Since June, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has benefited from an advisory board of pastors and evangelical faith leaders who provide spiritual support and advice regarding issues important to people of faith in the U.S.
In the final week leading up to what is arguably the most important election in U.S. history, Southern Evangelical Seminary President Dr. Richard Land—a non-endorsing member of the advisory board—has pulled back the curtain a little to reveal how the board has been helping the GOP nominee. He shared some of the insight the group has provided Trump over the course of the election.
“Mr. Trump and his advisors asked us to join the advisory board—no endorsement required—in order to give Mr. Trump spiritual counsel and advice on moral and ethical issues arising during the campaign,” he said. “We never know how God may use our advice and witness in Donald Trump’s life. Is it not our spiritual obligation and responsibility to speak biblical truth in love to all who will listen? It is our duty to speak biblical truth to Mr. Trump. It is his responsibility as to how he responds to our counsel and advice.”
Pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, a past president of the Southern Baptist Convention, has also been advising the Trump campaign and the Republican nominee. In addition to offering prayer, spiritual support, and pastoral counsel to Trump and his team, he said he was encouraged to “speak frankly and freely.”
“We are not making group statements or sending press releases,” he said. “We are not judges; we are counselors. Our group is made up of bright, bold, Christian leaders who care deeply about the glory of God and our nation. This has been a private conversation with Mr. Trump, members of the Trump team, and of course, one another.
“I can tell you from my perspective, we have been given generous access to Mr. Trump and vice presidential nominee Mike Pence. In fact, I have been amazed as to how much freedom the council has been offered and the willingness of Mr. Trump to listen. Every one of us has shared our faith in Christ and has sought to be His witnesses.”
Graham acknowledged having reservations about Trump’s temperament and qualifications to serve as president, and that those concerns were amplified by the now-infamous “hot mic” recording from 11 years ago. He said members of the board were outraged with the comments, but also noted that Trump apologized for them.
And, ultimately, he will vote for Trump on Nov. 8, even though he doesn’t condone his behavior as a candidate.
“The addition of Evangelical Christian Mike Pence to the ticket, the pledge to nominate pro-life judges to the Supreme Court of the United States, the promise to defund Planned Parenthood, defend the sanctity of life, support Israel, defend the United States against terrorism, protect our religious freedoms, include all Americans in the prosperity of our country, and much more, are the reasons I will vote for Donald Trump,” Graham said. “I also believe it is a bad decision to sit out the election or write in a meaningless candidate. Elections are divisive by nature but necessary if we are to keep our freedoms. Voting is a right and a responsibility.
“Elections matter. Certainly, this one does. The choice our country makes between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton will set the course of our nation for a generation and beyond.
“For me, it has always been about the issues—not Donald Trump’s past, but America’s future. Every person should vote his or her convictions and vote for what is best for our country. In my view, the choice for evangelical Bible-believing Christians could not be clearer. With Donald Trump and Mike Pence, Christians have an opportunity to influence our government and practice our religious freedoms.
“I will continue to pray that we will reverse from our current spiritual decline as a nation by seeking God and repenting of our own sins and finding the hope and healing we need that only comes from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
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