The Christian Divide On President Trump

There has been a political divide within Christendom for years. There are more progressive believers that tend to vote Democrat and there are more conservative believers that tend to vote Republican.  Neither side can understand how the other can be a Christian and vote the way they do. It has been this way my entire life.

This is the first time I can remember such a divide over one candidate. President Trump has been the subject of much debate. Is he a Christian politician? Should Christians vote for Trump?  Is he good for Christianity? Christians will go to the mat and fight for their position on this subject. It has been ugly. I’ve seen friendships end, families divided, and the unity of the church compromised.

What has caused such a divide when it comes to the President?

While you could point to many different issues, I think it comes down to differences on political governance and personal character:

The political governance argument is that Trump’s leadership and decisions are aligned with many conservative Christian values.  He has been pro life in his judicial nominees and pro personal freedom. He has been good for Christianity. Those that argue this point of view are passionate.

The personal character argument is that President Trump has demonstrated serious lapses in righteousness and holiness. I’ve heard people say that he is immoral and possibly not a follower of Jesus. Those that argue this point of view are passionate.

The truth is that both arguments are partially correct.

You would think this truth would create some unity and grace within the Christian community. Those in the political governance camp would see and understand the concerns of the personal character group. Those in the personal character group would see and accept the position of those who appreciate Trump’s political governance. We would hold hands at the end and sing a song.

But this has not happened. Why? It is so easy. Simple. Where is the love?

Unity surrounding the imperfect will always be difficult at best and impossible at worst. Trump isn’t perfect, his policies haven’t been perfect, and his character hasn’t been perfect. Unity is going to be tough.

One of the big mistakes of Christendom has been the assumption we must have unity around one political candidate or system. If we are honest, perfectly righteous and holy has never been on the ticket. Every candidate is flawed in policy and character.

It is a waste of time insisting that Christians be unified around Trump. Or Bush. Or Obama. These are flawed leaders and there will always be arguments against policy and character that make sense to many Christians.

These disagreements should be handled with grace, love, and respect. That has been missing from our national dialogue for a long time. But unity? It is probably not happening. Unity around the imperfect is too difficult.

Unity around the perfect is a different story. When Christians are unified about Jesus, the world is changed. Lives are transformed. Families experience healing. It starts with Jesus.

His name needs to be great.

His righteousness needs to be embraced.

His way needs to be followed.

His grace accepted.

Because Jesus and His ways are perfect, unity is possible. It is needed. It will change everything.