The Religion Of Donald Trump

Donald Trump professes to be a Christian in the Presbyterian denomination.  He says his favorite book is the Bible and he loves the church.   In an interview Trump was asked if he had ever asked God for forgiveness.  After trying to avoid the question he finally said I don't guess I ever have, I just try to do better.  Trump was also asked about his favorite verse in the Bible.  He could not come up with any verse.  He was also asked if he preferred the Old or New Testament.  Trump could not give an answer and finally said it was a private matter.  Donald Trump also said he went to church regularly, you know every Easter and Christmas, and then added he went on the Sundays whenever he could.  Trump finally added that Norman Vincent Peale was his pastor and expressed great love and admiration for him.  

So, who was Norman Vincent Peale?  Peale lived from (1898-1993), he was a liberal pastor who became famous for his book "The Power Of Positive Thinking" published in 1952.  The focus of Peale's message was self help and self love.  You could use positive thinking to achieve whatever you desired or to make yourself successful.  The focus was the self instead of God.  

Norman Vincent Peale preached a false gospel devoid of Biblical content.  Conservative theologian, Donald Grey Barnhouse once said Paul is appealing, Peale is appalling.  Those who have followed in the line of Peale include Robert Schuller and Joel Osteen.  Robert Schuller focused on self esteem and once said who wants to talk about sin.   Joel Osteen has combined positive thinking with the prosperity gospel.  All three of these men teach what Michael Horton has called "Christless Christianity."  It is what Martin Luther referred to as "the theology of glory" instead of "the theology of the cross."  It is probably accurate to call Norman Vincent Peale the Joel Osteen of his day.  

Donald Trump seems to have been influenced by the teaching of Peale.  Trump seems to be a very arrogant and self centered man, the very opposite of Jesus and his teaching.  It seems that Donald Trump does not know much about his favorite book.   Considering his own words I cannot consider Trump a true Christian.  He has never asked for forgiveness, this is a very basic thing.  A person must face the reality of his sin, repent, and seek forgiveness which is found in Christ alone.   Also I would suggest Matthew 23:12 as a favorite verse for Donald Trump.  

(Matthew 23:12) "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (ESV)