How America’s Founders Convinced Me to Vote for Donald Trump

The America of the Pilgrims, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and your parents and grandparents is at stake on Nov. 8. It is that serious!

Sadly, many evangelical Christians are emotionally reacting to personalities and letting their feelings get in the way, rather than considering the policies of the different candidates and their respective parties. The question every Christian should ask before going into the voting booth is, “Which candidate is most likely to implement policies that are friendly to Christians and accommodating of the vision of America’s founders?”

The Growing Hostility Toward Faith in America

America’s founders envisioned this land as a place where they could live out their Christian faith without interference from government authorities. They also envisioned this new land as a place from which the gospel would freely spread into all the world. 

But in the last eight years, we have observed a growing hostility toward Bible-believing Christians by the Barack Obama/Hillary Clinton administration with Christians being fined, jailed and court-martialed for refusing to violate their consciences and sincerely held religious beliefs. 

Showing her disdain for evangelical Christians and their beliefs about life, marriage and homeland security, Clinton referred to you and me as “irredeemable” and belonging in her “basket of deplorables.” Her audience laughed and cheered.

The Vision of America’s Founding Fathers 

In sharp contrast to Hillary’s vision for America, the nation’s founders envisioned this land, not only as a land of freedom, but as a bastion of Christian missionary activity from which the gospel of Jesus Christ would be taken into all the world. 

Even before the English settlements on the East Coast, Spanish Catholic missionaries brought Christianity to the southeast and southwest areas of America. In fact, by 1630 the Spanish-Catholic missionary responsible for an area that encompasses present day New Mexico, Alonso de Benavides, reported that 80,000 Native Americans had been baptized.

This missionary vision for America was continued by the English Protestants who settled the eastern seaboard and brought this nation into existence. This is obvious from the following quotes from America’s founders:

“From these very shores the Gospel shall go forth, not only to this New World, but to all the world.” —Rev. Robert Hunt, April 29, 1607, as he and the Jamestown settlers gathered in prayer around a large oak cross they had brought from England.

“Having undertaken for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith … a voyage to plant the first colony in northern Virginia.” —From the Mayflower Compact, the governing document of the Pilgrims who formulated it upon their arrival in the New World in November of 1620.

“Whereas we all came into these parts of America with one and the same end and aim, namely to advance the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy the Liberties of the Gospel in purity and peace.” —Opening statement of the Articles of Confederation for “The United Colonies of New England,” dated May 29, 1643. 

“Might it not greatly facilitate the introduction of pure religion among the heathen, if we could, by such a colony, show them a better sample of Christians than they commonly see.” —Benjamin Franklin in a 1756 letter to George Whitefield, the most famous preacher of the Great Awakening, in which Franklin proposed that they partner together in founding a Christian colony on the Ohio frontier. 

“If you ask an American who is his master, he will tell you he has none, nor any governor but Jesus Christ.” —Jonathan Trumbull, Governor of Connecticut, 1769-84

“That all nations may bow to the scepter of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and that the whole earth may be filled with His glory.” —John Hancock, Founding Father and president of the Continental Congress. This statement was part of a call for prayer he issued while serving as Governor of Massachusetts.

“The philosophy of Jesus is the most sublime and benevolent code of morals ever offered man. A more beautiful or precious morsel of ethics I have never seen.” —Thomas Jefferson, Author of the Declaration of Independence and America’s third president, who took money from the federal treasury to support missionaries to the American Indians.

 “Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind, and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy Son, Jesus Christ.” —From a public prayer, prayed by George Washington, America’s first president.

Here’s Why I Voted for Trump

In 1 Timothy 2:1, Paul instructed Timothy, who did not have the privilege of voting, to pray for kings and all who are in authority with two specific goals in mind. These stated goals can also serve as guidelines for voting in this election. 

First of all, Paul wants government leaders who will not be hostile to Christians, so that, he says, we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty. Secondly, he wants there to be a freedom to preach the gospel without opposition, because God, he says, desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Those who have examined and compared the platforms of the two parties agree that their visions for America are as different as day and night. For example, whereas the Republican platform affirms biblical values of life and marriage, the Democratic platform is adversely opposed to such values. 

In addition, the Republican candidate has surrounded himself with good, conservative Christians such as Mike Pence, Dr. Ben Carson, Mike Huckabee and others, and has stated that he will defend Christianity at home and abroad. No such words or actions are forthcoming from the other side.

I am not a politician and my vision is not tied to a political party. My goal is to see His kingdom come and His will done on Earth (that includes America) as it is in heaven. I voted for Donald Trump because I am convinced that he and Mike Pence will do the best job of creating a Christian-friendly environment that will accommodate the preaching of the gospel in this land and to the ends of the earth, which is precisely what America’s founders envisioned for this land.{eoa}

Quotes in this article are drawn primarily from Eddie Hyatt’s latest book, Pilgrims and Patriots, available from Amazon and and also from his website at eddiehyatt.com.

This article expresses my (Eddie Hyatt’s) personal opinions and is not related to any nonprofit/religious organization with which I am associated. I am here exercising my First Amendment right of free speech as a citizen of these United States of America.

 Dr. Eddie L. Hyatt is a Bible teacher, author, historian, and ordained minister. His books are available from Amazon and from his website where you can also read of his vision for another Great Awakening in America and around the world. Go to eddiehyatt.com.