There is no doubt that the most conservative Christians are excited about Trump’s victory in the recent elections. They view him as a figure whose mission is to restore morality among those they believe have lost Christian values. The groups most affected by this shift are abortion activists and advocates of same-sex marriage. While it is true that such activities conflict with moral standards and are considered unacceptable according to the Bible, an important aspect is often overlooked. The mandate of Christianity is not solely to instil morality in the behaviour of those in the world.
The influence of Donald Trump may introduce a degree of order in a society that appears to be deteriorating in terms of morality. However, this does not address the underlying issues troubling humanity today. There is a chance that efforts to enforce moral standards could inadvertently exacerbate these problems. Before we provide reasons to support this assertion, let’s examine the mandate Jesus assigned to Christians. It is not wrong to condemn immoral behaviour; however, attributing such condemnation to Christianity misrepresents Christ. The scriptural reference suggests that the directive given to the disciples was not based on restoring moral standards.
Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table, and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:14-18 NKJV).
First and foremost, we must recognize that preaching the gospel is not related to the moral conduct of humanity. The Gospel of Jesus Christ conveys the message of salvation through belief in Jesus, who is regarded as the Son of God. This message encompasses His life, teachings, death, and resurrection. The central idea is that because Jesus died and rose again, people can restore their relationship with God and receive eternal life.
People were left to decide for themselves after hearing the delivered gospel, which concerned the works of Jesus. During Jesus’ time, there may have been even worse sinners. Except for His conversation with the woman at the well, Jesus did not spend time condemning the notorious sinners of that era. He did not plead with them, except those impacted by His miraculous teachings and activities. The gospel focuses on the redemption of humanity, transitioning from a physical to a spiritual state.
Jesus showed great patience with sinners, more so than with the Jews He described as hypocrites. Those Jews found comfort in bragging about law-keeping but were often blind to the sins stemming from their own physical condition. They displayed a judgmental attitude toward others, embodying the qualities of antichrists. They showed disdain for the sinners whom Jesus loved and came to die for. Additionally, Paul highlighted in his writings that he encountered similar individuals during his ministry.
“But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:12-15 NKJV).
In the eyes of the uninformed, certain Christians are considered to represent Christ, based on what is perceived as upright moral standards. They often use Old Testament laws to justify their viewpoints, but they fail to fully adhere to all the teachings found in those laws. Their hypocrisy lies in the selective application of God’s laws. For example, they are harder against homosexuals while not upholding the principles of perfect marriages, themselves. They apply God’s laws only when aligning with their own interpretation of righteousness. Consequently, they take on the role of being judges, comfortable in authoritative positions.
Their common error is in the failure to acknowledge that Christianity’s mandate is to empathize with sinners and guide them towards understanding Jesus’ role in human redemption. Jesus exemplified this through the parable of a Pharisee and a Tax Collector, where Pharisees were seen as the epitome of moral uprightness of their era. In contemporary times, it could be contended that the Pharisees exhibited greater virtue than some Christians deemed most righteous today. There may be an undeniable truth in that some clerical figures today, might be worse than the Pharisaic figure depicted in the parable.
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortionist, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:10-14 NKJV).
The parable highlights the truth that every person is equally sinful. The failure to recognize this stems from a lack of understanding that all humans are alienated from God due to Adam’s transgression. Anyone who expresses hatred towards sinners opposes God, who sent His only begotten Son to redeem sinful humanity. To truly love God means to show love toward those caught up in appalling sinful conditions, no matter how despicable such sins may seem. Conversely, to be an enemy of God is to favour those who are proud and rely on their own standards to follow the law.
The American democracy ought to be commended, though, for allowing people to express their will by voting in a democratic process. Nonetheless, the flaws of democracy have been revealed in recent elections, as the majority used their democratic rights to promote falsehoods. Many people believe that Donald Trump will make America great. However, little do those people know the significance of how that statement exposes America to the terrible hatred, coming from other nations. Claiming to be greater than other nations is as dangerous as unnecessarily creating enemies against the nation one claims to be defending.
One of the fundamental truths in this life is that pride often precedes a downfall. Supporters of making America great again seem unaware of this concept. They are destined to realize this only when they eventually face the harsh consequences of their egotism, embodied by Trump. The notion that elevating oneself above others can be sustained is a myth. True greatness is the ability to love, even when hatred seems justified. Jesus described the expression of opposing this type of love as satanic.
From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offence to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:21-26 NKJV).
Trump’s philosophy is characterized by animosity toward his enemies, whom he openly refers to as “garbage.” He claims to adhere to Christian principles but appears unaware of the teachings of Scripture. The same applies to his followers, who believe that God has answered their prayers by electing a clown for president. However, the deity they believe in does not align with the God revealed by Jesus, who taught the importance of loving one’s enemies and praying for them.
From a human perspective, America could potentially make significant progress in advancing the well-being of its citizens. However, this progress will occur in the context of rising hostility from other nations. America has not fully recovered from the historically documented effects of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Trump’s philosophy focuses on promoting a counter-hatred towards America’s enemies. However, this approach may intensify the animosity, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences. This world is not built on common sense, especially when regarding what prevails in human relationships.
The principle of loving one’s enemies promotes peaceful coexistence with opponents, a concept that Jesus advocated as a cornerstone for peace. His fundamental teachings emphasize humility, forgiving and loving the adversaries, and self-sacrifice for others’ benefit. These principles stand in stark contrast to the attitudes displayed by some who celebrated the recent election outcomes. Donald Trump’s victory was marked by focusing on securing support and sometimes taking pleasure in the setbacks of those considered foes. Trump’s stance echoes the character of the Americans who voted for him.
It is, however, reassuring to remember that not all Americans supported him. The unaddressed duality in the political actions of many nations is a fascinating manifestation. It underscores the dualistic aspect of human nature, often categorized into notions of good and evil. In a democratic system, a nation may falter if the majority succumbs to unethical practices. On the other hand, that same nation can thrive if the majority upholds virtuous principles. Indeed; “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2 NKJV).
An individual’s character can be shaped by the manifestation of either good or evil qualities in their relationships with others. The more a person exhibits qualities associated with goodness, the more righteous they are perceived to be. Conversely, the same individual may be seen as evil when they display traits of malevolence. Both sets of qualities help answer questions about how a person treats or mistreats those considered enemies, which can ultimately contribute to their overall description.
Many character traits are often subdued as individuals tend to adhere to dominant norms, influenced by leaders. It usually takes charismatic figures to inspire people to express their authentic selves. Leaders often take credit for the status quo, particularly when a majority resonates with their assertive characteristics. In the context of America, while many endorsed Trump’s views, Kamala Harris also received significant backing, indicating the existence of virtuous individuals in that nation.
Politicians often strive to serve the greater good, thus appealing to the majority over their rivals. However, issues emerge when the majority favours principles that can be detrimental to survival, influenced by populism. This renders democracy ineffective among the improperly educated populace. Democracy can thrive when the populace is well-informed about its merits. Without this, democracy may lead a nation to ruin when the popular vote fails to uphold the true values beneficial to humanity.
Wars that are dotted worldwide are often perpetuated by those leaders whose agendas align with the common people’s beliefs. These individuals are ready to lay down their lives for such leaders. Proper education is crucial for human advancement; yet defining it remains a contentious issue. Nonetheless, many believe that no education has surpassed the teachings of Jesus since the first century. The only thing that stands in the way of understanding the knowledge offered by Jesus is pride. Material possessions are often considered more valuable than the person’s dignity.
For instance, the value placed on land often surpasses personal dignity among humans. In Africa, land holds a sacred status and even its mere mention can garner unwarranted support. However, Jesus, considered the greatest teacher of all time, never possessed land. Despite this, some Christians have misconstrued their beliefs to justify land acquisition in Jesus’ name. Such land entitlement has swayed many to endorse Donald Trump, who vehemently advocates for expelling foreigners. This stance endangers American society and casts a shadow over that country’s developmental prospects.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99