A conservative Christian’s perspective on the election

In a blog post entitled “Some late-night thoughts about the most stunning election of my lifetime,” Denny Burk, Professor of Biblical Studies at Boyce College, offers 5 thoughts on the 2016 election result. He wants those who are discouraged to remember who’s running the show:

All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” (Dan. 4:35).

Now listen to Professor Burk’s late-night thoughts….

donald-trump-5I have stayed up to the bitter end on election night. Secretary Clinton has just conceded the race, and President-elect Trump is delivering his victory speech as I type. There will be much to say in coming days about tonight’s result. Before turning-in for the night, I offer five quick thoughts on what we have just witnessed.

1. This is the American Brexit. It’s a populist realignment of the American two-party system. Donald Trump won 44% of the vote during the GOP primaries, and he has achieved a stunning victory tonight. The GOP is now the party of populism, not the party of conservatism. A similar populist strain runs right through the Democratic Party as well. That strain is reflected in the 47% who voted for Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary, and that strain will endure for the foreseeable future. This populist divide runs right through both parties and has changed everything this cycle. Will it endure? I don’t know. But there’s no question about what just happened. The people spoke, and their voice astonishes the ruling class. This result leaves the nation’s media and political elites as the shocked victims of their own presumption.

2. I have been an outspoken opponent of both major party nominees. That means that no matter the result of this election, I was going to be disappointed. I thought both candidates to be uniquely unqualified for the presidency. But what now? I don’t regret opposing these candidates. I continue to believe both candidates to pose real challenges to the common good. I trusted neither of them on the issues I care about most—sanctity of life, marriage, and religious liberty. I also believe both of them to have character flaws undermining their fitness for office. In light of that, what is my duty now? If the Apostle Paul told Christians to honor Emperor Nero, then I know I certainly have an obligation to honor the president-elect (Rom. 13:1-7). I will be the loyal opposition when necessary. I will also be praying that I was wrong about him and that he will do better than what I have expected him to do (1 Tim. 2:1-2).   Continue reading

 

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17 Responses to A conservative Christian’s perspective on the election

  1. Q November 12, 2016 at 2:38 pm #

    Did anyone read Trump’s 100 day Contract with the American voter?

    https://assets.donaldjtrump.com/_landings/contract/O-TRU-102316-Contractv02.pdf

    • Johnny Monday November 13, 2016 at 12:22 pm #

      A contract from Trump is not worth the pixels it’s written with. He has a lifelong history of breaking contracts with employees, small businesses, and wives. He’s a liar and will continue to prove himself as such over however long he lasts in the WH.

  2. Manny1962 November 12, 2016 at 4:31 pm #

    HI Q,

    Yes I had, I just caution everyone, Mr. Trump is also going to be appointing many, many people with questionable elitist connected backgrounds, so I would say take everything thathats is being promised with a very large grain of salt. Remember who the bible says is running this world. Im hoping our God is giving his people respite from the overtly evil jezebel Clinton. It is my opinion that Mr.Trump might be the trigger that allows for the man of sin to appear on the world’s stage. Look how the powers described in the bible have coalesced and a realigning to the middle east. As I’ve posted before, king of the North is already in Syria, kings of the East, China and company are basically forging their trading and military partnerships outside of the US, latest……The Phillipines and Malaysia, China has already sent support to the Syrian leader. Israel has been awaiting her appointment since 1948. Mr.Trump has alleviated the chance ofwar, Clinton and her unbelievably stupid no fly zone would have led to escalation, providentially I believe, The Lord stepped in as His plan is perfect and is unveiling before our eyes.

    It was proven by emails exposed by Wiki leaks that the Clinton Foundation is funded by George Soros and his Open Societies NGO (nongovernmental organization) they in turn fund radical groups to vandalize and create havoc in the streets.This is what we are seeing now under the guise of political angst.

    We as Christians need to realize that we are citizens from above, we are not to get caught up in the temporal, we are to be watchmen, Bereans, apologists, we are to reach out to the lost and spread the Gospels of Jesus Christ. I have no illusion things will be better, just different.

  3. Manny1962 November 12, 2016 at 4:36 pm #

    Homosexuality and abortion will continue, churchianity will keep going astray as the Great Apostasy rages on, the economy might do just a bit better, but this country and world are done.

  4. nannette November 12, 2016 at 4:54 pm #

    I mourn because America has not received the point. God gave them what they wanted. They mourned and prayed (with other religions) asking God to spare America. They mourned and prayed with wealthy apostate Christians. We are a sinful nation who has not obeyed God. They claim our nation is about 80% Christian (77% gallop). They have put their Bibles on the shelf if they have ever read them at all, or maybe they are in the closet? Our so called Christian nation 77%, this group includes Roman Catholic, Mormon, Jehovah Witness, Seventh Day Adventist, other cults and isms, etc. As long as Americans get what they believe they deserve (covet) they will be happy. And they have. The neighbors wife, the neighbors property, etc. They have not been diligent in researching their leaders and have accepted Abortion, Homosexual Marriage, Legalized marijuana, legalized euthanasia through so called conservative leaders, even in the churches! Most of the newly elected officials are Roman Catholic, or ecumenical. Watch and see, there will be many in ‘The’ Donald’s cabinet. When one thinks of security of a nation, would black mail be a problem when one goes to a so called priest to confess their sins? I heard a pastor say, ‘The’ Donald is the president for the apostate church. Laodicea does not know who they are, and you can’t tell them either. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Rev. 3:17. I am grieving because there are some faithful that have preached the gospel to the alien, and now they are my brothers and sisters. What of them? Are we going to kick them out to perish? I know many born again Christians who have gone to churches for help only to be turned away. They are homeless! What of them? It’s a shame, that’s all I can say, a shame! “But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightiest be profited by me; he shall be free.” Mark 7:11. “For when they shall say Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” 1 Thess. 5:3. Keep warning, keep preaching~It will be harder now that they think they got their way. Blessings!

  5. Manny1962 November 12, 2016 at 6:38 pm #

    Hello Nannette, this nation has turned it’s back on God. I mourn for the Christians who have fallen for the lie that is politicized Churchianity.

    • nannette November 12, 2016 at 9:39 pm #

      Amen Manny1962, it makes me sick. You can’t talk to them. Even a close relative told me if I voted for Trump she would never talk to me again. Another relative a Christian voted for Clinton and I tell you what, no way will I talk politics with people anymore. You can’t tell them from the Bible that what the politicians are for is sin, they get angry. I want to talk about Jesus! I love Him, He is Wonderful! I don’t want to talk about my best life now, or how God wants me rich, or ‘The Power of Positive Thinking, (‘The’ Donald’s pastor-Norman Vincent Peale). Blessings

      • Maggie November 14, 2016 at 1:19 am #

        We had a guy show up at church today at the end of service, who threatened the pastor, saying our church was pro-Trump. We are a tiny Bible believing church that is in no way political. It felt like an attack from the Enemy following a sermon in which the pastor was impressing on us to understand the important doctrines of Scripture because less and less Christians know what they are anymore.

        • Manny1962 November 14, 2016 at 9:42 pm #

          Sad isn’t it, but the time we live in was foretold by the prophets. I think the book of Revelation and the eschatological parts should be reread by every professing Christian often. Discernment is paramount today, so much false teaching it’s even difficult for well seasoned Christians to constantly rail against it. We need incessant prayers today from all Christians.

  6. Molly November 12, 2016 at 7:13 pm #

    Did you all see this article about the Third Temple? http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/78372/bin-exclusive-sanhedrin-asks-putin-trump-build-third-temple-jerusalem/#H2JcsO0CBySyOLhX.97

  7. Manny1962 November 12, 2016 at 10:13 pm #

    Molly,

    It is my opinion, that Mr.Trump might be a trigger that brings forth the final condition that reveals the man of sin. The Great Apostasy must run its course after that Revelation says the Antichrist will be revealed, he will come in peace. He will be charismatic, crafty, politically brilliant and he will be loved by his supporters. This is something that Trump does not represent.Remember the Antichrist will affirm a peace treaty with Israel.

  8. nannette November 13, 2016 at 6:20 pm #

    Manny1962, I agree: Check this out. The Ultimate Deal: http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Trump-Israeli-Palestinian-peace-would-be-ultimate-deal-472404

    • Manny1962 November 15, 2016 at 12:05 am #

      Nannette the hour is so late! No one is paying attention. It breaks my heart how so many Christians feel this election was going to change this society! Incredibly many are placing faith on Trump! As if he was able to curtail evil! It’s so sad, discernment is so sorely lacking. He was put in place by God for His purpose, his cabinet will be filled by globalists of every stripe. I trust in The Lord not in man! The hour is late, darkness abounds, the great apostasy grows, defection is rampant. We do live in amazing days, biblical and the soon return of our Lord and Savior! Amen! Maranatha!

  9. Mike December 1, 2016 at 8:03 pm #

    Professor Burk needs to come down off his high horse..or out of his ivory tower.!
    Also quoting Paul from Romans 13 and 1 Tim would NOT apply here in the United States.! WE THE PEOPLE are the ones who rule and God set it up that way.
    Those who are elected are elected and paid to be the servants of the people not rulers or Kings.
    They as servants can be fired and replaced by someone else with ease.
    So the good Professor should rededicate his studies towards understanding better the contractual agreement WE THE PEOPLE have with our government called the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.! An agreement that the government had to bow to before WE THE PEOPLE allowed the government to come into existence not vice versa.

    My Prof (( PhD Stanford ) would include extra credit for our dear Prof. Burk to familiarize himself with, study of the verses of scripture that pertain to how servants are to behave towards their masters. LEX REX – REX LEX takes on new meaning in THIS great Nation that God ordained. WE are a Nation like no other ever on the face of the Earth.!

  10. Marinus L March 8, 2017 at 12:41 am #

    Come on all you Christians, is this the way God wants you to behave? You may like it or not, but God had His hand in all this, Donald Trump is appointed by God to lead this nation, that was His choice. How should we as Christians respond, rather then run the president down. We should pray for our leaders and ask God to give them the strenght and the wisdom to lead this nation, the way He wants them to lead this nation. Lets all pray for our leaders and encourage others to pray, God can do mighty things.
    This is the main problem we have, if just all Christians in this nation pray for our leaders, no matter who is in office, God will hear us.

  11. Manny1962 March 8, 2017 at 8:32 am #

    I think God hears His. God also appointed Obama, perhaps one of the worst leaders there’s been in modern American history. God appoints, but His plans move forward, there will be judgement. I don’t believe in either party as there is really no such thing, it’s just a paradigm to keep emotions high and everyone divided. This country has murdered over 57 million children since 1973, this country has made into law a thing known as an abomination to God, homosexuality. Marinus, Mr. Trump is at the wheel, but the forces behind the curtain control things, he can only do so much. I do agree with you though, the Bible says we must pray for our leaders, for the church’s benefit. How is it the church’s benefit? Well it restrains the leader’s wickdness, it allows the church to live peacefully. This world, this country are both cooked. We are citizens of above, from where we await our Savior. We are pilgrims and sojourners here. We all want to be patriotic and cheer for “our” country, the problem is “our” country wants nothing to do with God, His Son, nor the Holy Spirit, the whole world is under judgement. And I’m afraid we Christians that hold and defend His words will be under duress from “our” country. It has already begun, just read the attacks here against anyone who dares to “judge.”

    I would suggest you read WikiLeaks, the new documents just released peels the onion a bit, it’s very frightening what they’re doing. It’s also very interesting, it shows how the Antichrist will have access to everyone, world-wide.

    http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-39203724

    https://wikileaks.org/ciav7p1/

    https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/07/world/europe/wikileaks-cia-hacking.html?_r=0

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