Post by Josh on Jan 16, 2021 13:48:04 GMT -8
Originally poste on September 4, 2020, this one got a lot of feedback on facebook:
There are problematic philosophies on the left and the right, but the biggest problem is the man in charge
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
-Jesus
Matthew 7:15-20
Trump is Destroying Democracy in Broad Daylight
Most responses focused on perceived mistruths in the article. Here are some of my replies:
A couple things: point out a “lie” in the article and let’s discuss it. All of these claims are things I’ve read about independently from this article.
The only one that I think is unfair is the insinuation that Trump seriously advocated injecting bleach. In reality, he was just spouting off dumb half baked ideas in real time as he does, in the most unPresidential manner.
Also, please don’t assume I support Biden just because I criticize Trump. I focus mostly on him because I take particular issue with the blind adherence to him that I see in many of my evangelical (brothers and sisters)
My larger point was simply to those who want to say “well, Trump is an idiot or a narcissicist or a callous jerk BUT he’s getting the job done”, Jesus has words for you: “A bad tree cannot bear good fruit”
I’m saying Trump has all the symptoms of a bad tree. Jesus said bad trees cannot produce good fruit. Since it seems possible that even a bad actor might sometimes get some incidental things right I think Jesus’ larger point is even if false prophets accomplish some things that are good, steer clear because the overall effect of their actions/ the final verdict will be evil.
6-7 years ago most evangelicals would have agreed in their assessment of Trump but now that he’s President and dangles certain carrots they are willing to ignore it. He never repented of his former life, in fact he lauds it, but because he is offering power many of us want to grab it. But ends don’t justify the means. And political power is intoxicating- making the church not think straight.
Trump is a particularly bad tree. Take the list of the fruits of the Spirit:
Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control.
I see no evidence of any of these in him. Most politicians at least exhibit a few.
Trump has said that he doesn’t ask God for forgiveness. Here’s the video where he says that and fauns over his “pastor” Norman Vincent Peale.
I don’t think he gets the gospel. I pray that he will. Pence? I think he is one of those evangelicals whose thoughts I’m trying to challenge. I think he is convinced that political power for evangelicals is worth putting up with ridiculousness.
There are problematic philosophies on the left and the right, but the biggest problem is the man in charge
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
-Jesus
Matthew 7:15-20
Trump is Destroying Democracy in Broad Daylight
Most responses focused on perceived mistruths in the article. Here are some of my replies:
A couple things: point out a “lie” in the article and let’s discuss it. All of these claims are things I’ve read about independently from this article.
The only one that I think is unfair is the insinuation that Trump seriously advocated injecting bleach. In reality, he was just spouting off dumb half baked ideas in real time as he does, in the most unPresidential manner.
Also, please don’t assume I support Biden just because I criticize Trump. I focus mostly on him because I take particular issue with the blind adherence to him that I see in many of my evangelical (brothers and sisters)
My larger point was simply to those who want to say “well, Trump is an idiot or a narcissicist or a callous jerk BUT he’s getting the job done”, Jesus has words for you: “A bad tree cannot bear good fruit”
I’m saying Trump has all the symptoms of a bad tree. Jesus said bad trees cannot produce good fruit. Since it seems possible that even a bad actor might sometimes get some incidental things right I think Jesus’ larger point is even if false prophets accomplish some things that are good, steer clear because the overall effect of their actions/ the final verdict will be evil.
6-7 years ago most evangelicals would have agreed in their assessment of Trump but now that he’s President and dangles certain carrots they are willing to ignore it. He never repented of his former life, in fact he lauds it, but because he is offering power many of us want to grab it. But ends don’t justify the means. And political power is intoxicating- making the church not think straight.
Trump is a particularly bad tree. Take the list of the fruits of the Spirit:
Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control.
I see no evidence of any of these in him. Most politicians at least exhibit a few.
Trump has said that he doesn’t ask God for forgiveness. Here’s the video where he says that and fauns over his “pastor” Norman Vincent Peale.
I don’t think he gets the gospel. I pray that he will. Pence? I think he is one of those evangelicals whose thoughts I’m trying to challenge. I think he is convinced that political power for evangelicals is worth putting up with ridiculousness.