I Can’t Vote For Trump, The Bible Tells Me So

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I just can’t do it.

My faith is grounded.

The reasons are stacked far too high.

You can pressure me, guilt me, shame me, and lure me with gold.

I can’t vote for Trump, the Bible tells me so.

Not just tells me, but screams it into my soul.

Starting with abortion. 

The Scripture writer declared, “From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace. Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush.” Jeremiah 6:14-16 

In this passage from the Bible, God is upset. The religious people of the day are exploiting harmful problems for personal, political gain and not addressing their true solutions. They act like they care, but intentionally allow the issues to remain unresolved. They outwardly insist that they desire a way forward, but inwardly they have no real desire at all. 

Trump and many conservative Evangelicals treat “abortion” the same. They outwardly declare that they are “pro-life” and detest abortion. They feverishly rant against how many “babies” are being murdered. Many make abortion their defining issue as to the reason why they support Trump. They posture themselves as wanting to make it illegal, as if that was the cure. It all looks and sounds so spiritual to the casual observer. Yet, inwardly, they have little-to-no heart for a real solution. For if they did, they would be addressing, providing for, and adopting the proven remedies that positively impact abortion. But, they don’t. 

Instead, with deceit, they want to keep the abortion issue alive because it manipulates their voters. It’s a political false flag, the last card they have in their deck. Without it, they have no drum to beat and no provocative enemy upon which to summon their troops to fight. The need to create the illusion that they lead the way against abortion while making sure it remains unresolved, that they might remain in power. 

In fact, perfectly credible and widely known statistics show that abortion rates have gone down significantly with the kind of Democratic leadership that approaches abortion wholistically and addresses the real issues that can bring real change. Yet sadly, these same statistics reveal that under Republican leadership, abortion significantly increases–that’s the facts. Yet, with Trump at their side, conservatives ”do not even know how to blush” at the truth about abortion, how they expoit it, and how they resist actual remedies. Instead, they declare “Pro-life, pro-life” where there is no pro-life among them. All in hopes of drowning the biblical voice crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the ways of the Lord to heal abortion and cure its causes.”  

Like most people, I detest abortion. I want to see it become a non-issue in our society. I want to see it remedied by real people who really care, who are willing to apply the difficult, but real solutions that work. I’m tired of people who are more interested in politics than life.

That’s why I can’t vote for Trump, the Bible tells me so.

Or, how about unrepentant sin.

Most everyone agrees that sin is bad. Even Trump supporters acknowledge that he is an overly sinful man. All of the Seven Deadly Sins listed in the Bible, Trump blatantly exudes–no question about that. In fact, for some Trump supporters, they love his rebellious spirit, even against God. Yet, right in the face of the Bible, Christians who support Trump wave their many flags of excuses such as, “Everyone sins,” “We’re not electing a pastor” or, “Look at David in the Bible, he sinned, but God used him.”

To be sure, those statements are true. However, in Scripture, there is a huge, defining difference. God never raised up anyone for leadership who didn’t first repent of their sins. Not one, period. Scripturally, repentance has always been a precursor for being lifted up by God.

Yet, without any pause in their biblical steps, for many Christians who support Trump, they believe God anointed Him for leadership and to do His will in America and beyond. However, given the fact that Trump has never repented of his sins, even when given the chance, this is a biblical impossibility. In fact, in many conservative Evangelical churches, Trump couldn’t even qualify to become their janitor without a repentance of sins, but somehow he can become their God-appointed President?

Still to this day, Trump refuses to repent. How do I know? The “fruits of repentance” that John the Baptist insisted upon in Scripture are nowhere to be found in Trump. 

“But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.’” Mathew 3:7-8

Trump is undeniably the same lying, profane, greedy, mocking, bullying, divisive, jealous, arrogant, narcissistic, and hateful man he was at the beginning of his presidency. That’s not a judgement, it’s an inescapable observation. Despite the lipstick Evangelicals want to put on this pig, God is not interested in Trump’s appearances of meeting with Evangelicals, closing his eyes during prayers, randomly using Christian jargon, or waving a Bible around. Instead, He is interested in a humble, genuinely contrite heart. Sadly, a heart Trump neither has nor apparently desires.

As Jesus warned in Scripture, no unrepented, sin-ladened Trump-like tree can “produce good fruit.” 

I want divine goodness for America. I want integrity and decency in our leadership. I want humble, teachable, kind people at the helm who show strength through maturity and stability.

That’s why I can’t vote for Trump, the Bible tells me so.

But, what about the lies?

Yes, 20,000 documented lies or misleading statements since Trump was elected. Certainly, by now, he must be giving the Father of Lies a run for his money. With this blatant stronghold of deceit and lying manifested in Trump’s life and leadership, to willfully follow him, vote for him, or give him loyalty is to pledge yourself to evil, is it not? How can it be anything different?

“No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.” Psalm 101:7

“Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—how much worse lying lips to a ruler!” Proverbs 17:7

“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord” Proverbs 12:22

Most Christian Trump supporters insist that the LGBTQ community is biblically declared an “abomination” to the Lord and should never be supported, followed, or given influence in our society. Yet, these same Christians joyfully give a man, who the Bible declares as a lying “abomination,” their praise, worship, and anointing as a healthy, worthy, divine leader. How can this possibly be? For it’s certainly not biblical.

“Let me describe for you a worthless and a wicked man; first, he is a constant liar; he signals his true intentions to his friends with eyes and feet and fingers. He is always thinking up new schemes to swindle people. He stirs up trouble everywhere. But he will be destroyed suddenly, broken beyond hope of healing.” Proverbs 6:12-16

Most recently, Trump was caught lying to the American people about the severity of the  Covid-19 virus. Once again, declaring “Peace, peace” where there is no peace. In fact, long after he knew about the lethal severity of the virus he labeled it a “hoax.” Trump lied, 200,000 people have died. 

The Bible clearly teaches, nothing of God ever comes from lying. 

I want a truthful President. I want leadership that places honesty over personal gain. I want to be led by people who believe that “the truth shall set you free,” even if that truth is unpopular, difficult, or alarming. I want the Father of Lies not to be an object of political aspiration, but the subject of human and societal rejection. 

That’s why I can’t vote for Trump, the Bible tells me so.

Enter, the immigrant, refugee, and the foreigner.

No one wants illegal immigration or open borders as a national policy, regardless of how conservative Evangelical Trump supporters label the position of progressives. Once again, Trump supporters seem to relish in creating issues that aren’t real to deflect from addressing the ones that are.

If America is a Christian nation, what happens when immigration (illegal or not) happens? How, biblically, are we to treat the foreigners and immigrants among us, no matter how they arrive? What happens with refugees who come to our border? And, how are we to biblically treat those who seek asylum and new life within our country?

The Bible has crystal clear answers.

Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.” Exodus 22:21

“When the alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as a citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt:  I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:33-34

“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner.” Leviticus 19:9-10

“As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name— for they will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when they come and pray toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name.” (1 Kings 8:41-44)

“Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me,” says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 3:5

For the Lord your God…loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing.  You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Deuteronomy 10:18-19

“The Lord watches over the strangers…” Psalm 146

“The aliens shall be to you as citizens, and shall also be allotted an inheritance.” Ezekiel 47:21

“…I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:31 (Jesus speaking)

Notice, Jesus doesn’t say they, “caged me,” “abused me,” “neutered me,” “separated me from family,” “starved me,” “made immigration nearly impossible for me,” “mocked me,” “slandered me,” or “murdered me.”  

No, he said of His true followers, they “welcomed” me. 

Sadly, this is not the policy of president Trump, nor the Republicans, nor the desires of many of his Christian supporters, even the ones who claim their faithfulness to the Bible and its infallible inerrancy. What God admonishes, they resist.  

For if you take the Scriptures seriously, the immigrant, the refugee, and the foreigner should not just be “welcomed” with sacrificial hospitality, but “wanted” as God’s own favored blessing. They should be lifted high among all others. They should be loved, protected, and provide for with the same passion we love, protect, and provide for ourselves. They are not to be objects of resentment, oppression, rejection, exploitation, or inconvenience. Rather, they should be honored as angels sent from above. They are us, and we are them. For in Christ, “there is neither Jew nor Gentile.”

I want a country in sync with God’s heart for the immigrant, the foreigner, the alien, and refugee. I want a country in step with God’s biblical, unconditional “welcome,” “want,” and generous care for those outside of our borders who desire to come, live, and find new life within us.  

That’s why I can’t vote for Trump, the Bible tells me so. 

But perhaps, most of all, loving your neighbor as yourself.

“‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Matthew 12:31

“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” Matthew 5:44

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

As a former white, conservative Evangelical pastor of 20 years, I know deeply how the system works. I’m not trying to slam the faith or the people within it, but the unbiblical evils must be chased out of the shadows, especially the hate of love among so many.

For most everything within white, conservative Evangelicalism isn’t focused on having a neighbor to love, but rather based upon having an enemy that must be hated. Fear of these enemies is the ultimate motivator, not love. They will create it, fabricate it, and inflame it. For they are nothing without fear and the hate it awakens…

If we love minorities as ourselves, they’ll take over the church and society, and we’ll lose our white church, white way of life, and white power. 

If we love black people as ourselves with true equality, true police accountability, true legal fairness, true economic justice, and true opportunity, we’ll have to admit our racism and white privilege, lose our white way of life, and surrender our white power.

If we love our wives as ourselves and remove the requirement that they must submit to us unquestionably, they’ll take over the family, usurp male power, and run the church and society into the ground.

If we love the LGBTQ community as ourselves, our patriarchal power will be dismantled, God will punish our life, and all of white, male-driven, conservative Christianity will be flushed down the drain.

If we love special needs people as ourselves, we’ll have to make an honored and equal place for them in society, overpowering our “normal” lives with inconvenience. 

If we love the least-of-these as ourselves with economic equality, free health care, free college, a living wage, social security, long-term care, and the removal of poverty, we won’t be able to fund our industrial military complex and foster our diabolical economic system of socialism for top and capitalism for the bottom.  

If we love the environment as ourselves with significant building and development restrictions, environmental controls, and clean energy standards and investments, we won’t be able to feed our insatiable appetites for economic and personal greed. 

“Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least among you, you did not do for me.'” -Matthew 25:41-45

“He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich–both come to poverty.” -Proverbs 22:16

“Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” -Ezekiel 16:49

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” James 2:8-9

See, where God admonishes that our highest motivation should be the unconditional love and care for all of humanity equally, in contrast, there is truly no other fuel that drives the Evangelical Death Star than having enemies to fear, hate, marginalize, fight, and treat unequally.

This is why Trump has the addictive support and allegiance of most conservative Evangelicals. For the only thing they understand is fear, and Trump speaks their language like no other. He mocks special needs people, bullies his perceived enemies, embraces racism, fosters white supremacy, mistreats women, ignites division, worships greed, and loves himself above all things.

Biblically, this is the ultimate blaspheme of the Spirit.

To see love as the enemy.

To see fear as the friend.

To see enemies as the goal.

To fight at all cost, with lies, violence, duplicity, and sin.

To see a white, conservative, Republican, American Jesus as the way, truth, and life.

To see white, conservative Evangelicalism as the Kingdom.

I want a President with whom love is greater than fear. I want a country where to love all people equally is a friend and not an enemy. I want the character of a great person, a great society, a great economy, and a great nation to be defined by their love for all people equally, not fear nor hate. 

That’s why I can’t vote for Trump, the Bible tells me so. 

 

Grace is brave. Be brave.

Check out Chris Kratzer’s book getting rave reviews… Stupid Shit Heard In Church.

 

164 Comments

  1. Liz Woedl

    Thank you.
    This is why my 92 year-old mother-in-law, a Christian and life long Republican, cannot vote for Trump.

    • ckratzer

      Liz, there is hope!

    • Les Coughran

      Nor can this 90 year old ex Pentecostal Pastor!

  2. Marc Bergeron

    This is a prescient, powerful and compelling narrative Chris… some of your absolute finest work.. thorough, firm, but still full of grace in it’s message. Thank you.

    • ckratzer

      Thanks so much Marc, sure do appreciate your encouragement. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.

    • Dan

      Somebody needs a Bible lesson…

      • Laura

        Kris Kratzer, You have been given an extraordinary gift, if only you would use it to serve God instead of Baal.
        Whenever you decide to trust the Almighty blindly, (I know that’s something hard for you to do) you’ll become a great leader, because God is waiting for us to help with bringing His children back Home.
        You have been given the Gift of speech, but in order for it to have full power you have to kneel down full of faith and ask our Heavenly Father for His guidance.

        • Eow

          You are not yet aware of how profoundly and systemically ignorant you are. “You know not what you are doing”. You are just like, in the story, of those that murdered Jesus – ignorant as F***. You missed the entire message of christianity itself!!

  3. Paula Sevier

    I only read the title.
    Then, don’t.☝️

    • David Covert

      What does that mean??

      • Rick Fro

        It means that reader does not want to understand why. That’s a major issue in our country: unwillingness to consider another point of view.

      • Mark Dearth

        Wow! I could not have said it. Nor could I say it better. Thank you, sir!

  4. Amy

    Thank you for your work . Your words & voice have helped me immensely throughout these last 4 years. Keep on, keeping on!

    • ckratzer

      Amy, it’s my honor! Thank you!

  5. Kathy

    Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Well said! I have always felt this way! We are supposed to love one another. Everyone should read this.

    • ckratzer

      Kathy, I sure appreciate you and your encouragement!

  6. Todd V

    I loved every word of this! Your fans are patiently waiting for your next book!

    • ckratzer

      Ha, hopefully soon my friend!

  7. Paul Appleby

    This is a maifesto of Grace that needs to be read by every voter in the United States of America. Yours is a fearless prophetic voice to the Church, evangelical or otherwise, to be radical followers of Jesus, bringing truly good news to the poor, the oppressed, the stranger, the prisoner, the sick, the marginalized, etc. Keep up your articulate analysis and courageous àdmonition. Your voice is precious in these times, Chris!

    • ckratzer

      Thank you so much Paul, sure appreciate you and your kind words!

  8. Gina

    This has got to be one of your best articles ever–if not THE best!
    Can you please share the sources you have showing that abortions actually decrease under Democratic leadership? There’s a few people I’d love to share them with!

  9. Claire Snyder

    Amen and Amen!! Your words speak power and TRUTH! Keep shouting your words to the highest Heaven.

    • ckratzer

      Thanks Claire, so happy to have you read and comment!

  10. John M Pethick

    I’m so happy to find your post. I am Christian but felt like an outsider among my Christian friends. I can’t and won’t support Trump. Your post said exactly everything I’ve been seeing as I read the Bible. Thank you!

    • ckratzer

      John, that’s great news! Thanks so much for reading and commenting!

    • Ashley Brooke Watson

      I, too, feel like an outsider the majority of the time. I find myself scratching my head quite often, wondering how ANYONE can look at Trump, at his character (or lack there of) and throw the full weight of whatever watered down version of the gospel that they are reading his way.

  11. Kelly

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! I was almost in tears reading this — tears of relief and comfort. To read the words of an ordained minister, verifying everything that I’ve thought these past four years… . I’ve felt like a wanderer and an outcast from my own faith, labeled a “leftist Socialist” by Christians whom I’ve known, loved, and respected my entire life. Words fail me. All I can say is, “Thank you, and God bless.”

    • ckratzer

      Kelly, I really appreciate your words. Listen, you are certainly not alone. I hope you can read my book, Leatherbound Terrorism found on Amazon. I think it will really encourage you. Your bravery is so needed and you walk not alone. Trust me, you’re not insane, you’re free!

  12. Monte Pomroy

    Thank you!! This was a great article! I have faith in God that he will open people’s eyes and hearts to make the right choice.

    • ckratzer

      Monte, I sure hope so!

  13. Jeanette Boynton

    I can’t even tell you how much I appreciate this article. I have SO many “conservative” friends who sing his praises; it makes me want to weep and throw up and give up. THANK YOU. I just sent this article to my BFF. I hope we make it through. wow. You are so brave. May God give you strength and favor and help you continue to tell the truth.

    • ckratzer

      Jeanette, thank you so much. I am inspired by your bravery as well! Keep me posted, if we are not friends on Facebook, let’s be friends!

  14. Maryann Cline

    THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! You have put into words what my Spirit has been telling me for years!! May God bless and protect you!

    • ckratzer

      Maryann, so honored by your comment! Stay brave!

  15. Monte Pomroy

    You should post like short writings from your articles to post on fb bc people are more likely to read those then tap on the article itself. You may already be doing that I don’t know. This is the first time I’ve seen your writings. Your articles are great. I’ve read through three so far and have shared them to fb and to my family. Plan on reading all. Can’t wait to see others. I have at least two family members who will vote for Trump. The others will not and they are conservative to moderate Republicans. Thank you and may God continue to Bless you and your family!

    • ckratzer

      Monte, thanks for reading and commenting. Enjoy.

  16. Joseph Covert

    Beautifully written and well worth the time to read it. My fervent prayer is that everyone will consider the issues you’ve raised before they cast their vote in November.

    • ckratzer

      Joseph, that is my prayer as well!

  17. Susan White

    Wow what an insightful post and on-point in every aspect of how we should be thinking today! It is so sad what is going on in this country, as the enemy has a complete stronghold on believers, sucking them into Trump’s abyss. I scratch my head everyday!

    • ckratzer

      Susan, I do as well!

  18. Vonna Wala

    Chris:
    WOW, what you wrote brought so many tears because you said what has been in my heart. I am white and I am a member of a an inner city church with a pro dominantly Black congregation. I say that for not a pat on the back but as a point of reference, I have learned so much from my Black brothers and sisters. I hear the stories, I see the poverty, racism and I am broken for them and as white woman the privilege that I inherently have just for being. I marched in a peaceful protest after George Floyd death and our church knelt and prayed and worshipped at the site. Did the Evangelical community notice the peaceful protests NO. They only heard about the burning of the city and trying to explain that to Evangelicals was like talking to a brick wall. Anyway, thank you so much for being a voice of reason and hope for Christian’s who love the Lord and can’t stomach President Trump. Sincerely, Vonna Wala

    • ckratzer

      Vonna, it’s an honor to have you read and comment on my article. Your advocacy and care for the least-of-these is inspiring!

  19. Sharon Green

    Thank you for this thoughtful, insightful, well-written, Bible verse-based response to the Republican “Christian” rationale for voting for Trump. (I put Christian in quotes because I, too, am a Christian, but I definitely will NOT be voting for Trump). I agree with your premise that little effort is being made to overturn Roe vs Wade, as that would leave the conservatives without the single issue that keep many in the party “toeing the line.”

    With regard to the upcoming presidential election, my new favorite expression is going to be, “I can’t vote for Trump; the Bible tells me so.” Love it!

    • ckratzer

      Thanks Sharon, glad you enjoyed the article!

  20. Luther Hunt

    Wow… What a Blessing to Read… I have been saying this over and over again but not as eloquently as you have laid it out. Love the fact that you have the Scriptural backing with the message. This needs to be a Broadcast on National Television so that all can hear! Thankful there are some in the Ministry that are still in tune with God!!

    • ckratzer

      Thank you Luther! And thanks for your support!

  21. Marsha A. Mason

    OMGoodness! Up until this point I have refused to post anything political on facebook, and I have steered clear of conversations with those of opposing views. I have just not been able to comprehend how anyone can support Donald Trump. This article absolutely conveys my feelings. That you articulated my feelings was so amazing that I decided to be bold enough to step up and finally share my thoughts through your article. Thank you, Chris, for helping me find my voice…even if it’s YOUR words! YES!!

    • ckratzer

      Marsha, so proud and inspired by your courage! I walk with you on this journey!

  22. Holly

    Thank you

  23. Marion Wiley

    Chris, as usual, a 5 star post! The verse you open with from Jer 6- preaching peace when there is no peace- thank you! That verse and others like it have been in my face, so to speak, since the late 70’s, and they’ve been marinating in my spirit all these years. I have a list, but that one in particular pretty well sums up the idea. I saw the application of all those verses to abusive churches once I left, but now, I’m seeing the big-picture application of all this I’ve seen for so very many years, and you’ve helped confirm it. For me, this is indeed huge. And it’s so very encouraging to know there are others out there that see it. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

    Now, “Evangelical Death Star”. Can I steal that?!

  24. Mark Williams

    Trump is deeply flawed, no doubt. But if you can read the party platforms and choose the Democrats, then you have a very big heart problem yourself. God has often used flawed men to achieve his purposes.

    • Dk

      To say anyOne who votes Democrat has a heart problem is a dangerous thing. If you truly believe your own statement, then God can even use a flawed Democrat to accomplish His purposes as well- even one that doesn’t recognize Him as God like nebuchadnezzar. The difference with the men in leadership who were deeply flawed in the Bible was the fact the people of Israel did not vote them into power… Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Isaiah 5

      I’m not not for either republican or democratic parties at this point, but I caution anyone who categorizes all people who do a specific thing in an absolute manner. That’s why we are in this mess in the first place. Beware of the power in your tongue as James wrote – Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. James 3

      • Richard

        Your article is met with mostly glowing praise from people who clearly share an echo chamber with you… You used many derogatory words and phrases to demean the President; words that are purely subjective and meant to represent your disdain for the man. I am inclined to think it’s never crossed your mind to pray for the president; only to condemn him. Since you really enjoy scripture, let me remind you of a few that you should consider- Romans, 13:1-14. Hebrews, 13:17. Titus, 3:1. 1st Peter, 2:13-14. 1st Timothy 2:1-15. 1st John 3:4. Here’s the gist of these passages from scripture: respect your leaders and show them grace, and respect the rule of law and governance. Clearly, you have failed to learn these passages. I’m happy to be the voice of dissent in your one-sided echo-chamber.

        • John

          I began attending an evangelical church in 2003 where prayers were offered during the service every week for President Bush because, as was correctly pointed out, we are called to pray for those in authority. Funny thing, after January 2009, the President wasn’t included in our corporate prayer anymore. (I moved out of the area in late 2016 so cannot speak to whether anything changed after January 20, 2017, but I suspect it did.)

          That said, yes, we are called to pray for those in authority. And I do. I prayed for President Bush, I prayed for President Obama, I pray for Governor Cooper (I live in North Carolina), and, yes, I pray for President Trump, and not even in the snarky Psalm 109 sense. I pray for his safety. (Just because I don’t care for his leadership choices doesn’t mean I want harm to come to him.) I pray for him to have wisdom, particularly in these unprecedented times. I respect the office of the President. I respect the fact that he is holding that office. I respect the law and those who enforce it equally and judiciously.

          You mention the derogatory names used against President Trump in this article. That’s a fair criticism. Do you voice similar objections when President Trump or his acolytes use derogatory terms to address those who criticize him? Do you object when he orders soldiers to forcibly disperse people exercising their First Amendment freedom of assembly and freedom to seek a redress of grievances?

          You mention Titus, but skipped Chapter 1, verse 16. Is there anything about the way President Trump has conducted himself, even before taking office, that suggests to you that he truly knows God, or that he has ever sought, with a prayerful spirit and a searching heart, the wisdom contained in that book he waved around for the cameras once the tear gas cleared?

          I’m happy to likewise be the voice of dissent in your own pro-Trump echo chamber.

      • Greg Luecht

        I do not disagree with this but CK’s article are filled with these “dangerous categorizations”.

    • Donna Johnson

      Good point, Mark! Very well said! I so agree!!

    • Christina Marlowe

      I completely agree Mark. And by the way, for those who bash his character, might I add this: policies reflect character. And the policies of Trump are indisputably God-honoring. Let’s stop judging motives here. We are not voting for a pastor- we are voting for a President.

      • ckratzer

        Christina, you are proving the whole point of this article!

  25. Jon Spieker

    Chris;

    Thank you, this is very well written. I’m going to post this probably on Facebook as well.

    • ckratzer

      Thanks Jon! Appreciate that!

  26. Rick F

    Thank you for putting in words what I try to convey to others. When I speak of immigrants or poverty, I am most harshly chastised by Christians – mostly minsters (former or current), spouses, or people who call themselves church leaders. Very rarely will anyone have an intellectual conversation about it. I visited people who came in the well-publicized caravans a couple years ago only to be told by ‘Christians’ that the immigrant stories were fake and it was a media hoax. No one took me up on my offer to go visit first hand.

    • ckratzer

      Rick, well said! What a terrible experience.

  27. Volesta

    Thank you

  28. Matt

    “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercession, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings (presidents) and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour…………” (1 Tim. 2: 1-4)

  29. Wanda

    Best article about Christians and trump I have ever read. Thank you

    • ckratzer

      Wow, thanks for the wonderful comment!

  30. Sam Collier

    Okay, now that we know you can’t vote for Trump for those reasons, imagine a new scenario. In this hypothetical, the U.S. is a secular nation and not the kingdom of god; removing the compulsion to vote for Jesus every time.

    Now, imagine if you will a completely secular government with Christians living within that country and the citizens of that country, who are not Christian wish to stop the progress of the gospel. They also condone abortion, among other not-so-Christian social and policy issues. Now, imagine that the Christians who are also citizens were given the ability to affect the outcome of that countries leadership! Whoa! Right?!

    Then, and this is entirely unheard of in modern times, a loud and boisterous, let’s say “non-Christian” citizen, having affinities for the Christians, runs for a leadership role! WHAT?! In this, he intends, as much as is possible to him (the rest of the country will fight him tooth and nail because, well, Satan right?) Will try to undo as much as is possible in favor of Christianity and the gospel.

    The Christians, seeing the providence in this, decide their goal is not to make sure that country has Jesus for president -because it is not the kingdom of God remember- but to maintain the right to preach Jesus is King with the ability to also uphold justice in any way possible in this country’s counterintuitive policy of allowing us to vote. What?! They have invited their enemy to affect their government! What dupes!

    And then, here is the weirdest part, the Christians are like, “Nah. If it ain’t Jesus, I ain’t voting”.

    That’s okay. For such a time as this we were placed upon the earth…. if you won’t, God will raise up others who will.

    We have been granted the ability to affect a secular country’s election even if we can’t flip it instantly. Christianity has taken over the world by small and calculated moves. To say you won’t participate because you know that worldly people are sinners and can’t stain your own robe by even using their system is a little immature to say the least.

    Even God used godless Kings to judge Israel many times. Is it so wrong that a godless president would be used to judge a godless nation? Or are you a Jonah who couldn’t possibly stand to see the Ninevites repent? We have the faith of Abraham who upon hearing God was going down to visit Sodom asked that the whole nation be saved for 5 righteous. You seem to be like Jonah, who God did not agree with, thinking people should be punished for the crimes before they have a chance to repent. Not very much like you father in heaven. In fact, it is reported Trump has repented but you won’t have it by your redefinition of “love” that you give.

    And from one Christian to another, I find it pertinent to repeat God’s words to Peter, “Don’t call unclean what God has cleansed”. If you don’t want to vote, don’t. We got this. Don’t act like it is the higher ground though. Especially after talking for so long about what you obviously don’t know; drawing conclusions the Bible never does. You think Trump is bad? Have you ever read Jesus’s words in Matthew 23, using words which himself said were curse words. Just because the FCC did not exist in Jesus’s day, doesn’t mean curse words did not exist. And why oh why do Christians always say “no one is perfect except Jesus” until they want to look pious? Then they want to force a litmus on the least of perfect people.

    • ckratzer

      Sam, that’s a long response to my article. In reply, I simply refer back to my article, it says it all. Enjoy.

    • Geoff

      Sam, I am tempted to simply agree with the author and refer you back to the OP again, but if you will indulge me, just a couple thoughts:

      First, I assume that your ‘hypothetical’ scenario is meant sarcastically, since it seems clear you are trying to say that this is the actual situation with the U.S. That leads to quite a few confusions in your post.

      Yes, the U.S. is a ‘secular’ country. But you then state, without any real support, that the non-Christians in our country “wish to stop the progress of the gospel.” That seems to be a great exaggeration. It’s also unclear exactly what you mean by the progress of the gospel.

      Perhaps the answer is in your next sentence, “They also condone abortion, among other not-so-Christian social and policy issues.” This is a bit of a red herring, since (as the OP notes), there is a difference between having a pro-choice political perspective and ‘condoning abortion’. It’s probably worth pointing out here that both parties promote not-so-Christian policies in their platforms. But you seem to quickly overlook that.

      Your view of the growth and development of Christianity also seems very odd. Christianity has never been in the process of “tak[ing] over the world by small and calculated moves.” Quite the opposite: Christianity has typically expanded by the movement of the Spirit in ways that often are uncalculated and appear quite random. Indeed, most of the attempts to merge Christianity with some kind of system — be it political or whatever — have led to negative outcomes (unless you believe that the most important thing about the Christian faith is numerical superiority, which has never been the message of the gospel).

      You continue to make claims that need substantiation. You say that Trump has repented; I know of no evidence for that — indeed, quite to the contrary, he has said publicly several times since becoming president that he doesn’t feel like he needs to be forgiven for anything. If you have evidence to the contrary, it would be helpful to see that.

      It’s also worth pointing out here that your use of scripture is extremely random and without context; you might think that the OP is cherry-picking but your post seems to do that in spades. Your referencing to the verse from Acts (Do not call unclean what God has called clean) seems particularly egregious here, since 1) God hasn’t said anything about Trump one way or the other, as far as I know, and 2) the passage itself, in context, points to a way of following Christ that runs in opposition to Trump’s general attitude and actions. So you seem to be grasping at straws.

      Anyway, I’ve rambled on long enough here, but these are just a few of the problems I find with your claims here.

    • Judy Kuhn

      Thank you for this!

  31. Lina Docken

    What a bunch of bs is this article I’m appalled!!! If you know Christ and have a personal relationship with him you would of never written this garbage!!! Shame on you!!

    • ckratzer

      Lina, glad to see you enjoyed the article. There’s more like it on my website. Be blessed.

  32. Jana West

    Thank you for your article. I would like to ask how God is showing you to vote for _________ .

    • ckratzer

      Jana, I don’t believe God is “showing” me how to vote. I don’t see Her writing messages in the sky or opening up parking spots for people who pray about. So, it’s hard for me to answer your question.

      • Jana West

        So I’m totally confused. Your article says God is leading you to not vote for Donald Trump. So if he’s leading you to not vote for someone, you would think he is leading you to vote for someone.

        • Jana S West

          In your words … “No, he said of His true followers, they “welcomed” me.” you refer to God being a HE. On your reply to me (above) you wrote “I don’t see Her writing messages in the sky or opening up parking spots for people who pray about. ” So I’m not sure you know what you believe. The argument of God being a HIM or a HER may not be relative to your article. I still would for you to reply to my questions. If the “Bible is telling you” not to vote for TRUMP, then the BIBLE must be telling you WHO (or what platforms) you should vote for. Correct? The Bible is not just telling us what NOT to do. It much more tells us what TO do. So I’m not necessarily disagreeing with you. I just would like to know the answer to that.

          • ckratzer

            It’s actually, in thinking about it, none of your business. The article is not about who I am voting for. Nor do I necessarily believe in your logic. Just because I may feel God not wanting me to marry a certain person, doesn’t mean I need to believe He is showing me who to marry. I use He/She randomly because God is both, and in essence, neither. Enjoy.

          • Jana S West

            It’s not giving me an opportunity to post on your last response to me so I’m writing here. I understand that it is “none of my business” who you are voting for and quite frankly, I 100% agree. It was also none of our business to know who you weren’t voting for but you posted that. I am really trying to keep an open mind and be well informed about our presidential choices to vote for. For you to give Biblical advice, I wanted to know where you stand Biblically. I think I understand. Thank you for clarity. I believe that God is the only wise God and He and He alone is sovereign. I think we all should vote for who we feel represents a Biblical worldview. Sadly, neither candidate does. So I must go down a checklist and find who represents the most Biblical worldviews — even if it may only be 2-3. From there, God will choose (allow) who He has ordained for office. Since you seem to be well knowledged with scripture, I would respectfully urge you to read the book of Esther. The truth in that passage has helped me have a healthy, respectful and knowledgeable view.

  33. Clarence

    So I take it your not voting? Biden has followed the same path. Trump has tried to move forward. Biden has made millions doing nothing for the people.
    I do follow what you have pointed out but I also know God does use the wicked. I trust God over Man. I vote Trump.
    God bless

    • ckratzer

      If you can site some specific examples with proven sources I’d be happy to give a response.

      • Greg Luecht

        Really?? I am not finding that to be the case at all??

  34. Len Lindsay

    Absolutely Wonderful Article!!! Thank you!! You explained quite clearly why NOT to vote for one of the candidates. However, the Republican candidate as recently told his supporters how terrible his opponent is in the eyes of God. Not True! Not only is the Republican candidate not to receive our vote as Christians … his Democrat opponent actually is a Moral Christian Man of Faith –

    • ckratzer

      Thanks for your comment, Len.

  35. Linda

    Your pen is golden!!!!!!!

    Respectfully
    Linda Berry

  36. Jennifer

    Chris, This was a great read and so on point. Thank you for your obedience. I hope this is read by many people because we need Truth! God is calling his people out and the fact is that there are many people
    who sit in church every Sunday and they do not know Him. There are two churches one that acknowledges God and one that knows Him. The deception of the devil is in the appearance of truth. Thank you so much..

  37. Dave Goodwyn

    Interesting article. Early on you wrote: “Many make abortion their defining issue as to the reason why they support Trump. ”
    The same can be said for supporters of Joe Biden and his very pro abortion stance.
    When Supreme Court nominee Amy Comey Barrett gets viciously attacked by Democrats and the Left in the coming weeks… the focus for the hateful vitriol that will be slung her way will be about Roe vs Wade.
    And her religious beliefs. Nothing else. Joe Biden is in interesting company, no?
    So… how do I deal with that if I am against abortion? At least in Trump’s case… his Supreme Court picks favor unborn children. Joe Biden’s would not.
    Later on you write: “Trump is undeniably the same lying, profane, greedy, mocking, bullying, divisive, jealous, arrogant, narcissistic, and hateful man he was at the beginning of his presidency”. I can agree that Donald Trump is NOT a “nice guy” nor a fine example of what a Christian man should be. But like the lustful, adulterous and murdering “King David”… God can use the least of us to do His will.
    But is Joe Biden a pillar of righteousness? Or Barack Obama. As President, Barack Obama couldn’t give a speech without using “Me, my, mine, and I” 50 plus times. It was as if the words “We” and “Our” was unfamiliar to him.
    And “Lying lips”? Really? Again… Joe Biden is a fount of truthfulness? Or Barack Obama?
    “Bullying”? The moment Donald Trump declared his candidacy… the Mainstream Media and the Democratic Party labeled him a racist… likened him to Hitler and candidate Hillary Clinton went so far as to label 1/2 the people who supported Donald Trump “deplorable racists, sexists, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic” low lifes.
    What would Jesus say about that?
    Heavens… GW Bush was a very respectful Christian man… and yet he was constantly attacked for his faith in God and Jesus Christ by the Left, the Mainstream Media. And he too was called a racist. Repeatedly.
    The same people who support Joe Biden.
    Truth be told… whether you like his style or not… Donald Trump has done more for religious freedoms than any President in my lifetime in my opinion. And I’m 68.
    Which leaves me with this question for you. Will you vote for Joe Biden? And if you do… aren’t you being hypocritically disingenuous?
    And if you choose to sit out the election… along with those you convince to do as well and the Left does take control of the levels of power in Washington DC… and they begin an assault on religious freedom… will you them come back and print a personal mea culpa?

    • ckratzer

      Dave, thanks for the comment. It’s obvious this article has confronted your core. It seems you have tried to make every effort to deflect the article. I pray in time, your defenses will subside and the light will shine in. Blessings.

      • David Goodwyn

        “Confronted my core”?
        Strange observation.
        And I didn’t deflect from your article. But you are deflecting on where you would cast your vote.
        While I think Donald Trump is a hyperbolic and boisterous blowhard… (Felt the same way about Barack Obama)… he surprised me in his embrace of Constitutional values.
        In my opinion.
        So… I will be voting Trump/Pence next month without a second thought and without suffering a crisis in faith.
        The Left, or as it might be regarded by you as the “Alternative” is secular at its core (Does that describe you now Chris?) and totalitarian in its vision. The thought of them obtaining power, as they have here in California frightens me.
        The secular Left makes things worse. I have 10 Grandkids. I worry about their future.
        Again, in my opinion.
        Chris… I prefer clarity over agreement.
        We disagree. No need for defenses. And I already see the “Light”. I haven’t lost sight of it.
        Blessings to you as well.

        • Greg Luecht

          Well stated!

  38. H

    Do you lock the doors to your house?

    • kt

      I’m a Democrat in an inner city and I don’t 🙂

      This was a great article. I am saddened by the responses that attribute to people like me view that I don’t hold (“pro-abortion”, “assaulting religious freedom”, etc). I am voting for Joe Biden and then I will continue to work energetically to hold him accountable to my vote, to hold his administration accountable to increase care for the children, the weak, the elderly; the widow, the orphan, the immigrant; increase justice and liberty for all. My heart has been touched and indeed broken by listening to the truths of my Black brothers & sisters; I live only about ten miles from where George Floyd was killed. I’ve been horrified by the “christians” in my family who say, “Well of course it’s terrible that he was killed but you know he shouldn’t have… (insert dehumanizing slander here).” We are called to do better. Even the pagans love their own — we’re called to do better. The gospel is nothing to us if we are so hard-hearted that we dismiss the pain of our sisters and brothers as hoaxes, whining, unjustified.

      The article above gets it right at the bottom in talking about love vs fear. The “christians” in my family who are so hard-hearted, who are ‘pro-life’ when it comes to abortion but say, “But, well, you have to understand…” when it comes to sterilization of refugee women against their will, or separation of babies from mothers at the border, or the ridiculously high infant mortality rate in this very rich country, are fearful people. They are people who feel they’ve been wronged. They’re people who feel they’ve not gotten what they expected they were entitled to. And they blame others for this.

      These are not the fruits of the spirit. These are not the fruits of grace.

      We are called to rejoice with those who rejoice, celebrating the successes of people who are not like us, and we are called to weep with those who mourn, sharing in the grief of those who are hurting.

  39. Dani

    Pure speculation. Notice there are no sources listed. If they actually did research, they would see that Trump has actually kept his word way more than the media portrays. There is so much here that is nothing but speculation and assumption with no real facts. No real proof. They mention that statistics say certain things, and never mention the real statistics, leading one to wonder who is really doing the lying

    • L. Smith

      Agreed

    • Geoff

      It’s always good to back up your claims. Your comment would be more consistent if you provide the statistics for your own claims as well. What are the examples you’re thinking of where Trump’s kept his word?

      • russell platt

        I see you have accepted those Soros/Chinese funds. Your whole post is filled with lies. Trump has been working on balancing the Supreme court, so your lies about abortion do not add up. Trump does not stop aliens from applying to come here, just the illegal ones. The virus in ongoing so have you forgotten that, and another reason for travel restrictions. I am sure you have been paid well for all these lies.

  40. Martin

    Believe on Jesus (1 Corinthians 15: 1-4)

    It’s sad people can not discern the times they’re in now. If you read the Bible and you follow Jesus, you know the times were in, and you’d know that voting doesn’t count. If voting mattered, they wouldn’t let you do it. All leaders are chosen, and Trump will be chosen again to create more chaos.

    Kamala’s supporters will revolt because they’re brainwashed and don’t understand the time they’re in. There will be martial law, and there will be a blackout disguised as an EMP. This will happen on the west coast

    The rapture is coming soon, all believers will be taken, and everyone else will be left here to endure
    How do I know?

    The Bible tells me so.

    The Democrats, they support north abortion and pedophilia. They are moving to pass a law through the LGBT that would legalize pedophilia. It’s only their states that are in chaos.

    How do I know? They tell us so and their actions show us so.

    Author, you need to believe on Jesus today and don’t fall prey to the left/right battle. It’s all a fabrication. How do I know, the Bible tells us so. Trust no man, only the lord. Let every man be a lie and god be true.

  41. L. Smith

    I will not vote for Biden/Harris…. same information applies. Corruption, deceit, under the table deals…“A Republic can not survive without a moral compass….“

  42. Peter mondesir

    I can understand your approach if you are not voting for Biden, and have not voted for anyone since Carter; and he was a terrible president but a very nice man.

  43. ckratzer

    Sherry, you can unsubscribe through your email at the bottom.

  44. Jim Taylor

    Sam, how in the world were you able to get Biden and President Trump confused. Everything you quoted is direct description of Biden and his democratic socialist devils. THEY, the liberals took GOD out of our schools, Democrats closed our churches , Democrats allowed riots in their cities. You said you didn’t care if Biden and his socialist VP took our guns and that you were more worried about about Republicans talking your Social Security and Health Benefits. First of all, it was the Democrats that used the majority of social security funds to build the Interstate Highway System. They couldn’t wait to get their grubby little hands on all that money. By the way Sam, Socialist Countries don’t have Social Security or Medical Care for their citizens. Anyone who wants to live in a country without free speech or personal freedom should move to an already established Socialist Government. Personally I feel that anyone voting for ANY DEMOCRAT IS CUTTING THEIR NOSE TO SPITE THEIR OWN FACE. Your friend, Jim

  45. TIMOTHY Heinrichs

    This list doesn’t apply to THE president or to THE presidential candidates, except if they, themselves apply them. These are personal verses, not national. Verses taken out of contexts can be a sin added to the list you have sited.
    This list, if applied to the president, would also apply to his opponents or all political leaders. Using this list, you could NOT vote, ever. The only qualified person, is JESUS the MESSIAH, and He is King, no voting permitted.

  46. James Rivets

    So then.
    Here we are on the brink of a presidential election and I can see you know your Bible. I can also see and agree with most of your thinking and Bible based arguments.
    But who then shall we vote for?
    The other candidate and his running mate are a far cry from the Biblical Morale Persons and Character you state we should and must demand in a President. So what then shall we do?

    • ckratzer

      James, that’s a good question, but certainly not the subject of my article. I would hope one should vote for an electable person who they believe is an improvement to our current.

  47. Me

    You liberal hack! To attribute any of this garbage to Trump, ignoring what democrats have done and are doing, makes you part of the problem, in the name of Jesus Christ, I pray that the demonic hold on you is revealed!

  48. Griddy

    A lot of this was my thoughts. Thanks for putting it into biblical perspective.

    • ckratzer

      Thanks Griddy!

  49. Richard

    That’s just about the laziest reply you could have possibly given. Not surprising, given your clearly exposed bias. You’re letting your liberalism color your Christianity. It’s not up to us to judge Trump or to assume his repentance… but you’re clearly comfortable with judging his soul and characterizing his actions in a way that support your political bent.

    • Greg Luecht

      Agree!

  50. Jennifer

    Now write a truthful narrative about
    Biden and Harris!!!
    The Bible tells me so…..

    How about the Clinton’s and Obama’s
    While you are at it!

    • ckratzer

      Jennifer, how about reading the article for what is and not deflecting from its truth with “what about Biden”?

  51. Todd Rawlings

    I am a pastor. I have been a pastor for 40 years. I have a Bachelors Degree and a Masters Degree in Theology. I taught theology at a university for nine years. I am an author myself. This article is a complete and total embarrassment. I would be afraid to twist and use scripture in such a hateful way. I would also be afraid to repost it. This is a person that knows absolutely, positively nothing about the Bible.

    • ckratzer

      You’re embarrassing yourself, Todd. In the way God is not impressed with Trump’s spiritual veneer, 40 years of experience and a couple degrees don’t mean anything, respectfully. Many of the people who claimed to be closest to Jesus and understand Him best, not only completely missed Him and His essence, but some ended up crucifying Him. Thankfully, more and more people are coming out of the brainwashing of the pretentious religiosity you obviously possess. Even the devil knows the Scriptures, congrats on spending a lot of cash and time coming up to his level.

  52. Rev.Dr.Rose M. Scaffidi

    I am awed and amazed with your article! These are the same examples I’ve used for Bible study with adults, attempting to have them open their minds and their hearts to the realities of Trump’s world of sin and the Bible’s teachings as they apply to these very days right now, today.! I often refer to Trump and his sycophants as white washed sepulchres, as the Bible calls them, that look bright and clean on the outside but are filled with filth and rot on the inside! Thank you so much for sharing your work and your Biblical Christian testimony with us all!

    • ckratzer

      Thank you Rev. Dr. Rose, so appreciate you taking the time to read and comment! We’re all in this together.

  53. Sam

    This summed up so much of what I have been feeling. Thank you. I want people to know that he does NOT represent what true Christianity stands for.

    • ckratzer

      Thanks Sam, me too!

  54. Rick

    Well you must be a voting Democrat with Biden at the top of your list.What do you have to say about the Dem’s and their hatred towards the Republican party.Also their plots and ploys to bring down the President.Why don’t you tell us why you think the Dem’s are in alignment with God’s Holy Word.Speak with conviction if possible.

  55. SarahM

    Seems to me that many people are majoring on the minors and leaving out the major issues with Trump. If Trump truly is what he claims to be shouldn’t he be showing the fruits of the spirit and if not why not? Doesn’t the scriptures plainly tell us how to exam the fruit and if the tree is producing bad fruit how can it be a good tree? Doesn’t Paul plainly tell us that the works of the flesh are OBVIOUS here

    Galatians 5
    19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

    and to top it off most people do NOT actually read what the scriptures actually say and often many will use verse against those who are LGBT yet they NEVER look at the behavior that Paul lists here

    Romans 1

    28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

    Please show me that he is not doing those things or does the fact that this is so common with him that it appears that he has been turned over to a depraved mind. And never mind the fact that Paul tops it all off in verse 32 that implies an indictment against right wing conservative Christianity in the fact that it implies that those who approve of those things have also been turned over to a depraved mind.

    Did it ever occur to many that perhaps Trump is God’s judgement against the right wing conservative Christianity because it is not of God? Does it ever occur to think that God is showing what is truly in the heart of right wing conservative Christians?

    We were not left to guess who show they are Christian, Jesus plainly tells us we would KNOW who are His disciples and that by the love we show. John plainly tells that us again and again that if we DO NOT love our brother and sister WE CAN NOT know the Father. (It’s IMPOSSIBLE to know the Father if there is no love) Paul himself again and again tells us that it all comes down to love. In fact the very first fruit of the Spirit that is listed is LOVE. And Paul even gets to the point the ONLY thing that matters is faith working in love.

    When is the Church going to wake up and understand that any type of real change can ONLY come through love. It will not come from making up new laws. If you want people to sin more make up more laws. (Israel had a hard enough time with 613)

    We are told that it’s grace that teaches us to say no

    Titus 2

    11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

    It has never a matter of the head alone but a matter of the heart and whatever is in the heart is what will come out. When are going to get that love is eternal because God is love and we love He first loved us and we are to show that in the in the same manner that He did.

    • ckratzer

      Well said, Sarah.

  56. Christopher A Harper

    Someone needed to say it! God bless!

  57. Beatrice

    If you pray long and hard enough God shall reveal his truth to you as well as others , regardless of who sides with who . Can we agree that man hasn’t been able to end injustice, hatred , poverty, illness , and most of all death no matter who is in office and who does a what for the people we can agree that these other situations have not ended since man has ruled the world but Jesus says you should ask the Father in prayer to let his kingdom come his will be done On Earth As In Heaven John 6:9,10 Which means True Peace , Love , Justice , and Life Everlasting
    Christ Jesus is king in Heaven and soon overall the Earth he will solve all mankind’s problems as he did while on earth . So preach Gods word as the Answer to mankind’s problems Christ Jesus and King
    Daniel 2:44 In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed in this kingdom will not be passed on to any other people it will crash and put an end to all of these kingdoms in it along with them forever.
    Revelation 21:4,5. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more neither will morning North outcry nor pain D anymore for the former things have passed away and the one seated on the throne said” look !I am making all things new” also he says “write, for these words are faithful and true”. This is what we should be expecting and hoping for till the end . Mathew 24:3-44

  58. Paul

    Did you ignore Rick’s question? How is the democratic party aligned to God’s will? The President’s SCOTUS pick is anti-abortion. Biden’s pick would be pro abortion, that to me destroys the credibility of the article in the first paragraph. The democratic party is committed to the systematic deconstruction of Christianity and her moral structures which are based on the laws of God, they support publicly funded and even live birth abortion, Christianity in America is declining, obama barely mentioned God in his dnc address while TRUMP lauded him as almighty God. they I think biden is a puppet to pave the way for a Kamala Harris ultra-liberal Presidency.

  59. Greg Luecht

    Hi Chris! I enthusiastically read your column as I feel we all, as Believers, would do well to consult God’s word as guidance in our everyday lives. I also however feel that it is of utmost importance in this effort to rightly divide the word. Above you had stated that God never raised up anyone for leadership who did not first repent of their sins. You emphatically stated not one. What struck me as you said that was the term you use which was raised up. Romans 9:17 citing Exodus 9:16 seems to directly contradict that statement. I have other points and comments to follow but thought I would start with that. I noted that you personally reacted to some of the comments in the post so I thought we might be able to hash out some of my thoughts regarding what God’s word has to bear on some of your points.

  60. Jason

    Dude, do you even know about Trump defunding Planned Parenthood, or how about taking care of ms13 and shoring up the borders which has decreased the amount of human trafficking. Not to mention what he has done for each race. It’s called facts bro, do some homework before pointing the finger.
    And what solutions do you have?

    Man isn’t perfect, but has been the best president around in a very long time

  61. Cheryl Meglio

    When necessary, God will and has used many non spiritual leaders to get things accomplished, and they may not even realize why they did something. Consider Cyrus, King of Persia who made the decree that allowed the Jews to return to their land after being enslaved, and to build God a Temple. Ezra 1:2 Cyrus even paid for the work, and returned the Temple vessels that King Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple years before. God will use anyone that is a willing vessel to accomplish a task. None of us are perfect, or love perfectly. As Christians, for those who want to be like their Lord Jesus, we try to display the fruit of the Spirit, but we are each on our own walk with God. From the day we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour and turn from our wickedness, we continue to grow in grace.
    It’s not for me to judge a mans heart, that’s Gods job. What I can look at is what does he stand for, does he support Israel? (the Lord says He will bless those who bless Israel and curse those that curse her), does he support religious freedom, does he support Life? Or are we so blinded by our hatred of the mans personality traits that we would vote to continue the bloody murder of babies, and allow our freedoms of speech and to worship to be abolished? If you or your readers are truly followers of Jesus, you won’t mind asking Jesus to remove any scales of deception from your eyes that you can see clearly. Ask, Pray, Listen. As followers of Jesus we cannot continue to stand by and watch when the Democratic Party and their candidates have unequivocally said they will continue killing the unborn. People, this action has brought a spirit of death over our nation. Wonder why there’s violence in the streets, neighbors killing neighbors? We have unleashed a beast and continue to give it approval to wreak havoc in America with each child that is offered at the altar of convenience. The Lord God is standing and waiting to forgive our sins, but we must ask and repent. Are you old enough to remember when you could go to the grocery without watching your back? How about when you could ride your bike anywhere and you were safe? As parents, when is the last time you allowed your kids under 12 to go anywhere without you because you were worried they wouldn’t be safe?

    This election is not about a man. It is about a nation deciding our future. This is a spiritual battle for our nation at its very core.
    Will we continue with “my rights”, without regard to the sacredness of life? God is not mocked, we will reap violence and destruction if we continue on this path. Consider the book of Revelation where those martyred during the tribulation period ask Jesus, “How long oh Lord Holy and True before You avenge our blood on them that dwell in the earth?” Revelation 6:9

    Today, Jesus is hearing the voices of 60 million children whose lives on earth were lost. But it doesn’t stop there, each baby may have grown to have children, and grandchildren, etc. Consider all of the lineages that were never born. If we have an opportunity at this moment to stop this carnage we must act! I like my life, I want our country to continue and not be under a deadly spiritual curse because of our own violence as a people.
    There are national judgments and personal judgments. God is Just and loves us so much He continues to warn us. But when He has provided a way out, a means of change for our national bad behaviors, we must know that to vote Democratic on a pro choice platform is a vote for our destruction as a nation.”If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves (fasting) and pray, seek My Face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will heal their land”.2Chronicles7:13-14. Listen for His Voice, let Him heal us, so we can live under an open heaven of blessing.

    • SarahM

      Cheryl,

      Did you actually read Ezra 1:2? (I have to ask this since many Evangelicals claim that Cyrus was a pagan.) Ezra quotes Cyrus saying this in verse 2

      2 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:

      “‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. 4 And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’”

      Please notice that Cyrus makes the claim that it is the Lord God of Heaven who appointed him.

      And when you state that God will bless those who bless Israel is NOT in the Bible and IS NEVER quoted to Israel. God says that to ABRAM. It is given to Abraham BEFORE Israel ever exits and God NEVER in that passage says that is passed on to Abrahams offspring.
      Here is what it actually says

      Now the Lord had said to Abram:

      “Get out of your country,
      From your family
      And from your father’s house,
      To a land that I will show you.
      2 I will make you a great nation;
      I will bless you
      And make your name great;
      And you shall be a blessing.
      3 I will bless those who bless you,
      And I will curse him who curses you;
      And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

      All those promises are given to Abraham alone.

      It also a misuse of 2 Chronicles as those curses and blessings of the land were part of the mosaic law for Israel. If you read it in context God is speaking to SOLOMON in the temple.

      2 Chronicles 7
      11When Solomon had finished the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the Lord and in his own palace, 12the Lord appeared to him at night and said:

      “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.

      13“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.

      17“As for you, if you walk before me faithfully as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe my decrees and laws, 18I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father when I said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor to rule over Israel.’

      19“But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, 20then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. 21This temple will become a heap of rubble. All who pass by will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ 22People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—that is why he brought all this disaster on them.’ ”

      Where did God ever tell Christians that we were given a land promise in the promised land that included blessings and curses? God is retelling Solomon the same thing that Moses told the Israelites in Deuteronomy 30

      1 When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come on you and you take them to heart wherever the LORD your God disperses you among the nations, 2 and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, 3 then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. 4 Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you and bring you back. 5 He will bring you to the land that belonged to your ancestors, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors. 6 The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. 7 The LORD your God will put all these curses on your enemies who hate and persecute you. 8 You will again obey the LORD and follow all his commands I am giving you today. 9 Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your ancestors, 10 if you obey the LORD your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
      The Offer of Life or Death
      11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. 15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

      No where in the New Testament are Christians ever told that. Never mind the fact that the early Christians were living under the Roman empire.

      • SarahM

        And one other thing on this which a lot of people don’t think of when you try to apply God’s statement to Abraham, if you actually read what the Bible actually says it means God has to curse Himself. Why is that you might ask.

        Very simple

        Deuteronomy 28

        15 “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:

        16 “Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country.

        17 “Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

        18 “Cursed shall be the [e]fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.

        19 “Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out.

        20 “The Lord will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Me. 21 The Lord will make the [f]plague cling to you until He has consumed you from the land which you are going to possess. 22 The Lord will strike you with consumption, with fever, with inflammation, with severe burning fever, with the sword, with scorching,[g] and with mildew; they shall pursue you until you perish. 23 And your heavens which are over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you shall be iron. 24 The Lord will change the rain of your land to powder and dust; from the heaven it shall come down on you until you are destroyed.

        25 “The Lord will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them; and you shall become [h]troublesome to all the kingdoms of the earth. 26 Your carcasses shall be food for all the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and no one shall frighten them away. 27 The Lord will strike you with the boils of Egypt, with tumors, with the scab, and with the itch, from which you cannot be healed. 28 The Lord will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of heart. 29 And you shall grope at noonday, as a blind man gropes in darkness; you shall not prosper in your ways; you shall be only oppressed and plundered continually, and no one shall save you.

        30 “You shall betroth a wife, but another man shall lie with her; you shall build a house, but you shall not dwell in it; you shall plant a vineyard, but shall not gather its grapes. 31 Your ox shall be slaughtered before your eyes, but you shall not eat of it; your donkey shall be violently taken away from before you, and shall not be restored to you; your sheep shall be given to your enemies, and you shall have no one to rescue them. 32 Your sons and your daughters shall be given to another people, and your eyes shall look and fail with longing for them all day long; and there shall be [i]no strength in your hand. 33 A nation whom you have not known shall eat the fruit of your land and the produce of your labor, and you shall be only oppressed and crushed continually. 34 So you shall be driven mad because of the sight which your eyes see. 35 The Lord will strike you in the knees and on the legs with severe boils which cannot be healed, and from the sole of your foot to the top of your head.

        36 “The Lord will bring you and the king whom you set over you to a nation which neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you shall serve other gods—wood and stone. 37 And you shall become an[j] astonishment, a proverb, and a byword among all nations where the Lord will drive you.

        38 “You shall carry much seed out to the field but gather little in, for the locust shall [k]consume it. 39 You shall plant vineyards and tend them, but you shall neither drink of the wine nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them. 40 You shall have olive trees throughout all your territory, but you shall not anoint yourself with the oil; for your olives shall drop off. 41 You shall beget sons and daughters, but they shall not be yours; for they shall go into captivity. 42 Locusts shall [l]consume all your trees and the produce of your land.

        43 “The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. 44 He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail.

        45 “Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you [m]did not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. 46 And they shall be upon you for a sign and a wonder, and on your descendants forever.

        47 “Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, 48 therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you. 49 The Lord will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand, 50 a nation of fierce countenance, which does not respect the elderly nor show favor to the young. 51 And they shall eat the increase of your livestock and the produce of your land, until you are destroyed; they shall not leave you grain or new wine or oil, or the increase of your cattle or the offspring of your flocks, until they have destroyed you.

        52 “They shall besiege you at all your gates until your high and fortified walls, in which you trust, come down throughout all your land; and they shall besiege you at all your gates throughout all your land which the Lord your God has given you. 53 You shall eat the [n]fruit of your own body, the flesh of your sons and your daughters whom the Lord your God has given you, in the siege and desperate straits in which your enemy shall distress you. 54 The [o]sensitive and very refined man among you will[p] be hostile toward his brother, toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the rest of his children whom he leaves behind, 55 so that he will not give any of them the flesh of his children whom he will eat, because he has nothing left in the siege and desperate straits in which your enemy shall distress you at all your gates. 56 The [q]tender and [r]delicate woman among you, who would not venture to set the sole of her foot on the ground because of her delicateness and sensitivity, [s]will refuse to the husband of her bosom, and to her son and her daughter, 57 her [t]placenta which comes out from between her feet and her children whom she bears; for she will eat them secretly for lack of everything in the siege and desperate straits in which your enemy shall distress you at all your gates.

        58 “If you do not carefully observe all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, THE LORD YOUR GOD, 59 then the Lord will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary plagues—great and prolonged plagues—and serious and prolonged sicknesses. 60 Moreover He will bring back on you all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid, and they shall cling to you. 61 Also every sickness and every plague, which is not written in this Book of the Law, will the Lord bring upon you until you are destroyed. 62 You shall be left few in number, whereas you were as the stars of heaven in multitude, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God. 63 And it shall be, that just as the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good and multiply you, so the Lord will rejoice over you to destroy you and bring you to nothing; and you shall be plucked[u] from off the land which you go to possess.

        64 “Then the Lord will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other gods, which neither you nor your fathers have known—wood and stone. 65 And among those nations you shall find no rest, nor shall the sole of your foot have a resting place; but there the Lord will give you a [v]trembling heart, failing eyes, and anguish of soul. 66 Your life shall hang in doubt before you; you shall fear day and night, and have no assurance of life. 67 In the morning you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were evening!’ And at evening you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were morning!’ because of the fear which terrifies your heart, and because of the sight which your eyes see.

        68 “And the Lord will take you back to Egypt in ships, by the way of which I said to you, ‘You shall never see it again.’ And there you shall be offered for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you.”

        Who is the one doing the cursing to the nation Israel in that passage?

  62. Greg Luecht

    Well stated Cheryl. I found this article to be flawed from it’s foundations of first: Mr. Kratzer’s pragmatic compromise on the evil truth of abortion in supporting pro-choice and second: his emphatic (and incorrect) assertion of God not raising up any leader who has not first repented (Cyrus and Pharaoh are 2 contradictions). Mr. Kratzer then moves in broad strokes of judgment RE “acceptable” levels of repentance and fruit from President Trump, the “evils” of Trump’s evangelical followers for not supporting the media narratives (white supremacy??), and their failures in loving others as themselves. All of these problems noted about large groups without mentioning the solution who is Christ and His sacrifice for our sins. This sacrifice is to be accepted in each individual’s heart. This is then followed by “the working out” of one’s salvation and sanctification in one’s own life-many times over a period of time and not immediate or momentary. Mr. Kratzer also has chosen (in replies to previous comments) to dodge the inevitable question of him
    presumably supporting Biden and the opposing parties ungodly platform. All of us would do well to remember that the Apostle Paul, in his knowledge of the scriptures, also thought he originally had it right in persecuting the church (and Christ) before he met the person of Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who reveals the truth of His Word as He did for Paul. May we all humbly be open to the Spirit’s direction in our lives (and our votes).

  63. Kenny

    Are you sure? Look at the alternative on the ballot. I’ll just leave you with this. Matthew 18:6.
    Be careful my brother Chris. You are using the bible to give worldly advise. Stick to the teachings of the bible to give spiritual advise. Be careful to not lead your flock astray.

    • ckratzer

      Kenny, this article is about Trump, stop deflecting away from that. Fortunately, my use of the Bible is close to the heart of Jesus, whether you call it wordly or not. You sound just like those who criticized Jesus for being around “sinners.” Good luck with that.

      • RFK

        So then what is the Biblical solution if the premise is that a Christian cannot vote for an “ungodly” leader? According to your logic a Christian should never vote for President because every single one on the ballot lately has had huge personal and character flaws. Certainly you are not one of those “leaders” who give lectures on issues but don’t present solutions…or are you?

  64. Greg Luecht

    It seems like one of the primary things that you’re implying is that the Lord does not use those that do not visibly repent to a certain standard of which you cite bible verses to establish. And this being the case one therefore could not possibly cast his vote for president Trump. As I noted above it has been established that the Lord will even use unbelievers to forward his will such as king Cyrus or even pharaoh. This makes it quite possible that the Lord could be using President Trump whether he has attained a certain level of sanctification or even if he is an unbeliever. Think of the related example of Paul when he was in prison. He was happy that Christ was being preached through people weather it was by jealousy and envy or through sincere motives. This precondition of repentance that you are asserting for God to use President Trump does not seem to agree with scripture. And a further note on your chosen method of dealing with the abortion issue . It seems to be a non-biblical compromise. If anything God’s word, including the word made flesh, works exclusively through proclaiming truth that life starts at or even before conception and not compromising it. A vote for pro-choice so that one could work through social channels down the line is a compromise of Truth and a version of the ends justify the means. Think of Christ when he was offered the world by Satan but refused to compromise for gods goal because it wasn’t consistent with the father’s will and word. Sorry for the lack of proper capitalization as I am dictating on the road.

  65. Greg Luecht

    Sorry for going on I just wanted to clarify a slight change in what I dictated. I could not in my knowledge edit it. Above I said that God works exclusively through the truth and in the case of abortion the truth is that life starts at or even before conception.

  66. Jamie

    Trump has admitted he has never asked God for forgiveness. Here he is on video doing so at Liberty University.

  67. Matthew Green

    I’m not sure what I’ll do on Election Day but your perspective on abortion is so jaded. Many people I know love women and children and your words are so hateful and condemning and wrong. There may be some people that fit your narrative, but by far most people who are pro life are not as you painted them with a broad brush. You showed no grace to people who think differently than you, but instead disdain. I don’t have it completely right and neither do you, so be gracious to people who aren’t in your bubble.

    • ckratzer

      Matthew, please use specifics as to where my article has been “hateful” and lacking grace to the abortion issue.

      • RFK

        See my post below. Wouldn’t call “hateful” the right word…more like “ignorant” and “biased”.

    • Greg Luecht

      Well stated Matthew!

  68. LO

    In the Bible, God used an ass to send a message. ALL people are imperfect. So you gave all the reasons you are not voting for Trump, but you didn’t give reasons why you ARE voting for Biden. He is just as imperfect in God’s eyes.

    • ckratzer

      Am I voting for Biden, where did I say that?

  69. Greg Luecht

    Chris… I’m somewhat confused by your silence RE my posts. Any reaction??

  70. RFK

    First off, the article’s entire premise is wrong. I would estimate at least 90% of actual “walk-the-talk” Christians do not like Trump the person. But when you vote for President, you are not voting for a person. You are voting for the principles and ideals which best match up with your beliefs. Now I couldn’t even get through the entire article because it was so off-base, but what is the author’s solution for a Christian? Vote Democrat solely because Biden “might” be a better person? That is laughable to the extreme.

    And as for another example to show how similar this article is to other biased anti-conservative articles here is his direct quote about Christians and abortion…

    “Many make abortion their defining issue as to the reason why they support Trump. They posture themselves as wanting to make it illegal, as if that was the cure. It all looks and sounds so spiritual to the casual observer. Yet, inwardly, they have little-to-no heart for a real solution. For if they did, they would be addressing, providing for, and adopting the proven remedies that positively impact abortion. But, they don’t.”

    Really? So the author personally knows each Christian’s actions related to adoption and supporting life-saving remedies like crisis pregnancy centers? Do you know how many Christians adopt and support life-saving remedies? And to call those who oppose the killing of actual life (which also goes against science by the way) “manipulative” and supporters of a “political false flag” is beyond disgusting.

    • Greg Luecht

      Well stated RFK!

  71. Edwin

    You are entitled to your opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts. I find you are hateful towards trump. You took scripture out of context. Two scripture verses you should apply to yourself are the ones that state: love your neighbors as yourself, and pray for your enemies etc. Trump is your neighbor, yet you are fool of so much hatred towards him that you can’t even see that. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, satan used scripture (out of context) to deceive Jesus even into bowing down to him. Jesus also replied with scripture, but in the right context. You used scripture in the context of gossip and hate towards your neighbor. I call him( Trump) my brother in Christ. I believe he is a Christian. Also God is the one who appoints kings and rulers ,princes, and whoever He chooses to put as leader. Our job is to pray for them. So if you think Trump is an enemy,,,, pray for him and bless him with God’s wisdom and knowledge.

  72. Greg Luecht

    CK’s lack of response to my biblically-based comments spurred me on to do an impromptu survey of his reply to comments on this article. I found that he replied to most all the supportive comments but only selectively replied to those that challenged his position. In his replies to those critical comments he tends to ask for a Biblical basis of the critical comment. This would be understandable except for the trend of when a critical comment or question does include biblical basis he does not directly address it. It is one thing to infer a Biblical awareness and express an opinion on a topic but quite another thing to then not choose to defend said position when biblically challenged. I find this irresponsible and even disturbing when considering that this shirks the responsibility that all believers have to sharpen and encourage each other in God’s word. Chris, your selective tendency to not defend and or clarify your expressed stances only discredits your opinions.

    • ckratzer

      Dude, don’t you have anything better to do with your life?

      • Greg Luecht

        Actually I don’t. I can’t think of a more important role in the Kingdom then rightly dividing God’s word. This has been the case in my life since my wife was led to being an annointed teacher of God’s word. Since that commission this has been our Central purpose for up to a decade now. Your reply to my last text makes plane your casual attitude towards this important role in God’s Kingdom. I strongly suggest that you reflect on that attitude if you continue to lead the flock of followers of your writings that you apparently have. These people depend on you to rightly divide God’s word and since God’s word is spirit and life this should not be taken lightly. You stated in one of your posts up above that you attempt to follow the Heart of Jesus in your scriptural writings – the attitude that you display towards me and my posts certainly does not show this. My hope for you is that you strongly consider James 3:1 as you pursue this solemn Duty further.

        • ckratzer

          Greg, it’s undeniably obvious that this article has confronted your religiosity and the pretentiousness of your personal faith construct. I would respectfully suggest you stop feeding your defensiveness with hopes of stirring up arguments on this thread and, instead, spend time alone prayerfully asking the Spirit why this article is shaking the core of your spirituality. I once was a conservative Evangelical pastor of 20+ years, so I know what you are going through and the webs of deception that entangle you. I would encourage you to read my book, “Leatherbound Terrorism” with an openness to the Spirit. Blessings to you. https://www.amazon.com/Leatherbound-Terrorism-Chris-Kratzer/dp/0692191623

          • Greg Luecht

            Chris, please recall my original posts that invited your response to the apparent contradiction in scripture of your assertion that God ONLY uses leaders of a certain level of repentance for His purposes. Did I miss your explanation?? Did I miss your explanation of this contradiction or did you avoid answering all together?? Was this not covered in your 20+ yrs as a pastor?? Was this subject not covered in one of your books?? Does playing “identity religion” in your unfound accusations against me help clarify that God has used even unbelievers to further His Kingdom (so why not Trump?). Why do you chose to not acknowledge an error in your reasoning? Scripture plainly states in Isaiah 45:1-5 that Cyrus DID NOT KNOW God yet he was used by God to help Israel rebuild their wall. In Exodus 9:13-17 it plainly states that God RAISED up Pharaoh in order for God to show His power on Israel’s behalf. Do you ignore these things out of ignorance or is it because these truths do not neatly fit into your narrative? The more you “speak” the more evident to me that you should reconsider my last post and take it to heart. You are correct that to participate in God’s grace calls for humility and courage. Your readers deserve that you practice what you preach. “Grace is brave . Be brave.” (and pursue truth even if it does not agree with what you believe)

          • ckratzer

            This I why I don’t engage you, the Bible tells me so. “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.” Proverbs 26:4

  73. Mikhail Vershinin

    lol you are a tare disguised as a Christian.

  74. Denise M Lawton

    Thank you for supplying me with a cache of arms to defend my loving God❣

    • ckratzer

      Denise, thanks!

  75. Anna Goldthorpe

    I literally cried when I read this because it’s exactly what I believe as well and the Bible thoroughly supports it! I had increasingly become frustrated because I could never find a well written article expressing these things and was considering writing one myself but your words are so much more succinct and well articulated than mine would be. Thank you for taking the time to write this and with such detail.

    • ckratzer

      Anna, thanks for reading and commenting, Your encouragement is so appreciated.

  76. Greg Luecht

    Chris, I was not able to directly reply to your last comment so I’ll make a general comment. It is interesting to note that you referenced not to waste your time answering a fool. This fool was one of those Joe average Christians wanting to discuss your view on what scripture has to bear on a point you’re trying to make . Up to this point I would say that we’ve gone back and forth via text the most of any of the comments on your post but you have yet to address my biblical point. It is not I who judge or call you to account but it is scripture itself. The old adage that I’m familiar with is apparently true of you that states- don’t let the Bible get in the way of what you believe. Be well. I’ll sign off at this point not being able to get your input into my biblical query.

  77. Ken Naugle

    I would argue that it is NOT as some argue here that God uses the nonbeliever to accomplish His will that is the main point. Rather it is to ask would you choose a brazenly Godless man as your leader based solely on ONE narrow and divisive theological stance? Greg Leucht is making a weak Biblical argument here. It also is dead wrong to say the Bible says we can’t judge when it comes to choosing our leaders. If I were compare a man like Donald Trump to virtually any other choice considering mainly the 10 Commandments, Proverbs Ch 6:12-19 as was cited here, and Jesus’ teachings in Matthew Chs. 5-8 and elsewhere? Then Trump loses hands down. The argument in favor of Trump is NOT really Biblical, but rather I say it is from Faust.
    P.S. “Joe Biden is as good a man as God ever created!” – Sen. Lindsay Graham, SC.

  78. abbadon

    Perhaps PRESIDENT TRUMP and myself are not as perfect as you, but kamala, like hillary (and the rest of their ilk) are just way too EVIL. Every time obama, hillary, nancy, or any of their klan appear on the screen I feel the hate just glaring from their eyes. I change the channel quickly.

  79. Auston Louis

    What you have written is a distortion of the truth. You justify not voting for pro-life on the weakest argument I have ever read. Your letter will encourage people to vote for Biden who supports the outright murder of the innocent, and your excuse is that the Republican Party hasn’t offered a solution to how to care for unwanted babies allowed to be born. There currently are, and have always been, couples and singles willing and wanting to adopt children, especially babies. You have written your own confession and will be held accountable for every child murdered in the womb since you decided to post your disgraceful letter. Don’t you dare use the words of the Bible to justify murder of the innocent! As far as the foreigner is concerned, you are living in a bubble filled with ignorance and have not heard of the many drug smugglers and MS 13 terrorists that have crossed our border. Why don’t you quote the Bible against the violence taking place by Black Lives Matters where in California an African American Chief of Police was defending a pawn shop and brutely murdered? My insight into your post is that you must be involved in some form of immorality, and it has tarnished your ability to reason. May God have mercy on your deranged soul!

    • Eow

      Its 6pm. Just had my third abortion today. Feeling great! Pass the peas.

      The christian way: life begins at conception and ends at birth.

  80. Ali

    Brother Oscar: Daniel 2:21-22……..AND HE CHANGES THE TIMES AND THE SEASONS;HE REMOVES KINGS AND RAISES UP KINGS;HE GIVES WISDOM TO THE WISE AND KNOWLEDGE TO THOSE WHO HAVE UNDERSTANDING. HE REVEALS DEEP AND SECRET THINGS;HE KNOWS W WHAT IS IN THE DARKNESS AND LIGHT DWELLS WITH HIM.who are we to judgment ?God is in control.

  81. Donna

    I just read this article, and wish I had read it before the election so I could have shared it then. I agree with and appreciate all the points you made, and the term “Evangelical Death Star” will now become a permanent fixture in my lexicon.

  82. R Smit

    Thank you, Chris, for this article. I read it when it was first posted in Fall 2020 and then shared it on Facebook. I lost a friend over her vulgar posted reaction to the article and my life has been so much more peaceful since then. God has blessed you with discernment and the skill to express it well. Thank you so much.

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