Even though all the facts point to him being a degenerate demagogue, several high profile Christian leaders have endorsed Donald J. Trump. A significant percentage of self identified Christian voters support him. But a growing number of Christians agree with my opening description of Trump. So, a major Christian magazine had an editorial pleading for believers to not allow Trump to divide the Body of Christ. Somehow, at this point, I smell the activity of that "ancient serpent, the devil and Satan". The question is: how many more deep fractures can the Body of Christ in this country endure? If Trump becomes the Enemy's tool to create another deep division it will be the fourth in my lifetime.
I gave much thought to what should be considered the first division. Many would say it was the liberal/fundamentalist conflict in the first third of the twentieth century. But this was essentially a division of believers from unbelievers. Even though the word 'fundamentalist' eventually became associated with obscurantism and love of conflict, the men who wrote "The Fundamentals" (1910) were sober, rational and gracious individuals. Limiting this to my lifetime I say the first major division was the Fundamentalist/Evangelical division of the late 1950's. The Fundamentalists said: "Even though you are a brother/sister in Christ, if you associate with people who may be theological liberals, I will not associate with you". This was something like the accusation against Jesus that "he eats and drinks with sinners". This division resulted in Fundamentalist leaders calling Billy Graham "the forerunner of the antichrist". This division still runs very deep.
The second division began with the publication of "The Genesis Flood" in 1961. Those believing in "young earth/flood geology" divided from believers who take Genesis as history but seek to interpret it consistently with all branches of scientific discovery. This division also runs very deep but the hostility is largely found in the first group whereas the second group says, "let's discuss these things and not hurl accusations at each other".
The third major division of believers in my lifetime came about very gradually but was clearly visible by the end of the 1980's. It continues unabated today. It is not well understood by either side. It is called by various names: contemporary music; praise music; etc. Some say it is only about the music and not the words. But others point out the strong objection many have to the overuse of repetition. This is usually a division between older and younger believers. The same folks who consider themselves more Fundamentalist than Evangelical, and "young earth/flood geology", are usually the ones who "use only hymnals", and eschew any hint of rock beat in music. Many wise believers are working to heal this division by attempting some blend of music in their churches. But doing this successfully requires a knowledge of both music and Christian music history that few have.
Now, will Donald J. Trump become a fourth major and lasting division between believers? If he does we will see again how utterly cunning the Enemy really is. The reader of this blog can probably detect my position on each of the first three historical divisions just described. I have ministered to individuals and churches on both sides of those divisions. I know where each side is coming from because I was once on "the other side" of each of those. I believe the Holy Spirit led me to change and, with His help, become more gracious. But widespread Christian endorsement of someone like Trump may be unprecedented in American Christianity. It is evidence that this country is under a judgment of God. We call it 'Judicial Blindness'. My goal: do not make it too hard for those fellow believers, who are absolutely wrong headed in this matter, to repent. I have repented of more than a few attitudes and remember with gratitude those who did not make my change of mind too difficult.
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