Welcome, especially to those who already have their hackles raised and their Bibles ready for some “thumping.” Genuinely glad you’re here. If you’re voting for Trump, you likely have more than one reason. Coming from an American Evangelical ministry background, I feel I understand the motivations of Christians who support Trump. If you’re firmly set on your decision, feel free to move on; I don’t want to waste your time.

If you’re a Christian who isn’t sure, I’d like to share why I cannot support Trump and why I’m actively trying to offer a counter-voice to the pro-Trump Evangelical propaganda.

If you’re conflicted by Trump’s personal and business record, if you see his lies and recognize his many masks, if you feel guilty even questioning your support for Trump, if your spouse is adamant about Trump but your doubts are forced into secrecy, if you couldn’t openly criticize Trump within your loving, Jesus-centered church—if any of this resonates with you, then hear me out as a recovering pastor:

1. You are not alone—many, many others are going through or have already gone through what you are feeling.
2. You have permission to think, ask, wonder, and investigate. You do not have to agree. Faith is not compliance—that’s fear, which is the antithesis of love.
3. There are very good Bible-based and Jesus-centered reasons not to vote for Trump. It would be an epitome of biblical wisdom to see the man for who he is, rather than the hype and brand his supporters have built around him.

You are not a bad person, your faith and salvation are not in jeopardy if you consider not voting for Trump. The world will not end, God will not throw a fit, and Jesus isn’t going to lose any sleep.

The Reasons People Vote for Trump

The political messaging, Fox News talking heads, and what churches and Christians say about Trump generally boil down to a handful of main points. Granted, this is just a summary to ensure we keep them in serious consideration:

1. Economy: From social security to healthcare to business to gas prices, the assumption is that Trump will be better for people’s bottom lines. People want to afford their family’s expenses and get frustrated when things aren’t working.
2. Social Issues: From family issues and the Second Amendment to trans book readings and abortion, there are many tense, conflicting issues here that deal with real humans in a complex modern society.
3. Government & World Policy: From “Making America Great Again” to handling the Middle East and Russia, this is a big category with multiple subcategories. Noteworthy is the pro-Israel stance and pro-business policies often cited in support of Trump.
4. Faith: There is an assumed faith element among the Evangelicals who support Trump. From Doug Wilson to both Pentecostal and fundamentalist churches here in Missoula, and evangelical pastors across America, there is both vocal support and a noticeable lack of opposition to Trump.

The Complexity of the Situation

The landscape is complex, and our digital-saturated world has many people acting like the unaware mob of Rome, seeking entertainment, validation, and people to blame. Unfortunately, the political divide in our country has grown so large that no one is willing to lay down their arms. I don’t blame them—I see how I’ve done this with people who’ve hurt me and how I’ve done it to those I’ve hurt. Having a calm and rational conversation on these matters necessitates two real humans conversing, but that rarely happens today. We post, read, watch, and engage with the people, places, and things we want to, remaining unaware of our assumptions, cognitive biases, and the deeper truths we can’t let ourselves see.

Tim Keller, a respected pastor and theologian, addressed this when he said, “We are in a situation where many Christian institutions or organizations feel that they can’t afford to alienate Trump supporters. They fear losing support, but sometimes Christian faithfulness means telling people what they don’t want to hear.” We are at a crossroads where choosing comfort over conviction becomes a danger to the soul.

This has affected churches deeply, and when they do face it, it almost always results in the congregation’s demise. Decades ago, A.W. Tozer observed, “We have a generation of Christians reared among push buttons and automatic machines, who are impatient of slower and less direct methods of reaching their goals. We have been trying to apply machine-age methods to our relations with God. We read our chapter, have our short devotions, and rush away, hoping to make up for our deep inward bankruptcy by attending another gospel meeting or listening to another thrilling story by a religious adventurer lately returned from afar.” This is not the life Jesus wanted for us.

The State of American Politics

The current American state is always a talking point in political debates as a blame tactic. If you’ve ever run an organization, you know people and systems are complicated. National governance and the economy in a global world are not things any of us can manage effortlessly. Since Trump first ran—and during the time I drowned my life in alcohol and then recovered—many things have happened: COVID, AI, and wars are not minor global things. Technological changes in the last couple of decades have dramatically reshaped our daily lives. COVID, Web 3.0, AI, remote work, material sciences, digital proliferation—all these factors have changed everything. And let’s not forget the wars.

There is always the temptation of reductionism when it comes to the “big” problems. In neuroscience, psychology, and faith, this problem has become incredibly clear. Sometimes there are simple reasons, but then we complicate a storm around it so that a single cause somehow magically causes more confusion. Sometimes there are so many variables at play that even supercomputers couldn’t track, but we like to point out one thing as the problem or the answer.

When it comes to voting Republican, Democrat, or Other, it’s humans blaming someone and elevating their champion. It was an issue when Israel demanded a king “like the other nations” so they “could be like” others and have a king who fought wars for them. Evangelicals got the candidate they deserved. It’s why Jesus’ words were not well-received by the righteous and religious leaders of his day—they killed him for it. We find so much salvation in political control that we need it for ourselves, to ensure the world that touches us is also controlled.

Reductionism and Immature Tendencies

Here’s where we, if we’re honest, love to point to one or two things and say, “That’s the entire thing.” It’s dodging an uncomfortable truth. It’s a frightened human tendency to deflate our errors and inflate our justification, to keep our thinking the same. Yes, there are a lot of issues to consider in voting. Is Trump the better answer? No.

Examining Trump as a Person

Let’s consider this man honestly, and line him up with the “reasons”:

1. Economy: Look at Trump’s past business dealings and be honest about his career and personality. Personally, I do not trust the man with our money, our economy, and our nation. The logical and even “Christian” view here would seem to scream that his campaign is not built on solid business practices or character. Why go into business with him? If Christians shrug this off, I’d love to see them also lower their standards for non-Trump people and be honest about the man’s character. His actions and behavior—his “fruit”—show his character. He is not trustworthy. He is a narcissistic liar. Why trust him with your nation’s economy?
   
   “By their fruit, you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?” – Matthew 7:16
2. Social Issues: There is a lot here, but let’s talk about the stance Evangelicals are taking—their posture. If you claim the title of Christian, you’re likely aware of the most important New Testament command, found in all the Gospels and on every page after: to love others as Jesus did. If we assume that the tactics of Trump and the Republican party are right and good, then the real Jesus of the Gospels will not be our friend (and I’m not saying the left is any better, but we’re not talking to them). Is Trump, given his age and character, going to be a good leader in navigating difficult and complex social issues? If you look at his personal life, it’s clear he is not the kind of person able to navigate his family life.
   
   “We must not see any person as an abstraction. Instead, we must see in every person a universe with its own secrets, with its own treasures, with its own sources of anguish, and with some measure of triumph.” – Elie Wiesel
3. Government: Has this man shown quality presidential leadership? No. “Christian” leadership? Hahaha.
   
   Mark Galli, the former editor-in-chief of Christianity Today, put it plainly: “None of the president’s positives can balance the moral and political danger we face under a leader of such grossly immoral character.”
4. Faith: This is what it should come down to for authentic Christians, as often cited by Trump’s side. I suggest that if we were to take Scripture seriously, our faith would demand we don’t vote for wolves in sheep’s clothing.
   
   “I think the Bible is certainly, it is the book. It is the thing.” – Trump.
   
   But as Philip Yancey challenged, “I ask people, ‘If you were an alien who came to this planet and saw what Christians were known for, would you have any idea that it had anything to do with Jesus?’”

Conclusion

The above issues are real, and there are difficult and uncomfortable discussions to be had on all sides. There are things that need to change and be addressed. As a former pastor, I understand how these issues weigh on both the heart and the checkbook.

But listen, Evangelical—if you’re struggling with whether to vote for Trump or not, these are some of the reasons I couldn’t support him when he first ran. I remember feeling guilty for finally breaking away from voting Red. But I don’t regret it. Both logic and Scripture have only strengthened my resolve not just to vote against him but to offer a counter-voice within Evangelical circles. Many Christians feel like they aren’t even allowed to question or dissent. I’m here to say: you are.

But…

Go ahead, tell your Christians you’re not voting for Trump because he is lying about being a Christian, family, trustworthy business guy, and his actions are in stark contrast and opposition to the nature of Christ. Watch how long your faith is respected by those close to you and see how important their faith is to them.

Or skip that and just don’t vote for this boy trapped in a grandpa’s body.