Scripture says about them.
- The Christian Response to Trump
- Donald Trump and Uses and Misuses of the Bible
- Gavin Newsom has a Trump-trolling merch website. The ‘Bible’ is already ‘sold out’
