“Politics matter, but Jesus’ way of bringing change is through his people living out the kingdom here and now.”

Jon Mark Comer

Table of Contents

1. Republicans for Harris

2. Last Night’s Debate

3. Other news you should know

4. Remnant Resources

Republicans for Harris

In the last several months, several “conservatives,” self-proclaimed Republicans, and celebrities have come out in ardent support of Kamala Harris and the democratic party. Trump has faced Republican/conservative/evangelical opposition before, but these facts have been particularly highlighted at the DNC as both sides of the aisle try to appeal to the center. Additionally, Barry Weiss interviewed self-proclaimed conservatives David French and Sarah Longwell on her highly popular podcast ‘Honestly’ to discuss this trend.  Sarah Longwell founded “Republicans Against Trump,” now called “the Republican Accountability Project,” which aims to raise $40-50 million for Kamala’s campaign in the next several weeks.

You can absolutely justify not voting for a candidate whose values, past mistakes, and current tendencies do not align with yours (Jude 4). In fact, you should move slowly and thoughtfully if you find yourself voting for (and unabashedly supporting) such a person. Donald Trump, the candidate some Republicans find themselves vehemently opposed to, is clearly a man of flaws, and while his policies seem inescapably closer to the target for human good and flourishing, he must not be described or represented as our only hope or the “perfect man for the job.” There is only one perfect man (1 Peter 2:22). When the Scriptures discuss a righteous leader, they do not only mean a personally righteous person (i.e., well-spoken, in a committed marriage, unoffensive in their lifestyle or speech). The Scriptures speak of a person who leads and governs in such a way that their policies, executive orders, foreign relations, and economic strategies foster a society of freedom, flourishing, growth, and protection. 

What is harder, if not impossible, to justify is supporting a candidate or party that is vehemently opposed to God’s values (Proverbs 29:2). 

Kamala Harris was the most left-voting Senator of her time (a fact that Weiss points out has been virtually wiped from the internet). She has been a champion of abortion up until birth, the redefinition of marriage and gender, and has supported bills that would greatly threaten our religious liberties (Isaiah 10:1-2, Proverbs 14:34). 

There are absolutes: God’s sovereign appointment of leaders and kings (Romans 13:1, Daniel 2:21), a nation’s impending doom when godless trends continue (Deuteronomy 28:15, Jeremiah 12:17), and Christ’s sufficiency for all trouble (John 16:33, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Colossians 2:10). But we must carefully assess and criticize those who make convictions like “Never Trump” an absolute or so-called accountability projects that look more like outright support for candidates that are leading “Not-often” righteous campaigns proudly filled with “Not-Godly” policies.

_{By: Kirby Mankin}

Last Night’s Debate

Last night's debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump showcased their distinct visions for America's future. The debate tackled significant issues like the Ukraine and Israeli wars, immigration, inflation, abortion, economic policies, and democracy as a whole. Harris emphasized the need for a new chapter and "stable" leadership, speaking about another Trump presidency as a "threat to democracy." Trump criticized Harris's four years as a part of Biden's administration and referenced her liberal record as a Senator. Both hoped to connect with their bases and appeal to those undecided.

While debates have not typically had a significant effect on elections, there have been exceptions, including the recent "debate" between former President Trump and an obviously cognitively impaired President Biden in June. Biden's inability to stay engaged and respond with acuity was so unavoidably clear that it finally became clear to his party that they needed to put forward another candidate (Mark 3:21). It remains to be seen if last night's debate between Trump and Vice President Harris will reveal enough cognitive, character or convictional problems for either candidate to change, a largely already convinced, electorate's minds.

While we wait for more definitive outcomes to be known, what we do know is that Trump's team fought hard to keep many of the same rules in place as his last debate with Biden, including keeping the participant's mics muted when they are not the ones specifically being asked to respond. It says something about our candidates when one of the most significant concerns campaign teams have is that their candidate would speak (Proverbs 17:26). There is a reason Harris has not been available for live interviews, and there is a reason Trump's team has repeatedly encouraged him to control his tongue when it comes to personal attacks and name-calling. One team doesn't trust what its candidate might say, and the other has heard him say things that erode his support too many times. It is problematic that "bringing forth" that "which fills the heart" (Luke 6:45) in both candidates leaves us wanting (Isaiah 3:4-5).

But there is much that separates the two candidates beyond their gender, which ironically is now being touted as important by Harris' party even while they mock the importance of protecting women in sports, locker rooms, and public restrooms and as they fight for the right to allow young woman to surgically impair themselves so they can pretend to be men (Genesis 1:27). It is the responsibility of the faithful citizen to discern which individual will most faithfully protect others (in and out of the womb) and advocate for righteous laws that will bring blessing and not invite judgment on our land (Proverbs 28:2, Proverbs 14:34). God's purpose for "governors as sent by him is for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right" and it is the job of the remnant to prayerfully consider every policy these candidates embrace to determine who they might support. The government should "silence the ignorance of foolish men" (1 Peter 2:14-15) and not be a place of employment for them. Christians who don't engage in discipling other voters (2 Timothy 2:2) or in voting for discerning leaders are disobedient and derelict in their duty (Jeremiah 29:7). Plato unwittingly summarized what God's Word teaches when he said, "The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."

While we wait for the day (Hebrews 10:37) when the "righteous One"  rules (Isaiah 9:6-7), the remnant cannot be indifferent on issues of governance, and they should not be silent when it sees godlessness in any candidate, policy, or person (Galatians 6:1-2).

_{By: Todd Wagner}

Other news you should know

🌱 Trump will vote to support the leaf.

🔍 DeSantis will investigate fraudulent petitions.

💼 Lawsuit to watch involving contracts and faith-based hiring.

🎡 Ryan Seacrest hosts first ‘Wheel of Fortune.’

🦁 James Earl Jones (Darth Vader/Mufasa) passes at 93.

🧑🏻‍⚖️ Tyre Nichols trial is ongoing in Memphis.

📱 New iPhone dropped.

👸🏻 Princess of Wales has completed her chemotherapy.

🇦🇺 Australia proposes social media minimum age limit.

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