Evangelicals and Trump, reading the Standard

“Sold their souls”

The evangelicals supporting Trump come hell or high water have sold their souls to the golden cow—see Exodus 32 -34—taking the name of the Lord in vain as they foolishly declare God’s favor on Donald Trump.

Well, yes, maybe the Lord did intervene in some way to have him elected, but it may not have been for the reasons they so smugly think. Rather, more likely, God’s purpose was to chasten them in the long run the same way Billy Graham was chastened by Richard Nixon and Watergate decades ago.

It remains to be seen whether or not they will ever have the same grace as Graham did—to be duly ashamed of themselves in the end.

Velma Mitchell

New Rochelle, N.Y.

Reading the Standard, supporting the editor

Some may wonder why I, as a non-resident of Texas, read and write letters to the Baptist Standard. I was born in Donna, Texas. My family lived on three tenant farms in the Valley until I was 11. Then I spent my teenage years on a poor tenant cotton farm in Nacogdoches County—no indoor plumbing until I was 20. I would likely still live in Texas except for the fact I spent 27 years in the military and then served as a civilian instructor pilot at the Army Aviation School at Fort Rucker, Ala., for 23 years.

I have read the Baptist Standard most of my adult life. I believe Marv Knox has done the best job as editor during those years. He has combined a love for God, love for family and compassion for the less fortunate. He has made us laugh with his humor and shed tears as he has related his own health issues and those of his family. He has prayed over our own concerns and has provided a forum for feedback, even for those who harshly disagree with him.

His recent editorial, “Could Jesus get elected dog catcher here?” addresses a real problem for everyone who calls themselves “Christians” and who are concerned about sharing the gospel. How do we reconcile the teachings of Jesus with the political actions of some of the most visible “evangelicals” who ignore the teachings of Jesus, showing contempt for the poor and toadying to the rich and powerful? Marv mentions that Jesus also was persecuted by the religious leaders of his day.

I hate to see Marv Knox leave the Standard and wish him the best in his new position. Also, I wish the best for the new editor.

Carl Hess

Ozark, Ala.