Donald Trump’s exponential rise from real estate mogul to reality TV star to politician captured the media’s attention, especially as he proclaims to stand for God.
And while Trump may hold the evangelical Christian vote, he’s caught the interest of creationist Ken Ham, who parallels the blunt-talking politician with Jesus.
“Now Jesus is the truth, the Son of God, the Word, and the Way, whereas Donald Trump is a sinful fallible human like any of us,” The Answers in Genesis (AiG) founder and CEO writes. “But my point is that people often respond positively to those who speak with conviction and authority.”
Ministries and pastors could emulate the “Trump phenomenon,” as Ham calls it. Trump’s uncensored remarks propelled his campaign in the beginning, drawing the attention of many who were sick of political work-arounds.
“This will not be an election based on a nice person. This will be an election based on a competent person,” Trump reportedly said at a rally in Mobile, Alabama.
Ham says Trump’s style may be exactly what the church needs.
“I’ve found that there is a type of political correctness permeating much of the church. So many pastors (not all, of course—God has a remnant of great Christian leaders) have told me over the years not to ‘rock the boat’ when I speak in their pulpit. I’ve been told not to ‘upset those scientists or teachers in the congregation who might disagree with AiG,’ or ‘don’t give that quote you use from President Obama on religion in America because some of our people voted for him,’ and so it goes on,” Ham writes.
“And yet, I find many laypeople in our churches who desperately want their Christian leaders to speak with authority and ‘tell it like it is’ (with love, of course), and not dilute the truth through compromise!” he continues. “Sadly, I’ve come across many quotes from atheists who attack the Bible by using examples of Christian leaders who believe in evolution. The secularists certainly notice the compromise!”
Ham isn’t the first to want to apply the “Trump phenomenon” to the church.
In a column for Charisma News, author and revivalist Bert Farias addressed what Trump can teach preachers today.
“Ambiguity has no part in the gospel,” Farias writes. “There is to be a certain and clear sound coming from our pulpits. Political correctness has no part in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. If a preacher cannot speak clearly about the tenets of the faith, especially as it relates to such a sacred subject like marriage, he doesn’t belong in the pulpit. He needs to get out and find another occupation. A politician might better suit one of such cowardice.”
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