Mr. Trump, Does Christianity Need You?

            In this time and age where political correctness (a.k.a compromising one’s faith) supersedes honesty, I was pleasantly shocked to hear Donald Trump, the US Presidential candidate, promise to protect Christianity if he would be elected to power. Trump, in his recent address at the Liberty University, said, “We're going to protect Christianity…If you look at what's going on throughout the world...Christianity is under siege.” Trump also assured to ease the passage of persecuted Christians into the USA and salvage “Merry Christmas” over “Happy Holidays.”

            Some fellow Christians love Trump for his exceptionally vocal support for Christianity. Christians love to be protected and cared for, especially when we are the object of hate!

            Trump is not our average role model Christian. But some Christians love Trump in spite of his many debt-defaults, multiple marriages, and ignorance of the Bible. Some even predict that American Christians could vote for Trump in droves.

            I am not an American citizen. I am not into politics. I do not desire to advise who the Americans should vote for or not.

            But I am Christian. I believe that the Bible offers precious truths about our future. So I desire to analyze world affairs through the Christian perspective.

            I have also observed politicians, both the aspiring and incumbent, using religion as a means to their victory. So I use Trump as a case in point, from the biblical standpoint, to ponder over the necessity of politicians to protect Christianity especially when Christianity is under assault.

            I am not saying that Christian politicians are unnecessary. Christians should get into politics for the sake of good governance. But allow me to explore if Christian politicians could protect Christianity or not.

            Is Donald Trump necessary for Christianity?

God’s Will

            God is sovereign. God is more powerful than all that has been, is, and ever shall be. God has promised to be with HIS people unto the very end of the age.

            But God, according to HIS will and pleasure, protects some and allows persecution upon those whom HE chooses. God could intervene in world affairs, if HE considers it necessary.

            If God so desires that Christianity needs a protector, HE could pave way for Trump’s election. Trump would get elected if HE is appointed by God as Christianity’s savior.

            Therefore, if God wills, Trump would be a temporary necessity for Christianity.

Sinfulness of Man

            During every election in every country, politicians woo the religious leaders to endorse them. This is the political tradition. During this process, politicians with selfish ambitions portray themselves as a necessity for Christianity or any other religion. 

            I am not surprised at Trump’s assurance to protect Christianity. Trump offered his assurance to protect Christianity while speaking at Liberty – a Christian university.

            If Trump lived up to the political tradition and assured Christianity of protection, then he is merely cozying up to the Christian vote bank – 70% of American population. If this be the case, then Trump is merely exposing the innate sinfulness of mankind.

            A sinful man would do anything and everything, irrespective of whether it pleases God or not, to gain the object of his desire. Obviously, Trump desires to become the president of the most powerful country in the world. So, if he is debauched, he would do all it takes, even lie that he would protect Christians, to be the President of America.

            No one is perfect, says the Bible. All are sinners. Trump is as much a sinner as Clinton, Cruz or Carson.

            Unless the politician humbles himself in God’s presence, and consistently looks to God for direction, the politician is most likely to err and dispatch Christianity into more perilous times than the past. Thus, from the perspective of sin, no one is necessary to protect Christianity.

Evil of Revenge

            If Trump gets elected and if he lives up to his promise and protects Christianity, it is a given that Trump could only protect Christianity in America.

            Consider the other side of this coin as well. If Trump successfully protects Christians and Christianity in America, would Christians in the other parts of the world be safer than before?

            What would be the price that Christianity has to pay for its protection?

            Satan has temporary control over the world, so evil reigns. As long as Satan exists, evil would persevere. Evil ensures revenge.

            Could there be a vengeful backlash against Christians in the other parts of the world if America is to [brutally] contain or expel the non-Christian trouble makers from its soil? Possibly so!

            This possibly would be the price that American Christians ought to pay for their protection – the lives of their fellow Christians. Although Trump may or may not be necessary for the Christians in America, he need not be so for the Christians all over the world.

The End Times

            We live in the End Times. The Bible teaches us that peace and protection is not offered to the Christians during End Times.

            The last days present a gloomy picture for the Christians. Consider these verses, “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life.” (Luke 21: 8-19, NIV).

            If it is a given that Christians would be persecuted during the End Times, a protector is not a necessity. So for all we know, Trump’s assurance of protection could be a play to entice the Christian vote bank.

Impossibility of Absolute Protection

            Satan has already succeeded in dividing Christianity. Given this backdrop, Trump cannot protect all the Christians always on all matters. If Donald Trump assures Christians of protection, then he obviously should antagonize certain groups of people within Christianity.

            Consider “gay marriages” as a case in point.

            The Christian world is divided over “gay marriages.” Some Christian denominations endorse gay marriages, whereas others oppose. If Trump opposes gay marriages, then he evidently would antagonize the denominations favoring gay marriages. These Christian denominations would not consider Trump as a protector of Christianity – their version of Christianity rather.

            If Trump cannot protect all Christians at all times, then he is not absolutely necessary to Christianity.

Governance Versus Protection

            You could argue that Trump only intended to protect Christians from persecution. But in reality, ISIS harms both Christians and Muslims!

            Every religion is being persecuted under some pretext or the other in many countries. Muslims could contend that they are being persecuted in America, especially after 9/11.

            The hallmark of good governance is to ensure protection against evil for all citizens regardless of their religion. The sovereign God is merciful to both Christians and the non-Christians. God is even merciful to those who abuse HIM.

            Therefore, good governance is to protect people against all forms of evil. Good governance is to stand by truth at all costs.

            Christian politicians are required to do God’s will in the realm of politics. I believe it is God’s will that truth should prevail and evil be contained. Let us hope and pray that those elected to positions of power would impartially govern to bring joy and peace upon mankind.