The internet was abuzz today, especially the mainstream media, with criticism of Donald Trump. While daily criticism of the President is nothing new, today’s story is unique in that it has a religious overtone. Trump, along with the other living US Presidents, was in attendance at today’s funeral service for George H. W. Bush. The funeral was held in the National Cathedral, which is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church in Washington, DC. The late President Bush was an Episcopalian and thus his funeral service reflected that religious tradition. In keeping with that tradition, the Apostles Creed was recited by the congregation. Every President and First Lady in attendance, with the exception of Donald and Melania Trump recited the creed, which reads as follows:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Apostle’s Creed is a summary of the most basic Christian theology and no one should expect that Donald Trump, who clearly does not demonstrate Christian character or beliefs, to believe it or want to recite it. This is seen as somewhat ironic or even contradictory by his detractors given that a large part of Trump’s base of electoral support consists of evangelical Christians. Nevertheless, if Trump does not believe the words of the Apostles Creed, he showed great integrity today by not citing it, even though it would have looked good in front of voters. This seems to be lost on liberal critics and received hostile criticism in the media and twitterverse.
What should not be lost is that some of the presidents who did recite the creed show absolutely no dedication to living out biblical convictions. While they may be more civil in tone than Trump, the Clintons and Obamas are some of the most anti-life, pro-LGBT politicians in the history of the United States. Their support of abortion rights and unbiblical sexual unions clearly demonstrates that they are not true Christians. Jimmy Carter is also a theological liberal who denies the clear teaching of scripture. In short, these wicked politicians are under the wrath of God. They demonstrate a dead religion. It is actually worse that they will cite a historic Christian Creed in a cathedral and not live out its ramifications than it is for a man who does not believe to not say it. Going further, the Episcopal Church itself long ago departed biblical orthodoxy and its typical congregant is anti-life and pro-LGBT in his spiritual convictions, hardly a true member of “the Holy catholic church” to which the Apostle’s Creed refers. Perhaps the best demonstration of the apostasy of the Episcopal Church is that a Muslim prayer service has been held in the very “Christian” cathedral in which President Bush’s funeral service was held.
In short, a Christian funeral service was held today in a cathedral owned by a so-called church that doesn’t believe the Bible and was attended by so-called Christian politicians who don’t believe the Bible and the widespread criticism of what happened at the event has been laid on the only man who chose not to engage in blatant hypocrisy. Furthermore, this media-generated controversy distracted from a celebration of the life of a beloved civil servant and patriot, George H. W. Bush.
Maranatha.
*Please note that the preceding is my personal opinion. It is not necessarily the opinion of any entity by which I am employed, any church at which I am a member, any church which I attend, or the educational institution at which I am enrolled. Any copyrighted material displayed or referenced is done under the doctrine of fair use.
