Opine: Evangelical is not a rubber stamp for "Trumpziism"- Evangelicals are not a Trump political party

“Trump has changed what it means to be evangelical”: ❓ #IDTS

Published in the Washington Post: "Democracy dies in darkness".

Rev. Martin Deppe, Chicago

An insightful Washington Post opiniono column by Mr. Shadi Hamid describes how some of Donald Trump’s (cult❗ minded) supporters — including Muslim, Jewish and Hindu voters — use the word “evangelical” as a “badge of partisan identity.” Some of us “evangelicals” will not concede to this transformation. It is a frightening distortion of the true meaning of the biblical word.

I am an evangelical Christian. That means I am called to evangelize, to share the Good News, which is the Gospel. My tradition calls me to share this spiritual awakening in a loving and forgiving God by “doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly.” I am continually challenged to live out my life as an evangelical Christian.

That said, being an evangelical does not mean adopting a political party. It does not mean favoring one ethnic group over another. It does not turn a blind eye to lawlessness and lies or to advance grievances and hate. Specifically, an evangelical Christian does not condone any identification with white nationalism. Nor does a genuine evangelical claim any human being as akin to Jesus.

I declare, from my heart, that I will not allow my spiritual heritage, which comes out of an immigrant evangelical church, to be co-opted by those who misuse this precious New Testament word. May God have mercy upon us all. 

From the Rev. Martin Deppe, Chicago