The American Democracy leads a double life. On one hand, citizens embrace a constitutionally guaranteed separation of church and state. On the other hand, we expect our political leaders to uphold the moral tenets of Christian Faith. That’s why the religious background and fundamental Faith of Pres. Donald J. Trump matters.
Past presidents have often leaned heavily on Faith and prayed in the Oval Office. Leading a nation through troubled times creates an uncertainty in even the strongest leaders. Pres. Trump, one of the more forceful and seemingly self-assured presidents, poses one of the more curious case studies in terms of Christian beliefs and values.
Pres. Trump, a former Realty TV personality and billionaire business mogul best known for his brash fighting words and multiple divorces, has become a tremendous Christian standard bearer since taking office. His current embracing of the Lord Jesus Christ appears to stand in stark contrast to his former glitz and glamour lifestyle. This phenomenon has left many asking where, when and how did this apparent Born-Again transformation occur?
The President’s Religious Upbringing
Pres. Trump’s religious beginning were nothing out of the ordinary. There was no fiery preacher father or missionary volunteering abroad. One might call his experience significant, but in keeping with many of his era.
His father, Fred, was hewn from German Lutheran stock and attended church without exception. Pres. Trump’s mother, whose maiden name was Maryanne Macleod, came from Scottish Presbyterians known as “Wee Frees.” The Free Church of Scotland was known to be on the zealous side and lives on today. She saw to it that her children grew up in the Presbyterian Church.
The first watershed moment for the future president happened when his family transferred from the historic First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, Queens, to Marble Collegiate Church where Trump bonded with Pastor Norman Vincent Peale. The pastor was a widely known religious figure on radio, television and penned the best-selling “Power of Positive Thinking.” The work integrates the ideas that being faithful to Jesus can provide material as well as spiritual benefits.
But Peale was by no means a used car salesman. In church, he preached straight-up gospel and tough biblical doctrine. In many ways, the pastor’s teaching reflects the foundational style of today’s president.
An Unexpected Epiphany
Many presidents have strengthened their Faith while holding office. Being responsible for millions of souls will do that to you. But this was not the case with Donald J. Trump. Although he had a significant history of involvement with the church, candidate Trump had a profound religious experience on the trail. American Evangelical leader James C. Dobson announced that Mr. Trump had accepted his “relationship with Christ” and deemed him a “baby Christian.” Dobson, the founder of one of the nation’s most influential Conservative organizations, Focus on Family, declined to reveal the individual who helped facilitate Pres. Trump’s Born-Again transformation.
God, Faith and Patriotism
At Pres. Trump’s inauguration he went much further in terms of religious representation than his predecessor. Six religious figures that included four Protestants, a Cardinal, and a Rabbi were in attendance and all offered prayers. This was an embrace of Faith that outpaced all presidents before him. He swore his oath not only on the traditional Lincoln Bible, but also on the one he earned by completing Sunday Church Primary School.
Pres. Trump tapped musician Lee Greenwood to perform the patriotic and religious song “God Bless the USA.” His inaugural speech would also blend patriotism and Faith as he quoted Psalm 133 and spoke about people of all colors and creeds bleeding the same red blood of patriots. This watershed moment may clearly define the type of Christian Pres. Trump has evolved into. There is a certain line that runs through his belief system that the power of God runs through America.
Mandate Of Faith
Perhaps his Born-Again experience was a precursor to assuming the presidential mantle and, by extension, religious prominence in America. If we look at the president’s first strong connection and current spiritual advisor, Paula White, a pattern seems to emerge between American patriotism and religious prosperity. White, the leader of a large Florida Pentecostal, also leans toward the thinking that Faith in Jesus has both spiritual and material benefits.
It appears Pres. Trump has ascended to the land’s highest office with just such a religious mandate in hand: God and American prosperity. White who spoke at the inauguration has stated in reference to the president. “God says that he raises up and places all people in places of authority, it is God who raises up a king. It is God that sets one down.”
~ Christian Patriot Daily
