Bestselling author Michael Brown is calling on American evangelicals and other voters not to support Donald Trump in his White House quest for a variety of reasons, saying they should vote for a real statesman, not just a "flame thrower."
Brown understands the appeal of Trump, who is a popular and incredibly rich reality TV star who found success in business. He is not afraid to speak his mind and express confidence in everything. Brown himself wondered if he should get behind Trump and support him, but he found himself unable to do so.
"I do not see how we can [support Trump] if the Word of God is to be our guide and if it's important to us that a candidate have a solid moral compass and a biblically based worldview — and I mean to be our president, not our spiritual leader, since we are electing a president, not a pastor or priest," he writes in an article for The Christian Post.
According to Luke 6:45 of the Bible, the mouth speaks what the heart thinks. "Trump's consistent pattern of reckless speech points to deeper issues which could make him unfit for the office of the presidency," Brown says.
Trump has not only made "silly attacks" against Megyn Kelly, Carly Fiorina, and Marco Rubio, but he also assaulted the character of his closest competitor Ben Carson by "comparing him to a child molester who has pathological problems," Brown notes.
"The warnings in Proverbs are strong," says Brown. He is urging evangelicals to reflect on the Bible verses Proverbs 29:20 and Proverbs 29:11. The first one says: "Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him." The second one states: "A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back."
"We need a statesman, not an irresponsible flame thrower, and one can be a strong political leader who is cutting and fearless with words — think of Winston Churchill — without making a fool of oneself," Brown says.
Brown is also concerned because of Trump's pride, which he believes would be the root of a host of other sins. At the same time, Trump seems unable to ask God for forgiveness for his actions.
"His very open, unashamed boastfulness is part and parcel of his persona. Trump and pride seem to walk hand in hand, quite comfortably at that," says Brown. "So, while I do understand why many Americans are behind Donald Trump and while I do believe he could do some things well as president, I cannot understand how evangelicals can back him, especially when we have a number of solid, God-fearing, capable alternatives."
