How do Christians justify support for former president?

It is interesting to me that people who claim to be Evangelical Christians have such unwavering support for former President Trump.

I’ve recently heard some of those Christians explain that they see him as a messiah figure, someone who is being persecuted and victimized. When confronted with Trump’s decidedly un-Christian-like behavior, I’m met with explanations in the form of excuses of how in the Bible, God often uses flawed people to carry out His mission. They are quick to point to King David, who was God’s chosen even though he sinned when committing adultery with Bathsheba and murder when he arranged the death of her husband Uriah.

I’d like to respond by saying that, as Christians, we should be trying our best to follow Christ’s example. I would point to the verses in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 25, when Jesus separates the righteous nations from the others. He defines them as the people who feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick, welcome the stranger. He invites them into the kingdom. Then he addresses those who are under God’s curse; those who did none of what the righteous did.

Donald Trump, whose many policies include building walls to keep strangers out and separating children from their parents as a deterrent is anything but Christ-like. Do we want to be considered a righteous nation? We can and must do better than Trump.

Beth Small

Elgin