Why do some US evangelicals still support Donald Trump?
By evangelical historian, Martyn Whittock
How strong is evangelical support for Donald Trump now? How has his recent bout of Covid affected that perception? And watching from outside the US, how is it possible Bible believing Christians can back such an extraordinary figure?
After the vote: what next for evangelicals in the US?
(As en went to press, various lawsuits disputing the result were ongoing.)
Gerald Bray reports from Alabama
The coronavirus pandemic has unexpectedly found me in Alabama, where I have enjoyed a front-row seat in the 2020 elections circus.
400 years on, how the Mayflower Pilgrims can still inspire us...
Martyn Whittock
Date posted: 1 Dec 2020
In 1620, 102 ill-prepared settlers landed two months later than planned, in the wrong place on the eastern coast of North America.
They were a mixture of ‘saints’ (asylum-seeking members of separatist Puritan congregations) and ‘strangers’ (economic migrants necessary for the financial success of the venture). By the next summer, half of them were dead. Yet, from this inauspicious beginning, the impact of the Mayflower settlement still resonates 400 years later.
USA: Trump restricts Christian
refugees – 90% fall
Christian Post
Date posted: 1 Sep 2020
Since 2015 there has been a nearly 90%
reduction
in
the number of Christian
refugees being resettled to the United States
from countries where churches
face
the
greatest persecution. This is according to
a new report published by Open Doors
USA (a watchdog group that monitors the
persecution of Christians) and World Relief
(a refugee resettlement agency).
Closed Doors,
the
title of
the 16-page
report, is critical of policies that have either
drastically reduced refugee resettlement to
the USA or made it increasingly difficult for
persecuted individuals and families to seek
asylum.
Scottish seaside church plant takes off
Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC)
Date posted: 1 Sep 2020
In 2014, Graham and Tineke Wintour moved to Balmedie, some eight miles north of Aberdeen in Scotland.
Balmedie is a seaside village, home to 2,500 people, and is well-known for the local golf course which is owned by US President Donald Trump.
history
On pulling down statues
Michael Haykin
Date posted: 1 Sep 2020
According to the online American edition of the Spectator, the famous statue of George Whitefield, which was the inspiration behind the Banner of Truth logo, is to be removed from its present locale because of Whitefield’s participation in the race-based slavery of his day.
The article does a credible job of seeking to understand Whitefield in his context without whitewashing his sin. Although one statement in the article, namely that Whitefield ‘was the Donald Trump of the 1740s, albeit with a slightly higher degree of biblical literacy’, seems quite ridiculous to this writer.
defending our faith
Platforms for hate speech?
Chris Sinkinson
Date posted: 1 Mar 2020
In a very disturbing recent development, major British conference venues have cancelled bookings for a tour by the son of Billy Graham. The May 2020 mission has been planned to give Franklin Graham an opportunity to follow in his late father’s footsteps and preach the gospel in various UK cities.
It is true that Franklin Graham has been controversial in some church circles. His salary from the Samaritan’s Purse has been under scrutiny. His vocal support for Donald Trump has alienated some evangelicals. His style of evangelism may not always fit well with British churches. But it is important to remember that these issues are not the point.
USA: evangelicalism trumped?
The Daily Telegraph
Date posted: 1 Feb 2020
The first crack in Donald Trump’s support
among America’s
so-called
evangelical
community
emerged
in
January
as
a
prominent Christian magazine called the
President’s conduct ‘profoundly immoral’
and said that he should be removed from
office.
Up to a quarter of US voters identify as
evangelical Christians and they have been a
foundation of President Trump’s support.
He took over 80% of these voters in the
2016 election.
SURRENDER OF THE FAITH?
en staff
Date posted: 1 Feb 2020
On 17 December the deeply controversial appointment of Stephen Cottrell as Archbishop of York was announced.
Carefully selected quotes from his speech to the press1 present a picture of an evangelical whose focus is on Christ. ‘What binds us together is … our faith in Jesus Christ. It’s our baptism and belonging to each other which is what really matters.’ However these quotes are removed from their context, and the context provides an entirely different view of the incoming Archbishop.
Love in the time of Coronavirus
Maybe… Maybe not… Maybe… But maybe not.
On balance, I think not. As I write this, 23 people in the UK have been diagnosed with the Coronavirus, or to give it its proper name, Covid-19.