Many are offering thoughts and prayers today for former president Donald Trump and our nation. Trump’s supporters and his critics are condemning political violence. Here are how evangelical Christians are responding:
Christianity Today has a piece here.
Franklin Graham:
Southern Baptist megachurch pastor Jack Graham:
Activist Jemar Tisby:
Director of Liberty University’s Standing for Freedom Center:
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson:
Mike Pence:
Bart Barber, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention:
In the past few minutes, we have learned that someone has apparently shot Former President Trump. He was bleeding from the ear, but appeared not to be seriously injured at all. He, his campaign, and the United States Secret Service all say that he is fine. The shooter is dead, as are at least two attendees at the rally.
Let us pray for our nation.
Let us make it clear that this kind of behavior is unacceptable. Unlike people in many other places around the world, we get to speak by way of our votes. We live in a nation where our votes are not coerced, we are not threatened or intimidated in our voting, our votes are fairly counted every time, and our country transfers power every time in accord with the expressed wishes of the people.
Unlike in Iran, Russia, South Sudan, or many other places we could mention, there is never any need for us to resort to violence in order to be heard or to create political change. This is a double blessing for Christians, since our system of government allows us to be active in shaping the character of our country without violating what God’s word clearly commands us in Romans 13:1-7 and I Peter 2:13-17. The person who resorts to violence is therefore not only at war with a political opponent but is also at war with the majority of our countrymen and at war with the word of God.
In his second inaugural address, Abraham Lincoln was trying to bring the country together after the Civil War. Imagine how divided the nation was at that time. Imagine how powerful your own feelings would have been at that time. Perhaps you had sent your own son to fight in the war or your own husband. Perhaps he had been killed or injured. Perhaps your house had been burned or you had lost all you owned. How would you feel about your enemy at war?
Abraham Lincoln said this at the time: “With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in.” Charity, not malice.
And so, as believers, let us all pray for President Trump, no matter how you plan to vote in November. Let us all speak with one voice saying that this kind of behavior is WRONG. Let us not contribute to making things worse, but let us be the ones summoning what Lincoln called “the better angels of our nature” in all of those around us. Let us do all of those things around our family tables, in our Sunday School classrooms, and in our presence online.
And as we watch the deterioration of our country, let us remember that our home still stands waiting for us in Heaven, secure in peace and truth.
Evangelist Tim Lee:
Christianity Today podcaster:
Senator Marco Rubio:
Family Research Council president Tony Perkins:
Evangelical author Eric Metaxas:
David Barton, GOP delegate:
Brent Leatherwood, president of the Southern Baptist’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission:
ERLC President Brent Leatherwood released the following statement after reports of a shooting during a political rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“While reports show that President Trump is doing ‘fine,’ this is a horrific moment. The reality that this has taken place tonight should bring us to our knees.
“We should all stop to pray for President Trump and that those responsible will be swiftly apprehended and brought to justice. We should pray for anyone else injured by this despicable incident.
“In a democracy like ours, we voice our opinions, we passionately press our case, we bravely dissent, and we loudly campaign for our cause. But we must never cross the line to harm those we disagree with. Political violence has hurt too many individuals and taken too many lives in our history. Now is the moment for all of us to unite and bring a swift and universal condemnation to this vile act that has no place whatsoever in America.
“While it will be easy to use this moment as an opportunity to dig in our heels, I urge Americans to pause, lament this violence, and realize how far we have strayed from our nation’s ideals. Let’s commit to praying for our leaders, those who are willing to serve in public office, and appeal to our Lord that His reconciling work would be poured out on this nation to overcome the hatred that is so prevalent in our culture.”
Focus on the Family’s Jim Daly:
Jonathan Falwell, chancellor of Liberty University:
Russell Moore, editor of Christianity Today:
Wheaton College professor and author Esau McCaulley:
Former Obama staffer Michael Wear:
Charismatic worship leader and Trump supporter Sean Feucht is going full conspiracy theory:
But apparently this is “not about politics”:
J.D. Greear, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention:
Southern Baptist pastor Tom Buck:
Ed Stetzer of Talbot Theological Seminary:
Southern Baptist professor Andrew T. Walker:
Southern Baptist professor Owen Strachan:
Former GOP presidential candidate and Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee:
Evangelical social activist Shane Claiborne:
Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary:
Pro-Trump megachurch pastor Jentezen Franklin:
Paula White-Cain, megachurch pastor and Trump religious adviser:
California megachurch pastor Greg Laurie:
San Antonio megachurch pastor and founder of Christians United for Israel, John Hagee:
2000 presidential candidate Gary Bauer:
Pro-Trump prophet Lance Wallnau:
Former Trump court evangelical PR guy Johnnie Moore:
Missouri senator Josh Hawley:
Christian Right political operative Ralph Reed:
Trump court evangelical and First Baptist-Dallas pastor Robert Jeffress:
Court evangelical Samuel Rodriguez:
Christian Broadcasting Network journalist David Brody:
Dinesh D’Souza:
Christian Right radio host Todd Starnes:
Charlie Kirk, right-wing pundit and evangelical megachurch speaker:
Christian Zionist Joel Rosenberg:
Evangelical writer Karen Swallow Prior: