In the 2016 Presidential race the important Evangelical vote may be more critical than ever. And they are being courted especially by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
After Trump’s private meeting with over 1000 Evangelical leaders the question is whether they are expecting too much of a spiritual leader in the White House.
Some critics of the meeting suggest that Evangelicals are trying to “‘Church Up’ Trump” in order to find a political “Savior.”
“Christians make a foolish mistake, for example, in trying to… take the Christian agenda and compel a party, compel a person to represent it,” says Dr. Charles Dunn, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Regent University.
“Let Donald Trump be Donald Trump. To the extent that you try to trump up someone you create a false presence for that person,” said Dunn. “Evangelical Christians should seek to exercise their influence on American politics but… recognize the limitations of their influence.”
Dunn also responded to the idea that Trump views Evangelicals as merely one of many interest groups. “He is a smart person and that’s where Christians have made a mistake… they’ve gotten down on the level of just being another interest group. The Christian faith should not be looked upon as an interest group.”
“Have American Christians made the same mistake the Children of Israel did in the Bible by wanting a king and not being satisfied with God to lead them?”
“When Protestant churches shall seek the support of the secular power, thus following the example of that apostate church, for opposing which their ancestors endured the fiercest persecution, then will there be a national apostasy which will end only in national ruin.” Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 4, page 410