Is Trump Changing? Finding Hope Amidst Political Upheaval

Gavin Ortlund reminds Christians that amidst turmoil connected to Donald Trump, our ultimate hope must be in Christ rather than the political process.

Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is President of Truth Unites and Theologian-in-Residence at Immanuel Nashville.

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00:00 Political Upheaval
02:32 Political Displacement
05:01 Disagreement Without Hatred
06:24 Praying for Renewal
07:57 Bonhoeffer's Example

[cqbarnieify]

As a politically homeless Christian, I appreciate everything you’ve said.

[ryanmlc]

I am Australian so I obviously don't get a vote in the USA. I also was an elected politician in Australia and I represented the more conservative side of politics but I am very concerned that American Evangelicals have so closely wrapped themselves around Mr Trump, lauding him as the only choice Christians can make risk our capacity to reach people for Jesus in the future. I am gravely concerned that Mr Trumps grave lack of personal morality and lack of empathy for some of the most marginalised will colour the way that many non-Christians view the gospel and it will result in great embarrassment for us in the future. I trust in Jesus and I make the best political judgements I can but I would never confuse the two.

[HPB]

Throughout this whole process, I have found that instead of being driven to a particular side, I have been driven to study more scripture, and philosophy so that I can minimize the anger and hatred that seems to be celebrated when speaking about current events or beliefs. Learning the art of true human discourse is one of the keys to intellectual humility to loving people and hearing others out

[fletcherchristian]

Thank you for this. You have convicted me of my sin and challenged me to aim higher. It's just what I needed to hear. Bless you and bless your ministry.

[TonyThomas]

A great pastoral message. We need more Christian ministers like you who are tied to the WORD rather than to the world!

[stephenbailey]

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. (Psalm 118).

[ElvisI]

As someone who is moving to a part of the world that is overwhelmingly very liberal in their moral worldview, I would really appreciate if you could make a video on ways Christians or anyone can disagree without hatred. It’s easier said than done and it would be helpful breaking that down for people.

[gumbyshrimp]

If God can save Paul, he can save Trump. Pray it be so

[BacktheWord]

Nice content like always. But why the new logo? I liked the cross in the old one... anyway. Thankful for your channel!

[maryt.]

I find it extremely hard to say anything about gender affirming care without coming off as angry--maybe because I am angry about it. I don't understand this-- how seemingly normal people can think this is ok, or shrug it off as something they can't do anything about. How do you handle this?

[nelidascott]

Your balanced view, centred on God is much needed. I am waiting for the true King who will reign in justice and righteousness one day

[zachv]

Gavin I look at the comments and see that you aren’t making any claims about Trump that he didn’t say or other things or accusing him of things that were faults against him unlike two other Youtubers that I will not name here you are probably the best criticism of Trump on YouTube

[thomasc]

Didn't Bonhoeffer tried to assassinate Hitler and that's why he was sent to jail? Not saying Biden or Trump is like Hitler, but pointing out that Bonhoeffer took actions instead of just waiting around. I think understand his message in the context of his actions is important instead of interpreting as just a "feel good message".

[mc]

As a non-American, it's unusual for me that there is so much focus on individuals when it comes to presidential candidates. There is visceral hate, or borderline idolatry. I suppose in my country we have a somewhat unhealthy disrespect for most politicians so we never seem to elevate our political leaders - only criticise. We are probably too negative. However, I think there are stark and concerning differences between the choices in the US presidential race. I agree we should not put our trust in the political system but in God. But we still need to vote in the end. When I balance up the values of either party and the policies of each candidate, I can't see how anyone with Christian values can vote for the Democrats and what they stand for. There are so many issues that are in direct contravention of Christian values as I see it. I understand that some do vote for them, and perhaps focus on the issues near and dear to them. But on balance, I can't see it. That's not to say the other party is perfect, far from it. But again, on balance, I think America will go downhill with a Harris-Walz government vs a Trump-Vance government. I just see the failure of the current presidency and everything that has been brought in that eats away at the values of society. So, when someone like David French says he will vote for Kamala to "save conservatism", I just think he's making a terrible decision because he hates Trump. Get over your hate, look more broadly. America will suffer under a Democrat government. America has gone badly under the Biden administration and it will only get worse under Harris. If people are so concerned about the morality of Trump, have they even considered the morality of Biden/Harris? I think people need to look at the bigger picture. I think French is making a big mistake and I completely disagree with him. You're not going to "save conservatism" by voting for a far Left socialist like Harris. If people are concerned about conservatism waning, the answer isn't to vote for the far Left! Maybe start a movement of traditional conservatives or whatever it is he thinks conservatives need. The Democrats have thoroughly failed America and he thinks Kamala will strengthen America? Wow. I pray the right government will be elected in this season, and that God will not abandon America, because a weak America concerns me. But whatever God's will is, may it be so. Empires rise and fall. May it not be so yet, though, for the US. But I'll seek God's leading as I pray. Because, as the largest democracy in the world, politics in the US has global consequences.

[mariocano]

“Politically homeless “ good way of putting it

[CollinBoSmith]

I’ve heard a lot of people say Bonhoeffer was a Marxist and didn’t even really believe in the historicity of the resurrection. I think it was on this channel I heard you recently acknowledge those concerns but said you have reasons why you still accept him. I’d be interested to see a video with your thoughts on Bonhoeffer.

[TheologicalRetrieval]

The Bonhoeffer quote reminds me of Ignatius' letter to the Romans. In requesting his own martyrdom, he considers death as life, and living as dying: "do not keep me from living, do not wish me to die" (Rom. 6.2a)

[RachelNichols-writer]

Jesus said to love our enemies. To do good to those who hate us.

[Magnulus]

The irony of Bonhoeffer's words near the end of his life: in some of his prison papers wrote about his doubts about an afterlife, if even that was a desirable interpretation of the Bible and Christian tradition. And his theology was very much focused on divine immanence (Karl Barth, focused on divine transcendence, which Bonhoeffer thought was an error). Bonhoeffer's theology was very "worldly", at least he wanted it to be understood that way.

One thing that might be illuminating, the concept of eternity was something that Bonhoeffer had been fascinated by since childhood, and was perhaps part of his sense of vocation as a pastor, in a family that wasn't overly religious to begin with. He also had a spiritual experience in St. Peter's Square in Rome. One could almost interpret his theology in mystical terms, and that may be reflected in his final words.

[michaelguidera]

Good message. "Love our enemies" increases the Kingdom of God, which is our purpose as the Body of Christ. All political systems are part of a world's system, which are influenced by forces of evil that were placed over the nations before they rebelled. Of course there is chaos and division as the rulers, authorities and principalities foment bad behavior in the people who are not "in Christ". But Christ said to not worry about worldly things, because He took authority over all of them so we may demonstrate His love to this fallen world. As His Kingdom grows, it eventually triggers the coming of Christ, where the entire creation is reset to begin again without evil to disrupt it.