The Moral Case for Trump? Further Critique of Grudem’s Arguments

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In recent weeks, as the reality of Donald Trump’s nomination has continued to settle, op-eds have begun to circulate on social media claiming to make a “moral” case for his candidacy. These are addressed to an evangelical readership, and built to appeal to traditional evangelical beliefs.

CHR Comment: Grudem’s argument that a vote for Donald Trump is morally correct continues to receive criticism, this time from Eric C. Miller of Religion Dispatches. Miller’s critique is very direct, citing examples of Trump’s behavior and noting that they do not match up well with the moral behavior expected of Evangelicals. He also criticizes what he describes as the Republican-Evangelical alliance, holding that this political arrangement is harmful to Evangelicalism since its leaders must prop up a candidate that does not fit with their doctrine and practice. The Republican-Evangelical alliance dates to the Reagan years and involved the Moral Majority and Christian Coalition. Recently, James Dobson of Focus on the Family was cited as saying that Trump was a convert to Evangelical Christianity.

Grudem’s arguments for supporting Trump have intensified the political debate for American Christians as persons from both parties argue that their candidate fits best with Christianity while many Christians are dissatisfied with the character of both Trump and Clinton.

Source: The Moral Case for Trump? | Religion Dispatches

Boston Mob Boss Resurfaces in Memphis as Pastor

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Robert “Bobby” Luisi Jr. realizes some people will dismiss his conversion as a fraud.

CHR Comment: Luisi now goes by the name Alonso Esposito, has a ministry under that name, and a charismatic preacher. He moved to Memphis through the witness protection program. He is releasing a book about his experience, which is perhaps why the article was written.

Source: Boston mob boss resurfaces in Memphis as pastor

Why Voting for Donald Trump Is a Morally Good Choice – Wayne Grudem and His Critics

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Some of my Christian friends tell me they can’t in good conscience vote for Donald Trump because, when faced with a choice between the lesser of two evils, the morally right thing is to choose neither one. They recommend voting for a third-party or write-in candidate.

CHR Comment: Grudem is a well known Evangelical theologian. His opinion piece on townhall.com is criticized by Jonathan Merritt in Religion News Service and by Michael Stark in the Huffington Post. I am posting links to all three opinion pieces below so readers can explore them. I will add a few observations:

Merritt attacks Grudem for publishing a book on politics, which he does not like/disagrees with. His argument is that Grudem is not an expert on the topics in his book on politics so he should not dare to publish on them. I suppose that since so many of us are not experts on political or policy issues, by Merritt’s reasoning, we are excluded from expressing opinions about the issues. He seems to advocate a world run by experts when we live in a republic that requires the involvement (voting) of persons who are not experts. Merritt’s reasoning is odd and really just a personal attack on Grudem.

Stark’s article seems better written but, not surprisingly, differs with Grudem in its arguments and conclusions. One line in Stark is very telling and potentially confusing to readers. He writes:

“If it is a duty to vote, as Grudem says, then we ought to vote for the candidate that is least objectionable and will promote freedom to the greatest amount of people.”

Stark is not describing Grudem’s view but his own view when he refers to promoting freedom to the greatest amount of people. Stark is presenting an argument for consequentialist ethics, with greatest freedom as the highest value in politics. In connection with this, he emphasizes the love of Jesus as a means of Christianizing the argument.

In contrast, Grudem is arguing something quite different. He asks:

“Which vote is most likely to bring the best results for the nation?”

As a more traditional Christian ethicist, Grudem is thinking in terms of divine-command ethics rather than consequentialist ethics. He is not concerned about calculating what most people regard as the most valuable but what God has said is most important or “best” as he puts it. So Grudem and Stark are working with very different systems of ethics. They are interpreting and applying the Bible in very different ways.

Source: Why Voting for Donald Trump Is a Morally Good Choice – Wayne Grudem

http://religionnews.com/2016/07/30/wayne-grudem-donald-trump-politics/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-stark/voting-for-trump-is-not-a_b_11290252.html

Saints’ Blood and Bones Inspire Catholic Pilgrims in Poland

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Relics of saints aren’t rare in Krakow, especially these days.

CHR Comment: The article describes the relics of three persons: St. John Paul II, Mary Magdalene, and Polish nun and mystic, Faustina Kowalska. This illustrations the strength of traditional Roman Catholic devotion in Poland. Additionally, Pope Francis is showing special devotion to Mary Magdalene, whom he sees as an important example for current Catholics.

Source: Saints’ blood and bones inspire Catholic pilgrims in Poland – The Washington Post

Supreme Court May Be Converting on Religion

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Protections for religious liberty could give way to discrimination claims

CHR Comment: The article opens with a case about a family-owned pharmacy being forced to stock and sell contraceptives against their religious views (most likely Roman Catholic). Justice Alito sees a trend away from religious liberty toward emphasis on equality in the justice system. The fundamental conflict at work is two different ethical systems: consequential ethics vs. divine command ethics. Christianity, at its root is committed to divine command ethics, though modernist  Christians are increasingly attempting to wed the two ethical systems.

Source: Supreme Court may be converting on religion

Muslim Blasts Extremists at Friday Prayer with Christians

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Muslims and Catholics joined in Friday prayers at the mosque in the Normandy town where an elderly priest was slain this week, with one imam chastising the extremists as non-Muslims who are “not part of civilization.”

CHR Comment: The article explains that the Catholics had sold the plot of land to the Muslims so that they could build a mosque. Moderate Muslims want to rebuild peaceful relations.

Source: Muslim blasts extremists at Friday prayer with Christians

How the Vatican Can Shed Light on the Holocaust

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The Vatican has refused to open all of its World War II archives. Pope Francis’ visit to Auschwitz on Friday is the perfect moment to change policy.

CHR Comment: The Vatican Archives are a historic treasure and likely hold a mountain of information about the greatest global conflict in history: World War II. They recently released information about the World War I sinking of the Lusitania and the Armenian Genocide. If these releases are an indication of their policy, the archive will not likely release documents until the 2030s or 2040s.

Source: How the Vatican Can Shed Light on the Holocaust – The New York Times

Ukraine’s President Calls for Recognition of Splinter Church

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The Ukrainian president has called on an Orthodox Christian leader to recognize the independence of his country’s splinter church.

CHR Comment: The article refers to the divide in the Ukraine, which centers around Russian presence and involvement in the former Soviet Republic of Ukraine. The church divide dates to 1997.

Source: Ukraine’s president calls for recognition of splinter church – The Washington Post

20 Lessons I’ve Learned Since Leaving The Church

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CHR Comment: This was interesting to read for anyone thinking about church life and what is called “backdoor loses,” where people drift away from the church and do not return. The writer describes her experience, expressing resentment and disappointment. What I find interesting is her continued appeal to the importance of salvation, Jesus, and the Gospel, which she well perceives to be the central matters of Christian life.

Source: 20 Lessons I’ve Learned Since Leaving The Church

Donald Trump’s Childhood Church Now Attended Largely By Immigrants

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The Republican presidential nominee probably wouldn’t recognize his former Sunday school.

CHR Comment: The article describes briefly First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, Queens, New York City and Trump’s financial gift to the congregation, which is  now composed largely of immigrants. Below you will find a link to the congregation’s history page.

Source: Donald Trump’s Childhood Church Now Attended Largely By Immigrants

http://www.firstchurchjamaica.org/?page_id=129