President Trump holding a Bible in front of the rioter-torched St. John’s Episcopal Church across from the White House has sparked a riot of words. Democratic Party leaders trashed the president for hypocrisy—once again accusing another of exactly their own actions. But the faith community also piled on Trump, as the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida Greg Brewer tweeted, “This is blasphemy in real time.” Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington told CNN that she was “outraged” because Trump’s actions were contrary to the teachings of Jesus, saying that Christ lived a life of non-violence, but she stopped short of condemning the violence of rioters.

These same people who say the Bible is not a prop for a photo opportunity were silent when Hillary Clinton, the previous president, and Bill Clinton showed up at churches carrying their Bibles. But since it’s Trump, it’s unacceptable and blasphemy. Interesting tweet from a friend of mine, Joel Richardson:

“So many preachers expressing their disgust because POTUS used a Bible as a photo prop. Sorry guys, you’re not the only one who gets to use the Bible as a photo prop.”

To me, Joel’s statement here is far deeper than it appears on the surface. If pastors were using the Bible for more than a prop, perhaps we wouldn’t see so many systemic problems around the country because people would be living out their faith in truth and in love.

Franklin Graham, Billy Graham’s son, seemed to understand Trump’s message. Franklin tweeted:

“After his speech from the Rose Garden Monday afternoon, President Donald J. Trump made a statement by walking through Lafayette Park to St. John’s Episcopal Church that had been vandalized and partially burned Sunday night. He surprised those following him by holding up a Bible in front of the church. Thank you, President Trump. God and His Word are the only hope for our nation. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).”

Christ had a view on the religious leaders of his time. In Matthew 23:27-28, He said,

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

Part of the problem with the religious leadership of our time is that they cannot even agree on what is sound doctrine, leaving the flock scattered and confused. And another part of the problem is that both political and religious leaders often appear to judge others from the content of their own hearts, rather than against the standard of God’s Word.

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In watching and reading about the daily Presidential Coronavirus Task Force briefings from the White House, there are often two differing viewpoints—what I actually saw during the press conference and what was reported. The two are not the same.

The view of the reporters is so jaundiced against the President and his team, that they are not even able to get the facts right. Their opinion on the commentary has become, in their eyes, the facts. They continue poking holes, distributing fake news, and guiding the people of this country toward fear and hopelessness. The leadership of the Democratic Party do the same. Hollywood “stars” also say horrible things. They all should be ashamed.

How many times have you read about some actor or actress saying that Trump is a murderer because of his response on COVID-19? Reporters know that Trump is not a murderer. He is not premeditatedly killing American citizens. So the story has no credibility, yet they write it anyway.

Democrats have said Trump’s response was slow and resulted in many deaths. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) likened Trump to Nero watching Rome burn. She said that “As the President fiddles, people are dying.” When Trump first banned travel from China in January, however, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden attacked Trump’s “record of hysteria, xenophobia and fear mongering,” and Bernie Sanders said he wouldn’t shut down the borders and condemned the President’s xenophobia. Other Democrats joined in their criticism.

At the same time, the mainstream media, including the Washington Post, the New York Times, Vox and others said that Trump’s travel ban would not work, was emotional and political, and began printing stories sympathetic to China. Then they criticized Trump for not closing down travel sooner.

Another example is the Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General issuing a report that there was a shortage of COVID-19 tests. The HHS Secretary said this was the first he had heard of it when asked by a reporter. President Trump questioned the reporters who were circulating the story and found out that the Inspector General that issued the false report was appointed by the immediate past president. The reporters knew the source was not credible and was following a political agenda, but reported the story anyway.

Either you are part of the problem or part of the solution. Hollywood, the news media, or the Democratic Party leadership have not made one suggestion of how Trump and his team could do a better job. Just that he is a murderer, xenophobe and worse. Calling people names, writing stories with no credible sources, saying hateful things, stirring hopelessness and fear, does not help us solve this pandemic. We need to be working together as one body, as described in 1 Corinthians. Verse 25 of chapter 12 says,

“There should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”

This is exhorting believers in Christ, but it is also how we as Americans should behave during this time of crisis. This holds for all of us. We are either part of the problem or part of the solution.

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