Trump may feel a curious political choice, but he captures the Christian vote for a reason

For many British Christians, Donald Trump feels a curious political choice, but he continues to capture the vote of the American Church. That support is rooted in a Christian population who passionately searches scripture before casting their votes and there’s much we can learn from their approach.

I analyse international politics with caution. These politicians aren’t elected to serve me after all and I also believe that woven through any national story or zeitgeist are features only its own people fully understand. Neither am I there at grassroots; although I know several Americans, I do not share their lived experiences or hinterland.

Those who have done the hard yards around America these past months and listened to American voices identified the key electoral battlegrounds as the economy, migrants and abortion.  Early exit polls backed this intelligence, citing the state of democracy, the economy, immigration, abortion and foreign policy as the determining factors. Factors that played out as the results rolled in.

Trump resonates better on the economy and immigration. 

Trump resonates better on the economy and immigration.  Americans have been stung by the rising cost of living and felt worse off under Biden; Harris is tarnished with that brush. The last Vice President to advance to the White House, George HW Bush in 1988, followed a sitting president with popularity ratings nearing 70% - Biden’s lie under 40%.  Trump also eroded the Democrat vote, courting minorities including African American men and Latinos, and using podcasters over the main networks to galvanise voters.  And there was abortion.

As Christians, we should view politics through a prayerful and Biblical lens – something Christian Americans do well and may explain why their vote is generally more homogenous. Trump garners that vote – why? You may have concerns about Trump’s character or his ungracious language towards political opponents or migrants. Many Americans share those reservations, but they vote on something bigger.  A biblical world-view.

It’s why abortion proves non-negotiable: American Christians say they cannot vote for a candidate who supports a policy so far from God’s heart

It’s why abortion proves non-negotiable: American Christians say they cannot vote for a candidate who supports a policy so far from God’s heart (Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5). Harris not only supported abortion, but built her platform on it. It cost her the Christian and Latino vote, the latter voting in more force and more Republican than before.

Christians place high value on freedom – of speech and worship. When Trump won in 2016, it responded to the liberal elitism of Obama that sidelined traditional American values. Trump felt like a vote for traditional America and freedom of expression  - and his own unpolished oratory style struck a chord. God gives us freedom, even to the point of rejecting Christ. A freedom found in America’s DNA: “the land of the free and home of the brave”.

Many American Christians also grasp biblical prophecy and God’s heart for Israel (Genesis 12:3). Trump won widespread Christian support during his last term for moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem and recognising it as the capital of Israel, a decision made on the recommendations of American pastors.

Now, Israel is at its most tense since 1967. Trump supported Israel’s attack on Iran, but what is covert is how his relationship with Putin plays out. Ukraine is set to be a loser if Trump’s promise to end the war or any foreign policy disengagement concludes in favour of Russia. If he withdraws US support, then Ukraine will likely fall.  If it does, not only will it be a tragedy in itself, but could pave the path for Israel’s enemies to march south and invade, as foretold in the end times’ prophecy of Ezekiel 38. Many Americans get that.

You see American preachers invite their flock to seek God’s heart and delve deeper into scripture, so that they understand biblical prophecy and interpret the times as Jesus taught (Luke 21). Too often, UK Christians deploy human wisdom or what they think is the Christian perspective without Spirit-led prayer or that revelation of Scripture.  There is much we could learn.

Harris built her platform on abortion and for that reason alone, Christians can welcome her defeat. Trump polarises, but he has won both the presidency and the popular vote: a victory owing in part to Christians who pursue Scripture and let it shape their voting. Whatever you think of their choices, reflect: there are sound lessons for Christians everywhere in their unashamedly biblical approach.