Why do so
many American Christians—especially evangelicals—support President Trump? That’s a
question that has puzzled me for some time.
One common
answer is hatred of Hillary Clinton. Some evangelicals say they didn’t vote for Trump; they voted against Clinton. However, this doesn’t
explain the high level of support he continues to receive (about 70%) now that
the election is over.
Another answer
is abortion, and a chance for a Republican president to swing the Supreme Court
to the right—and perhaps overturn Roe vs.
Wade. There is truth in that.
Other suggestions
include the belief that God ordained for Trump to win. In this view, he’s a
modern King Cyrus, a non-believing and deeply-flawed king who, according to the
book of Isaiah, was used by God for his purposes.
Then
there’s the fact that Trump promised to stand up for them—no small thing for a
group of people (evangelicals) who feel they are a persecuted minority in the
U.S. today.
There is
a ring of truth to all these things. But I’d like to suggest another: For many
of these more right-wing Christians, Trump is like the God they believe in.
For fundamentalist
Christians in particular, and for some evangelicals, God is not some
wishy-washy progressive liberal who changes his mind, accepts and loves everyone—even
if they are gay—and unequivocally extends the hand of peace and forgiveness to
any and all. (Like Obama.)
Instead,
for many of them God is a fierce warrior king who fights. He has power, and he
isn’t afraid to use it.
He’s a
God of right and wrong, black and white, with me or against me—no middle
ground. There is only one right way, and everyone needs to follow it.
He’s a
God of rules. There are commandments and laws that must be followed. Unless he breaks
his own rules; he can do that. After all, he’s God.
He’s a
God who can’t be contained or restrained. Human reasoning, ideas and rules don’t
apply to him. He will do what he wants, when he wants, and how he wants.
He’s a God
who judges. Yes, he extends mercy—but only to those who accept him and his ways.
Those who don’t are cast away.
He’s a
God who punishes and isn’t afraid to do it. He doesn’t want to, but what choice
does he have if people won’t accept his truth and ways?
He’s a God
of absolutes. There is no equivocation in him.
He’s a
God who brooks no dissent or doubts. Dissenters and doubters are not
allowed. Only true believers will gain the inner sanctum and blessing.
He’s a God
with a temper; don’t anger him!
He’s a God
who chooses and takes sides. He isn’t afraid to make enemies. He knows he is
right.
He’s a God
who demands obedience and true faith. No doubts allowed!
He’s a God
who is mysterious and unfathomable. The things he says and does can seem
incongruous and inconsistent, but that’s just because as mere mortals we can’t
understand or comprehend his ways. He
has a plan; we just don’t see it. We need to trust in his divine providence. He
knows what he is doing, and ultimately it is for our best. (Even if it sometimes
seems crazy.)
He’s a
God like Trump, in other words. Or, better put, Trump is a president like this
kind of God. Don’t believe me? Put the word “president” in the lines above
where it says “God” and see what it looks like.
Scary, isn’t it?
Of
course, this is a bit of a stretch. And if you posed this to Christian Trump
supporters, they would discount it. But there seems to be a kernel of truth in
it. Or, at least, a sense of theological familiarity and resonance.
(By-the-way,
this was the kind of God I grew up with. I'm just sharing the way God was presented to me.)
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