What happened to evangelicals on their way to the polls, did they backslide? That’s a question people like Charles Krauthammer have been asking almost every day of the primary season. Or has the term evangelical become like the elastic in an old pair of socks, stretched beyond recognition from over use by a media that doesn’t understand the meaning of the term? Regardless, the Trump phenomenon has left pundits and values voters alike scratching their heads. This confusion has only been compounded by Ben Carson’s endorsement of Donald Trump.
Ross Douthat is the latest to try to cut through the narrative to the deeper story. “First, the good news for despairing anti-Trump believers: Despite those polls showing him doing well with “evangelicals” and Catholics, Trump is not the first choice of most active churchgoers. Indeed, active religiosity is one of the bulwarks against Trumpism, and his coalition is the strongest among the most secular Republicans, not the most religious.”
The Barna Group’s research bears this out, largely because it uses a much stronger rubric than the mainstream media. To be considered an “evangelical,” Americans have to hold biblically-based values that correlate with regular church attendance and are evidenced in life choices. Among that population, Senator Ted Cruz continues to hold a powerful lead over the other candidates. Donald Trump, on the other hand, is viewed more unfavorably than anyone. Biola professor Darren Patrick Guerra also pushed back, noting that on average, “64 percent of evangelicals in all southern states voted for someone other than Trump.” With a series of other exit polls, Guerra insists, “‘serious evangelicals’ aren’t supporting Trump.”
To be sure some are. Like me, many Americans are frustrated with a political class that overpromises and routinely underperforms. They are frustrated with the forces of political correctness that have become the rudder for most of our public institutions. But just because a candidate channels your frustration doesn’t mean he shares your values. As Christians, it’s our responsibility to look beyond our feelings and emotions to values and character and policies. If voters want to undo the mess of the last two terms, it will take a principled leader with a solid record who will work within the limits of the constitution.
Christians have a responsibility to pray and act based upon faith and reason. Our faith -- informed by Scripture -- provides guidance, like the counsel that Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, gave him in Exodus 18:21. We should look for and support capable, trustworthy leaders “who fear God.” And reason means digging deeper to find out what the candidates stand for and what they have done in the past. FRC Action can help. For the sake of our nation, read before you vote.
DISCLAIMER: Tony Perkins has made an endorsement in his individual and personal capacity only, and it should not be construed or interpreted in any way as the endorsement of FRC, FRC Action, or any affiliated entity.
