36. Trump vs. the Bible and ChatGPT

[00:00:00] In this episode, 7 Scriptures, ChatGPT says disqualify Donald Trump.

[00:00:24] In today's episode, AI makes the scriptural case against voting for Donald Trump, along

[00:00:32] with some thoughts about babysitters and bombs.

[00:00:39] I had wanted to put up a yard saw that simply asked, who would you trust to babysit your

[00:00:46] daughter, but the rest of my family felt that would be counterproductive.

[00:00:51] Today, with less than a week before the election, perhaps the most important election of my lifetime,

[00:00:58] I have an even more provocative question for those not voting for VP Harris.

[00:01:05] Do you want Trump's finger on the nuclear trigger?

[00:01:09] Who do you want to control America's nuclear arsenal?

[00:01:16] As I was preparing to post my last podcast, I quickly dictated a one-sentence summary, which

[00:01:24] Spotify requires of all podcasts.

[00:01:27] It was a slightly garbled version of this sentence.

[00:01:32] In this episode, the scriptural case for voting against Donald Trump.

[00:01:36] I gave the sentence to ChatGPT to correct my many typos.

[00:01:42] But instead of correcting the sentence, it wrote a four-minute podcast script citing five

[00:01:50] areas of concern about Donald Trump.

[00:01:52] I thought that ChatGPT made some excellent points.

[00:01:57] Short and succinct, here are the five scriptural reasons to vote against Donald Trump according

[00:02:05] to ChatGPT.

[00:02:09] While scripture does not address modern political figures directly, it provides principles that

[00:02:15] some may find relevant when assessing a leader's character and policies.

[00:02:19] In exploring a scriptural case for voting against Donald Trump, one can turn to various teachings

[00:02:25] in the Bible that emphasize virtues like humility, truthfulness, justice, and caring for the marginalized.

[00:02:34] We start with humility and leadership.

[00:02:37] From Paul in Philippians chapter 2, verses 3 and 4.

[00:02:42] Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant

[00:02:48] than yourselves.

[00:02:49] Do nothing from selfish ambition, count others more significant than yourselves.

[00:02:55] This verse highlights the danger of pride and selfish ambition.

[00:02:59] Critics of Trump often point to his public persona, which they describe as boastful, arrogant, and

[00:03:05] lacking humility.

[00:03:07] If humility is a key virtue of godly leadership, some may find Trump's demeanor to be inconsistent

[00:03:12] with scriptural ideals.

[00:03:17] Next we focus on truthfulness and integrity.

[00:03:20] There are many scriptures on truthfulness.

[00:03:22] Here are two.

[00:03:24] Ephesians 4.25

[00:03:33] Proverbs 12.22

[00:03:34] The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

[00:03:45] Truth and honesty are essential biblical values.

[00:03:49] Critics have often accused Trump of falsehoods, exaggerations, and misleading statements.

[00:03:54] For voters who prioritize integrity and truthfulness in leadership, these accusations could be reasons

[00:04:01] to vote against him.

[00:04:04] The third biblical reason not to vote for Trump is scriptural teachings about justice for the

[00:04:10] marginalized.

[00:04:11] From Matthew 25, verse 40.

[00:04:14] Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

[00:04:19] And one of my favorite verses.

[00:04:22] Isaiah 1.17

[00:04:23] Learn to do good.

[00:04:25] Seek justice.

[00:04:27] Correct oppression.

[00:04:28] Bring justice to the fatherless.

[00:04:31] Plead the widow's cause.

[00:04:33] The Bible repeatedly calls for justice and care for the marginalized, including immigrants,

[00:04:38] the poor, and the oppressed.

[00:04:39] Some have critiqued Trump's policies on immigration, social justice, and health care as being harmful

[00:04:45] to vulnerable populations.

[00:04:47] Voters who feel called to advocate for the oppressed might see Trump's policies and rhetoric

[00:04:53] as inconsistent with scriptural teachings.

[00:04:58] The fourth of the five biblical reasons not to vote for Trump is sowing division.

[00:05:03] Proverbs 6, verses 16 through 19 lists seven things the Lord detests.

[00:05:08] The Lord detests.

[00:05:10] A person who stirs up conflict in the community.

[00:05:14] Jesus commends peacemakers, and the Bible warns against those who sow discord.

[00:05:18] Trump's critics argue that his rhetoric often stokes division, whether along racial, political,

[00:05:24] or cultural lines.

[00:05:26] For Christians who value unity and reconciliation, this could be a significant concern.

[00:05:34] And finally, Jesus calls for servant leadership.

[00:05:37] From Mark chapter 10, verses 43 to 45.

[00:05:42] Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first

[00:05:47] must be slave of all.

[00:05:50] Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.

[00:05:54] Jesus calls leaders to serve others humbly.

[00:05:57] Some critical of Donald Trump say he lacks humility.

[00:06:01] Some also argue that Trump's style of leadership is more authoritarian and self-serving, rather

[00:06:08] than embodying the servant leadership Jesus advocated.

[00:06:13] In conclusion, ultimately, the scriptural case against Trump rests on whether one sees his

[00:06:20] character and leadership as aligning or clashing with these biblical virtues.

[00:06:25] While some Christians support Donald Trump due to his stance on issues like abortion, others

[00:06:31] may find that his personal conduct and boastfulness conflict with biblical principles of humility,

[00:06:36] truth, justice, peace, and servant leadership.

[00:06:42] In an article titled,

[00:06:44] My Christian Faith Won't Let Me Vote for Donald Trump,

[00:06:49] Donovan McAvee wrote in Time magazine,

[00:06:52] As a Christian, the bigger threat in the U.S. now seems to be evangelical idolatry.

[00:06:58] This tendency of many Christians to turn a political candidate into an idol,

[00:07:02] particularly one who has proven himself so thoroughly unfit as Donald Trump.

[00:07:14] I don't know which is more upsetting, that almost half of America is voting for someone with no moral compass,

[00:07:25] or that so many Christ followers could support an individual who reflects none of Christ's character.

[00:07:35] Let us pray.

[00:07:37] We do not have to find out what four more years of Trump has in store for America,

[00:07:43] for our children, and for the world.

[00:07:47] My prayer, my hope, is that I will get four opportunities to vote for Coach Walls,

[00:07:56] twice as vice president, and then twice more as president,

[00:08:00] and that this will usher in an era of prosperity and peace.

[00:08:07] God bless you, God bless America, and stay safe.

[00:08:12] This is Elton Sherwin reminding you to vote.