Guest essay by Duane Lindberg
As a Christian and a churchman, I am convinced that the right thing to do at this critical time in our nation’s life is to vote for Donald Trump in the upcoming Presidential election. Why have I come to this decision?
First, I want to make it clear that I do not approve Donald Trump’s lascivious remarks—his ” locker-room talk” regarding women and sex. Neither do I condone Hillary Clinton’s lying to the American people regarding the Benghazi tragedy or her dishonesty regarding the erasing of 30,000 classified emails or her illegal use of her public office for the financial benefit of the Clinton Family Foundation.
However, flawed as both of these candidates are, I need to remind myself that this is not a referendum on which candidate is the least morally flawed. Nor is it about which candidate I like better than the other, or which candidate offends me least. But, the key question which all voters must answer in this election is “What kind of America do I want for my children, grandchildren, and the coming generations?” This line of reasoning should lead us to ask two further questions:
“What are the ultimately significant issues facing America today?”
And the corollary question:
“Where do Trump and Clinton stand on these key issues?”
Many on both sides of the “aisle” would identify the following as key issues and most would agree that the candidates are on opposing sides of these issues:
- Appointing new Supreme Court justices
- Meeting the worldwide challenge of radical Islam by defeating ISIS
- Unchecked and unlawful refugee immigration to the US,
- The loss of jobs for American workers
- The growing, unchecked overreach of the Justice Department and the courts
- Challenge to First and Second Amendment rights
- Increasing cost of medical insurance because of “Obama care”
- Increasing taxes
Hillary would champion the liberal point of view, while Trump, the conservative, constitutionalist position on these key issues. Clinton’s view is one that will lead to the transformational change of our country into something contrary to the vision of the Founding Fathers. Whereas, Trump’s goal is to make America Great Again in keeping with the intention of the Founders. On these issues, I believe Trump’s policies will help make America the kind of country which will be best for our children, grandchildren, and coming generations.
However, significant as these political issues are, my main reason for voting for Trump has to do with a matter that is not a political issue but an ultimate spiritual issue, namely, rescuing unborn children from destruction (Prov. 24:11). Scripture reminds us that if government policies and laws are contrary to the Bible, we are to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). The murder of ca. 3,275 preborn children every day, through the barbaric practice of abortion, cannot be defended on the basis of the human opinion of nine unelected judges (the Supreme Court decision in Roe vs. Wade, 1973) when God’s Word opposes it. God’s command is very clear in Scripture: “Thou shall not murder!” (Exodus 20:13; Romans 13:9) Therefore, we must ask ourselves, “If we believe the Bible is the Word of God, is it right to vote for someone who supports the murder of unborn children?”
On this issue of abortion, Clinton is clearly supportive of a woman’s right to murder her unborn child, even in the very last minutes before birth. Whereas, Donald Trump is committed to saving the lives of unborn children and will be appointing Justices who support reversing the Roe vs. Wade decision of the Supreme Court.
Thus, because of the clear teaching of God’s Word regarding the eternal value of every person from conception to the grave, I will support Donald Trump for President, since he affirms the personhood and the rights of the unborn.
The original of this essay was published as a letter to the editor to World Magazine and circular email, October 26, 2016.
Rev Dr. Duane Lindberg PhD has over 50 years of pastoral ministry including as presiding bishop (emeritus) of the American Association of Lutheran Churches. Dr. Lindberg is author of the Nordskog Publishing title Kingdom of the Rings.
© 2016 Used by Permission
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