14: Let's Talk About Trump (Part II)
11/19/20 • 83 min
On today's show, Chong and Dan continue their discussion on Donald Trump. In the previous episode, we tried in good faith to understand Trump and what he represents to his supporters. In this episode, we lay our cards on the table and explain why we think Trump is bad, and why we think it is a good thing that Trump lost his bid for re-election.
Even as we take a more critical view, we try to do this as fairly as possible - first, by laying out the facts of what happened during Trump’s presidency and his observable behaviours; and second, by giving our interpretation and opinion of the facts.
(This is Part II of a longer discussion. See Episode 13 for Part I. Recorded on 14/15 November 2020.)
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - [email protected]
Show notes
Preface and caveat (02:59)
- We recognise the diversity of opinion on Trump
- Let's dispense with "what-aboutism" and have an honest reckoning
Corruption (06:36)
- Trump the grifter - before and during office
- Trump the norm-destroyer
- Takeaway: Trump's self-dealing is deeply corrosive to the ideals of public service and proper governance
A quick review of 40 years of investigations into Donald Trump and his businesses
The definitive list of the 20 presidential norms Trump broke
Competence (28:46)
- Trump lacks the temperament and ability to do the job
- Preference for image over reality shattered by COVID-19 pandemic
- Takeaway: Trump is not capable of managing, nor hiring the right people to manage, the massive and important machinery of the US Government
Breaking with tradition, Trump skips president’s written intelligence report and relies on oral briefings
The Trump Era Sucks and Needs to Be Over
Character (53:12)
- Trump not only fails to embody positive traits, but actively embodies the negative traits
- Trump has made his country more angry, anxious and divided, and has brought out the worst in everyone
- Takeaway: Trump's character is completely defective, and it has a toxic effect on the entire society (and tarnishes the reputation of Christians who champion him)
1 Corinthians 13
What happens when Trump gets out of our brains?
Conclusion (1:18:20)
- What is more important for Christians - our witness or our freedom?
On today's show, Chong and Dan continue their discussion on Donald Trump. In the previous episode, we tried in good faith to understand Trump and what he represents to his supporters. In this episode, we lay our cards on the table and explain why we think Trump is bad, and why we think it is a good thing that Trump lost his bid for re-election.
Even as we take a more critical view, we try to do this as fairly as possible - first, by laying out the facts of what happened during Trump’s presidency and his observable behaviours; and second, by giving our interpretation and opinion of the facts.
(This is Part II of a longer discussion. See Episode 13 for Part I. Recorded on 14/15 November 2020.)
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - [email protected]
Show notes
Preface and caveat (02:59)
- We recognise the diversity of opinion on Trump
- Let's dispense with "what-aboutism" and have an honest reckoning
Corruption (06:36)
- Trump the grifter - before and during office
- Trump the norm-destroyer
- Takeaway: Trump's self-dealing is deeply corrosive to the ideals of public service and proper governance
A quick review of 40 years of investigations into Donald Trump and his businesses
The definitive list of the 20 presidential norms Trump broke
Competence (28:46)
- Trump lacks the temperament and ability to do the job
- Preference for image over reality shattered by COVID-19 pandemic
- Takeaway: Trump is not capable of managing, nor hiring the right people to manage, the massive and important machinery of the US Government
Breaking with tradition, Trump skips president’s written intelligence report and relies on oral briefings
The Trump Era Sucks and Needs to Be Over
Character (53:12)
- Trump not only fails to embody positive traits, but actively embodies the negative traits
- Trump has made his country more angry, anxious and divided, and has brought out the worst in everyone
- Takeaway: Trump's character is completely defective, and it has a toxic effect on the entire society (and tarnishes the reputation of Christians who champion him)
1 Corinthians 13
What happens when Trump gets out of our brains?
Conclusion (1:18:20)
- What is more important for Christians - our witness or our freedom?
Previous Episode
13: Let's Talk About Trump (Part I)
On today's show, Chong and Dan are unleashed. Using the 2020 US election as a launching point, we finally get to the topic that has dominated political discussion and general consciousness over the past four years - Donald Trump.
We start by recapping what happened in the election and how to interpret the results. We then address the question that has been on everyone’s minds: “What’s the deal with Donald Trump?” Despite his apparent flaws, Trump is on track to win 10 million more votes in 2020 compared to 2016.
We think there is a simple, comforting lie and a complex, uncomfortable truth. With great trepidation and in good faith, we delve into the latter in order to better understand Trump and his supporters.
(This is Part I of a longer discussion. See Episode 14 for Part II. Recorded on 14/15 November 2020.)
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - [email protected]
Show notes
The 2020 US election (09:22)
- What happened - the stakes, the process, the results
- Interpreting what happened
- A word on questioning the results and "voter fraud"
Exit Polls Point to the Power of White Patriarchy
How independents, Latino voters and Catholics shifted from 2016 and swung states for Biden and Trump
Trump’s Economy Really Was Better Than Obama’s
“Disruptor” of conventional politics (48:59)
- Trump as the ultimate outsider
- Even in power, he tried to maintain this status
“Fighter” for back-row America (52:41)
- People who are struggling and against the elites
- Psychological and stylistic attraction
Dignity by Chris Arnade
“Champion” of America-first interests (1:01:26)
- International arena - trade, diplomacy, war
- Mix of rhetoric and practice
“Republican” standard-bearer (1:04:02)
- Republicans vote for the Republican ̄\_(ツ)_/ ̄
- Explains the consistency of his support
“Enemy of the Left” (1:07:20)
- A bulwark against progressivism - for Christians and non-Christians alike
- A word on minority groups and why the Left shouldn't take their support for granted
LatinX-plaining the election
Immigrants and the American Dream
“Ally” of the religious right (1:25:49)
- Trump has delivered, transactionally speaking
- Folk Christianity and Trump worship
Christian Conservatives Respond to Trump’s Loss and Look Ahead
Next Episode
15: American Idols
On today’s show, Chong and Dan give thanks for a challenging but fulfilling year. We then get into a juicy topic to finish the year: the relationship between religion and politics. Why is it “complicated”? And what are the dangers when Christians idolise politics? Using the Jericho March held in Washington DC on 12 December 2020 as a case study, we explore four kinds of faulty faith:
- Our personal experience and feeling are paramount (An individualistic faith)
- God’s purposes are for us (An optimistic faith)
- We are pure, they are evil (A Manichean faith)
- We can and must create a better world (A utopian faith)
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - [email protected]
Show notes
Giving thanks for this year (02:17)
What is the relationship between religion and politics? (8:48)
- Spectrum between no distinction and hard distinction
- But practically - it’s complicated!
Background to the case study (16:57)
What I Saw at the Jericho March
What happened at the Jericho March (20:45)
- “The Jericho March was a worrying example of how Christianity can be twisted and drafted into the service of a political ideology” (Source: National Review)
Christianity as Ideology: The Cautionary Tale of the Jericho March
Problem 1: An individualistic faith (28:25)
- Jericho Marchers were told to trust their own hearts, that what they want is what God wants
- Lessons for us - Practice discernment; the heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9)
Problem 2: An optimistic faith (39:10)
- “Many of those people declared Trump to be ‘God’s anointed’... they believe that Trump had a special purpose and a special calling” (Source: The Dispatch)
- Lessons for us - God’s purposes are not necessarily man’s purposes; Christians are called to hope in what’s to come, not to be optimistic about the present
The Dangerous Idolatry of Christian Trumpism
Problem 3: A Manichean faith (46:41)
- Jericho Marchers were told that they are “children of light”, standing against the agents of darkness
- Lessons for us - The line between good and evil doesn’t run between Trump and Never-Trump, but through every human heart; the Bible teaches that we are no better than our enemies (Romans 3:22-23) and we are to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-45)
Problem 4: A utopian faith (55:14)
- “[A speaker] likened the crowd to soldiers preparing for war to restore Eden. ‘We are here to save Earth and its inhabitants,’ he said.” (Source: The American Conservative)
- Lessons for us - Every political movement that has sought to “improve” society by seizing power and dictating thought/behaviour has led to disaster; at his trial, Jesus said that “my kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36)
Conclusion (1:04:38)
- God takes the long view; as Christians, live (and sacrifice) for His kingdom, not for any kingdom on earth
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