Is Donald Trump a Godly Leader? Again.

A passage not often mention in discussions of whether Donald Trump might be considered a godly ruler or not are the specifications for a righteous king God gives in Dt.17. According to them a righteous ruler:

1) is a native Jew and not a foreigner (v. 15);

2) does not trust in the size of his army or in alliances with foreign nations for victory (v. 16);

3) does not marry multiple wives, i.e., enter political marriages with daughters of pagan kings who might draw his heart away from trusting in Yahweh (v. 17);

4) lives modestly and does not use his office to accumulate wealth (v. 17);

5) keeps a personal copy of Torah by his side (v. 18);

6) reads and obeys the Law in the fear of God (vv. 18–19); and

7) acts humbly before the people and God so that his dynasty may prosper for many generations (v. 20).

Trump passes #1,3 (in that his marriages were not so far as I am aware politically motivated or served to lead him into any idolatries he was not otherwise inclined to indulge, and 5 (he probably possesses a copy of the Bible.

He fails, rather spectacularly, at #2,4,6,7, provisions one might not unfairly consider the more substantive requirements.

It seems safe to say, that Trump is a far cry from any approximation of a righteous ruler. His defenders who to continue ranging him on God’s side in his presidency must resort to the Cyrus gambit which has been regularly and roundly debunked.

The only honest reason to support him is because one believes his policies, which fail most measures of biblical fidelity, not mention decency and honesty, serve America’s best interests as well as their own.

Of course, this whole discussion depends on assuming that America is a Christian country and its leaders ought to be constrained by biblical values. Both of these are fallacious and have been debunked many times over though they still persist in some sectors of society.

But the upshot is that even granted those assumptions Donald Trump cannot be considered a godly leader.