A viral clip took the internet by storm earlier this week of a pastor in Charlotte, North Carolina admonishing any Christian who believes it is their spiritual obligation to vote. Without naming names, Loran Livingston took exception with the Trump Bible that incorporates the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Livingston went so far as to claim that Christians don’t have a civic responsibility to vote but a civic privilege.
You know, I don’t consider myself in your intellectual company because we agree, but because we study & understand the same Bible. Trust me I know this personally: there always exists a temptation to allow your rhetoric to run along side the cheers and “amens.” Many of the pastor’s thoughts are highly commendable. Yet like you, I believe voting and being involved in the political process is demanded of the mature believer in Scripture. You have said multiple times ( and this was a key tenant in my dissertation) that God instructed Israel to be involved through their actions and prayers in Jeremiah 29:7. Absolutely wonderful Erick!
I’m not a Baptist but sure had several “Amens“ while listening to this preacher concerning the Trump Bible! I also agree with Eric that as Christians the whole of our lives should be lived through our spiritual lens. Voting is maybe the highest privilege Americans are given and therefore a powerful civic duty. It will be hard this time, but I am forcing myself to look well beyond Donald Trump to the welfare of our country. I fear what another four years of leftist agenda could do to us. Thanks, Eric, for a really good post!
All I know is if your going around shouting at me I probably won’t listen but that is there choice. You don’t have to vote weather your a Christian or a heathen or democratic socialist but you will be on the receiving end of the consequences good or bad either way.
I am going to try this one more time. Could Eric or someone tell me if the Bible Trump is selling is "The Founders Bible" or some other Bible? And if it is "The Founders Bible" what is the problem with it that has people outraged? I have that Bible, which is not something that Trump created at all, and it is not in the least an edited Bible. Anyone able to answer the questions?
To not vote intentionally is to make a purposeful, selfish, and ignorant mockery of each one of those, including my uncle, who died in combat defending our Country during any war, and it also insults the legacy of those who created the United States and went on to formulate our Constitution, and who risked their lives to do so. But no, you’re better than all of that because you think to abstain from voting or to vote but only in order to vote “against” someone (without appreciating what you’re getting as a result) is “noble.” You’re actually an uneducated idiot who doesn’t deserve our Country’s citizenship.
Thoughtful analysis, and on target, imho, Erick. i'm glad you included a vignette of the earlier part of the Pastor's sermon re: immoral trends in today's America. I believe we DO have a spiritual responsibility to speak out against injustice and immorality. i also agree we are just 'passing through' this earthly existence; but, while we are here' we have a citizenship responsility--not a 'privilege,' a responsibility!-- to vote as our faith dictates to advance the spiritual wisdom we've been given through prayer and Bible study. There are other examples of course, but the issue of a candidate's position on abortion is an obvious place where our understanding of God's guidance is crystal clear. As we discern a candidate's or political party's policies on killing babies in the womb, we have a clear choice between one which is trying to encourage restrictions on that abhorrent practice and the other who desires to legislate freedom to abort until the day of birth; i.e. no restrictions. Easy for me to discern which way Jesus would have me exercise my temporary earthly citizenship responsibility to vote. Not to vote our spiritual beliefs is not only bad citizenship, it is bad stewardship. Others have mentioned David Barton's Founder's Bible. Wallbuilders also has a great resource for Sunday School classes titled: "Biblical Citizenship in Modern America." Perhaps Pastor Livingston could exercise some humility to consider a different view on the subject.
Actually I have never purchased anything from Trump.The Founders Bible reproduced by Dave Barton of Wallbuilders.com was originally published by Congress.
Trump has repeatedly used the bible and his pretend form of christianity as a prop for political or fundraising purposes: posing with a bible for show at St Johns church, claiming it is his favorite book while not able to cite one single verse, and now signing a licensing deal to raise money off the "only Trump approved" version of the bible from his adoring evangelical fans.
I feel sorry for the dupes that keep getting conned into spending money on this guy's scams: Trump University, DJP stock, Stop The Steal, etc. and now the Trump Bible - So Sad
Can someone tell me why it is wrong to show how the Bible was part of the inspiration for the Bill of Rights and the Constitution? I see some condemn the idea and I absolutely do not understand that.
You know, I don’t consider myself in your intellectual company because we agree, but because we study & understand the same Bible. Trust me I know this personally: there always exists a temptation to allow your rhetoric to run along side the cheers and “amens.” Many of the pastor’s thoughts are highly commendable. Yet like you, I believe voting and being involved in the political process is demanded of the mature believer in Scripture. You have said multiple times ( and this was a key tenant in my dissertation) that God instructed Israel to be involved through their actions and prayers in Jeremiah 29:7. Absolutely wonderful Erick!
I’m not a Baptist but sure had several “Amens“ while listening to this preacher concerning the Trump Bible! I also agree with Eric that as Christians the whole of our lives should be lived through our spiritual lens. Voting is maybe the highest privilege Americans are given and therefore a powerful civic duty. It will be hard this time, but I am forcing myself to look well beyond Donald Trump to the welfare of our country. I fear what another four years of leftist agenda could do to us. Thanks, Eric, for a really good post!
All I know is if your going around shouting at me I probably won’t listen but that is there choice. You don’t have to vote weather your a Christian or a heathen or democratic socialist but you will be on the receiving end of the consequences good or bad either way.
I am going to try this one more time. Could Eric or someone tell me if the Bible Trump is selling is "The Founders Bible" or some other Bible? And if it is "The Founders Bible" what is the problem with it that has people outraged? I have that Bible, which is not something that Trump created at all, and it is not in the least an edited Bible. Anyone able to answer the questions?
Do not vote - Allow the Socialist to Vote in Abortion in the 9th month or even 3 months after birth.
To not vote intentionally is to make a purposeful, selfish, and ignorant mockery of each one of those, including my uncle, who died in combat defending our Country during any war, and it also insults the legacy of those who created the United States and went on to formulate our Constitution, and who risked their lives to do so. But no, you’re better than all of that because you think to abstain from voting or to vote but only in order to vote “against” someone (without appreciating what you’re getting as a result) is “noble.” You’re actually an uneducated idiot who doesn’t deserve our Country’s citizenship.
Thoughtful analysis, and on target, imho, Erick. i'm glad you included a vignette of the earlier part of the Pastor's sermon re: immoral trends in today's America. I believe we DO have a spiritual responsibility to speak out against injustice and immorality. i also agree we are just 'passing through' this earthly existence; but, while we are here' we have a citizenship responsility--not a 'privilege,' a responsibility!-- to vote as our faith dictates to advance the spiritual wisdom we've been given through prayer and Bible study. There are other examples of course, but the issue of a candidate's position on abortion is an obvious place where our understanding of God's guidance is crystal clear. As we discern a candidate's or political party's policies on killing babies in the womb, we have a clear choice between one which is trying to encourage restrictions on that abhorrent practice and the other who desires to legislate freedom to abort until the day of birth; i.e. no restrictions. Easy for me to discern which way Jesus would have me exercise my temporary earthly citizenship responsibility to vote. Not to vote our spiritual beliefs is not only bad citizenship, it is bad stewardship. Others have mentioned David Barton's Founder's Bible. Wallbuilders also has a great resource for Sunday School classes titled: "Biblical Citizenship in Modern America." Perhaps Pastor Livingston could exercise some humility to consider a different view on the subject.
I read the Bible everyday. I am using Bible Recap and the App BibleProject
Outlines every book of the Bible.
Do not vote? Let the Socialist and Muslims decide everything
Actually I have never purchased anything from Trump.The Founders Bible reproduced by Dave Barton of Wallbuilders.com was originally published by Congress.
Trump has repeatedly used the bible and his pretend form of christianity as a prop for political or fundraising purposes: posing with a bible for show at St Johns church, claiming it is his favorite book while not able to cite one single verse, and now signing a licensing deal to raise money off the "only Trump approved" version of the bible from his adoring evangelical fans.
I feel sorry for the dupes that keep getting conned into spending money on this guy's scams: Trump University, DJP stock, Stop The Steal, etc. and now the Trump Bible - So Sad
The fellowship hall at our church is rented out for district voting.
I believe that Jesus would want me to vote for a candidate that supports his teaching and it ain’t Biden.
Citizens have a responsibility to become informed and then vote. This includes Christians and those who are not.
Can someone tell me why it is wrong to show how the Bible was part of the inspiration for the Bill of Rights and the Constitution? I see some condemn the idea and I absolutely do not understand that.