An Open Letter to Christian Democrats

To whom it may concern:

Back in 2016, after posting an article explaining why I’m Republican and voting for Donald Trump, a relative who is a staunch Democrat sent emails challenging my reasons. I responded by emphasizing my opposition to the Clintons returning to the White House. Since then, other left-leaning believers have questioned my political beliefs. Therefore, I ask that you prayerfully read this. We are in the midst of a critical election that will affect our nation's future.

First, I don’t want to demean those whose beliefs differ from mine. Nevertheless, I question how professing believers can endorse candidates whose policies go against God’s word. It’s important to align with a party platform that’s in line with the Judeo-Christian values our Founding Fathers intended for our country.

Some vote for Democrats because that party promotes programs helping the poor. On the surface, that sounds good. However, civil governments didn’t have welfare during the time of the Early Church. Benevolence was the church’s responsibility (Acts 6:1-3). Widows had relatives taking care of them (1 Timothy 5:3–8).

Democrats keep pushing for higher taxes while Republicans seek to lower them. Programs that encourage welfare over employment result in more people dependent on the government. The Republican Party promotes self-reliance. Last year at a church meeting for entrepreneurs, I learned President Trump launched a $100 Billion Initiative offering grants and loans to anyone wanting to start their own business. The Lord rewards faithfulness instead of socialism.

Democratic leaders appear to show concern for the environment by enacting climate change legislation. Their motives are more about globalism and controlling the populace. The idea of global warming is a hoax and a waste of taxpayer dollars. Acts 17:26 says, “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings.” That would include coastlines, which are not changing due to rising sea levels.

The Democrat party celebrates alternative lifestyles, which Scripture forbids. In 2012 as vice president of the United States, Joe Biden publicly endorsed same-sex marriage. He’s recently stated transgender equality is “the civil rights issue of our time” and that LGBT-free zones “have no place anywhere in the world.” That includes public bathrooms and showers. During a town hall meeting three days ago, Biden endorsed gender transition for children as young as eight years old! If I were a parent, I wouldn’t want my kids forced into sharing locker rooms with students of the opposite sex and questioning how God made them. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

I want to stress two other reasons why Joe Biden should not be president. First, he has talked about issuing a national mask mandate in response to fears over COVID-19. That is unnecessary and infringes on individual liberties. God didn’t intend for us to wear masks. He’s already given us something to protect us from diseases. It’s called an immune system, which can be strengthened through prayer and proper nutrition.

Secondly, Biden’s declining mental state would suggest he’s not fit to serve a full term as president. I’d be leerier of Kamala Harris ascending to the Oval Office. While attorney general of California, she sought to prosecute journalist and pro-life activist David Daleiden who exposed Planned Parenthood for selling baby parts. Both Biden and Harris support unlimited abortion funded by taxpayers up until the moment of birth. It’s disturbing when politicians disregard the sanctity of human life.

I can understand how some people don’t like Donald Trump’s personality. At times, he comes across as cocky and arrogant. While I disagree with how the president says and tweets some things, I like what Fran Tarkenton pointed out at the 2016 Republican National Convention: “A leader gets stuff done.” Trump has accomplished much as a businessman and during his short tenure as Commander in Chief. He’s kept his promises such as moving the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to their capital city of Jerusalem.

In closing, Christians voting for Democrats have used the slogan: “Jesus rode a donkey.” We don’t belong to a donkey or an elephant. We belong to the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world. Once again, our country needs political leaders who will make decisions in line with His word.

Isaiah 5:20 warns, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil.” Your vote is your voice. Please vote wisely and Biblically.

“Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual — or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country.” - Samuel Adams

My Faith Compels Me to Vote Red

Once again, we are in the midst of an election that is becoming more contentious than in 2016. As previously stated in this blog, I vote for Republican candidates because that party’s platform is more in line with Judeo-Christian values. Nevertheless, I have a few friends and relatives who vote for Democrats. I won’t belittle their convictions but question how professing believers can support policies that go against God’s word.

There’s a meme circulating online by progressive Christians titled “My Faith Compels Me to Vote Blue.” Here’s my response to all their listed reasons…

“Refugees and immigrants should be fully welcomed.” I’m okay with foreigners moving to America if they do so legally and assimilate as law-abiding citizens. I don’t agree with letting just anyone cross our borders. Would you welcome a stranger into your home without knowing his intentions? What if that stranger wanted to rob you or cause harm to your family?

“All people deserve access to affordable healthcare.” I agree medical costs could be less expensive. However, I believe in divine healing and see a doctor only when necessary. 2 Chronicles 16:12 says, “And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians.”

“Women should have autonomy over their own bodies.” What about the bodies of unborn children inside pregnant women? Shouldn’t they have a right to live? Instead of encouraging abortion, those babies can live by promoting adoption as an alternative.

“Every race and gender and orientation deserves respect.” The Bible forbids homosexuality and transvestism. Christians can share the love of Jesus with those practicing immoral lifestyles without condoning them. Romans 1:32 warns, “…who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

“Mass incarceration and the death penalty are not pro-life.” Our prison system could use some improvements. However, the Bible calls for capital punishment upon those who commit murder. Genesis 9:6 says, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.” It’s contradictory for pro-choice advocates to say a woman can murder her innocent unborn child but then claim the death penalty is wrong.

“The planet and atmosphere are our responsibility to care for.” I agree man should be good stewards of the earth’s resources. However, Christians should be more concerned with people’s eternal destinies. The only thing we can take to heaven with us is souls. God will someday renovate this world with fire. (see 2 Peter 3:10)

“All faith traditions are equally valid.” Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Christians shouldn’t be preaching doctrines that discourage people from getting born again. Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 15:6, “Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.”

“Poverty and hunger are unacceptable.” When doing street ministry, I go out of my way to offer food and then the gospel to homeless people. Sadly, some individuals are poor and hungry because they choose to be. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 commands, "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” Christians shouldn’t endorse government programs that promote welfare over employment.

“Black lives matter.” So do the lives of Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, and Caucasians. Acts 17:26 says, “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth…”

“God is not a straight, white republican man.” I happen to be one. Thankfully, my God is willing to forgive everyone regardless of their race or political beliefs. “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

A Facebook friend found the “Vote Blue” meme posted on a page honoring Jimmy Carter. The 39th President of the United States professed faith in Jesus and even taught a Sunday school class. Ever since he left the White House four decades ago, the Democratic party has radically changed. Their increasingly socialistic policies go against what the founding fathers intended for this country. References to God have been removed from their party platform. 

My faith compels me to vote red. 

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” - Deuteronomy 30:19

The Six-Day War...50 Years Later

Tomorrow will be the golden anniversary of a noteworthy event relating to end-time prophecy. On June 5th, 1967, Israel launched attacks on six neighboring countries that amassed troops near their borders threatening invasion. The war ended just five days later. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Israel routed her enemies and possessed additional territory including the eastern half of Jerusalem. For the first time in 2,000 years, the entire city was in Jewish hands.

Since the Six-Day War, Israel has given up some of her territory in hopes of lasting peace with her neighbors. Shortly after the Gaza Strip was turned over to the Palestinians in 2005, rockets from there were fired upon Jewish settlements. The PLO’s charter still calls for the destruction of Israel.

This past week, President Donald Trump delayed his promise in moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people. According to a White House statement, this was done “to maximize the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians.” Well-meaning politicians need to wake up to the fact you cannot negotiate with terrorists.

There will be a temporary peace in the Middle East when the Antichrist oversees the signing of a seven-year treaty (Daniel 9:27). Ultimately, war will cease in this region once the Lord Jesus Christ returns to see up His Millennial reign upon the earth. 

Are you ready for His return?

“And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.” - Zechariah 12:3

The Anti-Christian Liberties Union

Certain activists have campaigned to have the Ten Commandments and other religious materials removed from government and public properties in America because of “separation of church and state.” Contrary to popular belief, that phrase does not appear anywhere in the Constitution. It originated in 1802 from an obscure letter then-president Thomas Jefferson wrote to a group of Baptists in Connecticut. He assured them a state religion would not be enforced upon all citizens.

Nevertheless, numerous legal cases have come up to undermine the Christian values this country was founded upon. One organization responsible for this is the American Civil Liberties Union. While the ACLU has defended religious people in a few cases, many of them were groups expressing views contrary to biblical Christianity such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Westboro Baptist Church. 

If anything, the American Civil Liberties Union is known more for their anti-Christian stances. Their lobbying resulted in the Supreme Court removing prayer and Bible reading from public schools in the early 1960s. Current positions of the ACLU include supporting abortion rights, same-sex marriage and the right of homosexuals to adopt children while opposing the death penalty and government preference for particular faiths over others. With the latter, the ACLU doesn’t practice what they preach. They threaten Christians who pray and display crosses in public but have defended Muslims for practicing their beliefs.

In response to President Trump’s executive order to temporarily bar refugees and citizens of Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States, a few companies have spoken out against that. One of them is Bandcamp, a website musicians use to sell downloads of their music. This past Friday, the California-based company raised roughly $120,000 in donations for the ACLU. That prompted me to close my Bandcamp account.

Christians should never let the American Civil Liberties Union and other secular activists stop us from proclaiming our faith openly. It’s part of the Great Commission. Even if you find yourself in court for that, don’t forget we have an Advocate in heaven who will defend us.

“Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.” - Luke 21:14-15

Why I'm Republican and Voting for Trump

As a kid, I didn’t follow politics too closely but for some reason identified with the Republican Party. In 1972 I saw a TV ad about that year’s election between Richard Nixon and George McGovern. When the announcer said the word “Democrat”, I had a negative impression even though I was too young to understand what each political party represented.

The 1984 presidential election was the first I was old enough to participate in. Originally I planned to vote for Walter Mondale simply because he was from my home state of Minnesota. That changed after I heard on the news Mondale supported gay rights. At that time I became increasingly aware (and troubled) about homosexuality gaining acceptance in society. So on Election Day, I voted for Ronald Reagan. Back then I wasn’t totally fond of The Gipper but now appreciate how his presidency helped end the Cold War.

Since committing my life to Jesus in 1991, I’ve always voted Republican. That party’s candidates usually have policies closer to the Judeo-Christian ethic. Still, I look at voter guides to make sure I’m not voting for a RINO (Republican In Name Only). On the other hand, practically all Democrats nowadays support abortion and other liberal causes contrary to the word of God.

This past week the Republican National Convention took place in Cleveland, Ohio. My Facebook newsfeed has been flooded with comments regarding that. A few of my friends declared they will not vote for Donald Trump and instead cast their ballot for a third-party candidate. I won’t belittle their convictions but question how that will make a difference. 

The last third party candidate who made a noticeable dent in a presidential election was Ross Perot. In 1992 he participated in debates and received 19% of the popular vote but no electoral votes (which determines the outcome of an election). Although I agreed with Perot’s concerns over government spending and the national debt, I would not vote for him because he supported abortion and gay rights.

Shortly after the 1992 election, I heard Billye Brim talk about how when she was on her way to vote, “Bill Clinton” came up in her spirit. Billye stopped dead in her tracks and said, “Lord, I cannot vote for killing babies.” The Lord told her, “You vote your conscience but Clinton is going to win.”

A year ago I expressed misgivings about Donald Trump’s character and his standing with the Lord. Since then many Christian leaders have endorsed him. Focus on the Family’s James Dobson is part of a group serving on a faith advisory committee for Trump. Dobson posted the following comments in his blog…

“If anything, this man [Trump] is a baby Christian who doesn’t have a clue about how believers think, talk, and act. All I can tell you is that we have only two choices, Hillary or Donald. Hillary scares me to death. And, if Christians stay home because he isn’t a better candidate, Hillary will run the world for perhaps eight years. The very thought of that haunts my nights and days. One thing is sure: we need to be in prayer for our nation at this time of crisis.”

I’ve read and heard many prophecies about Donald Trump being used as God’s “trumpet” in this day and hour. A couple of friends even suggested his selecting Mike Pence as his running mate is prophetic (“TrumPence”). Regardless, keep in mind we are voting for a president…not a pastor. One major reason I’m voting for Trump is that I don’t want the Clintons back in the White House.

So if you’re a fellow American who isn’t fond of the choices available for this upcoming election, don’t let that stop you from going to the polls in November. Pray and ask God to guide you in who to vote for. That would include congressmen and other officials who have the guts to keep a bad president in check. Every election is determined by the people who show up. If you stay home and the wrong people are elected, then you have no right to complain.

”When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” - Proverbs 29:2

The Cocksure Candidate

Next year in November, the United States will elect a new president. One candidate pursuing the Republican nomination is real estate mogul Donald Trump. It’s bad enough political ads just before an election emphasizes the negatives of a candidate’s opponent. Trump is already making brash remarks against those who disagree with him. 

During a July 11 rally at the Phoenix Convention Center, Donald Trump’s comments about illegal immigration drew criticism from Arizona senator John McCain. Trump then insulted McCain by saying the former POW wasn’t a war hero but then said, "He's a war hero because he was captured." Later during a speech in South Carolina, Trump publicly gave out Senator Lindsey Graham's phone number as retaliation for Graham calling him a “jackass.”

Romans 12:14 says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” A professing Christian must follow Jesus’ example. He told us in Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” The only people Jesus regularly criticized were the Pharisees, the religious leaders of His day. 

There is one incident in Luke 13:32 when Jesus called Herod a “fox” after being told the King wanted to kill Him. Otherwise, Jesus went out of His way to honor authority figures. A recent revelation I received was how Jesus didn’t resist Pilate’s order to have Him crucified. It was part of the plan of redemption.

One thing I do appreciate about Donald Trump is his speaking out against the persecution of Christians. In a recent speech in Las Vegas, Trump pointed out how the Obama administration has deliberately blocked Syrian Christians from coming into America while allowing Muslims to do so. Previously he told CBN News, “Believe me, if I run and I win, I will be the greatest representative of the Christians they’ve had in a long time.”

Donald Trump identifies himself as Presbyterian. When asked several times by an interviewer if he’s ever asked God for forgiveness, Trump avoided giving a direct answer. That made me think of what Jesus said in Matthew 10:32-33, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.”

Nevertheless, I will likely vote for Donald Trump if he wins the Republican nomination. Certainly, I won’t vote for a Democrat who endorses abortion and homosexuality. Still, I prefer a president who has a genuine relationship with the Lord and will conduct himself in a Christlike manner when representing our nation.

“A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.” - Proverbs 12:16 (NLT)