In Matthew, Jesus reminds us that, “By their fruits you shall know them.”
When Pence engages in misleading, partisan rhetoric, it is difficult to see Christian principles at work. His declaration at the 2020 Republican National Convention that President Trump is a truth-teller and that Trump has "marshalled the full resources of the federal government from the outset of this pandemic” lack the honesty Pence’s faith calls for.
Further, the vice president’s lack of environmental sensitivity, his allegiance to the NRA and
guns and his promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act seem perplexing positions when
measured against biblical standards.
The challenge for all of us as Christians is to avoid corrupting our witness by unChristian behavior.
A high profile office like vice president of the United States makes that challenge even more important.
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Posted by Dayton Daily News on Monday, October 19, 2020
Pence’s alliance with Donald Trump is especially problematic, given that many of the president’s behaviors represent the antithesis of Christian virtues.
For example, compulsive lying, demeaning people, the complete absence of humility, bragging about assaulting women, showing no emotional connection to the plight of immigrants, and giving tacit approval to white supremacists at Charlottesville.
Ironically, for all of his silence, Pence was loud and clear when he told Liberty University graduates in 2019, “you’re going to be asked not just to tolerate things that violate your faith; you’re going to be asked to endorse them.”
In Second Corinthians Paul tells us, “Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” I do
not know Trump’s heart, only his actions, but Paul’s main point was the inadvisability of locking
yourself into relationships that cause you to compromise your faith.
As an apologist for the president, Pence has willingly assumed a dubious role for a
Christian and one which illustrates and fosters the notion of this as the “post-Christian age.”
I have written to the vice president to ask if he witnesses to the president, but have yet to
receive a response.
As blogger Philip Yancey wrote in 2015, “There are three kinds of Christians that outsiders to the faith respect: artists, pilgrims, and activists. The uncommitted will listen to them far sooner than they will to an evangelist or an apologist .”
Those of us, including Vice President Pence, who profess our faith, should carefully consider St.
Francis of Assisi when he said, “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.”
Tipp City resident Larry Brown is a retired Bradford teacher, a musician and songwriter, and a former candidate for state representative. Guest columns are submitted or requested fact-based opinion pieces typically of 300 to 450 words. Have an idea? Contact arobinson@daytondailynews.com.
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