By Leah MarieAnn KlettAssistant editor Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Read the first part of Jeffress' interview with The Christian Post here

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ahead of a contentious election season, Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Dallas and former spiritual adviser to Donald Trump, emphasizes the responsibility of Christians to vote based on biblical principles rather than party lines.

“[Pastors] should be talking about issues and not candidates,” Jeffress told The Christian Post during a sit-down interview at the National Religious Broadcasters. “If you remind Christians that they have not only the right, but the responsibility to vote, and then you teach biblical principles, they will know how to vote for the right person without priests trying to push them to one party or another.”

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Jeffress, who was one of the first evangelical leaders to publicly support Trump and attend his rallies during the 2016 primary, said Christians should remember that the ability to vote is a “gift from God” and a “stewardship.” He quoted John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States, who once declared that God had given American citizens the “privilege” of choosing their leaders.

“Remember, the leaders we elect determine the policies we follow, and the policies we follow as a nation determine the moral and spiritual direction of a country,” he said. “That's why every Christian has a duty to vote. When we go to the polling booth, we either vote for justice or injustice. There are no perfect candidates, but we vote based on policies. And if we take a biblical view of the world, I think we will know how to vote.”

A a recent study of the Pew Research Center found that overall, two-thirds of white evangelical Protestants say they have a favorable view of the former president, including 30% who have a very favorable opinion of him. Trump's favorable rating was also found to be similar between Christians who attend church regularly and those who do not.

But to professing Christians who are uncomfortable voting for President Joe Biden or Trump, Jeffress pointed to the consequential nature of elections, citing the significant role the 2016 presidential election played in changing the makeup of the U.S. Supreme Court and ultimately overturning it. Roe v. Wade.

“I would tell people, 'Remember how serious elections can be and how important your vote is.' I wouldn't throw out a vote. But again, I think Christians should follow their own conscience,” he said.

When asked about American exceptionalism, Jeffress — who last year publicly rejected the label of “Christian nationalist” – acknowledged the blessings America had received but rejected the idea of ​​unconditional divine favor. He quoted Psalm 33:12 to support his claim that the success of any nation depends on its respect for God.

“I believe that every nation that respects God will be blessed by God,” he said. “Any nation, including America, that rejects God, will be rejected by God. Never forget, in the End Times, Israel will still be a nation. But in the book of Revelation, there is no mention of the United States of America. So no, there is not an unconditional promise of blessing.”

In considering whether the United States is a Christian nation, Jeffress pointed to the founding principles of the country and the Judeo-Christian values ​​that have historically informed its laws and culture.

“I believe we were established as a Christian nation,” he emphasized. “I am not saying that all our founders were Christians. Some were atheists, some were deists, but the vast majority were Christians. In fact, our laws were based on the Judeo-Christian faith. It is interesting how many times in the first 150 years of our history, the Supreme Court review referred to the United States as a 'Christian nation.' So that idea is not a fantasy. It is not fiction. It is a historical fact.”

Whatever the outcome of the 2024 election brings, Jeffress offered the reminder that Jesus told His followers that while tribulation is a certainty in this world, so is the ultimate victory of Christ and those who follow Him.

“I would just remind people that even though the world seems out of control from our point of view, everything is working according to plan from God's point of view,” he said. “You know, Jesus was very honest in John 16:33. He said: 'In this world, you will have tribulation.' Do not wonder about it in this world, you will have tribulation, but later He added: 'Be of good courage, for I have overcome the world.' Not only did Jesus overcome the world, but those of us who are His followers will also overcome in the end.”

Jeffress' comments about Christianity and politics were made last month at the NRB International Christian Media Convention, where Trump also spoke.

In his speech, Trump claimed that the government under the Biden administration had become hostile to Christians and promised to address the issue with a special task force if he were elected in November.

“This time, the biggest threat is not from outside our country, I really believe this,” he said. “It's from within. It's the people inside our country who are more dangerous than the people outside. We can deal with China, we can deal with Russia, we can deal with all of them if you have a smart leader, but the people inside are very very. dangerous. They are very sick people, in my opinion; in many cases, they are sick.”