This morning I heard Steve Inskeep of NPR interview Jerry Falwell Jr., president of Liberty University, at the Republican National Convention.  Inskeep asked Falwell about his support for Donald Trump, especially considering Trump’s personal life.  Falwell responded, “Well, I think Jesus said we’re all sinners. When they ask that question, I always talk about the story of the woman at the well who had had five husbands and she was living with somebody she wasn’t married to, and they wanted to stone her. And Jesus said he who is without sin cast the first stone. I just see how Donald Trump treats other people, and I’m impressed by that.”

The problem with Falwell’s response is he has confused John chapter 4 with John chapter 8.  The people did not want to stone the woman at the well, they actually believed her message.  Jesus did not offer forgiveness carte blanche to individuals; He offered forgiveness to the humble and contrite but He gave the law to the proud and self-righteous (note His interaction with the Pharisees).

Next, Inskeep referred to Lesley Stahl’s recent interview where she said to Trump, “You’re not known to be a humble man” and Trump interrupted, “I think I am, actually humble. I think I’m much more humble than you would understand.”  It seems that claiming to be humble is actually an oxymoron.  Falwell responded, “I’ve never seen any arrogance (in Trump).”  How can he say this?  Trump’s entire persona is based on arrogance.  King Solomon warned,

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.  (Proverbs 16:18)

Jim Collins’ research in Good to Great reveals that the most effective leadership is a paradoxical blend of humility and tenacity.

Inskeep then asked, “If you think that he’s truthful, and here’s why I ask that. I know that many people find him attractive because they feel he speaks the truth. But he also makes contradictory statements that can’t both be true. And he even wrote in one of his books that he engages in what he called truthful hyperbole, basically exaggerating, saying things that aren’t true for a purpose. Do you think he’s a truthful person? Is Trump truthful?”   Falwell responded, “Yes,” even though Inskeep pointed out by Trump’s own admission that he is not always truthful.  Falwell responded, “But I – but I just – I just know you don’t get where he is in life by not telling the truth or by being dishonest in business and by treating your employees unfairly. And it’s just not possible.”  Unfortunately, there are plenty of people who are successful financially who have not told the truth.

There was a time when character was a sine qua non for leadership – character now seems secondary to expediency.  David Wells prescient warning written over twenty years ago in  No Place for Truth: or Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology?  unfortunately is being realized.  Evangelicals in their quest for cultural relevance have been co-opted by the some of the worst aspects of the secular culture.  Evangelicals have sacrificed theology for expediency and are looking more to man rather than to God.

People are following an individual who eschews the Bible’s clear teaching.  For example,  Trump writes, “You can’t be too greedy” (The Art of the Deal, p. 48).   What does the Bible say about greed?  The tenth commandment condemns coveting, which is greed (Exodus 20:17). Jesus said,

“Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”  (Luke 12:15)

Jesus denounced greed in the parable of the rich fool.  The Apostle Paul points out that greed is idolatry,

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.  (Colossians 3:5)

How does the party that purports to promote family values favor an individual who has been married three times and is a casino and real estate mogul who has made his money from gambling, a moral vice that oppresses the poorest and most desperate. When his casinos fail, he can file bankruptcy and move on leaving behind the lives and families destroyed by the casino industry.

Alexis de Tocqueville is reported to have said, “America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”  May we realize that we as a nation will reap what we sow.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

Follow me on twitter:  rickhiggins5