Does Supporting President Trump Hurt the Gospel? Andy Stanley Says Yes
9:00AM EST 17/11/2020 SHANE IDLEMAN

(Unsplash/Tim Wildsmith)

The divide in our nation among Christians seems to be fuelled primarily by misinformation and false narratives. God is allowing these differences so we can practice Scripture and love those we disagree with, but some are taking it too far.

Andy Stanley, for example, commented that leaders who align with Trump actually hurt the church's ability to reach people outside the church.

I'm assuming that Andy's thought process goes something like this: "When you support someone like Trump, you alienate people and turn them off to the gospel."

To gain insight into this point of view, I recently spent time with Christians who take this position. Though I left that meeting with a better understanding of how people feel, I was more convinced of the dangers of allowing our feelings to outweigh objective truth.

I wondered, "Would these same people use this argument in the late 1800s, suggesting we shouldn't support Lincoln because it could hurt our witness to slave owners?" Lincoln was different from President Trump, but the principle still applies: We can't make decisions based on the fear that something will offend; we must make decisions based on what is right.

A simple study of church history reveals pastors often spoke about political hot buttons. In early America, pastors would preach Election Day sermons. But recently we have caved into political correctness because we are more concerned about nickels and noses—pleasing men more than God.

Political correctness is also why many churches won't open during the pandemic. It begs the question: Are we watchmen or cowards?

Is Not Offending Our Goal?

The view that says supporting the president hurts our witness is flawed in three ways:

No. 1: When people who can support President Trump don't, they, by default, support the opposing views. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

No. 2: How can we protect the unborn, bring back God's Word in many areas of society and not legalize perversion if we are to remain neutral? We can't.

No. 3: The view that you can't support Trump attempts to scrutinize character rather than policy. Obviously, character is important, but, if a man who has decent character according to some, is taking America in a dangerous direction, do we look at his character over his policies? Of course not. Policy speaks louder than character, although ideally, they should match.

The president is hated, not because of his character, but because of what he stands for. He is a disruptive force. As I've said many times before: If the abortion industry, George Soros, most of the media, lukewarm churches, antifa and Hollywood are on your side, are you sure you're on the right side?

If we are consistent and take this line of thinking about hurting the gospel to its logical end, does that also mean we shouldn't speak out against abortion because it may hurt our witness to physicians who perform them? Or what about the parent who had an abortion—should we not mention any pro-life positions because it may offend them?

No, it's OK to speak the truth in love and then offer hope as I did in "What Happened When I Told My Daughter About My Abortion." Offering hope elevates the gospel.

Should I stop talking about the perversion in Hollywood because it might offend an executive on Sunset Boulevard? Of course not.

Sharing the Good News—the gospel—doesn't work if we remain silent and capitulate to political correctness. If you're walking on eggshells and gauging every word carefully so as not to offend, your speech will be spiritually impotent. We have too many cowards and too few Spirit-filled leaders.

As Leonard Ravenhill said, "We have too many puppets in our pulpits and not enough prophets." I couldn't agree more.

Would 'Woke' Christians Rebuke Jesus?

Would many of these Christians tell Jesus not to call the religious leaders whitewashed tombs and vipers because it may hurt His witness to them (Matt. 23:23, 27)?

Would they tell Jesus not to say, "A worse thing will come upon you unless you repent," (John 5:14) because it will turn His hearers off?

Would they caution Him against offending His audience when He said, "Don't fear them who can kill the body; fear Him who can cast both body and soul in hell" (Matt. 10:28)? I think we all know the answer.

In 1 Corinthians 9:22b, when Paul said, "I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some," he was being culturally relevant, not truth deficient. Our attitude shouldn't offend others, but truth will.

We should be more concerned about God's opinion than popular opinion. A lack of boldness in the pulpit (and the pew) is the result of not spending sufficient time alone with God while allowing His Word to empower us.

Instead of spiritual guns of boldness being loaded in the prayer closet, we are turning into passive cowards who cover our lack of boldness with political spins and worldly excuses.

We must preach the difficult truths to set people free. The church cannot neglect, water down or avoid preaching hard things because it may offend. Oswald Chambers reminds us that "the words of the Lord hurt and offend until there is nothing left to hurt and offend."

The gospel hurts before it helps; it condemns before it releases. To remove everything that offends is to remove the very foundation of the gospel.

The goal of preaching is to faithfully proclaim the Word of God and not worry about "crowd appeal." The church, as a whole, may have forgotten this vital truth, but it doesn't follow that we should. We need to be "woke" to the things of God and "cancel" cowardliness.

Source

Does Supporting President Trump Hurt The Gospel?

One particular tribe in nigeria cause mazi donatus trump, echie Atiku defeat..

Why is Trump getting too much attention from people? He's done his term and it's time for him to go. We're already tired of his mess. And btw, what has Trump got to do with the gospel? We're preaching the gospel before he came and we'll continue to preach the gospel after he left office....smh...as if Trump died for the gospel?

Kestolove:
One particular tribe in nigeria cause mazi donatus trump, echie Atiku defeat..

Stupid Janjaweeed.

Now you're advising Christians on what God said.

Sorry for you Janjaweeed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWj6a3ZPfiI

Goshen360:
Why is Trump getting too much attention from people? He's done his term and it's time for him to go. We're already tired of his mess. And btw, what has Trump got to do with the gospel? We're preaching the gospel before he came and we'll continue to preach the gospel after he left office....smh...as if Trump died for the gospel?

Re:OLAADEGBU

Donald Trump is standing and defending Christians, our religious freedom, freedom of expression and opinion. He has criticized LGBTQ, abortion agendas on many occasions.

He's opponent, Joe Biden is a socialist (N.W.O advocate), hates Christians, what's to lockdown America perpetually, increase taxes, ban the Bible for criticizing LGBTQ, legalize pedophilia, give America's sovereignty to China, crack down on all conservatives, kill freedom of speech/expression, mandatory wearing of mask and vaccinations.

OLAADEGBU:


Does Supporting President Trump Hurt The Gospel?

You are a victim of mainstream media propaganda and so is that prophet that you listen to.

Please go to my profile and see journalism sources I recommend.. For now please read this.

https://humansarefree.com/2019/08/the-6-monolithic-corporations-that-control-almost-everything-we-watch-hear-and-read.html

MrPRevailer:


You are a victim of mainstream media propaganda and so is that prophet that you listen to.

Please go to my profile and see journalism sources I recommend.. For now please read this.

https://humansarefree.com/2019/08/the-6-monolithic-corporations-that-control-almost-everything-we-watch-hear-and-read.html

I wonder whether you actually read the contents of the OP.

OLAADEGBU:


I wonder whether you actually read the contents of the OP.

Sorry I didn't actually read it. But the topic sounded like "christians supporting Trump is wrong."

Thank you

MrPRevailer:


Sorry I didn't actually read it. But the topic sounded like "christians supporting Trump is wrong."

Thank you

The saying 'don't judge a book by its cover' is on point.

Some are warning that the election of Joe Biden will lead to a cashless society, Globalism, a New World Order, and ultimately pave the way for the rise of the Antichrist.

Read More

Would 'Woke' Christians Rebuke Jesus?

Would many of these Christians tell Jesus not to call the religious leaders whitewashed tombs and vipers because it may hurt His witness to them (Matt. 23:23, 27)?

Would they tell Jesus not to say, "A worse thing will come upon you unless you repent," (John 5:14) because it will turn His hearers off?

Would they caution Him against offending His audience when He said, "Don't fear them who can kill the body; fear Him who can cast both body and soul in hell" (Matt. 10:28)? I think we all know the answer.

The truth is that many Christians wouldn't be Christians if they were there at the time that Jesus was doing what He did in those days. They would be Judaists, so they would likely rebuke, persecute Jesus as they do those who emulate the ways of Jesus today.

But obviously, they wouldn't be able to do such to Jesus if He were here today, because it's impossible to do that and yet claim to be a Christian.

But those who truly represent the ways of Jesus wouldn't be spared by such ones, since they are not Jesus, so that gives them the perfect excuse to do what they would have done to Jesus to them.

God bless.

MrPRevailer:
Re:OLAADEGBU

Donald Trump is standing and defending Christians, our religious freedom, freedom of expression and opinion. He has criticized LGBTQ, abortion agendas on many occasions.

He's opponent, Joe Biden is a socialist (N.W.O advocate), hates Christians, what's to lockdown America perpetually, increase taxes, ban the Bible for criticizing LGBTQ, legalize pedophilia, give America's sovereignty to China, crack down on all conservatives, kill freedom of speech/expression, mandatory wearing of mask and vaccinations.

LIES FROM THE PIT OF HELL....and lies from white evangelicals

Haven't you seen Trump hold flyer or banner for LGBTQ? Why should government be telling a woman what to do with her body? CAN YOU THINK AND TELL ME ONE LAW THAT TELLS A MAN WHAT TO DO WITH HIS BODY? There's no attack on Christianity or Muslims UNDER THE CONSTITUTION....Freedom of religion has always been there...if anything its Trump who hates Muslims and doesn't want them in USA not that's unconstitutional.

OLAADEGBU:
Some are warning that the election of Joe Biden will lead to a cashless society, Globalism, a New World Order, and ultimately pave the way for the rise of the Antichrist.

Read More

You only wanted to hear what you wanted to hear....its a choice anyway. You remember the same way these white supremacist called faith leaders or evangelicals were promoting that Obama is the antichrist? You remember? Now Obama came and left office now what? Biden is going to pave way for antichrist?

You get confused because you're reading from too many sources...allow the Bible alone speak to you. THE ANTICHRIST IS NOT A PERSON, IT'S A TEACHING AND HAD BEING AROUND SINCE THE DAYS OF THE APOSTLES.

Goshen360:


LIES FROM THE PIT OF HELL....and lies from white evangelicals

Haven't you seen Trump hold flyer or banner for LGBTQ? Why should government be telling a woman what to do with her body? CAN YOU THINK AND TELL ME ONE LAW THAT TELLS A MAN WHAT TO DO WITH HIS BODY? There's no attack on Christianity or Muslims UNDER THE CONSTITUTION....Freedom of religion has always been there...if anything its Trump who hates Muslims and doesn't want them in USA not that's unconstitutional.

That's because a man does not carry some else in his body, do they? A man cannot be a biological father and at the same time a biological mother of their child except your Party now signs it into law.

OLAADEGBU:


That's because a man does not carry some else in his body, do they? A man cannot be a biological father and at the same time a biological mother of their child except your Party now signs it into law.

Oga Ade,

See, you don't have none....absolutely NONE IF! If you can't make a law for a man, against his own body, tell your white supremacist called evangelicals to stop their dillusion of making law for a woman. Its a fallacy and you know my stance, government shouldn't be in the business of telling a woman what and what not to do with her body.

Goshen360:


Oga Ade,

See, you don't have none....absolutely NONE IF! If you can't make a law for a man, against his own body, tell your white supremacist called evangelicals to stop their dillusion of making law for a woman. Its a fallacy and you know my stance, government shouldn't be in the business of telling a woman what and what not to do with her body.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/12521757_prolife_jpeg83f82d473b489caf263b04417e31948a

There is a law against the murder of another body and it is called murder. Why do you think there is a law against double homicide?

OLAADEGBU:


www.nairaland.com/attachments/12521757_prolife_jpeg83f82d473b489caf263b04417e31948a

There is a law against the murder of another body and it is called murder. Why do you think there is a law against double homicide?

And you don't think killing a full grown unarmed black people is murder which the white supremacist called evangelicals are not speaking or preaching against?

Goshen360:


And you don't think killing a full grown unarmed black people is murder which the white supremacist called evangelicals are not speaking or preaching against?

Murder is not only a crime it is a sin and when you support a Party that out rightly legislates the murder of an unborn child that you are guilty as charged. I trust liberals to throw up the race card in any argument, do you know that the Planned Parenthood which your Party supports was set up by a racist to reduce the population of ethnic minorities?

OLAADEGBU:


Murder is not only a crime it is a sin and when you support a Party that out rightly legislates the murder of an unborn child that you are guilty as charged. I trust liberals to throw up the race card in any argument, do you know that the Planned Parenthood which your Party supports was set up by a racist to reduce the population of ethnic minorities?

Rubbish!

MrPRevailer:
Re:OLAADEGBU

Donald Trump is standing and defending Christians, our religious freedom, freedom of expression and opinion. He has criticized LGBTQ, abortion agendas on many occasions.

He's opponent, Joe Biden is a socialist (N.W.O advocate), hates Christians, what's to lockdown America perpetually, increase taxes, ban the Bible for criticizing LGBTQ, legalize pedophilia, give America's sovereignty to China, crack down on all conservatives, kill freedom of speech/expression, mandatory wearing of mask and vaccinations.

And there it is once again.

With the exception of mandatory masks, everything else is fake, unmitigated lies.

Just as they spread fake lies about allegedly stolen votes,

They have continued with the stock in trade - lies.

You guys LIE too much. Just like your principal.

Lies

For all the fake veneer of religious moralists your penchant for lying and spreading falsehood is astounding.

bjtinz:


And there it is once again.

With the exception of mandatory masks, everything else is fake, unmitigated lies.

Just as they spread fake lies about allegedly stolen votes,

They have continued with the stock in trade - lies.

You guys LIE too much. Just like your principal.

Lies

For all the fake veneer of religious moralists your penchant for lying and spreading falsehood is astounding.

So you have not seen them means they are lies?
No I've seen many. They aren't lies.
It you guys listening to mainstream globalist controlled media that's plagued with lies and fakry. Those news that are suppressed, hidden are the ones you should be paying attention to if you were smart.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2f97EW7BD0

MrPRevailer:

So you have not seen them means they are lies?
No I've seen many. They aren't lies.
It you guys listening to mainstream globalist controlled media that's plagued with lies and fakry. Those news that are suppressed, hidden are the ones you should be paying attention to if you were smart.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2f97EW7BD0

We're tied of lies and conspiracy theories from you guys and your white supremacist evangelical leaders. GA is a republican state too and the republican SoS had just certified the election or recount.... tells us that's also a lie from your same republican party or your own counting votes against your own party? You Republicans are party that cheats and wants to suppress votes...no way for una this time!

Goshen360:


We're tied of lies and conspiracy theories from you guys and your white supremacist evangelical leaders. GA is a republican state too and the republican SoS had just certified the election or recount.... tells us that's also a lie from your same republican party or your own counting votes against your own party? You Republicans are party that cheats and wants to suppress votes...no way for una this time!

Trump made it known that he and his GOP we're not in support of the recounts. The republican poll watchers were ordered by the corrupt Democrat-controlled supreme State Court asked the poll watchers to stay at an impossible distance to watch the recounts.
Please follow Donald Trump on Twitter and get his updates, not from lying media

You are the one being lied to and mind-controlled. All the Bigmedia are fighting against Trump and in support of a socialist President.

Under a socialist world, you will not have freedom of expression, you will have perpetual lockdowns and vaccinations that will mutate or possibilly kill you. You don't consider all these. All that moves you is HATE for a man who loves you and fights for your individual freedom/ownership.

Goshen360:


Rubbish!

Thou Shall Not Kill

www.nairaland.com/attachments/12521630_abortionyoushallnotkill_jpeg4d2c300b768b8b5ed125e0bf97e2440c

OLAADEGBU:
Some are warning that the election of Joe Biden will lead to a cashless society, Globalism, a New World Order, and ultimately pave the way for the rise of the Antichrist.

Read More

I thought that's what is supposed to happen, why do you want to stop your god's plan?

LordReed:


I thought that's what is supposed to happen, why do you want to stop your god's plan?

Only God has the authority to determine when this happens not through electoral fraud.

OLAADEGBU:


Only God has the authority to determine when this happens not through electoral fraud.

LoL! So how come his lawyers can not file a case of election fraud? No evidence is the most likely reason. They cannot find actionable evidence even after offering $1mil. Don't you think there is no fraud that's why there is no evidence?

LordReed:


LoL! So how come his lawyers can not file a case of election fraud? No evidence is the most likely reason. They cannot find actionable evidence even after offering $1mil. Don't you think there is no fraud that's why there is no evidence?

Are you still waiting for evidence?

OLAADEGBU:


Are you still waiting for evidence?

LoLz! Enjoy Biden Harris 2020.

Does Supporting President Trump Hurt The Gospel? No. It doesn't hurt the Gospel. It strengthens the Power Might and Hope of God in TRUMP.