Hear now my argument and listen to the pleadings of my lips. Will you speak falsely for God and speak deceitfully for him? Will you show partiality toward him? Will you plead the case for God? Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man? He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality. Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you? You maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay. Job 13: 6-12 (ESV)
It is high time Christians stop looking like fools to the world. With each passing day we see more and more nonsense being embraced by self-professing Christians. Lies being defended because Christians think it serves some greater good. Politicians pandering to Christians with absurdities that are swallowed whole without a shred of discernment or reality testing. Do we honestly think that the world cannot see through the spin? That they do not recognize the false talking points? Why beloved would anyone believe anything we have to say about Jesus Christ if we so casually toss out the truth when it comes to our personal politics? When we are constantly found defending evil, even if it is considered the lesser in our deceitful hearts? The Bible makes it very clear that we are in the last days and we are supposed to be redeeming the time that is left with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Not arguing over who would make the most righteous choice for the next king of Sodom. Not squabbling over the arrangement of the deck chairs on the Titanic. Hear me very well. There is no "revival" coming to America. There cannot be when you consider that to revive something it must first have been alive. America has always been and always will be a secular, pagan nation. Is it the best in human history in terms of democracy? Sure but that does not make it close to being righteous or Christian. Those who constantly are arguing on the other side of this cannot see the idol this country has become in their hearts. They have pitched their tents towards Sodom and cannot look away. Like Lot before them, they end up living in the city. Yes, God can save them but judgment is coming as it is for the entire world, including and starting with the church.
I know, I know, not a very feel-good message. The reality is that it is though. There is nothing more loving then telling someone driving off a cliff that they may want to turn around or get out of the car before it is too late. It is time for the people that consider themselves Christians to grow up and stop being played for suckers. We have seen political operatives disguised as Christian leaders sell us wolves in sheep's clothing for years now. The most recent was when it was reported by James Dobson that Donald Trump had accepted Christ and was a "baby Christian." I had written that the timing and realities were absurd. It was painfully obvious that this was a political ploy to once again try and pander to gullible Christians because we so desperately want there to be a Commander in Chief that shares our beliefs. So much of the Trump resume is simply untenable with Christianity. So much of the Trump behavior and comments over the past six months have been equally unacceptable to discerning Christians. What better way to sway minds then to tell them he is one of us! But don't expect there to be a change in speech or behavior Dr. Dobson warned us; after all he is just a baby Christian.
The reaction from the politico-Christian side was exactly what one would expect. Cries of "don't judge", while misunderstanding those verses echoed throughout the Internet. Pleas for prayer for the new baby Christian were demanded and any opposition was greeted with pious sounding platitudes and Bible verses ripped horribly out of context. Equally loud were the defenses for James Dobson with people assuring us that if he said it, it must be true. Well, what do you know? James Dobson is changing his story now. It seems after he received multiple ridiculing criticisms of his assertion, he is now moonwalking backwards away from the tale.
Do I know that for sure (the conversion)? No. Do I know the details of that alleged conversion? Can't say that I do." -- James Dobson
Well, some of the details have emerged and it has been revealed that the shadowy figure who "led Trump to Christ" is none other than prosperity heretic Paula White. Before my Bible deficient friends react realize please that you cannot lead someone to someone you do not know yourself. Now, you can lead them to the false God you serve. Since Paula's god is all about money and seed sowing, I can see how she may have convinced Trump to believe in that god. Why not? He already serves that god! Paula White once pretended that God told her to use 1Chronicles 22:9 to fleece her followers out of $229 each. Just a couple of months ago she was caught mangling Pentecost to try and extort more money out of her followers. She is not a pastor, she is a wolf. Here is the tweet following this news from renowned theologian Russell Moore:
Paula White is a charlatan and recognized as a heretic by every orthodox Christian, of whatever tribe. -- Russell Moore, Southern Baptist Convention
Yet Dobson must obviously consider White to be credible, which is all one should need to know about James Dobson. Where once he may have had some credibility that has long since left the building. He has acted more as a political shill in recent years than a Christian leader. The key verses today apply to him as well as all of us who share the faith. God does not need us to speak deceitfully for him beloved. We should never be caught on the wrong side of the truth even if that truth grates against our beliefs. God does not need our partiality. He is God all on His own. He does not need for us to plead His case for Him. We preach the Gospel and let people make their decisions. Dear Lord! Does not His majesty terrify you! Does not the dread of Him fall upon us! Save your cute maxims and scripture fragments. Save your defenses for they are but clay before the potter. I have said this over and over again for over ten years now. Neither party cares about the cause of Jesus Christ. There is no righteous choice. There is only the lesser of two evils and from a Christian perspective we should never be caught defending or propagating evil, period.
Should we pray for the salvation of Donald Trump? Of course, as we should for all who remain unsaved. But we are also called to wise beloved. It is not wisdom to accept the word of pseudo-Christian political operatives about someone else's salvation five months out of an election where he desperately needs the evangelical vote. It is even more foolish to believe that one of the largest heretics on the planet has led anyone to true repentance and faith in Christ. It is time for us to stop being so foolish, stop looking to man to solve our problems, and get back to preaching the Gospel; while there is still time.
Rev. Anthony.
