Russell Moore, the eighth president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, wrote this for yesterday’s New York Times, about evangelicals who embrace The Donald. He writes:
Donald J. Trump stands astride the polls in the Republican presidential race, beating all comers in virtually every demographic of the primary electorate. Most illogical is his support from evangelicals and other social conservatives. To back Mr. Trump, these voters must repudiate everything they believe.
Ben Carson recently contrasted his own faith in God with Mr. Trump’s theatrical egocentrism. “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life, and that’s a very big part of who I am,” he said, citing a Bible verse. “I don’t get that impression with him.” Mr. Trump hit back, suggesting that Mr. Carson was faking his own faith: “So I don’t know about Ben Carson’s faith, and all of a sudden he becomes this great religious figure. I don’t think he’s a great religious figure.” Mr. Carson quickly backed off from his comments, but the questions are not so easily dismissed.
There’s no religious test for office, and there shouldn’t be. My Baptist ancestors were willing to make alliances with the heretical Thomas Jefferson because he believed in religious liberty. It didn’t matter that they never would have let him teach Sunday school.
Good on ye, Bro. Russell.
Dating Jesus 
Unfortunately…or maybe fortunately depending on one’s perspective…I don’t think Moore’s condemnation of The Donald will hold much sway with evangelical voters. Especially white evangelical voters.
George Will, who is indubitably to the Right of Moore’s communitarianism, (who Moore has invoked in prior criticisms of The Trump Brand™), has condemned The Donald’s candidacy from the start with little or no effect on his candidacy.
Jerry Falwell, even more indubitably to the Right of Moore’s communitarianism, described The Donald as “one of the greatest visionaries of our time” back in 2012. Trump hasn’t been invited back to LU as yet, but I don’t see Falwell rescinding his praise, either.
The Trump Brand™ is selling like hotcakes in the GOP market. Given that market’s ability to deliver its consumers to the polls? Well…I think we should prepare ourselves for a very interesting future.
I appreciate him making the effort, though. And I appreciate anything that makes me re-think my perceptions about a particular group. And ol’ Jerry Falwell? I never once had an ounce of respect for the man.
I have some issues with him, (abortion, marriage equality/traditional family, separation of church and state), but I don’t think he’s a hypocrite per se. It would be nice, though, if his brand of radical centrism exerted greater influence in the Evangelical Christian bloc. It could happen, I suppose. He’d a lot easier to deal with than Falwell. That’s for sure.