Again and again, I found the same themes: care for the poor, concern for racial justice, compassion for immigrants, peacemaking, honesty, the honoring of the imago dei in everyone, the need for personal integrity, the rejection of nationalism, the necessity of impartial justice, and the conviction that the Church must never become captive to any political ideology.
This is a loaded list of issues to address by the political parties of the American empire. Historically – perhaps because of the complexity – evangelical declarations of faith and practice publicly refused to equate the gospel with any political party. All parties and politicians were held to a shared standard; followers of Jesus were expected to follow paths that look like Jesus, whatever direction it would take them. As cited in the earlier posts that excerpted from historical conservative evangelical declarations of faith and practice:
Yet in spite of such clear direction, there is an increasing litmus test for being a Christian: support of one party, with almost unwavering loyalty. You must be all in or all out, and there can be no questioning or challenging of the leadership. Perhaps when leaders insist that “I alone can save you,” (as stated at Trump’s acceptance speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention on July 21, 2016), well, the stakes are pretty high.
This has resulted in a demand for unflinching loyalty to Trump that has moved beyond the moral flexibility I have been recording in this series and into borderline idolatry. Christians in the halls of power who are meant to be the prophetic heirs of Nathan, speaking truth and righteousness to power, have abandoned their calling.
The near-total alignment with a party or person is a siren call that for many is hard to resist - and difficult to maintain. This position is going to need over-the-top justification, since no one deserves that kind of loyalty. And there is a comparison at the very top for evangelicals – Jesus, to give the ultimate stamp of approval to comparisons to David, Cyrus, and Jehu. [1]
This is a loaded list of issues to address by the political parties of the American empire. Historically – perhaps because of the complexity – evangelical declarations of faith and practice publicly refused to equate the gospel with any political party. All parties and politicians were held to a shared standard; followers of Jesus were expected to follow paths that look like Jesus, whatever direction it would take them. As cited in the earlier posts that excerpted from historical conservative evangelical declarations of faith and practice:
“We must resist the temptation to make the nation and its institutions objects of near-religious loyalty.”
“Our equal duty (is) never to be completely equated with any party, partisan ideology, economic system, or nationality.”
“The other error, made by both the religious left and the religious right in recent decades, is to politicize faith, using faith to express essentially political points that have lost touch with biblical truth. That way faith loses its independence, the church becomes “the regime at prayer,” Christians become “useful idiots” for one political party or another, and the Christian faith becomes an ideology in its purest form. Christian beliefs are used as weapons for political interests...”
“The politicization of faith is never a sign of strength but of weakness. The saying is wise: ‘The first thing to say about politics is that politics is not the first thing.” The Evangelical soul is not for sale. It has already been bought at an infinite price...”
Yet in spite of such clear direction, there is an increasing litmus test for being a Christian: support of one party, with almost unwavering loyalty. You must be all in or all out, and there can be no questioning or challenging of the leadership. Perhaps when leaders insist that “I alone can save you,” (as stated at Trump’s acceptance speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention on July 21, 2016), well, the stakes are pretty high.
This has resulted in a demand for unflinching loyalty to Trump that has moved beyond the moral flexibility I have been recording in this series and into borderline idolatry. Christians in the halls of power who are meant to be the prophetic heirs of Nathan, speaking truth and righteousness to power, have abandoned their calling.
“We must resist the temptation to make the nation and its institutions objects of near-religious loyalty.”
“Our equal duty (is) never to be completely equated with any party, partisan ideology, economic system, or nationality.”
The near-total alignment with a party or person is a siren call that for many is hard to resist - and difficult to maintain. This position is going to need over-the-top justification, since no one deserves that kind of loyalty. And there is a comparison at the very top for evangelicals – Jesus, to give the ultimate stamp of approval to comparisons to David, Cyrus, and Jehu. [1]
So, let's look at some of the ways admiration has moved toward idolatry.
Trump was impeached for inciting the January 6 Capitol riot. Rioters chanted loudly how much they wanted to “hang Mike Pence.” People died. Over 1,500 people were charged, with over 1,000 sentenced for roles in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack. Of those sentenced, over 700 received jail or prison time. The convictions included charges ranging from petty offenses to seditious conspiracy, with hundreds pleading guilty.[2] Following the 2021 impeachment, Lindsay Graham compared Republicans who voted to impeach Trump to Judas Iscariot, accusing them of betrayal.[3]
During some legal battles in 2024, Trump shared a supporter’s Truth Social post that compared his potential $464 million dollar fine for decades of fraud to the persecution of Christ.
Then he shared Psalm 109:3-8, which is traditionally viewed as being about Jesus.
After Donald Trump's May 30, 2024 criminal conviction in New York, when a Manhattan jury found him guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover reimbursements to Michael Cohen for a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election, the response from evangelical supporters was….wild. Elizabeth Bruenig, writing in the Atlantic, noted,
Eric Metaxas posted a picture of Trump’s mug shot alongside a picture of Jesus on the cross and wrote, “If you’re not sure you can vote for a convicted criminal, remember, you worship one.” [4]
In April 2026, Trump posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social appearing to depict himself as Jesus. He later claimed he thought it showed him as a doctor. I strongly encourage to click on the links and see this picture if you have not already. It would seem that either Trump has never been around doctors, or he is making an excuse because of the backlash. Franklin Graham said Trump simply thought it depicted "a doctor helping someone."
Texas Republican congressman Troy Nehls once said that Donald Trump is "almost the second coming" of Jesus.
That same month, at a White House event, Trump referenced being called "king" by followers, drawing a parallel to Jesus on Palm Sunday. Paula White doubled down.
This is Paula White, who once said that to say “no” to Trump was to say “no” to God.
On Easter 2026, Franklin Graham compared Trump to Esther in his prayer:
At Lindsay Graham’s funeral, Sean Hannity said,
* * * * *
Trump was impeached for inciting the January 6 Capitol riot. Rioters chanted loudly how much they wanted to “hang Mike Pence.” People died. Over 1,500 people were charged, with over 1,000 sentenced for roles in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack. Of those sentenced, over 700 received jail or prison time. The convictions included charges ranging from petty offenses to seditious conspiracy, with hundreds pleading guilty.[2] Following the 2021 impeachment, Lindsay Graham compared Republicans who voted to impeach Trump to Judas Iscariot, accusing them of betrayal.[3]
During some legal battles in 2024, Trump shared a supporter’s Truth Social post that compared his potential $464 million dollar fine for decades of fraud to the persecution of Christ.
"Received this morning — Beautiful, thank you! 'It's ironic that Christ walked through His greatest persecution the very week they are trying to steal your property from you. But have you seen this verse...?'”
Then he shared Psalm 109:3-8, which is traditionally viewed as being about Jesus.
“They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And fought against me without a cause. In return for my love they are my accusers, But I give myself to prayer. Thus they have rewarded me evil for good, And hatred for my love. Set a wicked man over him, And let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is judged, let him be found guilty, And let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few, And let another take his office."
After Donald Trump's May 30, 2024 criminal conviction in New York, when a Manhattan jury found him guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover reimbursements to Michael Cohen for a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election, the response from evangelical supporters was….wild. Elizabeth Bruenig, writing in the Atlantic, noted,
“After Donald Trump’s recent guilty verdict, the internet has seen a meme deluge analogizing Trump to Christ on the grounds that they both experienced trial, conviction, and criminality. This meme template actually dates back to Trump’s civil fraud trial last year, when Trump himself shared courtroom-sketch-style fan art of Jesus seated next to him. Another meme, this time referring to Trump’s guilty verdict, features Jesus standing behind a seated Trump with his hands on the president’s shoulders above loopy script reading “It’s okay. They called me guilty too.”
Eric Metaxas posted a picture of Trump’s mug shot alongside a picture of Jesus on the cross and wrote, “If you’re not sure you can vote for a convicted criminal, remember, you worship one.” [4]
In April 2026, Trump posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social appearing to depict himself as Jesus. He later claimed he thought it showed him as a doctor. I strongly encourage to click on the links and see this picture if you have not already. It would seem that either Trump has never been around doctors, or he is making an excuse because of the backlash. Franklin Graham said Trump simply thought it depicted "a doctor helping someone."
Texas Republican congressman Troy Nehls once said that Donald Trump is "almost the second coming" of Jesus.
That same month, at a White House event, Trump referenced being called "king" by followers, drawing a parallel to Jesus on Palm Sunday. Paula White doubled down.
“Mr. President, no one has paid the price like you have paid the price. It almost cost you your life. You were betrayed and arrested and falsely accused. It’s a familiar pattern that our lord and savior showed us. But it didn’t end there for him, and it didn’t end there for you…God always had a plan. On the third day, he rose, he defeated evil, he conquered death, hell and the grave. Because he rose we all know we can rise, and, sir, because of his resurrection you rose up. Because he was victorious, you were victorious. And I believe that the lord said to tell you this: Because of his victory, you will be victorious in all you put your hand to.”
This is Paula White, who once said that to say “no” to Trump was to say “no” to God.
On Easter 2026, Franklin Graham compared Trump to Esther in his prayer:
Father, you tell us in the Book of Esther, that the Persians, the Iranians wanted to kill every Jew, woman child and do it all in one day. But you raised Esther to save the Jewish people, father, we thank you. Today the Iranians, the wicked regime of this government, want to kill every Jew and destroy them with an atomic fire, but you have raised up President Trump, you’ve raised him up for such a time as this; and father we pray that you will give him victory.
At Lindsay Graham’s funeral, Sean Hannity said,
“My President, Lindsey probably has a heavenly version of Mar-a-Lago. It may even be a little bigger. I wouldn't be surprised if he added one big beautiful ballroom and an arch somewhere on the property. Because he would want to obviously duplicate his dearest friend in life. You."
In August 2026, Trump sent out a fundraising letter which included a picture of him speaking while light descended from heaven, and angel’s wings surrounded him in the background. The image was given the file name DJT in Heaven. (“New Trump Email Wraps Him In Angel Wings, Heavenly Clouds.”)
He reposted a picture of a proposed $100 bill with his face on it. The bill replaces “In God We Trust” with “God bless Donald Trump.” [5]
* * * * *
Franklin Graham maintains that Trump has been an effective defender of the Christian faith, stating that, "there's a difference between defending the faith and living the faith." I cannot accept such a clean line of distinction. Christianity has never separated defending the faith from embodying the faith.
It takes extraordinary theological and moral flexibility to compare a political leader with Jehu, Esther, David, or the persecuted Christ while remaining largely silent about conduct that previous generations of evangelical leaders would have publicly condemned. [6]
When we model, enable or support conduct that contradicts the character of Christ, our witness is diminished no matter how loudly we defend Christian causes. If one defends the faith without living the faith, one is not defending a living faith at all (James 2:26). Instead, one is compromising and polluting the faith by destroying its reputation.
The Church must remain free enough to confront every political movement and every politician - including the ones that promise to defend Christianity. The evangelical leaders whose declarations I quoted throughout this series understood that.
They repeatedly warned against identifying the Kingdom of God with any nation, any ideology, or any political party. They understood that once the Church gives its unquestioning loyalty to earthly power, it loses the moral freedom to speak prophetically to that power. It might even begin to put people on pedestals that typically display idols.
My concern is not simply that evangelicals support Republicans (or Democrats, etc). Christians of good conscience can disagree about parties, policies, and candidates. My concern is that many influential evangelicals have gone beyond mere support to a gushing adulation for a leader who is equated not just with David, Jehu or Esther, but with Jesus himself.
I cannot follow conservative evangelical gatekeepers down this idolatrous path to lesser saviors enamored with empire power.
I want to follow Jesus instead.
_________________________________________________
[1] Honestly, I think Saul and Nebuchadnezzar should have been included in the list of possibilities. The question for critics of the David/Jehu/Cyrus comparison has always been,“Can God use a morally compromised ruler?” What if there is another equally important question: “What does Scripture say happens when a people become so frightened that they invest their hopes in a strongman?” Nebuchadnezzar was "God's servant" (Jeremiah 27:6) Samuel anointed Saul. This tells us virtually nothing about God's moral evaluation of them.
[2] The evangelical support of Trump pardoning all of them was staggering to me. Apparently, if people violently break the law on behalf of the candidate they prefer, it’s fine.
[3] Theologically, this just appalls me. This is nothing like Jesus being betrayed by Judas, and to make this comparison shows either a shocking misunderstanding of Jesus or a shocking blindness concerning who Trump is and what he does. Judas betrayed the sinless Son of God for money. Republican senators voted to impeach a president after a violent attack on the Capitol because they believed he had violated his oath of office. Whatever one thinks of impeachment, equating those actions with Judas' betrayal of Christ collapses the moral uniqueness of Jesus into ordinary partisan politics. Judas betrayed the sinless Son of God for money. Republican senators voted to impeach a president after a violent attack on the Capitol because they believed he had violated his oath of office. Whatever one thinks of impeachment, equating those actions with Judas' betrayal of Christ collapses the moral uniqueness of Jesus into ordinary partisan politics.
My concern is not simply that evangelicals support Republicans (or Democrats, etc). Christians of good conscience can disagree about parties, policies, and candidates. My concern is that many influential evangelicals have gone beyond mere support to a gushing adulation for a leader who is equated not just with David, Jehu or Esther, but with Jesus himself.
I cannot follow conservative evangelical gatekeepers down this idolatrous path to lesser saviors enamored with empire power.
I want to follow Jesus instead.
_________________________________________________
[1] Honestly, I think Saul and Nebuchadnezzar should have been included in the list of possibilities. The question for critics of the David/Jehu/Cyrus comparison has always been,“Can God use a morally compromised ruler?” What if there is another equally important question: “What does Scripture say happens when a people become so frightened that they invest their hopes in a strongman?” Nebuchadnezzar was "God's servant" (Jeremiah 27:6) Samuel anointed Saul. This tells us virtually nothing about God's moral evaluation of them.
[2] The evangelical support of Trump pardoning all of them was staggering to me. Apparently, if people violently break the law on behalf of the candidate they prefer, it’s fine.
[3] Theologically, this just appalls me. This is nothing like Jesus being betrayed by Judas, and to make this comparison shows either a shocking misunderstanding of Jesus or a shocking blindness concerning who Trump is and what he does. Judas betrayed the sinless Son of God for money. Republican senators voted to impeach a president after a violent attack on the Capitol because they believed he had violated his oath of office. Whatever one thinks of impeachment, equating those actions with Judas' betrayal of Christ collapses the moral uniqueness of Jesus into ordinary partisan politics. Judas betrayed the sinless Son of God for money. Republican senators voted to impeach a president after a violent attack on the Capitol because they believed he had violated his oath of office. Whatever one thinks of impeachment, equating those actions with Judas' betrayal of Christ collapses the moral uniqueness of Jesus into ordinary partisan politics.
[4] If I may offer an important distinction: Jesus was sinless, a truly innocent man.
[5] I’m old enough to remember that it was a HUGE deal that this phrase was part of our public life, yet now every evangelical who has a voice in his life has remained publicly quiet.
[6] Let's entertain the notion that Trump is our David: an imperfect, sinful man that God put in place to defend God's people. What was the result of David's reign? Chaos and collapse followed. The Kingdom begins to crumble because of David. His reign was not without consequence, and all of God's people joined him in experiencing the wages of sin.
Nathan explicitly tells David: "Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house..." (2 Samuel 12:10) "Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you." (2 Samuel 12:11)
David's abuse of power becomes a pattern within his household. Indeed, David's children begin reproducing David's sins in increasingly destructive forms. There is even a disturbing literary echo between David/Bathsheba and Amnon/Tamar. (2 Samuel 11:2–4; 2 Samuel 13).
David's sin was the beginning of the unraveling of the house he had built. What began as the king's abuse of a woman and murder of her husband spread into violence within his household, rebellion against his throne, civil war among his people, and eventually a fracture between Israel and Judah that his descendants were unable to repair.
God's willingness to use a deeply flawed ruler is not the same thing as God's endorsement of that ruler's behavior. David can simultaneously be God's chosen instrument and a man whose misuse of power brings catastrophic consequences upon the nation.
That makes David a considerably more complicated biblical model for political leadership than the way "David" sometimes gets deployed in contemporary evangelical rhetoric.
