'What to do about Trump'

A sign against Trump's policies in a demonstration in Germany.

Photo: Markus Spiske, Unsplash, CC0.

 By Bruce Barron - Posted at Evangelical Focus:

April 9, 2025

There is now a widespread perception that a man who exhibits such open disdain for others, and who has already caused enormous damage to the international community, is doing so thanks to crucial support from evangelical Christians.

Politics should not dominate the lives of Christians, but sometimes political events compel a response. At those times, even while we continue to show respect for our brothers and sisters who view the situation differently, balance or silence constitutes complicity.

Christians almost universally admire the courage and integrity that Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and others showed in the 1930s and 1940s. In doing so, they acknowledge that sometimes God calls us to speak up fearlessly. I lack the stature or eloquence of Barth and Bonhoeffer, but in these unusual times, I feel compelled to follow their model.

Many Christians, both in the United States and elsewhere, were pleased to see Donald Trump win re-election in November 2024. That preference is understandable. Supporters consistently cite several concerns, which are shared by many Christians:

• Illegal immigration and associated crime
• Religious freedom
• Traditional values on sexuality and marriage
• Government spending and debt

I do not wish to criticize those who felt Trump was the best option available in the November 2024 election. However, no policy ends justify the means that have been used in pursuit of those ends since January 20, 2025. As I explained here, Christians may disagree on policy issues, but they should not disagree on support for basic human rights, including freedom of speech.

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