I was invited to share my view on a Facebook reflection about the current President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump. The Facebook reflection was more of a critic than a reflection. And though Trump was the visible subject of the post, Christians who have shown the modicum of support to him were the real target of the post. Since I am not an American, and that I live in Africa, I feel quite free to give my opinion on this matter since I don't have a bone to fight for on this matter, nor did the person who wrote the Facebook post since he is neither American and he also lives in Africa. We are both expressing our views since this is a free world (last that I checked!). Below are my thoughts on what I considered to be an incorrect appreciation on this matter on the part of the Facebook post writer. The Facebook post is in RED and my comments are in BLACK......................
Interesting post. However, I have mixed feelings about your take on this matter. I would agree with some points and disagree with others. Let me share briefly a few thoughts!
1) "One of the mistakes we make as Christians is to stand behind a political leader who claims to be a Christian or who proves to be friendly to Christianity; hoping that they will bring back Christian values in the nation,"
I do not see why you call this a mistake. Is there anything in scriptures or in Church tradition that says that standing for or supporting a political leader who 'proves to be friendly' to Christianity is a MISTAKE?
I do not see anything remotely similar to your value judgment in the Holy Scriptures (Bible). I think the scriptures on the contrary require us to show respect to authority, even non-Christian authorities. The Lord Jesus did recognize Governor Pilate's authority as coming from above (John19.11), and so did St. Paul with regard to all political authorities (Romans 13.1).
"Every person must be subject to the governing authorities, for no authority exists except by God's permission. The existing authorities have been established by God, so that whoever resists the authorities opposes what God has established, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves." - Romans 13:1-2 ISV
Those who believe that political authorities will bring or bring back Christian value to a nation are partly correct. In one sense, authorities can create a favorable atmosphere that allows godly values to be easily spread as St. Paul points out in 1Timothy2:1-4. But on the other sense, political authorities can not do anything beyond laying down a favorable condition that allows the gospel to spread, for the spreading of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is the specific purview and role to be undertaken by believers and faith communities. Hence political figures, though imperfect, are simply regarded as allies for that purpose.
2) "and some even believe that they are serving the Lord by supporting such a person; and this, in my opinion, seems to be why American evangelicals support Trump."
Yes, your opinion on this is quite correct. Many Americans do support the current president of the United State, Donald Trump because they believe they are doing the work of the Lord by supporting someone who wants to prevent the unjust death of prenatal babies. You are right on the money on that!
3) "But this is one of the wrong ways to bring the Kingdom of God in a nation."
Actually, the scriptures seem to show the opposite. St. Paul has asked believers to pray for ALL those who are in authority so that citizens may live a peaceful life and that this will allow the spreading of the Gospel of the Kingdom.
"[pray] for kings, and for everyone who has authority, so that we might lead a quiet and peaceful life with all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to know the truth fully." - 1Timothy 2:2-4 MKV
4) "History proves that Christianity thrives where Christians are committed to a godly life, rather than loyalty to a political figure."
It is true that Christianity strives not because of political figures but because of Christians. And one of the godly things Christian can do is first to support authorities in prayers (1Timothy 2:1-4). The other thing could be not to stop those who help you gather for the Kingdom of God even if he is not part of your team (Luke 29.50).
In Luke 9:50, it is said, "Jesus told him, "Don't stop him! Because whoever is not against you is for you.""
It was true then, and it is true now. Christians shouldn't try to stop those who are not against them. Or to use your own expression, those who "who proves to be friendly to Christianity". If Trump has 'prove to be friendly to Christianity', as you pointed out, why would anyone try to disobey the word of the Lord Jesus by trying to stop him?
5) "To this, you add the fact that we have so many examples of people who come in a "Christian suit" and destroy lives and nations."
Well, this is true and it is sad. You find it in all strata of society: Police officers, Missionaries, Bible teachers, Theologians, Preachers, Pastors, Priests, Teachers, Scientists, Politicians, Businessmen, Parents, Friends, family members, Athletes, Judges, etc.
No one is perfect and we should be prompt to recognize it. And the very fact that we have multiple Church denominations within Christianity which contradict each other should be ample evidence that the malady is not on politicians solely, and we should thread the waters more carefully when we finger point obvious or imagined imperfection of others!
6) "It is beyond desperate, for Christians to think of having a political leader who's sympathetic to them as a win for Christianity."
Why think it to be desperate? Does the Bible tell us it is desperate and if yes, where is it written? As far as I know, the Lord Jesus said not to stop those who are with us, and we should heed his advice and continue to pray for all those in authority, including President Trump who is "sympathetic to them" according to your own words!
7) "Christian standards aren't based on who is being good to us, no matter how they treat everyone else, it is instead, about loving the Lord with all your heart, and loving others as yourself"
This is unnecessary to oppose these two important issues. Firstly, Loving the Lord with all our heart, mind, and soul and loving others as our neighbors is a non-negotiable for Christian believers in the Lord.
Secondly, Those who are in authority must be supported through prayers and by avoiding to impede their works if those works (policies) are not against us (anti-abortions, etc). Moreover, those established in authority must be respected due to the dignity of their office. St. Paul wrote his letters in a time when Christians were persecuted both by the Jewish authority and the Roman authority and yet he admonishes believers to give honor to authority not to speak derogatorily to them. This is the Christian way as exemplified in the New Testament Church in Scriptures!
Romans 13:5, "Therefore, it is necessary for you to be acquiescent to the authorities, not only for the sake of God's punishment, but also for the sake of your own conscience."
"Romans 13:7, "Pay everyone whatever you owe them—taxes to whom taxes are due, tolls to whom tolls are due, fear to whom fear is due, honor to whom honor is due."
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