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Short thread on how Donald Trump's (false) theology shapes his leadership... and why that's a profoundly bad thing. Without engaging in character attacks, it's important to point out how bad doctrine (heresy) makes for bad leadership.
POTUS makes a lot of false, aspirational statements. This is most apparent in his handling of COVID-19.
"Everyone can get a test" - they can't
"We lead the world in testing" - we don't
"Numbers are going way down" - they're not
"One day it will suddenly disappear" - it hasn't
"Everyone can get a test" - they can't
"We lead the world in testing" - we don't
"Numbers are going way down" - they're not
"One day it will suddenly disappear" - it hasn't
So why does he say stuff like that? Multiple possible reasons:
(a) Naive: he simply is ignorant of the facts, or doesn't believe them
(b) Sinister: he intentionally wants to spread misinformation
(c) Aspirational: he says things he wishes were true
(a) Naive: he simply is ignorant of the facts, or doesn't believe them
(b) Sinister: he intentionally wants to spread misinformation
(c) Aspirational: he says things he wishes were true
My theory: it's entirely possible that this third reason compels him to say what he says. And if you think that sounds a lot like a prosperity gospel "preacher," you're not wrong.
If you don't know, there's a popular heresy sweeping the nation/world commonly known by many names — "health and wealth," "prosperity gospel," "name it and claim it," etc.
Popular proponents of this so-called "gospel" include Kenneth Copeland (who recently "blew away" COVID-19), Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Benny Hinn, and many, many others. Even Oprah.
Trump himself has stated that he is influenced by Norman Vincent Peale ("the power of positive thinking") and his personal WH spiritual advisor is Paula White. Simply put, this is the theology that he believes in and surrounds himself with. And it's false.
In short, Prosperity Gospel "preachers" will often tell you that what you think about yourself is what you will become. And that you can speak things into existence (a power that belongs only to God) with your words.
Scripture actually tells us that our personal efforts cannot even add one hour to our lifespan (Matthew 6:27). And 2 Peter 2:1-3 does not mince words about charlatans who exploit you out of greed, which is really what underpins this whole movement.
I'm a Christian. And the purity of the gospel is vitally important to me. Bad politicians upset me, but they don't bother me nearly as much as bad theology and seeing good people getting swept away by it.
Christians often say how glad we are that there are true Christians surrounding the President. And, not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, that may be true but... there's a WHOLE LOT of bad theology surrounding him, too.
I cannot help but wonder if this bad theology that he has immersed himself in his whole life is really what drives his leadership style and public statements. Christians need to be wise to this and quick to point it out. You can do this AND also show respect, btw.
Respecting the government and pointing out heresy are not mutually exclusive. So let's pray for POTUS to come to an understanding of the true gospel and to humble himself. Is that a tall order? Not for God.
PS. For more about this false doctrine of health and wealth, I encourage you to watch a documentary entitled "American Gospel: Christ Alone." My wife and I watched it last night on Amazon Video - highly recommend it, whether you're a Christian, or not.
There is a free preview on YouTube and their website, if you don't want to purchase or rent the movie. It covers the bases in about 40 minutes. http://www.americangospelfilm.com/ (END)
