In light of a recent conversation I had with a family member, I’m taking a detour from the timeline to discuss the religious question: What is repentance? My cousin, a white Conservative Republican, told me that God uses imperfect people to accomplish his will. I take issue with this comment because I’m not fond of people using the Bible to further their agenda (i.e., political interests). This cousin of mine likened Donald Trump to the biblical figures David, Paul, and Peter. So, let’s explore these comparisons.
Trump vs. David
King David of Israel had an affair with Bathsheba, and she became pregnant with their child. In an effort to cover his crimes and keep Bathsheba for himself, David arranged for Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, to be killed in battle. God was not happy with David and sent a prophet, Nathan, to confront David. David repented and stated, “I have sinned against the Lord.” [2 Samuel 12:13]. Furthermore, in Psalms 51, David says to God, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.”
David’s sins included lust, adultery, abuse of power, deceit/coverup, and insensitive opportunism. In these transgressions, David has much in common with Trump. However, the major difference between the two men is that David repented. He admitted that he sinned, and he worked to live as God wanted him to live
Trump vs. Paul
Paul, originally named Saul, attempted to destroy the church, and he persecuted believers of Jesus. He threatened followers of the Lord by saying he would kill them. God planned for Paul to carry out his name before the Gentiles, the kings, and the people of Israel. As Paul was on his way to Damascus to find followers of Christ, a bright light from heaven flashed around him. Paul was unable to see. Jesus appeared and told him that he would be given instructions in how to proceed. Later, a follower of Jesus, Ananias, went to Paul and placed his hands on him. Ananias stated, “…[the Lord Jesus] has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Scales fell from Paul’s eyes, and he could see again.
Immediately afterwards, Paul started preaching that Jesus is the son of God. Paul repented and stated in 1 Timothy 1:15, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the worst of those sinners.” Paul went on to spread the word of the Lord.
Trump’s Persecution
Paul was and Trump may be guilty of persecution. Persecution is the systematic mistreatment of a group or individual by another group or individual. It can be defined as severe discrimination that infringes on or denies fundamental rights. Persecution can include –
- threatening life or freedom (Trump has threatened our democracy several times, but in a Truth Social post on December 3, 2022, Trump suggested a “termination of all rules, regulations, and article, even those found in the Constitution.”),
- calling someone rude names (Trump always resorts to insults, but he recently tweeted insults about Mark Cuban calling him “dumb” as well as other slurs and referred to Kamala Harris as “Lyin’ Kamala Harris”), or
- making threats (Trump has been referring to Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff as an “enemy from within” and stated in an interview on Fox News on October 13, 2024 “…[the enemy from within] should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military, because they can’t let that happen.”)
Based on the more recent behavior from Trump, does it seem as though he has repented?
Peter Repents
Peter, also known as Simon Peter, denied Jesus three times on the night of his crucifixion. Jesus had predicted that Peter would deny him three times before the rooster crowed. Indeed, Peter did hear the rooster crow after he denied Jesus for the third time. Subsequently, Peter went outside and cried painfully. Biblical scholars refer to this incident as the Repentance of Peter [Matthew 26:75].
After Jesus rose from the dead, he spoke to Peter and asked him three times if he loved him. Peter answered to Jesus each time that he did love him. Presumably, Jesus asked three times to wipe the slate clean of the three denials. Jesus forgave Peter because he saw how truly sorry he was for his sin. Peter went on to become a martyr for Jesus Christ.
What is Repentance?
Repentance is the act of acknowledging and regretting past or present wrongdoings and committing to change. When a person repents or feels guilty or regret, they tend to have a desire to live a more responsible life. David, Paul, and Peter all felt immense guilt and regret for their sins. These three men went on to be better men. Conservative Christians view Donald Trump as an appointed leader sent by God. But why would God appoint a man who has no regrets?
When the ex-President was asked on September 10, 2024 at the CNN debate if he regretted inciting his supporters on January 6, 2021 to storm the capital, he responded, “I had nothing to do with that, other than they asked me to make a speech.” Rewind to January 6th, and Trump stated, “We fight like hell, and if you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.” This assertion came on the heels of manipulating his supporters into believing that the election was stolen. His response at the debate does not show remorseful behavior for the many that were injured or even died during the mayhem that day. It does not show a commitment to change to live a more responsible life.
Intention
Read the Bible or go to church in an effort to be close to God. Let the Bible show us how to live a positive life, to garner strength and hope, and to learn how to ask for forgiveness when we make wrong choices.
The purpose of this post is not to encourage anyone to vote for any particular candidate, but to highlight the hypocrisy of using figures of the Bible to manipulate people to vote a certain way. The application of comparing Trump to David, Paul, and Peter as not-so-good-men fulfilling his divinely appointed role is misguided and inaccurate. We should use the Bible as a tool to make good choices and live better lives, not as a tool to manipulate people to further their political agendas.
