Love God and Others: Is Donald Trump a Christian? Does it Matter?

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Is Donald Trump a Christian? Does it Matter?

From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."Matthew 4:17 These are the first words of Jesus in the Bible.

1Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 3:1-2 These are the first words of John the Baptist in the Bible.

They went out and preached that men should repent. Mark 6:12 This was the understanding of the disciples as they began their first missionary efforts.

2And Jesus said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? 3"I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:2-3

Because of the great ongoing debate about not working our way into heaven, there are many who make a theological argument that we believe and trust in God first, then God gives us the ability to cease from sin. This argument would say that we can be a Christian and not "repent." To be fair, the argument goes on to say that this would be a very odd situation. If a person has chosen God, loves God, and has made God his master, then to continue in sin would be a contradiction.

Others argue that the word repent actually means change your mind and turn to God. Our awaking comes from understanding that we are sinners and destined to perish if we don't turn toward God and ask Him to forgive us of our sins. Once we have recognized that we are sinners and desire a relationship with God, He offers of the gift of salvation, and the Holy Spirit begins a work in us.

When asked if he ever asked God for forgiveness, Trump said:

"I am not sure I have. I just go on and try to do a better job from there. I don't think so. I think if I do something wrong, I think, I just try and make it right. I don't bring God into that picture. I don't."

"When I drink my little wine -- which is about the only wine I drink -- and have my little cracker, I guess that is a form of asking for forgiveness, and I do that as often as possible because I feel cleansed. I think in terms of 'let's go on and let's make it right.'"

What are we to make of Trump and his view of God? We can't, of course, know his heart. Only God knows if Donald Trump is saved. We have many friends and family members who make various professions about Jesus or God, but who seem far from God in their acts or failures to act.

Jesus tells of the grain being planted in various types of soil, and that only some of that grain takes hold and results in fruit. Many highly respected pastors suggest that only 10 - 25% of those in the pews are saved.

The statements Trump has made look very much like a person who is at a bare minimum highly dependent on themselves and not so much on God. You could potentially see a lot of Nebuchadnezzar in Trump. "Look what I have created." God clearly shows over and over that the sin He hates most is pride, but is there any one among us who has conquered pride?

If I were to venture a guess, I don't think Trump is a true disciple of Christ. If he is saved, his treasure in heaven can be measured as being opposite to his treasure on earth that he seems so proud of.

Does it matter whether Trump is saved?

Every US President has claimed to be Christian. Some have indicated by their statements or actions that they were more reliant on God's direction than others. Recently Jimmy Carter and Bush 43 were were the most clear about their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Our current president has had to defend his stated belief In Jesus

My concern is less about whether he follows Christian doctrine and/or has a serious relationship with God. Currently my concern is with his actions, which seem to fly in the face of Christian standards. Calling folks names and being so overtly proud of himself both are disqualifying in my book.

"I try not to make mistakes where I would have to ask for forgiveness," Trump said. "When I am asked a question like that, I don't like to make a lot of mistakes."