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I read several articles over the weekend that were pretty predictable. They were critical of Evangelicals and their support of Trump. There were valid points in these articles. And I think there were some unfair points too. Instead of rehashing any of these articles, I’ve got some different questions for Evangelicals – questions that I’m truly curious about. If you are a self-described Evangelical Christian, please take a moment an answer these questions. They aren’t easy. But your answers will help me understand how you live out your faith every day and how your beliefs about the world make sense to you.
Question #1 – Would you want Donald Trump as the pastor of your church? Why or why not? Leave policy aside. Forget about whether Jesus would support this policy or that policy. Just go with personality and character. Would Donald Trump make a good pastor in your church? What would make him good? What would make him bad?
Question #2 – Why are you so loyal to Trump? What is it about him that you have sworn allegiance to this man? Does his paying off of a porn star because of a sexual affair bother you at all? Does it affect your support of him? How is this different then Bill Clinton’s sexual situation? Did you get upset over that? Why?
Question #3 – What do you say to people who question your Christianity and claim that all you really are is a tool for the conservative political ideology? What is your belief about how Jesus calls on Christians to treat opponents and enemies?
Question #4 – If someone doesn’t agree with you and they are self-described as a Christian, what does that make them? Can someone be a Christian and not agree with your beliefs? How about your political beliefs, preferences, and loyalties? Do you believe that it is your faith that informs your politics or that politics informs your faith? Please explain.
Question #5 – How does Jesus’ teachings of the Sermon on the Mount impact your theological beliefs and then in turn impact how you live each day? What about Jesus teaching about welcoming the stranger? How about feeding those that are hungry? How does any of Jesus’ teaching directly impact your daily life? How do you live out your faith?
These questions aren’t meant to be an insult – I am genuinely curious. They aren’t easy questions though either. I’d be curious to hear what difficult questions you would have for someone like me. Careful though – I’m happy to give you my answers, but you may not like them. For one thing, I don’t fit into the nice, neat dichotomy of left-right political ideas.
Laced up Lutheran 
Matthew, I hope you get some responses because I would like to read them.
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I hope people read this sincerely and answer. I hope they ask me some difficult questions too. I hope they point out how I am skewed in my questioning. I mostly hope for dialogue and understanding.
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I would respond, but I don’t have issues with what you wrote.
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I know. Thanks anyway.
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Such important questions! I, like you, also don’t fit into a perfect political mold; still, I’m considerably more one than the other. Here’s what I propose: let’s all clean up our own houses. Republican? Look for corruption on the right. Democrat? Same assignment on the left. Each group, seek out waste and inefficiency in their own party. Instead of deifying your party’s candidates, hold them accountable! Just imagine how quickly things would improve if this became standard operating procedure.
Thanks for this thought provoking post!
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Easier said than done, but I like the sentiment. It would have to start with a common definition of corruption. Something else that would help would be the two parties allowing other parties to participate fully in the process. I won’t hold my breath for that though. To much power at stake to voluntarily give it up. Politics isn’t about empowering people. It’s about hoarding power for oneself. That is part of what makes it inherently difficult to reform and change.
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Aileen, I love this idea! However, I agree with Matthew that it is unlikely to get off the ground. Politics is power–not reasonableness. But we, as individuals, can follow this path; that’s what I try to do.
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Oh I don’t expect it to happen on a global scale overnight. But like you say, just hoping to model the behavior I seek in others. I can’t stand us versus them language in any form.
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That’s where it starts Aileen. And if others jump on board, then it grows from there. I wonder if there is something we can all do together in our own contexts to move this along. I’m open to ideas. I’m all about tangible calls to action for people to do. I think it requires us to take the first step – to make it safe enough for others to do so to. What are your thoughts Aileen and Tim?
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I’m thinking… what I try to do is counter any us vs them comments with something like, “I think there’s enough blame to go around,” or “I’m not worried about that party–I’m worried about my own…” naturally this isn’t earth shattering change. But it’s my way of introducing that way of thought into the ocean of divisiveness. I too am open to other ideas. And I appreciate very much the discussion. 🤔
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I try some of the same language. I just wonder if there is more. I’ll have a post on this topic tomorrow morning. I think this is something that will be developing.
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My focus in life is not politics and politics does not go far beyond my limited personal FB page of close relatives and old school buddies. I try to be personally responsible, advocate selected issues and candidates, and vote. I do not belong to a political party, so I have no party loyalties.
I have my opinions, but I do try to listen to other people and am open to learning from them.
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Aileen, I resonate with that. We need to find common ground, accept when either party is right (we are not enemies). In my opinion, where we differ is on individual policies–not the parties themselves; so it is on specific policy that we need to talk, find common ground, compromise, and move forward the best we can.
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