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According to Bishop Talbert Swan, “Calling a Black POTUS married 25 yrs to 1 wife with 2 children, no mistresses, affairs or scandals, ‘the antichrist’ but a white POTUS married thrice, 5 kids by 3 women, mistresses, affairs & scandals, ‘God‘s anointed,’ proves your religion is white supremacy, not christianity.”
Is this a fair accusation? Bishop Swan certainly raises an important question, and in a limited number of cases, I believe he’s right.
That’s because there were certainly white supremacists who vilified President Obama simply because he was black. These same people now glorify President Trump simply because he is a patriotic white man. And, no doubt, some of them claim to be Christians.
Personal morals are not the issue. Marital fidelity is not the issue. Color is the issue.
Conversely, there are certainly black supremacists who glorified President Obama and now vilify President Trump, simply based on color. And, no doubt, some of them claim to be Christians.
No surprise there. The sword cuts both ways.
But as to the sweeping accusation made by Bishop Swan, it seriously misses the point as to why many white Christians opposed Obama but support Trump.
Bishop Swan Misses the Point with Ridiculous Accusations
To be sure, Bishop Swan is not shy about expressing his personal viewpoint, tweeting, “White evangelicals don’t speak in tongues praying that God stops white supremacists from mass murdering people or that racist white cops stop killing unarmed Black people. But they’re speaking in tongues about keeping an unrepentant, lying, white supremacist, rapist in office.”
This, of course, is a ridiculous accusation.
To call this the religion of white supremacy rather than Christianity is to make a bigoted and biased remark.
There are millions of white evangelicals who pray against violence in America and who are grieved over mass shootings, regardless of who the victims are. As for the Bishop’s description of the president, I’ll leave that between him, the president, and God.
But, returning to his accusation concerning the “religion of white supremacy,” the bishop’s tweet misses the point entirely.
Speaking for myself, I wanted to vote for Senator Obama, but I could not. I wanted to vote for our first black president. I wanted to be part of making positive history. I wanted to cast my vote for him, cheering him on, along with his wife and daughters.
But I could not do so because of my Christian convictions.
As a follower of Jesus, I strongly opposed Obama’s extreme, pro-abortion stance. And make no mistake about it, his stance was extreme.
Not Supporting Obama Had Nothing to Do With Race
As noted in a 2012 article on Politico by Rich Lowry, “In the Illinois legislature, he opposed the ‘Born-Alive Infants Protection Act’ three times. The bill recognized babies born after attempted abortions as persons and required doctors to give them care. Obama’s stalwart opposition to the bill came up during the 2008 campaign, and his team responded with a farrago of obfuscation and distortions.”
And so, while he was being hailed as “The One” or “The Chosen One,” I grieved. But not because of his skin color. Rather, it was because of the slaughter of the innocents, a disproportionate number of which are black.
I also believed that he supported same-sex “marriage,” regardless of some of his public statements, which proved to be the case. This was another reason that, as a follower of Jesus, I could not vote for him.
Conversely, had a conservative black candidate run for his president, I would have voted for him in a heartbeat before voting for a white liberal. In a heartbeat. And I’m sure that I speak for a multitude of other, conservative evangelicals as well.
God Using Trump
As for Donald Trump, it has been a challenge for many of us to vote for him for some of the reasons listed by Bishop Swan. That’s why we opposed him during the primaries. He was not our man.
But the whole idea of him being “anointed” to be president came from passages in the book of Isaiah. There, the prophet said that God would use Cyrus, a pagan, idol-worshiping king who did not know the Lord, to accomplish His purposes.
This, for us, was a useful comparison: Even though Donald Trump had been a philandering, narcissistic, New York real estate tycoon and reality TV star who didn’t know the Lord, God would use him to accomplish His purposes.
Those purposes include appointing conservative justices to the courts, standing up for the unborn, fighting for religious liberties, opposing LGBTQ extremism, and being a true friend of Israel.
In this regard, we have not been disappointed, although we continue to wrestle with other aspects of his behavior. But we support him because of the Christian positions he has taken, not because of his skin color.
To call this the religion of white supremacy rather than Christianity is to make a bigoted and biased remark.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Jezebel’s War With America: The Plot to Destroy Our Country and What We Can Do to Turn the Tide. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.
Jeanette Elizondo
It is a Choice ! Stand for RIGHT or WRONG !! We did not vote for a Pastor we voted for someone who is looking out for the BEST INTEREST OF AMERICA & THE AMERICAN PEOPLE & ONE WHO WOULD UP HOLD THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA !!!
Sadie Brantley
President Trump has more morals than any President we have had ,when it comes to abortions, gays lesbian gender Garbage and etc,. He didn’t claim to be a saint but he did say that he would MAGA .
Varnel Watson
and there you have it Jim Price RichardAnna Boyce
George Hartwell
It is so ironic how the simplest presentation of the gospel by Jesus got turned into another theological battle. ‘The kingdom of God is at hand.’ How often did He say that? Now, somehow, it theologically incorrect!
Varnel Watson
what do you mean by that George Hartwell kingdom AT hand is not kingdom-now which claims the kingdom is here and now without Christ Physically present It is the theology that brought theoretical warfare AND still is the post-mil theology that gathered American evangelicals behind Ted Cruz and Trump in the last 2016 elections Will it work this time? Nelson Banuchi https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/us/politics/2020-presidential-candidates.html
George Hartwell
I agree that kingdom is expected to be at hand without Jesus being physically present except Christ is physically present in His people and God is still building His kingdom through us, and wherever food is multiplied supernaturally, people healed supernaturally and demons fleeing supernaturally there God’s kingdom is advancing and it is appropriate to declare the Kingdom of God is manifest here. If God is working in miracles that is another way of saying the kingdom of God is at hand. That is how I read it in the gospels.
Hugh Lowrie
Evangelicals are for the first time showing a concern for solving systemic injustice and developing true multiethnic community. It is a good sign for the future of the church that so many white Evangelicals back Trump and his efforts to bless African Americans.
Varnel Watson
hahaha for the first time 🙂 Study some history pls
Hugh Lowrie
It is no small thing that President Tump tripled his approval ratings with black voter since being elected. And also important to note that he was elected only because he received a greater portion of the black vote than Romney did 4 years before and 15% of black Obama voters boycotted the election. Why the support from black voters? Because for the first time since 1937 the unemployment gap has dropped below 2x and is now 1.5x. Add to this The First Step Act, investment in urban areas, enforcing HUD laws and a promise of equal opportunity to education. We are seeing our third civil rights movement.
Varnel Watson
have it from a good source you are not even a registered republican
Hugh Lowrie
What does it matter how i’m registered? You always want to make it about me instead of the ideas presented.
Varnel Watson
my point is about real republicanism always
Hugh Lowrie
Are you trying to say that real Republicans don’t care about African Americans and so that isn’t the primary reason for them voting for a supporting President Trump?
Varnel Watson
Hugh Lowrie Not sure how your mind arrived to that I am saying you are not a real republican 🙂 and I’ve been saying this for quite some time now reading your posts You are just a troll lacking even a slight idea of what republicanism used to be under President Reagan – just a mock up
Varnel Watson
sic transit gloria mundi
Nelson Banuchi
I actually posted the op ed by Dr. Brown regarding Bishop Swan on my FB page with my comments (which I also posted on the Stream website): See https://www.facebook.com/nelson.banuchi/posts/2872986436054244
Nelson Banuchi
Troy Day I’m telling you, he won’t join. But I did send him an invite request.
Varnel Watson
Welcome Dr. Michael L Brown Thank you for joining
Nelson Banuchi
Troy Day Well, surprise, surprise! That’s what I get for assuming… so happy to be proved wrong.?
Nelson Banuchi
Troy Day Wait a minute Troy, he’s not on the members list. What am I missing here? Are you fool’n with me?
Varnel Watson
Nelson Banuchi no sir I personally approved his application request this morning
Nelson Banuchi
Troy Day Does it take time to show up in the members list? Unless I missed it, I don’t see it…
Richard Shelton
Amen!
Varnel Watson
Republicans turned an eight-percentage-point 2008 deficit among white Catholics into a 14-percentage-point Republican advantage. The large GOP edge among white evangelicals (64 percent to 28 percent in 2008) grew even larger (77 percent to 18 percent in 2017).
Trump did not create those trends. He won the Republican nomination, and then the White House, by capitalizing on them.
That explains his insistence on policies old-school Republicans find offensive, and the refusal of Congress to intercede. Both advance the priorities of the Republicans who remain most loyal to him, and rule party primaries.’
Hugh Lowrie
Many Christians realize that race relations deteriorated significantly under President Obama and they see President Trump as a real opportunity to turn race relations around. Now you may think that “real” Republicans don’t think this way and don’t care enough about race relations to let that be a reason for supporting Trump but this is what I research every day so don’t doubt me on this my friend.
Varnel Watson
In recalling Reagan’s courage in opposing his party’s president, one is tempted to wonder whether Reagan, were he alive, would encourage a primary challenge to Donald Trump.
Trump’s attack on Hispanics would be particularly troubling to Reagan. Perhaps because he was from California, Reagan viewed America’s relationship with Mexico to be among our most important. Mexico was the first country Reagan visited after his election in 1980, even before he was sworn in as president. Reagan wanted to stress how much he valued the relationship with our neighbor to the south.
Reagan would also be troubled to see how Trump kowtows to some of the world’s most evil dictators. Reagan would be horrified by how willing Trump is to accept Russian president Vladimir Putin’s word on everything, how shamelessly Trump cozies up to brutal North Korean strongman Kim Jong-Un and how easily Trump turns a blind eye to the murderous ways of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman.
Hugh Lowrie
And keep in mind that I’ve never claimed to be a Republican or a Democrat. My claim has always been that my identity is in Christ and that identity drives all by beliefs, not identity with a political party.
Eric Jones
Troy Day you have obviously bought into the leftist narrative on Trump’s response to other races and foreign individuals. When you wear Democrat glasses, you see everything twisted to their agenda, which is Democrat domination of the US. They will twist and turn every story to turn people against Trump. Sad day…
Varnel Watson
Eric Jones How is this obvious to you? Never mind After looking at your profile seems I’ve been a registered republican since before you were born, Nice to chat though
Eric Jones
Ignorance has no age limit. There are many registered Republicans who have bought the leftist narrative against Trump.
Varnel Watson
Eric Jones It’s sad you are calling names on the internet without even knowing the person you are speaking to Did you even read the article and note who the author is? Has @dr Michael Brown bought in the left too? I dont think so The article is spot on as well as the comments by Nelson Banuchi
Eric Jones
I have not called one name. That is exactly how fake news gets started. You start accusing of something that wasn’t done. Trump has not been against Hispanics. He is against illegal immigration. He has not “cozied up to dictators”. He has attempted to be civil and make deals. Obama and HRC cozied up to dictators. I am sorry. Ted Cruz did not win. He would not have made it through all this stuff that has been thrown at Trump. His family would not have made it through the evil that has been unleashed by the establishment, including leftists and roll-over Republicans.
Varnel Watson
Nelson Banuchi No but this group is scary and some leave quickly Still lots to talk about this here issue for now John Adams supported the Treaty with Morocco which explicitly denied the United States was founded as a Christian nation. The widespread belief that the Founders were Christians to a man is a false one, and the arguments often presented to support the belief are specious. Some cite Washington’s membership in the Episcopal Church in Alexandria as evidence, forgetting that in the Virginia colonial era church membership and attendance was mandatory, as was tithing. When Washington died in 1799 he did not ask for a minister to come to his bedside, nor for even a Bible, and Washington throughout his life referred to Providence. Jefferson was a Deist, as was Franklin and several others of the Founders, who did not believe in Divine Intervention in human affairs.
John Adams was a member of the Unitarian Church, which did not have a hierarchical clergy, and in some congregations no clergy at all. Some sites quote John Adams as writing, “The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion”. Adams did not write that, it is a clause in the first treaty with Morocco, though he did fully ratify the treaty and sent it to the Senate for their “advice and consent”. The debate over America being founded as a Christian nation goes all the way back to the first settlers, many of whom came to the New World to establish religious persecutions of their own, leading to the several colonies of New England forming to flee the Puritans.
Nelson Banuchi
Well, I agree we may have been founded on Judeo-Christian principles along with influences from the Enlightenment but it is wrong to suggest that we are a “Christian” nation.
Actually, that is exactly what the Founding Fathers wanted to prevent, a theocratic government or one directed mainly by religious impulses and influences.
Varnel Watson
Nelson Banuchi most Founding Fathers were secretly sworn masons bringing new world order Come on 🙂
Nelson Banuchi
I’m aware of that. I didn’t say that they were necessarily Christians. Only that they were influenced by both the Christian religion together with the Enlightenment.
Varnel Watson
Nelson Banuchi Wish he had stayed Lots to talk about with real Republicans rather than fake phonies
Nelson Banuchi
You’re talking about Dr. Brown, right? You mean he accepted the invite, probably surveyed the page, and opted out?
If so, he may have not wanted to answer the criticisms for whatever reason.
So, apparently, I was right. He would not join.
Varnel Watson
back to op Nelson Banuchi though it does involve Michael L Brown DO you share the feeling commented above about this race issues that may or may not be present currently
Nelson Banuchi
Not sure I understand your question but I do believe there is a problem between the races and that there remains much prejudice and racism and, while there is a wrong attitude on both sides of the aisle, though the white community, imo, has the onus upon them to be the first to seek forgiveness on a national, if not personal, level, and to denounce in one voice the racism and white supremacy.
As I’m not black, I can’t speak for the black community but I have seen racism and prejudice at work; I’ve also seen and been the victim (in a small way) of prejudice that favors the black person… so, while complicated, I think a nice sit-down that accepts the complaints of both parties as, in one degree or another, legitimate would be in order.
(By the way, I’m Puerto Rican, that’s somewhere between a black and white person?.)
Varnel Watson
Nelson Banuchi it is what it is but the author did impose an opposing version of this view during those countries like Haiti comments and also in the book during the elections. We have been forever puzzled by the ever changing political stance of the author wondering whats next ?
Daniel J Hesse
I seek to refrain from commentary.
Varnel Watson
well Nelson Banuchi Daniel J Hesse need we beat this dead horse once again?