The Faith of Donald J. Trump
A Spiritual Biography
by David Brody & Scott Lamb


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BOOK REVIEW by OnTheIssues.org:

In his foreword to The Faith of Donald J. Trump: A Spiritual Biography, conservative Christian author Eric Metaxas admits that his first reaction to hearing of the volume by Christian Broadcasting Network journalist David Brody and minister/newspaper columnist Scott Lamb was that it had to be a joke: "And of course the big goofball joke is that when you open it up, up you see nothing but blank pages." [p. ix] That he then goes on to endorse the book is no surprise. Like the co-authors, he has drunk the Kool-Aid, willing to gloss over its subject's flaws in exchange for achieving their political agenda.

The book, published in 2018, midway through what the book optimistically refers to as "his first term" [p.285], is divided into two sections. The first is the story of Trump's life prior to his ride down the escalator in Trump Tower announcing his candidacy in 2015. The second covers his campaign and the first year of his presidency. The authors had access to Trump as well as many of his evangelical supporters, such as former Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann, Pastor Robert Jeffress, and former Liberty University honcho Jerry Fallwell, Jr.

They can't erase unpleasant facts like Trump's three marriages and record of adultery nor his ignorance of the Bible he claims to revere, so instead they spin. His New Testament reference to "2 Corinthians" instead of "Second Corinthians" is "explained" as the way the British would say it and his mother was from Scotland. [p. 181] His lack of church attendance is contrasted with his surrounding himself with evangelical clergy who would lay on hands and pray for him at the White House. At times, they write, the Oval Office was "transformed into a glorified prayer closet!" [p.278] In a reference that has dated badly given their falling out after their 2000 election loss, then-Vice President Mike Pence certifies that Trump's "Presbyterian faith is genuine." [p.285]

For the authors Trump's actions in opposing abortion, supporting Israel, and appointing conservative judges more than makes up for any personal defects. What unites Trump and evangelicals, they claim, is a yearning for the past: "patriotism, respect for God and Country, a disdain for political correctness, and a restoration of good old-fashioned Judeo-Christian values." [p. 317] The result is a volume that tells us less about Trump's personal faith, and more about how the true believers among Trump's evangelical supporters maintain their own faith in him.

-- Daniel M. Kimmel, OnTheIssues editor, June 28, 2021

OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Donald Trump: Increased programs and funds covered by Mexico City policy.

Crime     Donald Trump: Civil liberties end when an attack on our safety begins.

Foreign Policy     Donald Trump: We're going to protect Christianity abroad; it's under siege.

Government Reform     Donald Trump: We don't worship government; we worship God.     Donald Trump: Opposes Johnson Amendment barring clergy endorsements.

Homeland Security     Donald Trump: Terrorists do not worship God; they worship death.

Immigration     Donald Trump: So proud I got the dialogue started on illegal immigration.

Principles & Values     Donald Trump: I really believe the Lord is speaking to me.     Donald Trump: Uses wealth to declare his competence and he can't be bought.     Donald Trump: Not sure if he's ever asked God for forgiveness.     Donald Trump: God helped me by giving me a certain brain.     Donald Trump: The Bible is like a great, incredible movie.     Donald Trump: Respects evangelical leaders on prayer and on policy.     Donald Trump: Always felt the need to pray; needs God more as president.

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