Trump wants to get into heaven. Can he ‘do justice, love mercy, walk humbly’? | Opinion
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Trump links ending Ukraine war to hopes of earning a place in heaven
- Biblical teachings urge Trump to reject name-calling and love his enemies
- Scripture emphasizes justice, mercy and humility over works-based salvation
So President Donald Trump wants to get to heaven.
He shared that ambition recently when talking with the hosts of the “Fox and Friends” television show.
The discussion was about ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. Trump said if he could engineer an end to that conflict, it might help him gain entrance to heaven.
“I wanna try and get to heaven if possible,” he said. “I’m hearing I’m not doing well. I am really at the bottom of the totem pole. But if I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons.”
Believers and non-believers alike hope and pray for an end to the fighting in Ukraine. If Trump can make that happen, it will be a significant political victory, at the least.
Whether the Almighty credits Trump for his efforts, however, seems dubious, at least in the Christian world view. Those who adhere to the teachings of Jesus know that “getting to heaven” rests not on works, but on faith in Christ.
In the interview, Trump did not elaborate on his belief in Jesus Christ, so one is left to wonder about that. Fortunately for Trump, I have done a fair amount of Bible reading. So here is some advice — obviously unsolicited — from Scripture that I offer the president for living a more heaven-bound life.
Loving enemies
First — this will be challenging for the president — he must learn to love his enemies.
From the fifth chapter of the book of Matthew, Jesus says this: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
Trump routinely makes clear his disdain for Democrats and often name-calls prominent leaders of that party. Just the other day he referred to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a heavy-set man, as “a slob” and said the governor was “too busy eating” to adequately lead his state.
In the same impromptu press conference, Trump called California Gov. Gavin Newsom “corrupt” without offering any evidence to back up such a loaded charge. Both governors have led efforts to oppose Trump’s policies over immigration enforcement and funding cuts, among other things.
Clearly, the president should apologize to the governors and stop of his bad habit of name-calling. That would reflect obedience to Jesus’ teaching.
Trump bears bitterness toward Democrats over the impeachments they have brought against him. But Scripture is clear: “Love your enemies.”
Trump doesn’t contain his animus toward anyone, and undocumented immigrants are a common target of his wrath. In his rhetoric, the president has conflated rapists and murderers with farmworkers and laborers.
Trump’s stereotyping ignores the countless good done by immigrants throughout our nation. America’s economy cannot function without the work of immigrants doing jobs native-born people avoid.
In the Old Testament, Israelites were commanded to carefully interact with foreigners in their midst. Moses tells the nation this in Exodus 21: “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Eygpt.” Psalm 146 says “The Lord watches over the foreigner, and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the way of the wicked.”
Spiritual growth the key
Some commentators believe Trump was showing humility when he told Fox and Friends that “I’m hearing I’m not doing well.” I am not so sure that comment reflects humility. It actually could show pride on Trump’s part — he is not actually admitting to not doing well.
In any event, having a humble heart is a mark of a person trying to make an attempt at a righteous life. Micah 6:8 says this:
“He (God) has shown you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of You? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
That is great advice for political leaders and citizens alike.
Trump’s worry that he is at the bottom of some spiritual totem pole is a wrong belief. Every person is equal in God’s view. We all make mistakes and fall short of godliness — Trump included. That is why we need grace, and to treat each other with compassion.
Conservative Christians make up one of Trump’s core constituencies. So it is their duty to get him to think more deeply about spiritual matters. There is no time to lose — tomorrow is not promised to any of us.
If Trump can be convinced to consider the Scriptures, as well as the wisdom books of other major religions, his life will be improved — and so will his presidency and our nation.
