Christian magazine calls for Trump's removal; Trump/Franklin Graham ticked off

[TDAS04]

Wasn't sure whether or not to put this in US General Discussion.  Here might be better.

link

THE REBUKE FROM AN influential Christian publication that President Donald Trump should be removed from office is renewing attention on the Republican president's unlikely alliance with evangelical Christian voters and presenting a test of what has been nearly unwavering support since he first ran for office.

The editor-in-chief of Christianity Today, which was founded in 1956 by the late Rev. Billy Graham, published an op-ed Thursday arguing for Trump's removal in light of the House's historic vote this week to impeach him for an abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Mark Galli noted that the Christian publication typically stays away from making political statements but said it was necessary because of the gravity of the situation.

...

In response to the op-ed, Trump tweeted several times Friday lashing out at Christianity Today and accusing the publication of wanting to replace him with a "Radical Left nonbeliever who wants to take your religion and your guns."

"I guess the magazine, 'Christianity Today,' is looking for Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, or those of the socialist/communist bent, to guard their religion. How about Sleepy Joe? The fact is, no President has ever done what I have done for Evangelicals, or religion itself!" he tweeted.

Trump also thanked Graham's son, Franklin Graham, for saying that the late reverend voted for him in the 2016 election. Franklin Graham criticized Christianity Today for the story and even Galli said he doesn't expect his call for Trump's removal to persuade evangelical Christians.

[Kingpoleon]

Wasn't sure whether or not to put this in US General Discussion.  Here might be better.

link

In response to the op-ed, Trump tweeted several times Friday lashing out at Christianity Today and accusing the publication of wanting to replace him with a "Radical Left nonbeliever who wants to take your religion and your guns."

Like Mike Pence?

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Wasn't sure whether or not to put this in US General Discussion.  Here might be better.

link

THE REBUKE FROM AN influential Christian publication that President Donald Trump should be removed from office is renewing attention on the Republican president's unlikely alliance with evangelical Christian voters and presenting a test of what has been nearly unwavering support since he first ran for office.

The editor-in-chief of Christianity Today, which was founded in 1956 by the late Rev. Billy Graham, published an op-ed Thursday arguing for Trump's removal in light of the House's historic vote this week to impeach him for an abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Mark Galli noted that the Christian publication typically stays away from making political statements but said it was necessary because of the gravity of the situation.

...

In response to the op-ed, Trump tweeted several times Friday lashing out at Christianity Today and accusing the publication of wanting to replace him with a "Radical Left nonbeliever who wants to take your religion and your guns."

"I guess the magazine, 'Christianity Today,' is looking for Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, or those of the socialist/communist bent, to guard their religion. How about Sleepy Joe? The fact is, no President has ever done what I have done for Evangelicals, or religion itself!" he tweeted.

Trump also thanked Graham's son, Franklin Graham, for saying that the late reverend voted for him in the 2016 election. Franklin Graham criticized Christianity Today for the story and even Galli said he doesn't expect his call for Trump's removal to persuade evangelical Christians.

I must have missed the part in the Bible where Jesus tells his disciples to arm themselves. That said, Peter did carry a sword. (John 18:10) However, considering the highly symbolic nature of that gospel, I interpret that passage as indicating you can't get others to believe as you do by force of arms, but by getting them so they are able to hear you.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

https://twitter.com/HKrassenstein/status/1209109751646343169?s=19

[Statilius the Epicurean]

https://twitter.com/HKrassenstein/status/1209109751646343169?s=19

Thank you Ms. Krassenstein!

[Fuzzy Bear]

The CT article makes some valid points as to the effect supporting Trump has on Christian witness.  I certainly share this concern.  This article attempts to address this issue.

When it comes to America, I have no doubt that, to some extent, this is true. I’ve experienced it myself.

On the other hand, for every person I’ve interacted with who finds my vote for Trump objectionable, I’ve interacted with 10 (or, more likely, 50 or 100) who find my biblical values objectionable. In particular, this applies to my opposition to LGBT activism and, less so, to pro-life views.

So, while some people may not listen to our witness because we voted for Trump, even more people will not listen to us because of our moral convictions. That’s an obstacle we have to overcome.

That's America.  Then, there's the rest of the World:

I also asked this question on Facebook (where we have almost 600K followers, about half of them from outside the USA), as well as on Twitter (where we have 37K followers).

On Facebook, where only two polling choices can be given, I asked, “If you are a Christian living outside America or a missionary working overseas, would you say that evangelical support of Trump has hurt your witness?”

The results were overwhelming, with 83 percent saying No and only 17 percent saying Yes.

On Twitter, where I could offer four choices, the answers were (in descending order): Not at all (44 percent); Not sure (22 percent); Not an issue (19 percent); and Definitely (16 percent).

So, while the Twitter response was more nuanced, the overall results were similar.

In both polls, the overwhelming majority disagreed with CT’s statement that evangelical support for Trump has undercut the efforts of countless missionaries who labor in the far fields of the Lord.”

Consider the words some of these people are saying:

On Facebook, RJ wrote from Australia, “A Christian voting for the party of sexual immorality, infanticide, and Christophobia is a far worse witness!”

Lloyd wrote, “I am a full-time missionary to Mozambique, Africa. I have not had any issue of my witness being scrutinized for my support of our President. Being a missionary also allows me to be in the lives of people from all over the world and Trump has been a frequent topic. For the most part, people feel he has been treated unfairly and his policies are liked. I have spoken with people from India, Romania, Australia, France, the Caribbean, South Africa, and Brazil. God bless Dr. Brown.”

Muroslav opined, “Absolutely not, many Canadians support President Trump and would love to have [a] Man like TRUMP running things in Canada!”

From rural Nigeria, Joanne opined, “International politics is not on the minds of most of the people I interact with.”

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

If one must ask the question of the effect of supporting Trump in such stark utilitarian grounds, the proper question to ask is not whether your witness to most people will be affected by supporting Trump, but whether more will be affected by supporting him.

No political party is perfect, nor is any politician, but Trump has proven far more imperfect than most.

Another question to consider is whether the culture war issues are more important than whether we are our brothers' keepers.

[Fuzzy Bear]

If one must ask the question of the effect of supporting Trump in such stark utilitarian grounds, the proper question to ask is not whether your witness to most people will be affected by supporting Trump, but whether more will be affected by supporting him.

No political party is perfect, nor is any politician, but Trump has proven far more imperfect than most.

Another question to consider is whether the culture war issues are more important than whether we are our brothers' keepers.

I would ask you where God said that Cain was his Brother's Keeper. 

That's a rhetorical question to God from Cain that he never answers directly.  This isn't my final word on this subject, but I fail to see where God answered that question directly.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

If one must ask the question of the effect of supporting Trump in such stark utilitarian grounds, the proper question to ask is not whether your witness to most people will be affected by supporting Trump, but whether more will be affected by supporting him.

No political party is perfect, nor is any politician, but Trump has proven far more imperfect than most.

Another question to consider is whether the culture war issues are more important than whether we are our brothers' keepers.

I would ask you where God said that Cain was his Brother's Keeper. 

That's a rhetorical question to God from Cain that he never answers directly.  This isn't my final word on this subject, but I fail to see where God answered that question directly.

I suggest you take a good look at the Prophets, with Isaiah 1:23, Isaiah 3:14-15, Amos 2:6-7, Obadiah 1:10-11, and other specific quotes therein concerning how the fall of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah would occur in large part because of the lack of compassion of the people and their government.

If you prefer something more New Testamenty, try Matthew 16:26.