Miroslav Volf: You Cannot Follow Christ And Follow Trump

Miroslav Volf has said you cannot be a Christian and follow Trump.

The celebrated Croatian theologian caused consternation with a series of posts on social media condemning Trump's character, policies and vision of the world.

Miroslav Volf is the Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology at Yale Divinity School and is seen as one of the most celebrated theologians today.

"You can be a conservative or a liberal and a follower of Christ, but it is not possible to be a follower of Trump and a follower of Christ (meaning that to the extent that you agree and seek to advocate with most of what Trump stands for you do not agree and do not advocate what Christ stands for)," he wrote on Facebook on Saturday.

Minutes later he added: "Trump's character: contrary to Jesus' character. Trump's political vision: contrary to Jesus' kingdom. Trump's way: contrary to Jesus' way."

Later in the day he posted: "We should honor Trump (1Pt 2:17). We should pray for Trump. BUT we should not support Trump: We mustn't support what is contrary to the Gospel."

He added: "If you're a Christian, you won't expect POTUS to be Christ, but for his character/political vision at least not to collide with Christ's."

The professor at Yale Divinity School faced a severe backlash for his pointed remarks on social media.

During the presidential campaign Volf openly backed Hillary Clinton, to the outrage of many conservatives.

In an interview about his new book in October Volf said Clinton was a "more competent" candidate for President, while suggesting the Democratic nominee was, "more in line with the Christian faith than is Donald Trump".

He said: "The best case to be made for Hillary Clinton is that on balance she better represents the convictions and character that should concern Christian citizens. No candidate is perfect."

Bill Johnson, pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, California, was among a list of prominent Christian leaders to argue a Christian worldview led to him supporting Trump for president.

"I was told if I voted for Trump I needed to open my Bible to find out why it was morally wrong," he posted on Facebook. "So I did, and this is what I found."

Among the top reasons was abortion.

"I found that murder/abortion was wrong, which Clinton approves of even up to the point of delivery. Changing the name from baby to fetus doesn't change reality. It's a baby."

News
13 Christians abducted in church attack in Nigeria
13 Christians abducted in church attack in Nigeria

Thirteen Christians have been abducted by a militia group in Nigeria following a skirmish in Kogi State.

Former moderator of Church of Scotland teams up with pop star to release Christmas song
Former moderator of Church of Scotland teams up with pop star to release Christmas song

What do you do when you've retired from leading a church?

Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'
Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'

The university and students' union said the play was within the bounds of free speech laws.

Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged
Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged

A pro-life campaigner who silently prayed near an abortion clinic in Birmingham has been criminally charged.