The Bible Tells Me So

This was written by a former Evangelical pastor, Chris Kratzer

I just can't vote for Trump, the Bible tells me so.

Nope, I can’t do it.

My faith is grounded.

The biblical reasons are stacked far too high.

You can pressure me, guilt me, shame me, and demonize my existence. Call me “woke,” “backslidden,” or a “libtard.”

But, I can’t vote for Trump, the Bible tells me so.

Not just tells me, but screams it into my soul. Line by line, verse by verse. There's not one biblical reason to support him, and every biblical reason not to.

Nope, I can't vote for Trump, I won't vote for Trump, the Bible tells me so.

Reason One: Abortion

That's right… abortion.

The Scripture writer declared, “From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace. Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush.” Jeremiah 6:14-16

In this passage from the Bible, God is upset. The religious people of the day are exploiting harmful problems for personal, political gain and not addressing their true solutions. They act like they care, but intentionally allow the issues to remain unresolved. They outwardly insist that they desire a way forward, but inwardly they have no real desire at all.

Sadly, Trump and many conservative Evangelicals treat “abortion” in this exact same way.

They outwardly declare that they are “pro-life” and detest abortion. They feverishly rant against how many “babies” are being murdered. Many Evangelicals make abortion their defining issue as to the reason why they support Trump. They posture themselves as wanting to make it illegal, as if that was the cure. It all looks and sounds so spiritual to the casual observer. Yet, inwardly, they have little-to-no heart for a real solution. For if they did, they would be addressing, providing for, and adopting the proven remedies that positively impact abortion. But, they don’t.

Instead, with “deceit,” they want to keep the abortion issue alive because it manipulates their voters. It’s a political false flag, the last card they have in their deck. Without it, they have no drum to beat and no provocative enemy upon which to summon their troops to fight. The need to create the illusion that they lead the way against abortion while making sure it remains unresolved, so that they might remain in power.

In fact, perfectly credible and widely known statistics show that abortion rates have gone down significantly with the kind of leadership that approaches abortion holistically and addresses the real issues that can bring real change.

Yet ironically, these same statistics reveal that under Republican “pro-life” leadership, abortion actually significantly increases–that’s the facts.

With Trump at their side, conservatives “do not even know how to blush” at the truth about abortion; how they exploit it, and how they resist actual remedies. Instead, they declare “Pro-life, pro-life!” where there is no pro-life among them. All in hopes of drowning the biblical voice crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the ways of the Lord to heal abortion and cure its causes.” 

See, like most people, I detest abortion. I want to see it become a non-issue in our society. I want to see it remedied by good people who really care, who are willing to apply the difficult, but real solutions that work. I’m tired of people who are more interested in politics than life.

That’s why I can’t vote for Trump, the Bible tells me so.

Reason Two: Unrepentant Sin.

Most everyone agrees that sin is bad. Even Trump supporters acknowledge that Trump is an overly sinful man. He clearly exudes all of the Seven Deadly Sins listed in the Bible–no question about that. In fact, for some Trump supporters, they love his rebellious spirit, even against God.

Yet, right in the face of the clear teachings of the Bible, Christians who support Trump wave their many flags of excuses for his debauchery such as, “Everyone sins,” “We’re not electing a pastor” or, “Look at David in the Bible, he sinned, but God used him.”

To be sure, those statements are actually true. However, in Scripture, there is a huge, defining difference. God never raised up anyone for leadership who didn’t first repent of their sins. Not one, period. Scripturally, repentance has always been a precursor for being lifted up by God. That is the the clear teaching and example of the Bible.

Yet, without any pause in their steps, for many Christians who support Trump, they believe God anointed Him for leadership and to do His will in America and beyond.

However, given the fact that Trump has never repented of his sins, even when given the chance, this is a biblical impossibility. In fact, in many conservative Evangelical churches, Trump couldn’t even qualify to become their janitor without a verified repentance of sins, but somehow he can become their God-appointed President?

Still to this day, Trump refuses to repent. How do I know? The “fruits of repentance” that John the Baptist insisted upon in Scripture are nowhere to be found in Trump. In fact, his sinfulness has only increased.

“But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.’” Mathew 3:7-8

Trump is undeniably the same lying, profane, greedy, mocking, bullying, divisive, jealous, arrogant, narcissistic, and hateful man he was in his first presidency. That’s not a judgment, it’s an inescapable observation.

Despite the lipstick Evangelicals want to put on his chosen depravity, God is not interested in Trump’s appearances of meeting with Evangelicals, closing his eyes during prayers, randomly using Christian jargon, or waving a Bible around. Instead, God is interested in a humble, genuinely contrite heart. Sadly, a heart Trump neither has nor apparently desires.

As Jesus warned in Scripture, no unrepented, sin-ladened Trump-like tree can “produce good fruit.” It's Biblically impossible and contrary to God's heart and ways.

That's why, like so many, I want divine goodness for America. I want integrity and decency in our leadership. I want humble, teachable, kind people at the helm who show strength through maturity and stability.

That’s why I can’t vote for Trump, the Bible tells me so.

Reason three: The Lies.

Yes, just in his presidency alone, Trump made over 30,000 documented lies or misleading statements. Since then, his lying has only continued full throttle. With this blatant stronghold of deceit and lying in his life and leadership, to willfully follow him, vote for him, or give him loyalty is to pledge oneself to evil, is it not?

The Bible is absolutely clear.

“No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.” Psalm 101:7

“Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—how much worse lying lips to a ruler!” Proverbs 17:7

“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord” Proverbs 12:22

Ironically, most Christian Trump supporters insist that the LGBTQ community is biblically declared an “abomination” to the Lord and should never be supported, followed, or given influence in our society. Yet, these same Christians joyfully give a man, who the Bible declares as a lying “abomination,” their praise, worship, and anointing as a healthy, worthy, divine leader.

Once again, the Bible is absolutely clear.

“Let me describe for you a worthless and a wicked man; first, he is a constant liar; he signals his true intentions to his friends with eyes and feet and fingers. He is always thinking up new schemes to swindle people. He stirs up trouble everywhere. But he will be destroyed suddenly, broken beyond hope of healing.” Proverbs 6:12-16

Seemingly, there is no limit to what Trump is willing to lie about. Even putting the lives of Americans in harm's way. In fact, Trump was caught lying to the American people about the severity of the Covid-19 virus. Once again, declaring “Peace, peace” where there is no peace. Long after he knew about the lethal severity of the virus he even labeled it a “hoax.” Trump lied, millions died.

The Bible clearly teaches, nothing of God ever comes from lying.

That's why I want a truthful President. I want leadership that places honesty over personal gain. I want to be led by people who believe that “the truth shall set you free,” even if that truth is unpopular, difficult, or alarming. I want the Father of Lies not to be an object of political aspiration, but the subject of human and societal rejection.

Which is why I can’t vote for Trump, the Bible tells me so.

Reason four: Immigration.

Regardless of how conservative Evangelical Trump supporters label the position of “progressives,” no one wants illegal immigration or open borders as a national policy.” Once again, Trump supporters seem to relish in creating issues that aren’t real to deflect from addressing the ones that are.

If America is to become a Christian nation, as Republicans desire it to be, what happens when immigration (illegal or not) happens? How, biblically, are we to treat the foreigners and immigrants among us, no matter how they arrive? What happens with refugees who come to our border? And, how are we to biblically treat those who seek asylum and new life within our country?

Once again, the Bible has crystal clear answers.

“Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.” Exodus 22:21

“When the alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as a citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt:  I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:33-34

“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner.” Leviticus 19:9-10

“As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name— for they will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when they come and pray toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name.” (1 Kings 8:41-44)

“Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me,” says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 3:5

“For the Lord your God…loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing.  You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Deuteronomy 10:18-19

“The Lord watches over the strangers…” Psalm 146

“The aliens shall be to you as citizens, and shall also be allotted an inheritance.” Ezekiel 47:21

“…I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:31 (Jesus speaking)

Notice, Jesus doesn’t say they, “caged me,” “abused me,” “neutered me,” “separated me from family,” “starved me,” “made immigration nearly impossible for me,” “mocked me,” “slandered me,” or “murdered me.” 

No, he said of His true followers, they “welcomed” me.

Sadly, this is not the policy of president Trump, nor the Republicans, nor the desires of many of his Christian supporters, even the ones who claim their faithfulness to the Bible and its infallible inerrancy.

Instead, what God admonishes, they resist. 

For if you take the Scriptures seriously, the immigrant, the refugee, and the foreigner should not just be “welcomed” with sacrificial hospitality, but “wanted” as God’s own favored blessing.

They should be lifted high among all others. They should be loved, protected, and provided for with the same passion we love, protect, and provide for ourselves. They are not to be objects of racism, resentment, oppression, rejection, exploitation, or inconvenience. Rather, they should be honored as angels sent from above. They are us, and we are them. For in Christ, “there is neither Jew nor Gentile.”

Yes, I want a country in sync with God’s heart for the immigrant, the foreigner, the alien, and the refugee. I want a country in step with God’s biblical, unconditional “welcome,” “want,” and generous care for those outside of our borders who desire to come, live, and find new life within us. 

That’s why I can’t vote for Trump, the Bible tells me so.

Reason five: Love your Neighbor as Yourself.

“‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Matthew 12:31

“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” Matthew 5:44

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18

As a former white, conservative Evangelical pastor of 20 years, I know deeply how the Evangelical system works. I’m not trying to slam the faith or the people within it, but the unbiblical evils must be chased out of the shadows, especially the hate.

For most everything within white, conservative Evangelicalism isn’t focused on having a neighbor to love, but rather based upon having an enemy that must be hated. Fear of these enemies is their ultimate motivator, not love. They will create it, fabricate it, and inflame it.

In fact, when it's all said and done, the Evangelical brand of Christianity is nothing without fear and the hate it awakens…

Just listen…

“If we love minorities as ourselves, they’ll take over the church and society, and we’ll lose our church, way of life, and power.”

“If we love black people as ourselves with true equality, true police accountability, true legal fairness, true economic justice, and true opportunity, we’ll have to admit our racism and white privilege, lose our way of life, and surrender our power.”

Do you hear the fear in their hearts?

“If we love our wives as ourselves, reject sexism, and stop demanding that women submit to men, they’ll take over the family, usurp male power, and run the church and society into the ground.”

“If we love the LGBTQ community as ourselves, our patriarchal power will be dismantled, our bigotry will be exposed, and all of our male-driven, conservative Christianity will be flushed down the drain.”

“If we love special needs people as ourselves, we’ll have to make an honored and equal place for them in society, overpowering our “normal” lives with inconvenience.”

Yes indeed, their fear is deeply rooted.

“If we love the least-of-these as ourselves with economic equality, free health care, free college, a living wage, social security, long-term care, and the removal of poverty, we won’t be able to fund our industrial military complex and foster our self-serving economic system of unlimited socialism for top and harsh capitalism for the bottom.”

“If we love the environment as ourselves with significant building and development restrictions, environmental controls, and clean energy standards and investments, we won’t be able to feed our insatiable appetites for economic and personal greed.”

So, in the face of all these Evangelical fears, the Bible makes it clear.

“Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least among you, you did not do for me.'” -Matthew 25:41-45

“He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich–both come to poverty.” -Proverbs 22:16

“Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” -Ezekiel 16:49

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” James 2:8-9

See, where God admonishes that our highest motivation should be the unconditional love and care for all of humanity equally, in contrast, there is truly no other fuel that drives the Evangelical Death Star than having enemies to fear, hate, marginalize, fight, and treat unequally.

This is why Trump has the addictive support and allegiance of most conservative Evangelicals. For the only thing they apparently understand is fear, and Trump speaks their language like no other. He mocks special needs people, bullies his perceived enemies, embraces racism, fosters white supremacy, mistreats women, ignites division, worships greed, and loves himself above all things.

Biblically, this is the ultimate blaspheme of the Spirit.

To see love as the enemy.

To see fear as a friend.

To see destroying enemies as the goal.

To fight at all cost with lies, violence, duplicity, and sin.

To see a white, conservative, Republican, American Jesus as the way, truth, and life.

And to pursue white, conservative Evangelicalism as the Kingdom.

That's why I want a President with whom love is greater than fear. I want a country where to love all people equally is seen as a friend of patriotism not an enemy of it. I want the character of a great person, a great society, a great economy, and a great nation to be defined by their love for all people equally, not greed, fear, nor hate.

That’s why I can’t vote for Trump.

Not because of politics.

Not because of power.

Not because of pride.

I can't vote for Trump, because the Bible tells me so.

Period.

(Written by Chris Kratzer)

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