Evangelicals, Trump and scripture

Powerful, wealthy evangelical preachers have embraced Donald Trump, despite his flagrant violations of what just about anybody would consider to be Christian values. His willingness to posture as a friend to their followers while helping to boost their own status has endeared him to the likes of Paula White, Ralph Reed, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell Jr., Franklin Graham and Joel Osteen.

For for all their references to Jesus and God’s word, these pastors seem to have forgotten what their own holy scriptures have to say about pride, dishonesty and greed. Here are a few passages that make the point more clearly.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT PEOPLE LIKE TRUMP, AND THE PASTORS WHO ENABLE HIM

Beware of false prophets

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4:

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. Jeremiah 23:16

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 2 Peter 2:1-3

He’s a smooth operator

For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. Romans 16:18

Nobody is greedier than Donald

And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 2 Peter 2:3

The chaotic Trump presidency

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints.  1 Corinthians 14:33

The smooth talker who sows division

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. Romans 16:17-18

His authority will last less than four years

. . . and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months . . . Revelation 13:1-18

Favoring pleasure and desire over truth

And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 2 Peter 2:2

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

But in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his evil; all of them have become like Sodom to me, and its inhabitants like Gomorrah. Jeremiah 23:14