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Ken Hull
Boalsburg
As the son of a man who rarely went to church and didn't label himself "Christian," I witnessed in my father's words and actions a life that truly exemplified Christian virtues and values.
I became a Christian at the age of 13, and over the last 50 years have tried to live out the virtues and values of my faith. It hasn't been easy, and I've fallen short many times. But through time spent with my dad, studying the Bible, and the examples of true believers, I feel I have a pretty good sense of what characteristics Christians should exemplify in themselves and look for in others--especially in a leader.
I feel that a leader who touts himself as one who stands for and defends Christian virtues and values, should in fact exemplify those virtues and values. I've been watching and listening to Donald Trump for years, and feel he truly doesn't exemplify any of them. This isn't just based on my "feelings;" it's based mostly on the Bible. Galatians, 5:22,23 lists the virtues and values of Christianity ("Fruits of the Holy Spirit") as follows:
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Gentleness
Faithfulness
Self-Control
I asked myself, "Which of those does Donald Trump exemplify?"
Chapter 5 also lists the antithesis of Christian virtues and values ("Desires of the Sinful Nature"):
Hostility
Quarreling
Outbursts of Anger
Jealousy
Selfish Ambition
Dissension
Discord
Factions
Again, I asked myself, "Which of those does Donald Trump exemplify?"
In the Book of Matthew 7:15-20, in Jesus's own words he says, "Watch out for false prophets... By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit..."
Considering all the biblical evidence, and without the bias of "feelings", Donald Trump doesn't seem to match up with many of the "Fruits of the Holy Spirit". But with his words, and by his actions, seems to match many if not all of the "Desires of the Sinful Nature."
Given this evidence, and policies aside, is this the kind of man we want as our President? Is this the kind of man we want representing America in the world? To my brothers and sisters of faith, is this the kind of man we truly believe exemplifies Christian virtues and values? I for one certainly do not.
Silence gives consent. If I/we don't speak out against a wrong, an injustice or potential harm, it is tantamount to condoning it. I feel an obligation to speak out against such things. When Jesus saw something wrong or harmful, even among his own Jewish leaders, he called them out and rebuked them (Matthew chapter 23)!
Based on the Biblical truths I've learned and experienced over my lifetime, I cannot, and will not, support or vote for Donald Trump. He is the antithesis of one who stands for and defends Christian virtues and values, and I'm ashamed at how he's dishonored Christianity.